Game Informer does an interview with an anonymous Valve employee on HL3 - Polidicks

Here's what Valve should do. Hire Machine Games to make Half-Life 2: Blue Shift (obviously give it a better name), where you play as Barney between the end of Episode 1 and the end of Episode 2. It doesn't need to blow anybody's mind since it's a spinoff but it also would allow them to experiment a bit with the gameplay, removes the gravity gun as a 'necessity', and fills in a blank fans have been asking about since Episode 2's release. Maybe positive reception of such a game would light a fire under Valve's collective arse and get them excited about making a new Half-Life game.

[QUOTE=catbarf;51659839]Yet other companies have released games based on interesting, innovative ideas while Valve has released microtransactions, sequels, and things that aren't games. So either Valve is staffed with uncreative developers (unlikely), has impossible standards regarding what's 'good enough' to release (also unlikely), or the flat structure produces an environment where half-formed ideas die because they aren't popular to work on. Take your pick.[/QUOTE] Actually, by most accounts, its that middle one you called "unlikely". They basically have a high-bar for their standards, they want to make sure whatever they do is going to be good, and they have a lot of criteria that must be met for "good". Your understanding is asinine and wrong.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51660713]Actually, by most accounts, its that middle one you called "unlikely". They basically have a high-bar for their standards, they want to make sure whatever they do is going to be good, and they have a lot of criteria that must be met for "good". Your understanding is asinine and wrong.[/QUOTE] Yeah i thought Valves perfectionism was common knowledge by now.

[QUOTE=catbarf;51660414]Sales platform, hardware, OS, hardware, hardware, microtransactions, microtransactions, microtransactions, engine. Valve certainly isn't a failure as a business, but they're an abject, utter, total failure as a creative game developer, which was what made Valve popular in the first place. Their organizational structure is clearly earning them money but it's also clearly worthless for the projects that they claim to still be pursuing.[/QUOTE] Based on what on any level? They haven't made games that you like in a while? They have things in those games that you don't like? Oh christ all-fucking-mighty there's a fucking crate and a key, just blow my dick off because the world is coming to an end. Ignore the fact that this system when copied by other, smaller teams has helped to provide a profit line for games that otherwise might not ever see a player-base but they can exist in a free-to-play or cheap form when the crate system supplements it. Ignore the fact that Valve didn't even pioneer the crate system, they just made it a household concept. And what exactly is wrong with them trying to expand and pioneer in other fields? The Vive looks to be the most popular enthusiast grade VR HMD despite being second to Oculus and more expensive. The Steam controller was designed to allow easy compatibility with games and a massive range of customization, as well as allowing a more casual "living-room" experience for players. Steam Machines and Steam OS are entirely about eliminating the dependency on Windows for the majority of games, trying to inspire devs to switch off Direct X to other platforms so you don't have to always be buying the latest Windows iteration to access the latest Direct X version, and to give other OSes a wider library. Steam was a massive revolution for PC gaming, one that to this day still greatly shapes the market. Consider how other digital distributors now do their big holiday sales and freebie events and similar. These are things Valve did before them and they followed on, and which have been tremendous boons for the consumer side. Even assuming that Valve is just done being a game developer, a completely stupid and absurd line of thought but I'll humor it. They are still trying to grow the industry and promote it. People can say they are anti-consumer for having shit support or crap refund policies or microtransactions, but the reality is that they have done more for the consumers than most will ever come close to understanding. Few people consider how the dependency on Direct X and Microsoft impacts them, although they're starting to more now than before, but its still tremendously small compared to those who are completely oblivious. Many don't pay attention to what Steam has brought about in the availability of games to the market, how it has made finding and promoting them so much easier and how many games would never have existed without the existence of Steam. Valve is one of the biggest influences in the gaming industry, especially on PC, and has been a massive boon to the consumers. So bluntly put, who fucking cares if maybe they're not developing video games any more?

[QUOTE=plunger435;51660472]What? World of Warcraft, DOTA2, and CS:GO have some of the biggest video games user bases ever. Just because you personally don't like them doesn't mean millions of people don't enjoy them everyday.[/QUOTE] CSGO is just a tweaked CSS. I'll hold my tongue about DOTA2 since mobas are alien to me but I have a hunch it isn't too much more impressive. Sorry Valve. Not impressed. Make a new game that takes more effort. Or strike a deal with another dev team to finish HL. Maybe Valve influence on the market would make something good happen.

