Episode 2 Confirmed

[liPillON]

I can't believe nobody already posted this!

Tuesday 21st February 2006
VALVE CONFIRMS HL2: EPISODE 2!
A follow-up to Episode 1 already well underway, Valve reveals, while also handing us tantalising info on Episode 1's storyline

13:08
Valve Software has confirmed with us that Half-Life 2: Episode 2 is already being whipped into shape, as the Half-Life fan base waits with baited breath for the release of Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (previously called Aftermath).

Valve's Robin Walker, designer/engineer on Episode 1, informed us that Episode 2 "has been in development for some time" in an interview that'll be winging its way to you shortly. Although he didn't elaborate further, it sounds as though Episode 2 may appear sooner than we could have hoped. We're definitely keeping trigger fingers crossed on that one, especially as the developer has aimed to offer "between 4 to 6 hours" of gameplay time with Episode 1, according to Walker - shorter, perhaps, than fans might have expected.

During the interview, he also dropped a few teasers about Episode 1's storyline. Discussing the challenge of penning the plot for the episode in comparison to penning the plot for Half-Life 2, Walker said that the developer has had "to be considerate to our audience in terms of giving them what they want". While "Episode 1 will not end with an all-encompassing conclusion", it will address some specific questions, he revealed: "For example, "What happened to the Citadel at the end of Half-Life 2?" and "What happened to Breen, is he dead?" and "How does the G-Man factor into all of this?"

Keep eyes peeled for our full interview with Robin Walker, in which he dishes further dirt on Episode 1 and chats about Half-Life 2 in general - coming soon!

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/news/news_story.php?id=134629

 

[Rizzo]

cool, real nice.

 

[pgod]

We won't have to wait too long for ep2...
So I guess the wait will start after ep2

 

[Kanehdian]

I would be really surprised if episode 2 came out this year, considering that Valve takes their time polishing their products before releasing them.

 

[xombine]

I think there's a slight chance that we'll see it by Q4, that is if Ep 1 is out in April. If that gets pushed back then I say 07.

 

[$kelet0r]

I think there's a slight chance that we'll see it by Q4, that is if Ep 1 is out in April. If that gets pushed back then I say 07.

2007 is a bit optimistic - i'm thinking Q3 2008 :bounce:

 

[Asuka]

Very cool info. One thing im very worryed about is the ending and the Gman. I just so worryed what they will do with the story. I have full trust in Valve! Bring it on!

oh ya and i cant wait for the Full interview!

 

[Dowie]

Its on IGN as well: http://pc.ign.com/articles/690/690278p1.html

well some of it anyway good, news anyhow,

I wonder if it is still about vehicles

 

[Sufferin-rebel]

From what I theorized..

Half-life 2 Beta tried to bring you Big packets of fun...

Gabe scrapped that and decided to give you fun in smaller dosages..

I also theorized that we will encounter freeman going on a full trek, through europe

 

[Trooper]

I heard about this earlier today. It's good news. I just hope that they can deliver in a timely fashion.

As for storyline, I hope they bring back some of the stuff that was cut out like the ice levels. It's most likely wishful thinking, but you never know.

 

[russ_uk]

From what I theorized..

Half-life 2 Beta tried to bring you Big packets of fun...

Gabe scrapped that and decided to give you fun in smaller dosages..

yea and still charge for the full product for each episode

 

[AKIRA]

Bah, episodic content, nothing angers me more than short games, they're so useless. I mean 20 bucks for 5 hours of gameplay? what a rip off.

 

[InnerRayg]

I like all the teasers, but seriously....
Is anyone at all surprised to hear this is coming out? Who -didn't- expect it?

 

[UltimaApocalypse]

Akira, would you rather wait what....2 years for Half Life 3 or would you rather get one perhaps TWO a year?

 

[Cole]

20 bucks for 5 hours of gameplay... hmm..
Thats like 40 bucks for 10 hours of gameplay...

HL2 can be easily beaten in 10 hours..... HL2 was $50. I'd say it's worth it.

 

[Nu Zalem]

Heh, my HL2 was $40 and I got HL:source, HL2, and counterstrike: Source along with a T-shirt, and a booklet...not a bad deal if you ask me.

Episodic content, it's cheap and c'mon it has that Half-Life name on it. We all know that Hl is big especially when it comes to the storyline so why not grab it. I figured if you paid $50 for HL2 when it first released and knew how quickly it can be beaten but loved it, you can also deal with the episodic content and probably make it just as enjoyable. I guess different people have different opinions.

 

[BrimStone04]

Bah, episodic content, nothing angers me more than short games, they're so useless. I mean 20 bucks for 5 hours of gameplay? what a rip off.

I have been reading that its only going to be like $12.00 on steam, so thats $24.00 for 10 hours, continue to do the math and u can see its not ripping u off in $ amounts.....only thing im just bummed is like my favorite TV shows, Alias/Lost, the cliffhangers get me going mad and i can barely wait a week. If theres any cliffhangers in these i will go mad with anticipation.

 

[halem111]

do you think that each episode will have like a new feature...ep 1 has better ally ai ...i think i heard somewhere they want to do an ep with lots of vehicle action in...maybe along the lines of sin episodes maybe??

 

[DigiQ8]

Akira, would you rather wait what....6 years for Half Life 3 or would you rather get one perhaps TWO a year?

fixed...

 

[bigburpco]

Oh shit - did the article say that Episode 1 & 2 had been in development for the same amount of time?

Gawd, I hope that's true.

 

[AKIRA]

After reading the online interview that was posted on the main page today, I'm having second thoughts about the episodic content...it seems like it's going to be decent.

But if I had a choice of waiting 2 years for one final epic game called Half-Life 3, I would take it without hesitation. I mean, now episodic content doesn't really bother me that much but wouldn't you rather have the Half-Life series end in one big adventure(1 final FULL game)? I know I would.

 

[Obi_Kwiet]

I think we knew this when the name was changed to Episode 1.

 

[Dario D.]

The Matrix 2 and 3 came out in the same year, because they were filmed/developed at the same time.

Hopefully episode 1 and 2 have been in developement all this time (which would explain why it took so long for Episode 1 to come out), so that they can release them within the same year...

It would be too annoying to get only 4-6 hours of gameplay from Ep1 and then wait another whole year for another sip of gameplay in Ep2. I think if it's as I hope, it would be a much better deal, and make sense... (not to imply that's what's actually going on).

 

[highlander]

me want now, now dammit now, right now , i'll give u money

 

[kupocake]

ABut if I had a choice of waiting 2 years for one final epic game called Half-Life 3, I would take it without hesitation.

So would I. Unfortuantly, in the real-world, Valve don't make sequels that get finished in 2/3 years. They spend at least double that time making something that is truely worth playing. If they make a HL3, it'll be a future, ground-breaking project that represents the same leap taken between HL1 and HL2.

 

[AKIRA]

Well, however long it takes doesn't matter to me. I just don't want the half life series to end in episodic content.

 

[Rizzo]

Well the last game probaly wont come as a episode... I think the last in the series will be big.