I have had it with Valve

[Rayansaki]

When was the last time Valve [http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/meanwhile.jpg] announced a completely new series? L4D...how long ago was it?

To be fair they announced a new series a few months ago to be released sometime 2011: DOTA (Not exactly new, but it is for them)

Valve is still my favorite developer because you can depend on them to release flawless games every time, even if they do take 3 or 4 years to develop something another dev would push out in 6 months.

 

[Tharwen]

You know what? The last four CoD games have all been released on the Quake III engine. Obviously, that means that Activision needs to get their act together and make a new one. I mean, look at Quake III Arena! It looks like it was released in 1999!
[sub][sub]I love sarcasm.[/sub][/sub]

Also, may I point your attention towards Alien Swarm and DotA, Valve's two most recently acquired franchises?

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

and here i thought the source engine looked great.

It was the best looking engine out there when Half life 2 was released, but as much of a fan as I am, I do think it's starting to look a bit dated now. L4D 2 was one ugly ass game.

It's gorgeous on PC with everything up.

OT: The engine is about 6 years old(HL2 was late '04?)not a decade old.

Also, grow up...find other things to do to occupy yourself between games.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Well then really what is the point in even quoting me in the first place. I am a little peeved by this. What a completely and utterly pointless quote. Graphics should never come over gameplay or fixing bugs. I am not going to add IMO as it is obviously an opinion as I rather my games work right and play right that look nice.

Actually, I was just hoping not to derail the thread. No need to blow it out of proportion.

I do happen to agree with you that graphics shouldn't come before gameplay or bug-fixing, but I COMPLETELY disagree with your earlier statement that graphics simply aren't important. Having an appealing visual style alongside impressive graphics technology can improve games immensely, especially if it's used to compliment the gameplay.

A fine example is Bioware's Mass Effect series. Now, I love the series for the story more than anything else, but I also know that the game wouldn't be nearly as good were it not for the excellent art design and occasional breathtaking visuals (more in Mass Effect 2 than 1). If Bioware had made the series just a muddled, low resolution mess it wouldn't be as appealing and I would be less interested.

Similarly, having great graphics can help with immersion and believability. Uncharted 2 has the best character animation I've ever seen (save for L.A. Noire, naturally), and the game benefits IMMENSELY from the visuals. Characters feel real, movements are natural and gameplay utilizes the visuals to create a cinematic, thrill-ride experience.

Now then, that's not to say that visuals are all-important. Spyro the Dragon (PS1) is ugly by modern standards, but I still love it because of the fantastic gameplay.

To put an endcap to this: Graphics are extremely important when utilized properly, even if the gameplay comes first. A lot of people bash Crysis for "Oh, it's just pretty," but they couldn't be more wrong. Crytek focused on the graphics and they also focused on the gameplay and what resulted was one of the most beautiful and well-designed FPS games of the last decade.

You've basically said though in the grand scheme of things graphics are not important. While they are nice and do help immersion which I am not saying they don't everything else takes precedent over it. Although I am not even going to comment on ME1 planets and jumper effect which is what I assume you maent by saying ME2>ME1 in that department. Yes graphics do have a job but they should not the focus.

Just look at the success of Minecraft. I know this is a niche but still if a game with that level of graphics made by one man than made I think over 1 million while the game was still in alpha shows how important graphics are. I will say when used right graphics do an amazing job but if they are the focus the game usually falls down once you get past the graphics. There are games that do blend goo

Maybe it is just me but a game should not be ruined by sub par graphics. I am playing through the original Half Life for the first time. While so far nothing about it has blown me away as games have evolved and become better than this through time the graphics of it do not ruin the experience. That might be a personal thing though.

Probably the best game to show where graphics should of taken a back seat over bug fixing is Blops. I really don't need to state numerous examples of bugs found throughout the Single and Multiplayer.

So yes graphics do have a job and can help with loads of different things but in the grand scheme of everything to do with a game they are not important or at least as important as a lot of people do make them out to be.

 

[Gaz6231]

Abloo bloo bloo I hate valve because they make consistently fantastic games

Seriuosly, I am sick to death of whiny over-privileged kids with an entitlement complex that piss and moan about a game company as if they personally owe them somehow. Get a grip.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

The TF2 updates are free. I don't complain about free stuff.

I could take a massive shit on your desk for free, and you would have every right to complain.

Honestly, you can't keep people silent if something is genuinely awful. Even if it is for free. Besides with the Mann Co store nobody gets to use the new weapons unless they pay for it.