[QUOTE=dillspears;51660902]CSGO is just a tweaked CSS. I'll hold my tongue about DOTA2 since mobas are alien to me but I have a hunch it isn't too much more impressive. Sorry Valve. Not impressed. Make something that takes more effort.[/QUOTE] DOTA 2 is leaps and bounds ahead of all other mobas, in terms of complexity, technical skill required, and in business model.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51660713]Actually, by most accounts, its that middle one you called "unlikely". They basically have a high-bar for their standards, they want to make sure whatever they do is going to be good, and they have a lot of criteria that must be met for "good". Your understanding is asinine and wrong.[/QUOTE] Valve's high standards are well known, but the idea that they're creating games that would be AAA successes, but scrapping them because they don't live up to impossible standards of perfection is utterly ridiculous. Nexosz claimed that Valve just scraps ideas because they wouldn't be commercially successful, but if a company literally cannot come up with any commercially viable ideas then perfectionism isn't the problem. [QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51660798]Based on what on any level?[/QUOTE] Because they don't release videogames anymore? Christ almighty, did you read the post you quoted before going on a rant? How many ways do I need to phrase 'Valve is an extremely successful business turning a profit in many lines of work, but they don't make creative games anymore and their business model is not conducive to making creative games' before Valve fanboys stop shouting 'YEAH WELL WHAT ABOUT HARDWARE?' at what should be a simple observation? Edit: I have a Vive sitting right next to me and I buy all my games on Steam, it's not like I'm anti-Valve or feeling betrayed that they're expanding their business. It just shouldn't be at all controversial to point out that while they still [I]claim[/I] to be a game development studio, they sure don't seem to develop games much anymore, and their lack of top-down management is likely a strong reason.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51660713]Actually, by most accounts, its that middle one you called "unlikely". They basically have a high-bar for their standards, they want to make sure whatever they do is going to be good, and they have a lot of criteria that must be met for "good". Your understanding is asinine and wrong.[/QUOTE] And yet they managed to produce DOTA2

[QUOTE=dillspears;51660902]CSGO is just a tweaked CSS. I'll hold my tongue about DOTA2 since mobas are alien to me but I have a hunch it isn't too much more impressive[/QUOTE] factually wrong and a single google search about either game will show that

[QUOTE=NixNax123;51660918]factually wrong and a single google search about either game will show that[/QUOTE] Enlighten me. How is CSGO more than a tweak with shinier graphics and micro transactions?

[QUOTE=dillspears;51660922]Enlighten me. How is CSGO more than a tweak with shinier graphics and micro transactions?[/QUOTE] Vastly different gameplay mechanics based on the different map layouts, ballistics adjustments, engine tweaks...

[QUOTE=catbarf;51660911]Valve's high standards are well known, but the idea that they're creating games that would be AAA successes, but scrapping them because they don't live up to impossible standards of perfection is utterly ridiculous. Nexosz claimed that Valve just scraps ideas because they wouldn't be commercially successful, but if a company literally cannot come up with any commercially viable ideas then perfectionism isn't the problem.[/QUOTE]Except they are financially stable enough that yes, they actually can scrap AAA products at any time because they don't live up to their standards. That is what everything has always pointed to. Like the numerous iterations of TF2. Or how about scrapping massive amounts of Half-Life 2 regardless of the leak. [quote] the idea that they're creating games that would be AAA successes, but scrapping them because they don't live up to impossible standards of perfection is utterly ridiculous[/quote]Prospero and Stars of Blood completely negate this idea immediately. [QUOTE]Because they don't release videogames anymore? Christ almighty, did you read the post you quoted before going on a rant?[/QUOTE]"I don't like the most recent games they've released, ergo they don't release video games anymore." This is literally, factually, undeniably what you are saying. Somehow CS:GO and DOTA2 don't count as video games. Despite having all the elements of a video game. Or the fact that they have been busy developing a new engine for running video games on, one they aren't actively trying to market to other developers and spent time porting Dota 2 to, is not indicative of them still being a video game developer. [QUOTE]How many ways do I need to phrase 'Valve is an extremely successful business turning a profit in many lines of work, but they don't make creative games anymore and their business model is not conducive to making creative games' before Valve fanboys stop shouting 'YEAH WELL WHAT ABOUT HARDWARE?' at what should be a simple observation?[/QUOTE]Say it all the ways you want, but until you start saying something correct, you're going to keep getting called out. [editline]12th January 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=Atlascore;51660914]:speechless: Gee I dunno, maybe the [I]countless[/I] people that played and thoroughly enjoyed their games? They had a massive rabid fan base for a reason, and it's not because of their shitty attempt at a Linux distro or the pre-built PCs with a fancy case and a Steam logo slapped on.[/QUOTE]That's cool. Maybe they should stop thinking themselves the center of the universe and learn to move on? Listening to and providing for you fans is good. Existing solely to cater to their beck and call is how to make pandering trash. Doing what is ultimately better for the industry is preferable.

