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Half Life 2 development story
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:14 am
by DRuM
Because I'm playing the game at the moment, I looked up reviews and stuff and came across this. I'm sure it's been around a long time, but it's fascinating reading the whole concept to fruition story behind this game. The article is pretty long but might be interesting to game developers here.
http://www.gamespot.com/features/6112889/index.html
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:38 am
by I cant spell u
Alternatively, you can just buy the book. And if you're hardcore enough, the hl2dm mousepad.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:17 am
by DRuM
Why buy the book when you can read it for free and get a video interview as well? This story is amazing.
" On February 15 a strange e-mail arrived in Gabe Newell's inbox at 6:18pm. The subject line was blank, but the text of the e-mail from "Da Guy" was rich in detail. "Hello, Gabe," the author began. He then proceeded to admit that yes, he was the hacker who had broken into Valve's network. In fact, he had been inside Valve's network for about six months, watching the game's development on a daily basis. He claimed he never intended to harm Valve with his hacking. Instead he just wanted to observe Half-Life 2's development because he was such a huge fan of the original game. And then, unbelievably, he even offered his compliments to Newell and the team on their amazing development skills.
At first Newell didn't know if the e-mail was some sick joke or an authentic mea culpa. But then, at the end of the e-mail, the hacker provided proof that he was legit: He included two files from Valve's network that hadn't been released to the public. One was a Microsoft Word document that detailed Valve's plans for the E3 2003 demo. That was all the evidence Newell needed. This was "da guy" who had screwed them. His first reaction: "I'm getting on a plane and I'm bringing my crowbar with me."
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:55 am
by HateFactor
Good article...I remember reading the Quake 3 one by the same guy, back in 1999.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:25 am
by I cant spell u
LMAO, I just read the part where he tricks the hacker and gets him arrested.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:22 am
by Mr.Magnetichead
DRuM wrote:Why buy the book when you can read it for free and get a video interview as well? This story is amazing.
Because the books is also filled with amazing concept art and material that was cut from the final game.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:40 am
by DRuM
Oh fair enough, didn't know there was a book anyway. Still, for those like me that don't really care enough to buy the book, this article has a lot of interesting info and some concept art and drawing board artwork.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:14 pm
by seremtan
Mr.Magnetichead wrote:DRuM wrote:Why buy the book when you can read it for free and get a video interview as well? This story is amazing.
Because the books is also filled with amazing concept art and material that was cut from the final game.
yeah there were some great engine renders of wrecked ships on the coast section and combine buildings that never made it
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:24 pm
by Mr.Magnetichead
Any all the different character and creature designs.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:52 pm
by mik0rs
The webmaster of one Half-Life fan site posted a bitter missive on Valve: "The bottom line is this: I'm not a fan of Valve anymore. I don't believe a damn thing they say and I'm sick of their bulls***."
Now I like games, but fucking hell what a loser.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:14 pm
by Mr.Magnetichead
It's because he had an inflated sense of self importance and valve told him to go sit in the corner and shut up.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:17 pm
by Foo
That, and/or the idea of following one particular games development company seems mightily retarded.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:32 pm
by mik0rs
It's just the vision of someone being genuinely upset, badly upset that they won't get to play a game for a few months, it's pretty pathetic amiriteyesiam.
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:53 pm
by seremtan
i seem to remember a certain swedish muppet on this board getting similarly angsty over the STALKER delay