All new weapons like the Polycount packs are unlockable and craftable*(as far as I remember craftable).

 

[Mimssy]

This really has nothing to do with the topic, but seriously WHAT THE FUCK is up with people's obsession with bacon?

It's nature's perfect food.

If you don't want your share, I'll take it...

You're seriously going to tell me that bacon is better than say, steak?

Or ice cream? That stuff is gooood.

 

[SniperMacFox]

This year Valve is announcing 3 games. Bets that one of them is Half Life 2 Episode 3 are very high.

 

[Thedutchjelle]

When was the last time Valve [http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/meanwhile.jpg] announced a completely new series? L4D...how long ago was it?

Now they just announced Portal 2...or should I say Portal: More of the Same."

I mean, at least they could have it on a new engine, but NO!

They have used the same engine for an entire decade.

WOW!

Not to mention they have completely forgotten their best franchise! Hey guys! Remember Dr. Freeman! You know, the whole of Earth and stuff!

There should have been no "episodes" in the first place for HL2, and they should have all come out in the same year considering around five minutes were put into each section.

They are the perfect example of a lazy company, stop using the nasty Source engine, and get their engineers to make something that doesn't have Gamecube graphics.

I give up. I can't be pacified with TF2 updates forever. If Valve doesn't announce Episode 3, or HL3 running on a new engine soon I'm just done with them as a developer.

Actually I think they were done with Ep. 3 a long time ago, Gabe just ate it.

What do you think about the company?

What? I think the graphics are very well made, I dont think the Source need an overhaul in that department at all. Take a look at this mod for instance, that's made with Source : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE0oUXkPO-c A bunch of people thought it was Xray at first. It's also very flexible and fun to use, imo. I'm looking forward to Portal 2 myself - it looks like a fun game and more added to the already good Portal.

I too agree that they should announce E3 in the near future, but so long I like the games they make they don't need to rush it for me. They're my favourite developer now, ever since Blizzard's SC2 was so incredibly meh.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Don't fix what isn't broke I suppose.

Damn, ninja'd.

Now they just announced Portal 2...or should I say Portal: More of the Same."

[...]

I give up. I can't be pacified with TF2 updates forever. If Valve doesn't announce Episode 3, or HL3 running on a new engine soon I'm just done with them as a developer.

Alright, umm... cool story bro? Enjoy your hypocritical wait for Half-Life Episode 3: More of the Same.

 

[icame]

Since when is a company bad for releasing a game when it's done? Also the source engine kicks ass I have no idea what your talking about.

 

[E-Penguin]

I thought the Source engine had aged really well in Half-Life 2 when I played it, actually. And besides, they're supposed to be working on a new engine now (GoldSrc or something).

GoldSrc was the engine used in Half Life 1, so I think you're a off a bit.

Also, I've heard that they are going to continue updating the the Source engine, to accommodate the modders, or something.

 

[T-Bone24]

Now they just announced Portal 2...or should I say Portal: More of the Same."

No, you shouldn't. You haven't played it yet, how do you know it's more of the same you silly goose? [small]Psst... they didn't just announce it, they announced it yonks ago. Yonks![/small]

I got over Episode 3 a long time ago and I think it's about time that other people just let go. It's not worth getting mad at what is one of the most dedicated and human developers out there. Why do people rag on Valve so much? I think it's because they have one of the most community-driven mindsets of any company and so people feel entitled to things that they wouldn't otherwise. Why don't we rag on 4A Games? Those bastards are hiding something, I know it.

 

[JS ibanez]

Everyones said most of what I wanted to say already. source engine looks just fine, games are great, franchises are doing great and lots of fun. Im prepared to wait for HL3 because I know theyll do a good job of it. Portal 2 has so much more, look at the previews. Steam software is so generous. Valve also gave us a FREE GAME. I still have fun playing Alien Swarm and Valve asked not a cent from us.

 

[bam13302]

When was the last time Valve [http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/meanwhile.jpg] announced a completely new series? L4D...how long ago was it?

Now they just announced Portal 2...or should I say Portal: More of the Same."

I mean, at least they could have it on a new engine, but NO!

They have used the same engine for an entire decade.

WOW!

Not to mention they have completely forgotten their best franchise! Hey guys! Remember Dr. Freeman! You know, the whole of Earth and stuff!

There should have been no "episodes" in the first place for HL2, and they should have all come out in the same year considering around five minutes were put into each section.

They are the perfect example of a lazy company, stop using the nasty Source engine, and get their engineers to make something that doesn't have Gamecube graphics.