[QUOTE=SpaceDiggle;51660942]Vastly different gameplay mechanics based on the different map layouts, ballistics adjustments, engine tweaks...[/QUOTE] How's it vastly different? Because from playing it it feels like the same simple game on the same engine.... except you have chickens and skins for your weapons. L4D2 was less of a hack job. Not saying CS should be different, it just isn't "vastly different" in any regard. I think you meant to say "slightly different"

[QUOTE=carcarcargo;51660915]And yet they managed to produce DOTA2[/QUOTE] An incredibly well made game that has managed to attract a tremendous fanbase of both old veterans of its predecessor as well as new comers to both the title and the genre. That is constantly evolving to provide new mechanics and gameplay in a free title.

[QUOTE=dillspears;51660922]Enlighten me. How is CSGO more than a tweak with [B]shinier graphics[/B] and micro transactions?[/QUOTE] This doesn't have much to do with the topic at hand with what people think of Valve but I personally don't get why people say this, and this goes for all games in general, why do "shiner graphics" as you say not count as an improvement? Why demean the graphic artists + modelers who make the assets for the game? what do you achieve doing that?

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51660948]"I don't like the most recent games they've released, ergo they don't release video games anymore."[/QUOTE] Alright, you know what, I take it back, yes, they do make games. As I've said in every other post in this thread, my issue is that they don't make creative, [i]novel[/i] games anymore, just iterative sequels. What was the last original IP they did? Left 4 Dead, which wasn't even developed by Valve? I mean if we were having this discussion a few years ago you could bring up that Portal 2, despite being a sequel, really innovated on the Portal formula. But lately all we've had is CS:GO and DOTA 2, both iterative tweaks on a simple formula that rakes in piles of cash. And people enjoy it and I respect that. I really do. But the company that made stuff like Portal and Half-Life 2 doesn't exist anymore as an organization, and without a massive change to how they do business I strongly doubt we'll ever see more games of their like, let alone a Half-Life 3. You don't mind, and you're happy with Valve continuing their present course? Good for you. I'm personally really excited to see what they do with the Vive. But this smug 'quit bitching, the world doesn't revolve around you' attitude is really annoying, because people aren't demanding that Valve drop everything and make the product they want, they're wondering what happened to the company that they used to like.

[QUOTE=Joshii;51660986]This doesn't have much to do with the topic at hand with what people think of Valve but I personally don't get why people say this, and this goes for all games in general, why do "shiner graphics" as you say not count as an improvement? Why demean the graphic artists + modelers who make the assets for the game? what do you achieve doing that?[/QUOTE] I'm speaking specifically about CSGO. I don't think anyone would scoff at the work that went into modeling and designing something like Witcher 3.

[QUOTE=dillspears;51660979]How's it vastly different? Because from playing it it feels like the same simple game on the same engine.... except you have chickens and skins for your weapons. L4D2 was less of a hack job. Not saying CS should be different, it just isn't "vastly different" in any regard. I think you meant to say "slightly different"[/QUOTE] The core gameplay of CS is great, so there's really no need to do any changes to the formula. Thus, most of the changes exist in the form of gun tweaks, a few new weapons, vastly changed map layouts, better and more stable version of Source, new grenades, new game modes and more emphasis on the competitive aspect of the game. Keep in mind that most people won't notice some of the changes (gun ballistics, recoil and map adjustments come to mind) unless they actually played CS from a more serious and competitive perspective, however, this doesn't mean that the changes are meaningless and without any substance.

[QUOTE=dillspears;51661011]I'm speaking specifically about CSGO. I don't think anyone would scoff at the work that went into modeling and designing something like Witcher 3.[/QUOTE] Sure games like Witcher 3 look great but Valve have also been gradually redesigning maps aswell to give a more "modern" up to date look while taking into consideration balance improvements, the new Nuke and Train for example: [url]http://www.counter-strike.net/reintroducing_nuke/[/url] [url]http://www.counter-strike.net/reintroducing_train/[/url] is a lot more than just a switching textures out on cs:s maps. If we were talking about beta/launch CSGO I would've agreed that it was only a slight improvement but they've been going out their way a lot to improve both visually and balance wise how older maps are and I don't think its fair to try and downplay it, know what I mean?

