🖥️️🎮 - Steam Next Fest - Shift'n Slay & All on Board out today!

Cello

Brolo wrote: »

Brolo wrote: »

Recently, industry insider Jason Schreier said that The Game Awards would feature two exciting announcements, and now, there's a rumor that one of them will be a reveal of Valve's Half-Life 3.

Former Apple employee Nima Zeighami, now working in the AI and XR industry, says that Gabe Newell will announce the long-anticipated game himself: "The rumor I heard, and I am not kidding here, is that Gabe will be there to announce Half-Life 3." However, Zeighami added that he doesn't believe it himself, but there's a chance that it might be one of the announcements that Jason Schreier was talking about.

https://80.lv/articles/rumor-half-life-3-will-be-announced-at-the-game-awards/

Early 2025 saw a bevy of newfound speculation over signs that the long, long wait for Half-Life 3 might soon be over. Now, data contained in some new Valve game updates suggests that the project, known in Valve engine code as "HLX"—and widely assumed to be Half-Life 3—might be reaching the final stages of production.

In a new video, longtime Valve watcher Tyler McVicker goes into detail on a bevy of new variables and strings found after spending hours data-mining the latest update to Dota 2 (the first update for that game since mid-December). The strings suggest a wave of behind-the-scenes Source engine changes dealing with the kind of "optimization and polish" that "happen[ s] at the end of a game's production cycle," McVicker says. "This is getting to the point where it does feel as if Valve is nearing completion of the production of HLX."

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/02/fresh-leaks-suggest-half-life-3-development-may-be-nearing-completion/

i could keep huffing these fumes for another 20 years at least

I Want To Believe

Delduwath

Oh I bet this is why Silksong had to be delayed - I bet they switched to whatever version of Source HL3 is using, and contractually had to wait until HL3 is out first.

After how well this worked for Vampire: Bloodlines - and the studio that developed it - this is clearly a winning move.

Brolo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cVNxWVyzJI0
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1XGaL3pAznA

Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Official Trailer | Pokemon Presents 2025

Get a brand new look at Pokemon Legends: Z-A, coming to Nintendo Switch. In this latest trailer, get a fresh peek at Lumiose city and the pocket monsters you'll be meeting along the way when it launches in late 2025.

#PokemonLegendsZA #Gaming #IGN

this is such an awkward time to announce this

we know the switch 2 exists, but they can't say they're working on any switch 2 titles until April with Nintendo's own first party announcements

Perrsun

It might be the canary for the question “will there be cross-gen games?”

Are they going to do the Xbox-style “buy a game once, we’ll give you the version that plays best on whatever device you’re using”?
Will they do the Sony-style “buy a game, then pay extra if you want the upgraded version later on”?

Or will they come up with some new convoluted answer more annoying than anything we’ve seen before? (My money would be on this one).

Librarian's ghost

If Half-Life 3 is ever to come out it better just release. No build up no release window just it appears on Steam.

Delduwath

Librarian's ghost wrote: »

If Half-Life 3 is ever to come out it better just release. No build up no release window just it appears on Steam.

Put it inside Frog Fractions.

Polaritie

Perrsun wrote: »

It might be the canary for the question “will there be cross-gen games?”

Are they going to do the Xbox-style “buy a game once, we’ll give you the version that plays best on whatever device you’re using”?
Will they do the Sony-style “buy a game, then pay extra if you want the upgraded version later on”?

Or will they come up with some new convoluted answer more annoying than anything we’ve seen before? (My money would be on this one).

Given that backwards compatibility was confirmed for Switch 2 I'd hope it just ends up as a buy once play on either thing.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Alt Zavian

Quetzi

captaink wrote: »

POE1 was one of the early/big Kickstarter games, and the pitch was "let us make an Infinity Engine game in 2013". So if you liked any of Icewind Dale 1/2, Baldur's Gate 1/2, or Planescape: Torment, you'll feel at home.

But having played through a bit of the second zone of Avowed, it explains itself perfectly well. As was said, the closest thing to a main antagonist was a minor sidequest character in POE2. There are some nods to characters here and there, but it's all bonus flavor, nothing at all necessary.

