New Aftermath Screenshots

[Tollbooth Willie]

lol, it uses the exact same props as HL2 - nothing's changed. Guess it is an "expansion pack" though.

Er we haven't even Played it yet, so we don't that. Maybe they added some shit here and there.:thumbs:

 

[Vegeta897]

lol, it uses the exact same props as HL2 - nothing's changed. Guess it is an "expansion pack" though.

Oh, you've played the game already? Cool, where did you get it?

 

[Ames]

It's really simple really really simple like really like you know really simple.

You see, since they take place in the same universe, save maybe a few hours after math count plus minus, one should expect the props should be the same. Same for the textures and the models. Well, at least, the basic form, because like you know things don't just change shapes in like a matter of minutes. Hey man, because Alyx got like a boob job in like when she was really running down the you know Combine Citadel that was threatening to destroy all of City 17.

So like you know the two sides of this argument are like really you know not that very thinking much really man.

 

[Vegeta897]

It's really simple really really simple like really like you know really simple.

You see, since they take place in the same universe, save maybe a few hours after math count plus minus, one should expect the props should be the same. Same for the textures and the models. Well, at least, the basic form, because like you know things don't just change shapes in like a matter of minutes. Hey man, because Alyx got like a boob job in like when she was really running down the you know Combine Citadel that was threatening to destroy all of City 17.

So like you know the two sides of this argument are like really you know not that very thinking much really man.

ROFL for many minutes non-stop.

 

[Space Farm]

hahah yeah rofl11 hes so phunny!! lololol

 

[Ames]

ROFL for many minutes non-stop.

Spoiler

Pro Tip: It's not supposed to be funny.

 

[Vegeta897]

*Checks for a post edit*

Nope, it's funny alright.

 

[Asknoone]

ROFL for many minutes non-stop.

Please enlighten me. What was so funny? (I'm actually interested to know what was so funny about that, because I didn't laugh)

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

Please enlighten me. What was so funny? (I'm actually interested to know what was so funny about that, because I didn't laugh)

As am I.

 

[Mechagodzilla]

The game is technologically different from the first because it has HDR and improved AI.

Neither of those things can be seen in screenshots.

So the screenshots instead show new maps, plot points and a few hints at new characters and weapons.

What is difficult to understand about that?

 

[$kelet0r]

how do you know the ai has been improved
we clearly saw in the lost coast that valve didnt improve the ai one bit and in fact the level design really highlighted the glaring problems with it

 

[Ennui]

Well, they look pretty at least.

 

[Vegeta897]

how do you know the ai has been improved
we clearly saw in the lost coast that valve didnt improve the ai one bit and in fact the level design really highlighted the glaring problems with it

The Lost Coast was not a demo for AI nor level design. It was a demo for HDR. Stop treating it like an expansion pack.

 

[Ennui]

Yep. Lost Coast was a tech demo meant to show off the engine's rendering and graphics technology, not AI code.

edit: oh god 6,500.

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

how do you know the ai has been improved
we clearly saw in the lost coast that valve didnt improve the ai one bit and in fact the level design really highlighted the glaring problems with it

Turn up the difficulty, AI has been improved. It shocked me, last time I played HL2 SP was a year ago for the second time. So it was quite interesting seeing some new moves from them.

 

[Asknoone]

The Lost Coast was not a demo for AI nor level design. It was a demo for HDR. Stop treating it like an expansion pack.

Still not enlightened :rolling:

 

[Vegeta897]

You guys confuse me Don't confuse poor old Abdul. You see before you a man who is pushed into poverty by his clever customers. I lose money on every sale, but a man must eat.

 

[$kelet0r]

please don't condescend me^
i am well aware of what the lc is but hey you have funky new ai routines being added to the source code as a whole then why were they not included in it - wouldnt you want to show off your hard work?

maybe it's just me but the greatest let down of hl2 was the ai (good but not the definition of greatness) - its why i'm always bitching about it

 

[Asknoone]

Vegetables and numbers don't mix. You confuse yourself fool! :burp:

 

[Vegeta897]

John, whoever said Valve was finished with their new and improved AI before LC was released? They're probably still working on it for Aftermath.