What kind of hippie dippie shit is Valve? Get some people on board and make a fucking game. The interviewer makes it sound like if anyone isn't 100% on board with an idea it just gets dropped. Like, wtf, if you invest money into something come up with a plan and make it happen. You're not going to turn into Ubisoft or EA if you commit to a project one time. Just do it already. It's like Valve as an entity has affluenza since they've become filthy rich from steam.

[QUOTE=catbarf;51660911] Because they don't release videogames anymore? Christ almighty, did you read the post you quoted before going on a rant?[/QUOTE] Question, whats the average time it takes to develop a video game for most studios? I'd wager for fast devs, modern games take 2+ years if its simple. 3 is around average, with 4 not being uncommon, and 5 years for one title occasionally. Valve is a bit slower and prone to experimentation, and has more flexibility than most, notably a few of their games took awhile to be made (9 years for TF2, for example, or 6 for HL2, etc). Last year they released The Lab, if you want to count that, and they just finished(?) developing a new engine, so im sure they're working on something. [QUOTE=catbarf;51660911]Valve fanboys[/QUOTE] Dude, jesus.

[QUOTE=AaronM202;51661075]and they just finished(?) developing a new engine[/QUOTE] They're still working on Source 2 I believe, there was a recording back at Steam Dev Days where someone asked a Valve employee about it and they said something along the lines of it being still too early to be anything yet or something like that.

[QUOTE=Atlascore;51661059]Aside from VR what are they actually doing to better the Games industry? Serious question.[/QUOTE] Oh here we go. [QUOTE=Atlascore;51661059]Steam Controller? The market is already flooded with controllers.[/QUOTE] You mean a universal controller that can be used for any game and can be customized in every single way imaginable? Using trackpads instead of joysticks? Its not just another controller, its actually kind of impressive and cool as shit. Its telling that you're simplifying it to just another controller when its anything but. [QUOTE=Atlascore;51661059]SteamOS has accomplished absolutely nothing, nobody has been convinced to move over to Linux, since it's release the number of people using Linux on Steam has been trending downward.[/QUOTE] You dismiss an attempt as them not trying? They made an attempt, and were bound to stumble and fall on their face, but they actually tried, which is more that can be said for most. Also correlation =/= causation, i severely doubt Steam Machines caused Linux users to stop being Linux users. [QUOTE=Atlascore;51661059]Steam Machines are literally just pre-built PCs, a concept that has existed for decades.[/QUOTE] Packaged with SteamOS and at various strength levels/cost so as to try and market PC gaming to a broader, more casual console audience. Dude come the fuck on. [QUOTE=Atlascore;51661059]Source 2? It brings nothing new to the table, the industry already has great, free to use engines like Unity, and Unreal Engine 4.[/QUOTE] So just because other engines exist, nobody should make another engine ever again? What? [QUOTE=Atlascore;51661059]The crate system? It's unregulated gambling plain and simple, it's done nothing but harm both the industry and consumers. Countless people have become addicted to what amounts to gambling because of this shit.[/QUOTE] I wouldnt say its that simple but this is really the only point you have in this post.

why is everyone arguing about what they've released recently like it's still 2014 [editline]p[/editline] pointing to dev time kind of falls apart when you look at their previous release schedule and consider the fact that they have multiple dev teams it's not like the entire company was working on dota 2 and the dev cycle restarted after it released

[QUOTE=Joshii;51661090]They're still working on Source 2 I believe, there was a recording back at Steam Dev Days where someone asked a Valve employee about it and they said something along the lines of it being still too early to be anything yet or something like that.[/QUOTE] Ah i see. I'd probably attribute that to the recent dry spell in their games, or atleast a major contributing factor, given that they're in a transitional period between two engines.

