By Blink on
A HD version of the gameplay video featuring Stephen Merchant was sent out by Valve yesterday:
“An HD version of the Portal 2 Wheatley footage that introduces Stephen Merchant as Wheatley is now available. In addition to introducing Merchant, the footage gives a deeper look into Aperture Science and shows off some of the new rendering effects in the game, which is due for release on Feb 9, 2011 for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC and Mac.”
By ad_hominem on
A new horror-themed Source mod has been released, named Nightmare House 2. I've not played the original or followed any of the development of the sequel, but apparently it has quite a following. Here's what the website has to say about it:
“Nightmare House 2 is a free, horror-themed first-person-shooter game, and the direct successor of the first classic horror map pack "Nightmare House". Nightmare House 2 is based on the Source Engine by Valve, also considered a modification (mod) made for Half Life: Episode 2.
The story resumes with the player lost and confused in a hospital known as "Never Lose Hope". With no understanding of how you came to be there, there's only a vague memory of the mysterious, haunting girl from Nightmare House. Soon it will be difficult to determine between a dream and reality. How long will it take you to realize that escape is not an option?”
By msleeper on
ThinkingWithPortals.com's download database has returned! After a long process of converting it from an older version, the vast library of Portal custom maps is back and waiting for Portal mappers and modders to upload new content, as well as being ready for upcoming custom maps for Portal 2.
“New files automatically generate a new thread in the Release Forum! Instead of having to post a Release thread and link your file there and having a separate set of comments about the download, the new Download Database is fully integrated with the forums. When you upload a new file, it automagically makes a new thread in the Community Release forum, allowing you to centralize feedback. Your thread is linked to on the Download page, and your Download page is linked to on your thread!
Upload Versioning - All versions of files are kept! You only need to keep track of one Download page for each version of your maps. Whenever you upload a new version, the old version is automatically kept in storage. People can download previous versions in case there is compatibility issues, or if you need to roll back to a previous iteration of the map! You also have full control over this versioning, and you can delete any and all previous versions in case you don't want older versions of your works floating around.”
By ad_hominem on
While many of us may have forgotten about the promised DLC campaign for Left 4 Dead, Valve clearly haven't. Nor, for that matter, have PC Gamer who have conducted an interview with Chet Faliszek about what we can expect from the update. There're some pretty interesting details featured in the article, including the following snippet:
“The original plan was to make The Sacrifice for Left 4 Dead only. L4D2 had The Passing, and its counterpart was meant as an exclusive for the original game. Chet explains. “It’s a really fun campaign, it’s got lots of high Hunter leap points and stuff. And we said ‘You know, this would be really cool in Left 4 Dead 2. Some of these locations would be cool for the Spitter and the Charger.’ So we decided we’d release The Sacrifice not just for Left 4 Dead 1, but for Left 4 Dead 2.”
The decision to add No Mercy to Left 4 Dead 2 was simply that it was very popular with players, and Valve like it a lot. “When we first changed them over,” Chet says, “they were brutally hard. Your strategy of holing up in corners just disappears, because the Spitter is going to wreak havoc. The Rooftop of No Mercy now, with Chargers and Tanks, is… you’d better not stand by a ledge.”
They addressed that by giving players the best of Left 4 Dead 2’s arsenal, including several of the mighty M60 machineguns added by The Passing. “You’re playing as the Left 4 Dead 1 characters in Left 4 Dead 1 maps, but you get melee weapons, the new weapons, the defib – all the stuff from Left 4 Dead 2. You get to see Zoe with a chainsaw, Zoe with an axe,” Chet says with ill-hidden lust.”
By Mess on
Valve have revealed more about Portal 2 at GamesCom 2010. Perhaps the most pertinent information is that the game will be released on February 9 2011. They have also revealed that the voice of Wheatley is to be provided by Office star Stephen Merchant.
Here's a video of off-screen footage.