Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Concept]

Yup - That's the one.

[Spatial]

Those screenshots look very much like the G-man Video camera cave that was shown at E3 2K3.

Just taken a look at the HL2 forums results of the VST - those FPS are really high given some of the kit they're running on

Seems there's no worries about how the game will perform on my kit. If there was a smiley for `W00t` I'd be using it right now.

[Concept]

Trust me, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Playing about in the settings, as long as I switch Vsync off (which without it isn't usually a problem with this monitor), I've now got 67fps with AA/AF on full, and high detail elsewhere at 1280x1040.

To be honest, I can't see your 9800Pro being very far off at all.

And yes, that's the E3 cave.

[Ish]

These benchmark results are pushing me over the edge... with it looking like it'll run absolutely fine on a 9800 Pro. Come on Valve. Give us the damn game!

[Concept]

Tell me about it. The lucky sods who have a coupon for Half-Life 2 over Steam begin their pre-loading today of that very game.

Like Spatial101 pointed out a few pages back, it can't be long now. I think, heaven forbid any more unseen problems, we're almost there.

[Concept]

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=1193&s=1

Half-Life 2 benchmarking review for those interested.

[Concept]

1) It looks as though the fragmentation of the E3 2004 showing has started to happen in Bink Video form. New direct-feed videos of said beginning scenes, here:

http://gamesdomain.yahoo.com/predownload?g=39189

http://gamesdomain.yahoo.com/predownload?g=39190

2) New preview of Half-Life 2 in this link:

http://gamesdomain.yahoo.com/feature/39392

By the way certain things are phrased, it does sound very much like the game is just around the corner, or that they expect to (or already) have it in the coming weeks.

3) Half-Life 2 preloading delayed while Valve concentrate on the Counterstrike: Beta testing.

http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?id=8389992

4) Speaking of which, I've taken a few screenshots of that very Beta in action here:

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/2228/de_dust3.jpg

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/1879/de_dust4.jpg

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/2228/de_dust3.jpg

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/7817/de_dust0003.jpg

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/7628/de_dust6.jpg

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/7130/de_dust7.jpg

Now, although this remake of Counterstrike isn't perhaps the best indication of the Source engine in action, it's possible to pick up on various (and fairly obvious) elements. For a start, the Beta has so far run at 60fps for me at all times as a spectator, no matter how much action happens on screen. In other words, the engine seems to be fairly stable when it has had to throw around lots of information. Secondly, while I still think Doom III's lighting and shadowing system is a leap ahead as to what the Source engine can offer, it does seem to have a few aces up its sleeve in other areas. Namely, texture detail seems to be of a very high quality. You'll know it when the engine runs, as there just appears this distinct trademark that allows any texturing to appear extremely pinsharp. Now, in what is perhaps the Source engine's closest comparison, although Doom III blew me away in many respects, there were times when the actual texturing did seem to vary in quality depending on the room, scene, object, environment, you were placed in. Personally, in terms of special effects (such as fire, water distortion, reflections, overall texture quality) from -what I've seen so far of the Source engine-... It still seems to have an edge (in places mind) over other engines of its own generation.

[Len]

Oh stop it, I'm just getting far too excited now, it's difficult to quell!

Just about to buy my new rig (finger hovering above the buy button), only thing stopping me is the case, having major difficulty getting hold of the one I want...typical!

[nips]

You kinda did choose a poor level to illustrate lighting. It's too bright. A darker one would be best... however, it will somewhat restricted becuase, as you said, this is a remake, so they will not have such an opportunity to show it off. One of the best things about Doom 3's setting is that it is dark, so any light is exaggerated further.

To really see HL2's lighting effects as they should be, we'll have to wait for HL2 unfortuantely... but like you said, this is a good indicator. YEY!

[Concept]

Lem - It can't be far now... If there's one game to pick up a new rig it'd have to be Half-Life 2.

But then I suppose it comes down to personal preference.

Nips - The lighting on Counterstrike?

As far as I know there's only one full map available right now for the Beta, hence my lack of choice. That's been the case when I've surfed the servers anyway.

I maybe wrong. Like I said, the real reason I was interested in this Beta (intially) was for the VST benchmark. I'm going to try and properly get into Counterstrike playing-wise this weekend, but as I said before, a part of me just knows I'm going to continually get my arse handed to me on a plate by what are most likely elite players. That's kind of a turn off at present.

[Spatial]

Downloading those new Binks now ( we really should have an emoticon for bouncing up and down on this forum !!! )

I think Valve have said they're not going to make the Binks from E3 2K4 directly avaliable to the public, but only the press - and that was only going to happen when the game neared completion.

Now the Binks have started appearing, its another sign that we're on the final stretch

[Super Stu]

How about:

edit - yeah, got a jaw drop too ;p

[Inertia_]

From what I recall of my brief experience with the HL2 beta, the detail of the textures and the overall environments was astonishing. Whereas the new Doom engine is all in the effects (imagine the levels with flat, non-dynamic lighting and no shadows), Source is far more appealing to my eye, at least.

Have to say, though, those Counterstrike screens don't really do it justice.

[Spatial]

How about:

Nice, but I'm loving this one


It should be added to the board IMO

Edit :- Just read that Yahoo article in full and was amazed to find out Dr Judith Mossman is voiced by the woman who played Ensign Ro is Star Trek TNG. God I really had a thing for her back in the day

[Concept]

Inertia -

Aye. It does look better moving. Unforunately, any experience of lag and it's tended to corrupt any future shots, which has made taking many in one go difficult considering the fact the Beta seems to suffer from lag quite a bit.

As for the Bink video when you first arrive in City 17... (Potential speculative spoilers)...

Notice how Dr. Green says the place is "provided by our benefactors" and "it's safer here"... Those two lines seem to indicate during the years Freeman has been away that a war (or fight) has been going on... This seems to be further backed up when you're being taken to an interrogation room and another prisoner says he was given a "relocation coupon" like everyone else. Almost as if population centres are being categorised and placed... And that's further suggested if you take a look at the destination board in the trainstation in the video... There are other places labelled C24, C27 etc.

Also, the mention of benefactors makes it sound like there's a force behind the Combine, which leads me to believe they're probably being manipulated from the aliens in Xen. Just take a look at the weird markings on the posters with Dr. Green on them in the trainstation.

I love scene setting like that. Little scraps of narrative or suggestions of where the story may go, which get you thinking.