But if you find yourself wanting more or a more traditional isometric RPG, POE1 is good and POE2 is excellent. I have some tips for playing POE1 here https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/46995265#Comment_46995265

And yeah the Gods/afterlife/metaphysics of it all are really well thought out, and they matter. The gods fit familiar archetypes but also have interesting personalities or twists. Like Wael being the god of Secrets and Mysteries. Sometimes he wants you to find some long-lost book and return it. Sometimes he wants you to steal a book from the library and burn it. And they're almost all complete assholes. My personal opinion of "worst god" is constantly changing. I mean, Woedica isn't that bad. Yeah she hates you, but she's upfront about it, and will actually keep her word if you make a deal.

Generally Skaen is my worst god pick. He's such a nasty little worm.

But also I guess technically he is the god of rebellion and class warfare, which I should be generally down with.

Swainwalker

reVerse wrote: »

Half-Life 3 will be an always online games as a service looter shooter where the players take on the role of elite squad of warriors known as the Freemen.

Create a character from one of three unique classes; one that utilizes gravity, one that wields Vortigaunt mysticism, or one that uses the Combine's technology against them.

Live Free and forge your legend in Half-Life 3. Free trial available now.

with tradeable cosmetic gravity gun skins

Delduwath

reVerse wrote: »

Create a character from one of three unique classes; one that utilizes gravity, one that wields Vortigaunt mysticism, or one that uses the Combine's technology against them.

...I kind of want to play this.

Undead Scottsman

Brolo wrote: »

Brolo wrote: »

Recently, industry insider Jason Schreier said that The Game Awards would feature two exciting announcements, and now, there's a rumor that one of them will be a reveal of Valve's Half-Life 3.

Former Apple employee Nima Zeighami, now working in the AI and XR industry, says that Gabe Newell will announce the long-anticipated game himself: "The rumor I heard, and I am not kidding here, is that Gabe will be there to announce Half-Life 3." However, Zeighami added that he doesn't believe it himself, but there's a chance that it might be one of the announcements that Jason Schreier was talking about.

https://80.lv/articles/rumor-half-life-3-will-be-announced-at-the-game-awards/

Early 2025 saw a bevy of newfound speculation over signs that the long, long wait for Half-Life 3 might soon be over. Now, data contained in some new Valve game updates suggests that the project, known in Valve engine code as "HLX"—and widely assumed to be Half-Life 3—might be reaching the final stages of production.

In a new video, longtime Valve watcher Tyler McVicker goes into detail on a bevy of new variables and strings found after spending hours data-mining the latest update to Dota 2 (the first update for that game since mid-December). The strings suggest a wave of behind-the-scenes Source engine changes dealing with the kind of "optimization and polish" that "happen[ s] at the end of a game's production cycle," McVicker says. "This is getting to the point where it does feel as if Valve is nearing completion of the production of HLX."

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/02/fresh-leaks-suggest-half-life-3-development-may-be-nearing-completion/

i could keep huffing these fumes for another 20 years at least

Valve has been leaving for for the next half-life title in in their hands since 2007.

18 years of this shit.

captaink

Quetzi wrote: »

captaink wrote: »

POE1 was one of the early/big Kickstarter games, and the pitch was "let us make an Infinity Engine game in 2013". So if you liked any of Icewind Dale 1/2, Baldur's Gate 1/2, or Planescape: Torment, you'll feel at home.

But having played through a bit of the second zone of Avowed, it explains itself perfectly well. As was said, the closest thing to a main antagonist was a minor sidequest character in POE2. There are some nods to characters here and there, but it's all bonus flavor, nothing at all necessary.

But if you find yourself wanting more or a more traditional isometric RPG, POE1 is good and POE2 is excellent. I have some tips for playing POE1 here https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/46995265#Comment_46995265

And yeah the Gods/afterlife/metaphysics of it all are really well thought out, and they matter. The gods fit familiar archetypes but also have interesting personalities or twists. Like Wael being the god of Secrets and Mysteries. Sometimes he wants you to find some long-lost book and return it. Sometimes he wants you to steal a book from the library and burn it. And they're almost all complete assholes. My personal opinion of "worst god" is constantly changing. I mean, Woedica isn't that bad. Yeah she hates you, but she's upfront about it, and will actually keep her word if you make a deal.

Generally Skaen is my worst god pick. He's such a nasty little worm.

But also I guess technically he is the god of rebellion and class warfare, which I should be generally down with.

