Valve To Add Sign Language To Episode 3?

[Logan Westbrook]

Valve To Add Sign Language To Episode 3?

Wondering why Half Life 2: Episode 3 was taking such a long time? Well, let's put it this way, how long would it take you to learn sign language?

In a week where certain figures in the gaming industry are cracking jokes about price hikes [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93689-Activision-CEO-Says-He-Would-Raise-Prices-Even-Higher] during a global recession, it's nice to see that some industry figures are a little more sensitive.

In an effort to understand the needs of deaf gamers better, Gabe Newell invited a group of deaf gamers and asked them questions about what Valve could do to improve their games for them. He also speaks about adding deaf characters into their games, giving us an insight into story elements of the upcoming final episode of Half Life 2.

Newell's idea is that Alyx had a crush on a hearing impaired person before she met Gordon, and taught Dog sign language so that she could practice; which sounds cool until he admits that he stole the idea from Four Weddings and a Funeral. What's going to be interesting about that idea is how Dog will cope, as facial expressions play a big part in sign language, and as you may have spotted, Dog doesn't actually have a face.




The wall of Youtube videos above are the entire session with Gabe Newell and were recorded and uploaded by Samuel Sandoval [http://www.youtube.com/user/SamuelS1289], one of the gamers in attendence. The session runs to a total of 25 minutes and makes for very interesting watching.

Source: Joystiq [http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/valve-researching-sign-language-for-use-in-half-life-2-episode/] with thanks to [user]Labyrinth[/user] for the tip.


Permalink

 

[IamQ]

Wow, I did not expect that...

 

[Nivag the Owl]

Wow, I did not expect that...

Second. But seriously, facial expressions are important to even express a word, let alone context. I reckon dogs head spins around 180 degrees and there's an artifical face.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Well at least they have a good reason to be taking so long. Also, I learned a bit of German from playing insane amounts of CoD:UO so maybe I'll pick up some sign language. Thank you for being useful, Valve, and maybe we can learn a bit from your games. It's nice to see a game company actually caring about the fans and even the deaf.

 

[Disembodied_Dave]

Well that's a nice addition. Though I have a feeling that most fans will be quite annoyed that this is what pushed back development.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

Wow, I did not expect that...

Second. But seriously, facial expressions are important to even express a word, let alone context. I reckon dogs head spins around 180 degrees and there's an artifical face.

That would be terrifying.

 

[ghalkhsdkssakgh]

The youtube videos aren't working as embedded items by the way. It says 'embedding disabled by request.'

Certainly an odd development. I've always thought about learning sign language so this should be a cool development.

 

[RebelRising]

That's pretty interesting; it will be cool to see this pan out in the actual game.

 

[Xris]

Hooray for Gabe.

 

[TheGreenManalishi]

I'd have thought subtitles suffice?

 

[HardRockSamurai]

First of all; FINALLY! It's great to hear some news about Episode 3! That makes my weekend complete!

Secondly, I love the idea of Alyx and Dog communicating silently; I just want to know how on earth they're going to get a ten foot tall robot to use sign language.

[small]That would be like getting Cthulhu to learn french! With his hands![/small]

 

[Dyp100]

...WAIT...WAIT WAIT WAITT.

This game is taking about 4 years to make because of ONE CHARACTER?

Fuck, also, lol, I wonder if Gordon will get beat up by a deaf person. xD That would be awesome.

 

[Aiden Rebirth]

YEY for diversity in games!

Also is practice spelled wrong, or is it a British thing?

 

[Leroy Frederick]

Not surprised, it is valve after all

 

[Dyp100]

After this I've got new found respect for Gabe.

I knew he made great games but I didn't know he know he cared about all the gamers.

Well done Gabe, you have another fan.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Doesn't Dog just make R2-D2 like sounds that Alyx somehow understands?

 

[Labyrinth]

Wow, I did not expect that...

Second. But seriously, facial expressions are important to even express a word, let alone context. I reckon dogs head spins around 180 degrees and there's an artifical face.

That would be terrifying.

Are you kidding me? That would be awesome! Then it'd smile at you.

As I've said before it's an interesting concept especially if there are stealth elements involved. I can't imagine intelligent militia relying on verbal command when that could get them shot. Of course it's a fair leap from hand signs for particular movements to the full blown language, but hey.

The idea of inclusion for deaf people in a game can be difficult for some as music lends so much to atmosphere. Take Silent Hill for example, or hell, Halo. Both of these games put emotion into their work through sound both in music and in voices. The same is true in many other things. It's an underappreciated part of the art. More complex facial expression and sign language, even body language, is a good way to extend the game audience.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

...

I'm sort of stuck for words at the awesomeness of this.

And that's not meant ironically.

 

[DarkRyter]

Good to know they're working on Episode 3 and not just occasionally fiddling around.

 

[hansari]

This game is taking about 4 years to make because of ONE CHARACTER?

Yeah...the attention to detail is inspirational and simultaneously frustrating...