Fake Half-Life 3 April Fool

[Chris D]

As you know, we're dead against April Fools jokes which is why it is only right that we debunk one. It's just not fair to be tricked in such a way.

There is a fake URL being passed around various news sites which, when visited, looks like the Steam Store home page containing a pant-wettingly exciting image of a Half-Life 3 logo and the words "Now Available".



Sadly, however, clicking on this image takes you to this one:



It seems to be widely believed at various sources that this is a real attempt by Valve at an April Fools' prank. Unfortunately though it is clear when you look at the URL: http://store.steamppowered.com/ that it contains an extra "P".

The moral of the story? Don't be fooled. You fools.

 

[Vegeta897]

Well since anyone who goes to this site immediately finds out it's a prank by clicking it (and through common sense) I don't see how anyone could remain fooled. Don't be fooled whether it's Valve's official prank or not? Who cares. Anyone who knows Valve can tell this isn't their work anyway, because they would never put something that controversial on their store front and especially not use that gabe image. Valve is a lot more subtle and tongue-in-cheek than that.

 

[MuToiD_MaN]

Valve is a lot more subtle and tongue-in-cheek than that.

Indeed. I loved their Counter-Strike "realism update" from back in 2005:

Spoiler

An update is available for Counter-Strike: Source. The update will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. This update addresses requests for more realism in Counter-Strike: Source. The changes are as follows:


Features/Additions
Doubled player speed when jumping. The effect to cumulative, so the more you jump, the faster you go.
Cut price of AWP by 50%.
Added akimbo Riot Shield to buy menu.
Removed de_dust from mapcycle.
Realism Enhancements:

Knives:
Between rounds, it is suggested that you unsheath the weapon and repeatedly press the attack key to air it out as the leather now collects moisture and creates pits on the blade, making it less effective in the next round.

Shotguns:
1. Firing the shotgun without ammo loaded will now cause it to jam.
2. When the shotgun jams, press F2 to fill out form DA-1823-00/A12-H8.
3. You should then hear a scribbling sound. When it stops, press F3 to send the request to LIDM.
4. Failure to do paperwork before pressing F3 will result in the immediate return of the unrepaired shotgun.
5. The repairs can take 1-2 rounds for completion. During that time, you cannot purchase a replacement firearm and may only use your sidearm or knife.

Player Models:
Several models now feature eyewear. This is a completely cosmetic enhancement with the following exceptions:

Part EP-7829-292-2 must be purchased and worn correctly at all times in order to see during the round.

In between rounds, you may purchase and use part EC-2231-833-H34 to clean your EP-7829-292-2. Note: that this does not clean the eyewear itself!

To clean the eyewear, you need to purchase and use the designated cleaner, EC-2231-233-H34, EC-2231-523-H34, or EC-2231-239-H34a respectively depending on your model's eyewear. You can determine the part # of the correct cleaner by asking someone.

Machine and submachine guns:

At least once every five rounds, press F1 to inspect the weapon:
A musical cue indicates that the inspection has started. Now press F1 again repeatedly to clean and lubricate the weapon.

Your Preventative Maintenance Status (either "cleaning" or "lubricating") is determined by the speed with which you press the F1 key and will be displayed above your head.

To accurately simulate real life maintenance mistakes, pressing F1 too quickly will lubricate either the bolt face or the trunnion block. Pressing F1 too slowly sprays lubricant directly into the buffer tube. All mistakes render the gun inoperable, though this may not become immediately apparent.

Experiment with keypress timing to avoid (and discover!) other common maintenance errors.

In order to balance the improved stopping power of a well-maintained weapon, the reloading process has been made much less reliable.

When reloading, you should listen for two or three distinct clicks over a period of several seconds.

If you hear one click or no clicks or more than two clicks, you've bent the link ejector chute and the gun will most likely explode on the next attempt to fire it, though it may not.

 

[Vegeta897]

Indeed. I loved their Counter-Strike "realism update" from back in 2005:

That's the first one I remember Valve ever making, it was so novel (to me) at that time for a game company to be so humorous.

 

[JUL3]

I agree with Veggie, that Gabe-Trollface is hardly flattering.

 

[Chris D]

To clarify, the "fools" I refer to in the news post are not necessarily our community members. If you search Google for Valve and April Fool you will see just how many fools fell for this.

The fools are the ones who actually posted this as real news. There were still "news" sources posting this last night as if it were real.

/me facepalm

 

[Vegeta897]

I guess I overestimated people.

 

[Chris D]

That's not like the Vegeta897 we know and love.

 

[SpotEnemyBoats]

Well, this may be fake. But there has been another official HL3 trolling by Valve employees. This was on twitter, courtesy of SPUF and Reddit.

Link