The thing with Skaen is that he is the god of rebellion and class warfare, and he wants those to keep happening. If the rebellion ever accomplishes its goals, he's out of a job. So he'll make sure the rebellion eventually fails, or puts in a new ruling class that will inspire new rebels. He's extra nasty in that way.

durandal4532

I mean part of the point of the gods in PoE is that while they represent some basic aspects of life, they’re also fully people with wants and personalities which means that even if you’re really into the concept they’re working with you may still find them contemptible.

Karoz

Undead Scottsman wrote: »

Brolo wrote: »

Brolo wrote: »

Recently, industry insider Jason Schreier said that The Game Awards would feature two exciting announcements, and now, there's a rumor that one of them will be a reveal of Valve's Half-Life 3.

Former Apple employee Nima Zeighami, now working in the AI and XR industry, says that Gabe Newell will announce the long-anticipated game himself: "The rumor I heard, and I am not kidding here, is that Gabe will be there to announce Half-Life 3." However, Zeighami added that he doesn't believe it himself, but there's a chance that it might be one of the announcements that Jason Schreier was talking about.

https://80.lv/articles/rumor-half-life-3-will-be-announced-at-the-game-awards/

Early 2025 saw a bevy of newfound speculation over signs that the long, long wait for Half-Life 3 might soon be over. Now, data contained in some new Valve game updates suggests that the project, known in Valve engine code as "HLX"—and widely assumed to be Half-Life 3—might be reaching the final stages of production.

In a new video, longtime Valve watcher Tyler McVicker goes into detail on a bevy of new variables and strings found after spending hours data-mining the latest update to Dota 2 (the first update for that game since mid-December). The strings suggest a wave of behind-the-scenes Source engine changes dealing with the kind of "optimization and polish" that "happen[ s] at the end of a game's production cycle," McVicker says. "This is getting to the point where it does feel as if Valve is nearing completion of the production of HLX."

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/02/fresh-leaks-suggest-half-life-3-development-may-be-nearing-completion/

i could keep huffing these fumes for another 20 years at least

Valve has been leaving for for the next half-life title in in their hands since 2007.

18 years of this shit.

We did get Alyx tho.

Madican

captaink wrote: »

Quetzi wrote: »

captaink wrote: »

POE1 was one of the early/big Kickstarter games, and the pitch was "let us make an Infinity Engine game in 2013". So if you liked any of Icewind Dale 1/2, Baldur's Gate 1/2, or Planescape: Torment, you'll feel at home.

But having played through a bit of the second zone of Avowed, it explains itself perfectly well. As was said, the closest thing to a main antagonist was a minor sidequest character in POE2. There are some nods to characters here and there, but it's all bonus flavor, nothing at all necessary.

But if you find yourself wanting more or a more traditional isometric RPG, POE1 is good and POE2 is excellent. I have some tips for playing POE1 here https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/46995265#Comment_46995265

And yeah the Gods/afterlife/metaphysics of it all are really well thought out, and they matter. The gods fit familiar archetypes but also have interesting personalities or twists. Like Wael being the god of Secrets and Mysteries. Sometimes he wants you to find some long-lost book and return it. Sometimes he wants you to steal a book from the library and burn it. And they're almost all complete assholes. My personal opinion of "worst god" is constantly changing. I mean, Woedica isn't that bad. Yeah she hates you, but she's upfront about it, and will actually keep her word if you make a deal.

Generally Skaen is my worst god pick. He's such a nasty little worm.

But also I guess technically he is the god of rebellion and class warfare, which I should be generally down with.

The thing with Skaen is that he is the god of rebellion and class warfare, and he wants those to keep happening. If the rebellion ever accomplishes its goals, he's out of a job. So he'll make sure the rebellion eventually fails, or puts in a new ruling class that will inspire new rebels. He's extra nasty in that way.

Generally successful rebels become the new ruling class. Whom he could then work against in that unique kind of godly betrayal.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Slym

My understanding of Alyx as someone who has never used any VR product is that it's the most "game" any VR experience has managed to be.

Lars

Arkham Shadows seems to be a fully fledged Arkham game, just exclusive to very restrictive hardware.

Librarian's ghost

Slym wrote: »

My understanding of Alyx as someone who has never used any VR product is that it's the most "game" any VR experience has managed to be.

It is very good.

