Half-Life 2: Aftermath now Half-Life 2: Episode One

[Draft]

Got your attention, didn't I? And now you're probably saying, "Well how am I going to buy it then?" And the answer is, "one piece at a time."

Valve Software has revealed to GameSpot that Aftermath, the upcoming expansion pack to the award-winning 2004 shooter Half-Life 2, has been renamed "Half-Life 2: Episode One." When asked whether the name change is indicative of a change in direction for the Half-Life 2 franchise, Valve marketing director Doug Lombardi replied, "episodic." When asked the follow-up question of whether the new name meant that beginning of a regular flow of content, Lombardi replied, "yes."
Thanks to Gamespot for keeping us in the loop. (http://www.gamespot.com/pages/news/story.php?sid=6144151)

Hardly a shocking turn of events. Valve has talked up episodic content for a while, and now they're putting their money where their mouth is.

Edit: This older story (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6142119.html) mentions a retail release through EA. So. Not really much of a story here after all.

[agentgray]

I'm not surprised either. However...

Translation: We just don't have it all done and it's easier to just release a level at a time and we can charge a premium for it.

Somehow, I don't think these episodes will be released in a timely manner.

[TrackZero]

So.....yeah, exactly. This means Aftermath is now only coming in episodes? Or that Aftermath has just been turned into the first episode....?

[Schnoogs]

Never underestimate the level of cynicism possible here..

[PIPBoy3000]

I was planning on downloading it anyway, so this isn't really a big issue for me.

I'm still not convinced about how well episodic content will turn out. There's some value in sitting down and playing a full game in a single sitting, along with a nice story arc that goes through several resolutions. I guess it depends how much gameplay we're talking about in each sitting. Fifteen hours seems quite reasonable, assuming it's fun.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

Episode 1 = Aftermath.

This is a good thing, I guess, nothing bad about it except it sucks for those on slow internet.

[Heretic Machine]

Fifteen hours seems quite reasonable, assuming it's fun.

...Per sitting? Dude, that's about twice as much as the average full game lasts these days. I think you've got your head in the clouds.

[TheKeck]

If it's truly just a name change, and simply means that we'll be getting more after Aftermath, then I'm all for it.

If it means that Aftermath has been reduced in some way, that pretty much sucks.

[Kefkataran]

Very cool. I'm down with this. Hope it turns out well. The only problem I could see is that, well, Valve's not exactly stellar about getting stuff done fast...

[Jukey]

This is a good thing, I guess, nothing bad about it except it sucks for those on slow internet.
It's ALL bad if you run a video game store.

/Runs an independant video game store.

[Sion]

Have all of you been living under rocks? Valve said a long time ago that they would have more than 1 eps. Eps 1 will focus on the chars, eps 2 will focus on vehicular combat.

After eps 2 has been out Valve will review the feedback on what poeple like and dislike about the vehicles, then they will make TF2 wich is going to be about the 9 hour war(or was it 11?).

I'm not surprised either. However...

Translation: We just don't have it all done and it's easier to just release a level at a time and we can charge a premium for it.

Somehow, I don't think these episodes will be released in a timely manner.

*sigh

[fndarkone]

Today is feb 11, 1:11am cst, not April 1st.

[Kefkataran]

Today is feb 11, 1:11am cst, not April 1st.

?????????????????????????????

[Lunar Blue]

I'm actually a little disappointed since i was planning to get the pack with HL2 everything + af..Episode One once released.

[Varsity]

That's still coming out.

This news doesn't change anything, anyway. Aftermath was always going to be episodic and there was always going to be further episodes after it (word on the wires is the next one focuses on vehicles). It's just a new, blander, name.

[Nessus]

Have all of you been living under rocks? Valve said a long time ago that they would have more than 1 eps. Eps 1 will focus on the chars, eps 2 will focus on vehicular combat.

After eps 2 has been out Valve will review the feedback on what poeple like and dislike about the vehicles, then they will make TF2 wich is going to be about the 9 hour war(or was it 11?).


Man, I hope that ends up happening. I loved the Team Fortress mod for Quake. And having it take place during The Seven Hour War could be cool too.

[Fyd]

I want TF2 :D

[Borys]

Haha, great title D.r.a.f.t.

Man, Valve can't release shit on time.
However when they finally realease something it's ungodly good :)

Hey it's like Blizzard.

[Kefkataran]

Man, Valve can't release shit on time.
However when they finally realease something it's ungodly good

Hey it's like Blizzard.

It is pretty similar. But seriously, who doesn't prefer solid gameplay to solid release dates?