 

[$kelet0r]

John, whoever said Valve was finished with their new and improved AI before LC was released? They're probably still working on it for Aftermath.

true no one said it since it more than likely isnt true :E
but unlike other tasks for example writing, mapping, modelling when coding anything you divide the task into multiple stanalone mini projects
so if i am coding ai i code the npc reacting to supressive gunfire completely and separately to anything else - it is a standalone piece of code
so while all ai is a wip large parts of it are already definitely complete - therefore easily includable wouldn't you agree

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

Except you then have to reintegrate all those parts and make sure that they operate nicely with each other. It's certainly not a given that they do.

 

[$kelet0r]

Except you then have to reintegrate all those parts and make sure that they operate nicely with each other. It's certainly not a given that they do.

agreed but that can be achieved by supplementary coding linking ai sub routines together
eg code 1 detect suppressive fire code 2 duck code 3 animation roll behind static prop cover = code 1 active code 2 in progress code 3 active code 2 suppressed (lower priority value)
besides you couldnt imagine a company like valve finding a task like integrating code paragraphs fluidly difficult
beyond me but not you are angry lawyers' abilities at all - dont be afraid of some hard work pi :E

 

[RoGuE_TacT-X]

Putting it at Feb./March is being really optomistic. I don't see it coming out until summer. I sure do hope VALVe proves me wrong, though.

 

[Insano]

I say March ftw! :O

 

[Hoopla]

So just because Valve decided to milk everyone for additional $$$, I am supposed to pay (again) to fight same enemies, see the same graphics, laugh at the stupid AI, and to watch an ending that was probably supposed to be in the original game anyway.

No thanks, Valve, you get no more money from me. Build a better engine and make a new game, then we'll talk.

 

[-smash-]

So just because Valve decided to milk everyone for additional $$$, I am supposed to pay (again) to fight same enemies, see the same graphics, laugh at the stupid AI, and to watch an ending that was probably supposed to be in the original game anyway.

No thanks, Valve, you get no more money from me. Build a better engine and make a new game, then we'll talk.

K, have fun. :thumbs:

 

[Space Farm]

So just because Valve decided to milk everyone for additional $$$, I am supposed to pay (again) to fight same enemies, see the same graphics, laugh at the stupid AI, and to watch an ending that was probably supposed to be in the original game anyway.

No thanks, Valve, you get no more money from me. Build a better engine and make a new game, then we'll talk.

Hehehe someone that isn't a Valve zealot. Your are one of a kind, especially on this board.

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

No thanks, Valve, you get no more money from me. Build a better engine and make a new game, then we'll talk.

That made me spit out my drink onto screen, funny one.

 

[Hoopla]

Hehehe someone that isn't a Valve zealot. Your are one of a kind, especially on this board.

You know, I loved the first game and I think that HL2 is pretty good too. But I am tired of people treating Valve like they are the lords of the universe. They made two decent games, that's all.

Now Valve delays a game (AGAIN) and everyone is all of a sudden so forgiving. Makes me want to puke.

Why the delays anyway? My guess is that the delay happened because Valve realized that they have a crappy expansion that will be lame after people just played F.E.A.R and Quake4. So now they are scrambling back to the drawing board.

Also, the Lost Cost looks like crap because Source is now an old engine. A little HDR effect won't help it. Textures still look flat, no dynamic lights and shadows, same old cartoonish looking models. The only reason that HL2 looked good was because the level designers and sound effects crew managed to bring life to this bland engine. Amazing work if you ask me. They need to receive a gaming design Oscar.

I'm sure that I'll be flamed by all the fanboys here or even banned for not agreeing with the consensus, but I am just saying it like it is.

 

[bryanf445]

simply stunning

 

[Space Farm]

He is so right it's not funny though.

 

[63]

'right' is a matter of opinion.

 

[diluted]

What is this 'new AI' you speak of? When has Valve said they were going to improve the AI for Aftermath?

 

[Sulkdodds]

Now Valve delays a game (AGAIN) and everyone is all of a sudden so forgiving. Makes me want to puke.

Why the delays anyway? My guess is that the delay happened because Valve realized that they have a crappy expansion that will be lame after people just played F.E.A.R and Quake4. So now they are scrambling back to the drawing board.

Also, the Lost Cost looks like crap because Source is now an old engine. A little HDR effect won't help it. Textures still look flat, no dynamic lights and shadows, same old cartoonish looking models. The only reason that HL2 looked good was because the level designers and sound effects crew managed to bring life to this bland engine. Amazing work if you ask me. They need to receive a gaming design Oscar.

