Half-Life 2 Update!

Half-Life 2 Update!
Posted :: May 21, 2004 by Haggs

At the Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3), Vivendi Universal Games Inc. gave a presentation of their latest Half-Life 2 build. The new video can be downloaded from fileplanet. The QuickTime movie file is a daunting 664 megabytes, but you get a 25 minute, high resolution video for your download time. The video was taken at the expo, and comes complete with announcer and crowd noise (at one point someone's cell phone rings). Despite the minor annoyance of the crowd, the video definitely shows Half-Life 2's highly anticipated physics engine. Everything seems nearly flawless from the way the vehicles maneuver to the way the creatures splatter and fall when they get shot. The graphics engine is astonishing as well. Vivendi has done an excellent job paying attention to detail to create lifelike human characters. When Gordan Freeman returns to the lab, he meets up with some of his old friends who gesture, talk, and look extremely realistic. The characters look the closest to real people that anyone has ever seen before in a game.

Does this guy look familiar to you too?

I must add that the voice acting is extremely well done. Vivendi has also taken environments to a new level of quality by utilizing environmental sounds (such as birds chirping, water splashing, and people screaming), along with their outstanding graphics engine to create a world that blows players away.

Every video we've seen has revealed a piece of new footage, and the E3 video is no exception. Video downloaders are rewarded with a sneak preview of a Counter-Strike modification (mod) done with the new Half-Life 2 engine. Seeing Aztec remolded with the new graphics, new physics, and new sounds was a true treat. The fire from the torches dances and glows, casting shadows on the floor, the bullets splash as they strike the water's surface, and an Aztec temple stands tall next to the bomb site at the top of the large staircase.

Counter-Strike enthusiasts will definitely enjoy this bit of game footage candy.

Half-Life 2 looks like it will be one of the greatest games of all time, but in its current stage we found a couple things that we feel could be improved. Vivendi should commend themselves for a job well done, but keep in mind that there is still plenty of time to tweak and improve the product before official release.

It was irritating that there were no hands on the steering wheels or handlebars of vehicles. The steering wheels turn left and right but there are no arms with hands turning them. We feel that it would be fairly simple to implement, especially if Vivendi has already chosen to show hands and arms when holding weapons.

Notice that there are no hands holding the steering wheel of the cart.

The second issue we think should be resolved is a bit of shadow blending. Take a look at the following image in which a giant electromagnetic crane is being used to pick up a large metal box. Look closely at the shadows that are generated on the floor below.

Take a look at the shadow below the box.

Whether or not Vivendi changes anything about the steering wheels or the shadow blending, it probably won't matter much. The game will still prove to be a revolution in the way games are created. We anxiously await Half-Life 2's release (and all of the modded versions that will probably be created too!).

PS: The release date has not yet been officially published by Vivendi. All dates published by game and retail companies are only speculations. Keep your fingers crossed that it comes out this summer though!

Links:
Official Site: http://www.half-life2.com/index.php
Trailer Download: http://www.fileplanet.com/files/140000/140589.shtml

Note: The Half-Life logo, and the Lambda logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation. All other images for this article are © Vivendi Universal Games Inc.