[PIPBoy3000]

...Per sitting? Dude, that's about twice as much as the average full game lasts these days. I think you've got your head in the clouds.

Well, the amount of gameplay for full releases has indeed gone down. Fifteen hours may be optimistic. I suppose I'd settle for eight or so. If they're charging ten bucks for a couple hours of gameplay, I may have better ways to spend my time. There's free mods out there that offer up dozens of high quality hours of gameplay.

[Qoz]

I suppose I'd settle for eight or so. If they're charging ten bucks for a couple hours of gameplay, I may have better ways to spend my time.

I think your best bet would be inbetween. 4-5 hours is probably right. An expansion should be the same (or a little less) then the original.
Paying 10 bucks for 4-5 hours would be fine by me, but I'm not really interested in how long it takes. I would much rather have a shorter quality episode. I know this is not going to happen because alot of people are focused on the time aspect, so valve will probably make alot of filler content to make people busy. This is one of the downsides of episodic content - you have less ressources and people expect bang for the buck, so the content is spread thin. Same as TV series I guess. Gotta re-use the props.

[Pumped'Up]

yep, guess I won't be buying/playing this...unless it is offered on CD/DVD on the store shelves.

[DreamSlider]

It is pretty similar. But seriously, who doesn't prefer solid gameplay to solid release dates?

Oooh! Oooh! Can I vote? Solid gameplay please. But can I amend that with 'fun' gameplay also? In my mind, they are not always hand in hand.

I personally can't wait for something like this... $10-20, 4-10 hrs of gameplay (I think that's pretty fair for an FPS from Valve, seeing as how HL2 took me almost 30 hrs) every 2-3 months. 2-3 designers, 2 artists and a tester and you're money (with engineers if you need to add new functionality/upgrades). With a cycle like that, where the storyline is continuous, or it fleshes out the world *not* EA-style "add a feature, release the game every 9 months and charge them 50-60 a pop" crap (though those bastards have gotten me for the last 3 NFS iterations, which I had fun with... :mad: ), I'd play HL2 until they retired it and made a new game. Same with some of my other favorites recently... if they piecemealed me with games like this, they may own my soul more than WoW did (I recently broke free by getting myself sucked into Dragon Quest VIII :confused: )

Plus, if you're someone like Valve, you get to cut out that pesky little middle man (no offense to the independant here, I'm mainly talking about EB/GameStop, you just happen to be collateral damage) who loves to resell your product and force feed it to customers over product (new) that actually helps you develop a new game.

[Demize99]

It's ALL bad if you run a video game store.

/Runs an independant video game store.
I'm sorry, but you and EBgames have been made unnessessary. I'd much rather give my money to the people actually making the games than the people who sell them or advertise them. Course, I do make the games... so I maybe biased.

[Karmakaze]

I can't believe this has been up on EA for over 12 hours and no one has made the obvious Phantom Menace connection.

[Evil Avatar]

yep, guess I won't be buying/playing this...unless it is offered on CD/DVD on the store shelves.

It will be. There is too much money not to. I'm going to be somewhat interested to see the Electronic Arts version of Half-Life 2. I wonder if that will finally be a "Steam Free" version of the game.

I would love that.

[Goronmon]

Sorry if I don't exactly believe Valve when they say there will be a "regular flow of content."

[Schnoogs]

It will be. There is too much money not to. I'm going to be somewhat interested to see the Electronic Arts version of Half-Life 2. I wonder if that will finally be a "Steam Free" version of the game.

I would love that.

Steam is the best thing since sliced bread...having to physically buy games is an inferior means of distribution.

It's called progress...but then again there is the "Earth is flat" society.

[The Tenth Hokage]

Steam is the best thing since sliced bread...having to physically buy games is an inferior means of distribution.

It's called progress...but then again there is the "Earth is flat" society.

For me anyways, I actually would like a physical copy of the game. Sometimes the game comes with cool art and such. Yeah, I'm that guy who still buys Audio CDs.

[Schnoogs]

For me anyways, I actually would like a physical copy of the game. Sometimes the game comes with cool art and such. Yeah, I'm that guy who still buys Audio CDs.

I cannot wait for a day when I can download every game...

[MasterKwan]

Game stores have no less than 5 years and perhaps no more than 10 years before they're made superflous. It all depends on verizon (and other providers). Currently broadband penetration is still too low (in the US) to put games stores out of business any sooner.

I look at the way the XBOX360 makes downloading demo's a breeze and see full game downloads on the horizon. You'll just need a bigger hard drive. Live for the consoles, Steam for the PC's.

[bapenguin]

Steam is the best thing since sliced bread...having to physically buy games is an inferior means of distribution.