I give up. I can't be pacified with TF2 updates forever. If Valve doesn't announce Episode 3, or HL3 running on a new engine soon I'm just done with them as a developer.

Actually I think they were done with Ep. 3 a long time ago, Gabe just ate it.

What do you think about the company?

You have to remember, Valve, has about 1/80 the income and employee work force of other companies like EA, add to that they take their time on their games to do them right, and they make their games work on non-gaming grade computers
admittedly, hl2e3 is taking for ever, but im sure there is a reason
add to that they are not controlled by the stock market (aka, they havent sold out)
add to that they are managing steam, yea, they probably will take a while to do anything

 

[Bloodstain]

When was the last time Valve [http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/meanwhile.jpg] announced a completely new series? L4D...how long ago was it?

Now they just announced Portal 2...or should I say Portal: More of the Same."

Implying there aren't new obstacles, mechanics or a coop-mode in Portal 2.
And oh well...I found Portal to be more enjoying than Half-Life, so yeah.

I mean, at least they could have it on a new engine, but NO!

They have used the same engine for an entire decade.

WOW!

Well, because it works, simple as that. Even after a decade the Source engine is better than some others. You don't have to bring new stuff all the time to be good.

I give up. I can't be pacified with TF2 updates forever. If Valve doesn't announce Episode 3, or HL3 running on a new engine soon I'm just done with them as a developer.

Actually I think they were done with Ep. 3 a long time ago, Gabe just ate it.

What do you think about the company?

Well, do as you wish, noone will stop you.
Half-Life Ep.3 comes out when it comes out. I don't mourn about it all day. There are plenty of other games already available and coming out (*cough* Portal 2 *cough*) to waste your time on. Just stop thinking about HL Ep.3.

I for one think Valve is a great company with excellent games and excellent support. I could share quite a few stories with you.

 

[Thedayrecker]

When's the last time Activision announced a new series? Or Bioware (last year I think)? What about Blizzard?

The point is companies don't change a good thing, unless they can make it better (or they at least try to). As long as Valve's current games are fun, and their sequels are better, they shall recieve no criticism from me.

 

[Dys]

I agree?

L4d bored me 15 minutes into the first one, it was released with 1/2 the content available for proper play (imo it's worthless without VS mode, playing survivors is unfathomably boring). TF2 is fun, but the endless updates have ruined the balance of the game, and even if they were all stellar, it's still the same game.

Wasn't the whole point of episodic content on the new engine to allow faster releases between them? Is valve suffering from epic writers block or something? How about giving the fans some news. Seriously, we'll take anything at this point, I'm well and truly over having this carrot dangled in front of my face -_-

And for the love of god, if you're not going to release half life 2 ep 3, at least fix the mess that is steam....

Everyones said most of what I wanted to say already. source engine looks just fine, games are great, franchises are doing great and lots of fun. Im prepared to wait for HL3 because I know theyll do a good job of it. Portal 2 has so much more, look at the previews. Steam software is so generous. Valve also gave us a FREE GAME. I still have fun playing Alien Swarm and Valve asked not a cent from us.

As Alien swarm started out, and was largely developed as a free UT2004 mod it would be massively immoral for them (valve) to start charging for it.

 

[Dana22]

Yes, I want Portal more of the same. If that was, Portal something completely different, I probably wouldn't buy it.

 

[easternflame]

When was the last time Valve [http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/meanwhile.jpg] announced a completely new series? L4D...how long ago was it?

Now they just announced Portal 2...or should I say Portal: More of the Same."

I mean, at least they could have it on a new engine, but NO!

They have used the same engine for an entire decade.

WOW!

Not to mention they have completely forgotten their best franchise! Hey guys! Remember Dr. Freeman! You know, the whole of Earth and stuff!

There should have been no "episodes" in the first place for HL2, and they should have all come out in the same year considering around five minutes were put into each section.

They are the perfect example of a lazy company, stop using the nasty Source engine, and get their engineers to make something that doesn't have Gamecube graphics.

I give up. I can't be pacified with TF2 updates forever. If Valve doesn't announce Episode 3, or HL3 running on a new engine soon I'm just done with them as a developer.

Actually I think they were done with Ep. 3 a long time ago, Gabe just ate it.

What do you think about the company?

Who is this guy, a troll?
VALVE is an awesome company, portal is one of the greatest games ever made and if the engine works they can keep using it, and the half-life series isn't forgotten, they only have taken another approach to the thing, and please, they have great graphics.
So stop trolling for nothing little man.