HL2:EP1 to be a "standalone" product

[SFLUFAN]

Eurogamer is reporting that Half-Life 2: Episode 1, the upcoming first single player expansion pack for Valve's best selling first person shooter sequel, will in fact be a stand alone product and will not require the purchase of Half-Life 2 itself. According to Valve's marketing director Doug Lombardi, "Episode 1's complexion and density is markedly richer than Half-Life 2."

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=63038

 

[Kanehdian]

Good option for those who got their Steam accounts banned.

Though the download would be bigger for those who don't have the original...

 

[Dowie]

Maybe they redid all the content or most of it, so the Half Life 2 stuff is outof date.

Maybe for HDR who knows. Its probably a good move though, as it will allow more people to get the game/addon/episode/pong remake.

 

[IsolatioN]

Interesting. In a way its sort of good, but won't this beef up the filesize like, a ton? Since it will have to install all of the Source files that HL2 installed also, not to mention if they plan to re-use any models from HL2 they will be included in the EP1 disc/download as well..

 

[kattmat]

Yhiha, no need to buy HL2 then.

 

[ríomhaire]

Interesting. In a way its sort of good, but won't this beef up the filesize like, a ton? Since it will have to install all of the Source files that HL2 installed also, not to mention if they plan to re-use any models from HL2 they will be included in the EP1 disc/download as well..

I asume that HL2 files (if they exist) will be copied into the E1 directory prior to download. That's what happened with Lost Coast right?

 

[UltimaApocalypse]

Well considering It's going to be a 3rd of Half Life 2, the filesize won't be as big. From going through the Lost Coast commentary, I learned that they changed most of the models to make it look more realistic. So if Aftermath will have HDR, most of the models will be changed.

 

[AKIRA]

You think we'll be introduced to some new enemies other than the combine/zombies in any of the episodic content?

 

[IsolatioN]

You think we'll be introduced to some new enemies other than the combine/zombies in any of the episodic content?

I wouldn't be suprised if we did, but I also wouldn't get your hopes up. Maybe Valve wants to save all the new enemies for "big releases" like HL3.

I hope they add enemies they took out of HL2 like the cremators

 

[ríomhaire]

You think we'll be introduced to some new enemies other than the combine/zombies in any of the episodic content?

Bring on the synths!

 

[Asknoone]

You think we'll be introduced to some new enemies other than the combine/zombies in any of the episodic content?

Yes. Synths and whatever the hell storms through the barriers surrounding the city. Bullsquids for the Futha Muckin win.

 

[Epsi]

Steam doesn't do anything as crude as having two identical copies of the same content.

If you have HL2 installed, EP1 will use that content straight from the HL2/Source caches. Otherwise, it'll create them on disk, and then download anything EP1 needs. So if you then installed HL2 afterwards, you'd have a smaller download than if you didn't install EP1.

 

[AKIRA]

What I meant in my question was do you think we'll be introduced to like another major antogonist? Like in HL it was the vortugants, in HL2 it was the combines/citadel..

 

[Asknoone]

Doubtful. The Combine are our enemy now, and thats clearly what they are gearing towards. The Combine itself is a shroud, we've bearly tapped into their ranks and leadership.

Aftermath is about escaping City 17, the downfall of the Citadel and if he has survived (which I'm sure he has), taking on Breen once more, and last but not least Gman...who, we've been promised, will play a much larger part.

 

[AIDisabled]

So, Valve finally decided to stop caring about pirated copies?

 

[ríomhaire]

So, Valve finally decided to stop caring about pirated copies?

Stand alone from HL2, not Steam.

 

[AIDisabled]

Yeah, but still, if it wasn't stand alone, if HL2 was required, all pirate version players would've been screwed, no?

 

[ríomhaire]

Yeah, but still, if it wasn't stand alone, if HL2 was required, all pirate version players would've been screwed, no?

Pirate HL2

 

[bigburpco]

I wouldn't be suprised if we did, but I also wouldn't get your hopes up. Maybe Valve wants to save all the new enemies for "big releases" like HL3.

I hope they add enemies they took out of HL2 like the cremators

From how Doug Lombardi and Robin Walker answered questions regarding questions, I have come to the conclusion that there won't be a HL3.

Does anyone find it weird? Some people whine that Valve MUST do some stuff, then when Valve announces something related to that some stuff, they whine and say Valve wants to make big money out of everything, and whine that Steam is just for money to be raked in. *Points to EA* They then rant about Valve being corporate whores *Points to EA and MS*

Evidence? Just go to the PHL forums. Ragghggghhh.