Oh...noes? They delayed a game? Say it isn't so! Sorry, but I can't help feeling some people are getting far too annoyed about this. It's not that big a deal. Games get delayed all the time - what's with the outrage?

I also don't see how you can know that Aftermath will be 'lame' when you haven't even played it yet. And from what I can see, niether F.E.A.R. or Quake 4 have particularly moved the goalposts (especially not Quake 4) or redifined what we expect from an FPS. If anything, HL2 is still ahead.

Oh yes. Source is bland and the characters are cartoonish? This is the game with the most realistic and emotive faces I've ever seen, and with graphics that are actually believable rather than simply shiny. I'm reminded of the guy who was bitching about how awful the skyboxes were.

 

[Angry Lawyer]

*shrugs* To each his own.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[Hoopla]

Oh...noes? They delayed a game? Say it isn't so! Sorry, but I can't help feeling some people are getting far too annoyed about this. It's not that big a deal. Games get delayed all the time - what's with the outrage?

I also don't see how you can know that Aftermath will be 'lame' when you haven't even played it yet. And from what I can see, niether F.E.A.R. or Quake 4 have particularly moved the goalposts (especially not Quake 4) or redifined what we expect from an FPS. If anything, HL2 is still ahead.

Oh yes. Source is bland and the characters are cartoonish? This is the game with the most realistic and emotive faces I've ever seen, and with graphics that are actually believable rather than simply shiny. I'm reminded of the guy who was bitching about how awful the skyboxes were.

I don't care that they delayed the game – I just find it absurd. I only care that I have to pay for content that should have been in the first installment.

Redefined? Oh please, not this old argument again. Yes, at the time, Half-Life 1 redefined gaming as we know it (first time scripted events, interactive NPCs, coherent story, etc.). But Half-Life 2 hasn't. There is absolutely NOTHING in HL2 that redefines current gaming (yes, physics have been done way before HL2) so stop kidding yourself.

HL2 graphics are the best that you've seen? Fine, if that's your definition of good graphics then we'll leave it at that. To me, they look 3-4 year old.

I also didn't say that Aftermath will be 'lame', I said that I guessed that it was the reason for the delay. Read more carefully next time.

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

What content are you going to be paying for that should have been in the first instalment? Who decides what "should have" been in the first instalment?

Physics were done way before HL2? Sure, Trespasser used them. Trespasser was, frankly, complete ass. Far Cry used them - in a very limited capacity (look! The barrel rolls down the stairs!).
HL2 as a cohesive gaming experience hands-down beats anything else in the FPS genre that's come since Half-Life.

Graphically, HL2 is far superior to anything UE2-engined, or anything Doom 3-engined (yay! Shiny metal surfaces and sharp, sharp shadows!). I'd rather have a decent radiosity solution from static lighting than a harsh and jarring dynamic lighting solution.
What aspect do you think looks "3-4 year old"?

 

[Hoopla]

Well then you obviously forgot or didn't play System Shock 2, No One Lives Forever 1 & 2, Deus Ex, Far Cry, Call of Duty, Chronicles of Riddick, etc. The list goes on and on.

Speaking of Far Cry, how can you even compare HL2's static environments to Far Cry's dynamic environments where trees sway in the wind and you can see life everywhere. Not to mention the dynamic lighting and shadows, superior AI and open ended gameplay. I've seen many people play HL2 and guess what -- they all played it EXACTLY the same way. Why? Because there is just one way to complete each level. On the other hand, I've seen people play Far Cry and all of them had different approaches to completing a level. Now that's what I call a cohesive and superior gaming experience.

And HL2's physics are exciting? So you get to throw some barrels around. Yippee... the novelty wore off after 5 minutes. Adds nothing to the gameplay except some stupid and time consuming "lets put the blocks on the ramp" puzzles. Please, if I wanted these kind of puzzles I would play a Disney game geared for 3 year olds.

As far as "3-4 year old" look, just play any game based on the Quake 3 engine, or games like NOLF2 or Chaser. HL2 doesn't look much better except for the water effects maybe.

I am not saying the HL2 is bad, but I am not a sucker to media hype either. HL2 is nothing but an average shooter.

 

[$kelet0r]

I am not saying the HL2 is bad

oh really
most here seem to think that hl2 is the best fps ever
it must be doing something right

HL2 is nothing but an average shooter.

so explain this were all the game reviewers wrong in saying that not only was this game above average it was the best by a good bit?