Halflife 2 coming to Xbox?

[John Beaulieu]

Doug Lombardi of Valve Software let AreaXbox - the biggest German Xbox magazine - know that there won't be any details about Half-Life 2 for the Xbox until after E3. The existence is of the title was confirmed in the Official Xbox Magazine but Valve is not wanting to take the limelight away from the PC version which is set to steal the show at E3 later this month.


Here's the quote:

"Yes, we're also working on an Xbox version, though not releasing any specific details on that until after e3."

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[Popo]

Got to wonder how well HL2 will translate across to the old controller...

Half Life was all about pixel-perfect shots, nothing like the system used by games like Halo, there would have to be a fairly generous amount of auto-aiming.

[John Beaulieu]

worked out ok on ps2 (and dc) didn't it?

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[NeilMcRae]

worked out ok on ps2 (and dc) didn't it?

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Compared to the PC version - absolutely no.

[Molloy]

Can't they just release a keyboard and mouse for x-box? They should have included a standard connection so that you could just plug your PC ones in. Anybody who has an x-box probably also has a PC.

[Garibaldi Biscuit]

*sigh* The old Controller vs Mouse/Keyboard combo again, God forbid they might both be valid methods eh? I won't deny that control is sharper with a mouse/keyboard, but it is nowhere near unplayable with the controller, reaction time is slower by default however...but the only place I can see this mattering is if you were playing on-line against someone with mouse/keyboard.

Half-Life2 for the XBox is certainly a tempting proposition, even more so for folk like me who can't afford to upgrade their machines to 'Ninja' status in order to run it, obviously a few graphical effects would have to be eased down but I can't see any reason as to why it couldn't be very good indeed.

[replicant]

I always find it funny how official magazines jump on these sound bites from marketing men, which is what Doug Lombardi is. He isn't actually part of the developing team. This is similar to the current state of play with Doom III on the xbox. Little fragments of knowledge, but nothing confirmed.

I would expect Half Life 2 to appear on all consoles. Valve aren't known to be shy when it comes to pimping their gear around. We just need to look at how much mileage was achieved by the original game. It shouldn't surprise anyone that the game will appear sometime on consoles. I just don't understand the point in trying to get some mileage out of it now - its a long way off.

If the game definately comes out then its good news for xbox owners, but I would be surprised if its this year. If you read the exclusive preview of the game Gabe Newell seems to be still flat out on finishing the PC version for the Sept 30th launch. Only after that is finished will porting move on.

I think the final quote from Gabe himself gives the state of play on the where the current priorites are -

"The rumour that we were going to be launching Half Life 2 on the XBOX first, was the one that really made me laugh"

[Rabasaurus]

Half Life on the DC wqas unplayable using a controller as you lose so many essential functions due to lack of buttons/analogue sticks.

But havinf played FPS more and more now on consoles I cant see it being a problem. The PC hardcore will be out in force with thier 'keyboard and mouse' flags but who cares. Joypads are now an acceptable way of playing FPS, even though I do prefer a KB and mouse myself.

[Kron]

Half Life on the DC wqas unplayable using a controller as you lose so many essential functions due to lack of buttons/analogue sticks.

Pfft rubbish.

Just use the DC keyboard and mouse if you cant work out the buttons.

[replicant]

Half Life on the DC wqas unplayable using a controller as you lose so many essential functions due to lack of buttons/analogue sticks.

Pfft rubbish.

Just use the DC keyboard and mouse if you cant work out the buttons.

You back him up there by suggesting to use the keyboard and mouse!

[PeteJ]

If the PC version hits the market on time, I'd place money on the Xbox port coming in time for Christmas.

[Kron]

Half Life on the DC wqas unplayable using a controller as you lose so many essential functions due to lack of buttons/analogue sticks.

Pfft rubbish.

Just use the DC keyboard and mouse if you cant work out the buttons.

You back him up there by suggesting to use the keyboard and mouse!

Nope, read it again

[Popo]

The thing about PC FPSs is that they are designed around the keyboard and mouse, unlike, say Halo or Timesplitters, which are designed around a controller - I'm not saying there's anything fundamentally wrong with using a controller (Halo proves that if you get the deign mentality right, the controller works fine), but converting a game designed around the mouse and keyboard to a controller results in a sloppy control system which impedes play.

The more gifted you are with your fingers, the less noticeable this is, but even recent offerings like UT Championship on Xbox have shown that play isn't nearly as smooth on the console version as it is with the PC version. You can go with the console version if you like, but I know which I'll be getting.

[Brats]

That's a fair point Popo, but just because something is more difficult with a pad, doesn't make it any less fun. I've found UC to be a great laugh, even though I'm used to playing UT with a Keyboard and Mouse. Granted, my abilities are not as good, but it's the same for everyone else. It does mean that when I do pull off a great move like a shock rifle combo whilst strafing that the feeling of fulfilment is that much greater 8).

[Popo]

We'll agree to disagree then