It's called progress...but then again there is the "Earth is flat" society.

At first I despised STEAM. It was constantly causing issues. After it became stable it was fine.

Now I have 2 issues.

1) It's a damn resource hog
2) LOWER THE FRICKIN PRICES. The shit on STEAM is way overpriced. Everything should be -$10 from retail.

[Mason]

1) It's a damn resource hog
2) LOWER THE FRICKIN PRICES. The shit on STEAM is way overpriced. Everything should be -$10 from retail.
You can love the idea regardless of the implementation. And Steam's main drawback is a lack of competitors right now.

Publishers need to see the value in these services. They are the main reason that so few games are targeting online distribution; they hold the purse-strings and have decided to bet on the standard retail chain, since it lets them get away with cheap-ass marketing. Cardboard displays in EB Games and pretty box art cost a lot less than competing with pharmaceutical companies for prime-time ad spots.

But the main value of the retail chain right now is centralization: if all gamers go to game stores, then cheap marketing in the game stores is thought to be a worthwhile way of reaching gamers. But the exact same centralization would occur if you had a Steam-like online service on which all of your products were cheaply distributed. Valve's done pretty well with this, Steam will chirpily inform you of new products, tech demos, and upcoming releases. It's worked really well for them, and is a lot more informative and less insulting than a cardboard display.

Publishers are late to this game, but they're also in the strongest position to push for change. They just lack the will and foresight.

[MasterKwan]

"Charge what the market will bear" that's the American way. Price it as high as you can and still make your sales figures. If you charge too much, people won't pay.

I sell shareware, it's priced on the high side. I'm balancing sales with support costs. I'd rather have fewer quality customers who don't need much support over many poor quality customers who cost me more in support than I'm earning from the sale. Valve has to walk the same balancing act. Price it high enough to cover support and development costs but, low enough that people will actually buy it. It's basic economics.

I have yet to buy anything from Steam simply because there's nothing compelling I want to buy. When Sin and the expansion pack comes out, I'll be more then willing to buy them.

[Mister Pie]

If the entire Aftermath is just "Episode One" then that's cool. It really makes me wonder though... are they going to release episodes once every two years or something?

[Achilles]

Episodic content seems like a fine idea, but so far it looks like it takes about as long to release an ‘episode’ as it does a whole game. They’ve been talking about this particular expansion for about a year now, and now it’s an episode, which would seem to be smaller than an expansion, and it still probably won’t be out till the end of the year at the earliest.

[Kefkataran]

Episodic content seems like a fine idea, but so far it looks like it takes about as long to release an ‘episode’ as it does a whole game. They’ve been talking about this particular expansion for about a year now, and now it’s an episode, which would seem to be smaller than an expansion, and it still probably won’t be out till the end of the year at the earliest.

End of the year? I'm expecting it long before that. Last I heard it was supposed to be out in March, and I wouldn't expect a delay from that, but still earlier than the end of the year.

[Mason]

Episodic content seems like a fine idea, but so far it looks like it takes about as long to release an ‘episode’ as it does a whole game. They’ve been talking about this particular expansion for about a year now, and now it’s an episode, which would seem to be smaller than an expansion, and it still probably won’t be out till the end of the year at the earliest.

Well they've clearly been working on expanding the engine and making new assets to match. I imagine that'd be a large one-time task at the beginning of the project, along with writing and designing all the episodes, in a generalized sense. Fleshing out, developing, and testing each episode should of course be much quicker than a full game, but naturally the first chapter will be the slowest to arrive.

And let's face it, there's no such thing as "fast and high quality". You get one or the other.

[Pumped'Up]

Steam is the best thing since sliced bread...having to physically buy games is an inferior means of distribution.

It's called progress...but then again there is the "Earth is flat" society.
You CAN NOT play the game without a freakn active STEAM account. Yes playable offline, but eventually you will need to login to be "reactivated". Forget your password and you'll have to jump through email hoops to Steam support to get your account running again, so you can continue playing a game you purchased and rightfully own.

The day when Steam shuts down can't come soon enough.

[Schnoogs]

You CAN NOT play the game without a freakn active STEAM account. Yes playable offline, but eventually you will need to login to be "reactivated". Forget your password and you'll have to jump through email hoops to Steam support to get your account running again, so you can continue playing a game you purchased and rightfully own.

The day when Steam shuts down can't come soon enough.

Are you really that ignorant? Do you really think that the ultimate form of distribution for digital content will be via brick and mortar stores?

Try scratching a disc and see how far that gets you...do you know how many times over the years I've lost games, songs, and movies because of scrathed discs, chewed up tapes, etc.