Quetzi

Madican wrote: »

captaink wrote: »

Quetzi wrote: »

captaink wrote: »

POE1 was one of the early/big Kickstarter games, and the pitch was "let us make an Infinity Engine game in 2013". So if you liked any of Icewind Dale 1/2, Baldur's Gate 1/2, or Planescape: Torment, you'll feel at home.

But having played through a bit of the second zone of Avowed, it explains itself perfectly well. As was said, the closest thing to a main antagonist was a minor sidequest character in POE2. There are some nods to characters here and there, but it's all bonus flavor, nothing at all necessary.

But if you find yourself wanting more or a more traditional isometric RPG, POE1 is good and POE2 is excellent. I have some tips for playing POE1 here https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/46995265#Comment_46995265

And yeah the Gods/afterlife/metaphysics of it all are really well thought out, and they matter. The gods fit familiar archetypes but also have interesting personalities or twists. Like Wael being the god of Secrets and Mysteries. Sometimes he wants you to find some long-lost book and return it. Sometimes he wants you to steal a book from the library and burn it. And they're almost all complete assholes. My personal opinion of "worst god" is constantly changing. I mean, Woedica isn't that bad. Yeah she hates you, but she's upfront about it, and will actually keep her word if you make a deal.

Generally Skaen is my worst god pick. He's such a nasty little worm.

But also I guess technically he is the god of rebellion and class warfare, which I should be generally down with.

The thing with Skaen is that he is the god of rebellion and class warfare, and he wants those to keep happening. If the rebellion ever accomplishes its goals, he's out of a job. So he'll make sure the rebellion eventually fails, or puts in a new ruling class that will inspire new rebels. He's extra nasty in that way.

Generally successful rebels become the new ruling class. Whom he could then work against in that unique kind of godly betrayal.

Oh he fucking does

There are specific moments mentioned in the Pillars games where he supports people essentially until they start winning and then sets them up to be massacred

RoyceSraphim

I feel shame that the only crpgs I beat were Fallout 1 and 2

so after pripyat (and some other games I have installed) Torment on easy mode with mods

Asthariel

If I remember Skaen lore correctly, he is not just a god of rebellion, but more specifically, god of pointless, self-destructive rebellion that can be easily contained

He supports people that focus of taking cruel revenge instead of improving status quo in any way, then those people are massacred and shown as an example to others - see, rebellions are pointless, better to not think about silly things like that

Skaen is a supporter of the ruling class, pretending to be a rebel

Madican

That would explain why he is supposedly allied with Woedica of all people

Fig-D

Y'all are making me want to play Pillars of Eternity. Which I should, I backed the damn thing...

PiptheFair

I love that you can constantly tell the gods to fuck off and fix the problems they specifically created, and they get so mad

Quetzi

PiptheFair wrote: »

I love that you can constantly tell the gods to fuck off and fix the problems they specifically created, and they get so mad

Deadfire

There is one time that if you do this Rymrgrand disintegrates you on the spot I believe

minor incident

A very good moment in avowed (late game, 4th zone)

When you finally kill Lodwyn, and there's just this moment of your companions going "wait... she's just... dead. She can just die. She's just moral."

And it does a really good job of utilizing the anti-climactic nature of a boss fight to remind you that nah, she wasn't a god, and that at the end of the day she cast a long shadow but she dies just like an ogre or a xaurip would. And then that sets the table for the idea that now that she's gone, you're about to have to go deal with at least one actual fucking god and it almost certainly won't be as easy as putting arrows into them until they keel over.

And that feeling sinking in is really something.

Karoz

Quetzi wrote: »

PiptheFair wrote: »

I love that you can constantly tell the gods to fuck off and fix the problems they specifically created, and they get so mad

Deadfire

There is one time that if you do this Rymrgrand disintegrates you on the spot I believe

I mean

you still win, now he hast to fix his own problems

PiptheFair

Karoz wrote: »

Quetzi wrote: »

PiptheFair wrote: »

I love that you can constantly tell the gods to fuck off and fix the problems they specifically created, and they get so mad

Deadfire

There is one time that if you do this Rymrgrand disintegrates you on the spot I believe

I mean

you still win, now he hast to fix his own problems

it's worse for him, because the entire deal is that he can't

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Quetzi

Okay time for a new one of these