[QUOTE=catbarf;51661004]But the company that made stuff like Portal and Half-Life 2 doesn't exist anymore as an organization, and without a massive change to how they do business I strongly doubt we'll ever see more games of their like, let alone a Half-Life 3.[/QUOTE]Again, you're only saying this because they haven't released a game you like since then. While in the mean time they've been busy creating a fucking engine. The core component to actually creating video games. Along with maintaining both CS:GO and Dota 2. Dota 2 only recently finally got every original Dota hero added and added its first original hero and a rework to major gameplay mechanics. It's likely going to see its development slowing down before too long like with TF2. Do you think they'll just not do anything with their brand new engine they're sitting on? [sp]People who are actually informed know they're making games. Left 4 Dead 3 is a thing we know about. And yes, there is reliable information about another Half-Life 3 attempt being made recently, and possibly still in progress.[/sp] [QUOTE]You don't mind, and you're happy with Valve continuing their present course? Good for you. I'm personally really excited to see what they do with the Vive. But this smug 'quit bitching, the world doesn't revolve around you' attitude is really annoying, because people aren't demanding that Valve drop everything and make the product they want, they're wondering what happened to the company that they used to like.[/QUOTE]I don't mind because I'm actually informed on the subject and understand the nuances of the actions they take. I'm not jilted because one game series I like hasn't gotten a sequel. And yes, there are plenty of people who do demand Valve cut all of its other developments to create another Half-Life title.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51661107][sp]People who are actually informed know they're making games. Left 4 Dead 3 is a thing we know about. And yes, there is reliable information about another Half-Life 3 attempt being made recently, and possibly still in progress.[/sp] [/QUOTE] I should point out Left 4 Dead 3 leaks have been consistent (as much as they can be) for like 3 years, so its probably going strong. Didnt they say they were going to be announcing something this year at Dev Days? Im not 100% sure but if it isnt VR, my moneys on L4D3. [editline]12th January 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=catbarf;51661004]Alright, you know what, I take it back, yes, they do make games. As I've said in every other post in this thread, my issue is that they don't make creative, [i]novel[/i] games anymore, just iterative sequels. What was the last original IP they did? Left 4 Dead, which wasn't even developed by Valve?[/QUOTE] I think the only original IP Valve has is Half-Life, everything else is stuff made by teams they absorbed (Portal, L4D kind of, Alien Swarm) or mods they made legitimate (Team Fortress, DOTA, DoD).

[QUOTE=AaronM202;51661101]Ah i see. I'd probably attribute that to the recent dry spell in their games, or atleast a major contributing factor, given that they're in a transitional period between two engines.[/QUOTE] Pretty much this. Hopefully when Source2 is done they start making some new singleplayer games cause they sure have a talent for it. Bonus if it's original IPs. [QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51661107]I don't mind because I'm actually informed on the subject and understand the nuances of the actions they take. I'm not jilted because one game series I like hasn't gotten a sequel.[/QUOTE] Jfc get off your high horse.

[QUOTE=Pelf;51661148]Jfc get off your high horse.[/QUOTE] The same easily refuted crap arguments born from uninformed notions get brought up in every thread. Anyone who bothers to take the time and inform themselves isn't going to bring up these arguments because they're just factually incorrect. He pointed to me and said, "You don't mind." as if it was just a matter of opinion on the subject when its a matter of fact.

[QUOTE=AaronM202;51661075]Question, whats the average time it takes to develop a video game for most studios? I'd wager for fast devs, modern games take 2+ years if its simple. 3 is around average, with 4 not being uncommon, and 5 years for one title occasionally.[/QUOTE] One year is fast (and Valve has done it- 1 year for L4D2). Two years is the standard for all major AAA publishers. Three years is long. Four or more is entering development hell. If Valve said they were working on it and it were taking a long time, that might be one thing, but when the message coming out of Valve is that they keep trying and keep abandoning it and making no apparent progress, that doesn't seem promising. TF2 was in development a long time, but Valve was working on other projects that were actively being released. HL2 took a long time, but they had material to actively show off during development that they spent the development cycle building from. It wasn't radio silence for six years and the project being 'rebooted' multiple times, it was a slow development with changes along the way. The only evidence that Valve is actually making new games now comes from snippets of information extracted from leaks, while ex-employees describe the company's management structure as a popularity contest wholly non-conducive to something like Half-Life 3, and the company's other current projects point to a shift towards hardware and the 'infrastructure' of games rather than games themselves. The most likely scenario here is that someone at Valve is trying to make HL3 or L4D3, but the company structure ensures it probably won't see the light of day before it crashes yet again. It's just not their line of business anymore. And [I]I'm okay with that[/I] (wild and dangerous opinion: I think many of Valve's games are good, but overrated), but people are acting like nothing's changed because CS:GO exists and any day now Gabe Newell is going to suddenly announce HL3, and I think that's directly at odds with the evidence. Actually, while we're on CS:GO, it's incredible to me that Activision can publish a new Call of Duty every year that's essentially the same game with a new story and multiplayer content and get called unoriginal cash grabs, while Valve releases CS:GO which is essentially CS:S with new multiplayer content and microtransactions and people seriously hold it up as evidence that Valve still makes games like they used to. [QUOTE=AaronM202;51661075]Dude, jesus.[/QUOTE] Yeah, well, I don't know what else to call this smug 'valve can do no wrong' shit coming from a guy who seems clinically unable to interpret my posts as anything other than whiny longing for Half-Life 3: [QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;51661107]I don't mind because I'm actually informed on the subject and understand the nuances of the actions they take.[/QUOTE]