Oh gee...you have to email valve...wow...what a burden.

[jadkins555]

I like the idea behind digital distribution, but I dislike the implementation of it on sites like Direct2Drive. If you purchase something there, you are given a license for something like 2 computers. If you format your computer, then that counts as another one of your licenses because it doesn't recognize it as your original computer.

That is the thing that I hate about DRM. I really don't mind the theory behind it, but the implementation of it makes the consumer suffer because of poor design. Steam has it done right, where you can log in from anywhere on your single account.

[Kefkataran]

The day when Steam shuts down can't come soon enough.

You may not like it, but I really don't see it shutting down any time soon. Sorry.

[Mason]

Are you really that ignorant? Do you really think that the ultimate form of distribution for digital content will be via brick and mortar stores?

Try scratching a disc and see how far that gets you...do you know how many times over the years I've lost games, songs, and movies because of scrathed discs, chewed up tapes, etc.

Oh gee...you have to email valve...wow...what a burden.

Yeah, the convenience of managing a bunch of optical media that you have to switch out whenever you want to switch games, versus the burdens of having an internet connection at some point and not forgetting your username and password. Curse Steam to the pits of hell!

I've got shelves of old PC games. It isn't pretty to look at. HL2 is not on that shelf, yet I'll always be able to play it on any computer I own, and this makes me happy.

[Schnoogs]

Yeah, the convenience of managing a bunch of optical media that you have to switch out whenever you want to switch games, versus the burdens of having an internet connection at some point and not forgetting your username and password. Curse Steam to the pits of hell!

I've got shelves of old PC games. It isn't pretty to look at. HL2 is not on that shelf, yet I'll always be able to play it on any computer I own, and this makes me happy.

Couldn't agree more...when I built my last machine it was a breeze reinstalling HL,HL2, adnd DODS.

I just clicked a few buttons and left the room to eat...came back a bit later and presto!!

Then I spent the next few hours monkeying with Far Cry, FEAR, and various other games with their 4-5 installation CDs. That's a pain and a waste of my time.

[Royal Fool]

I cannot wait for a day when I can download every game...

*cough* You already can... *cough*

:p

[Schnoogs]

*cough* You already can... *cough*

:p


Heheheheh!

[Neosho]

Couldn't agree more...when I built my last machine it was a breeze reinstalling HL,HL2, adnd DODS.

I just clicked a few buttons and left the room to eat...came back a bit later and presto!!

Then I spent the next few hours monkeying with Far Cry, FEAR, and various other games with their 4-5 installation CDs. That's a pain and a waste of my time.

Assassin, as much as you and me have butted heads in the past, i agree with you here, 100%. Flame away... :D

[Citizen Philip]

Agreed. B&M stores may still have a value, but as place to purchase video games, it is becoming more irrelevent. I too have lost game manuals and CD-keys. etc and cannot play a game I already legally purchased. Which is more than annoying about forgetting a password.

[fitbabits]

Thanks to Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com) for the news (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8137).

A report by consumer game website GameSpot indicates that Half-Life developer Valve Software has renamed its forthcoming PC expansion pack Half-Life 2: Aftermath to Half-Life 2: Episode One.

The name change is apparently a result of plans to make an episodic continuation of the award-winning FPS downloadable via the company's Steam digital 'content distribution system', rather than a more traditional, more retail-friendly one-off expansion that was previously planned.

Speaking to GameSpot, Valve marketing director Doug Lombardi also indicated that Episode One would be the first in a regular line of core single-player expansion content for Half-Life 2, following use of Half-Life 2's Source engine for projects including Counter-Strike: Source and Day Of Defeat: Source.
Huh! I like the idea of more single-player content, but I'm not sure about episodic content.

[Nite_Moogle]

What better way to promote episodic content on Steam than for Valve to do it themselves?

[Klade]

Supposedly they are saying that Episode 1 is not shorter then Aftermath, its just a name change. But I also have a nice bridge to sell you if you believe that.

This sounds like a perfect reason to have less content. But presumably it will be for less money, if thats so then I think its a fair trade.

[dotbomb]

Shouldn't the original Half Life 2 be episode one? Or is it episode zero?

[Grifter]

Great Post Fitbabits unfortunately it can already be found here (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9657)

[fitbabits]

Shouldn't the original Half Life 2 be episode one? Or is it episode zero?
Maybe Half-Life was episode 4?

[fitbabits]

Great Post Fitbabits unfortunately it can already be found here (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9657)
Thank you - I've merged the threads. Oh, and my reason for not noticing it? I was in Chicago this weekend attending a memorial service and was out of the EvAv loop.