[quote="Stryker_66"][quote="Volnaiskra"][quote="tehace"]I would love to see HL3 be the first big VR game. [/quote]Actually, that sounds like quite a realistic prospect. After all these years of build-up, Valve know they have to absolutely blow the pants off everyone with HL3 - an almost impossible task. Making it work well for VR could be just the ticket for them. Plus, Valve like to use their games to bring attention to their other products. They used Orange Box to get people to buy Steam, and Portal 2 to highlight Steam Workshop. They will almost certainly find something to attach to HL3, since HL3 will be their highest-profile product of all time. Maybe VR will be that something (or maybe they'll build their VR solution as a SteamOS exclusive?)[/quote]
This makes sense to me from a business perspective, but I am thinking about them leveraging HL3 and their version of the console, steam boxes and what they term as big picture for the living room. VR could still tie into this. Personally, I cannot see myself buying a Steam Box because I primarily detest the console and if I wanted one, I would look at either the PS4 or Xbox One due to their years of experience in that space. I find Valve's decision for the Steam Box offerings somewhat perplexing since it is essentially a PC. I agree with you that if Valve ties in VR with HL3 for that breakthrough experience, it could be another winner for them. But with the current console market in motion, it appears that Valve is trying to get a piece of that. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.[/quote]
I'm expecting HL3 to be a VR showcase. And let's be honest, the reason HL3 hasn't gotten released yet is because people aren't forced onto projects and they have a hard time getting a team to self-assemble for such a timesink. The prospect of making an epic VR game and writing the rules of how a FPS should play in VR, would probably appeal to a lot of people though. It's no longer just a grind with no upside for employees.
I don't think SteamOS can be judged until 2016. When there are cheap APUs more powerful than PS4 and you can put a powerful APU into a tiny box, for dirt cheap. Then we'll see if the console crowd wants to ditch the training wheels and enter PC land. And since they're not doing hardware, there really is no downside. And even if the hardware doesn't take off, if they can convince 90 percent of the developers to switch to Linux, PC gaming would benefit anyways. I know I only buy Windows licenses for gaming. Plus, the first incarnation of Nvidia's 3D was OpenGl based. So they could easily implement widespread OpenGl 3D Vision again.
tehace said:I would love to see HL3 be the first big VR game.
Actually, that sounds like quite a realistic prospect. After all these years of build-up, Valve know they have to absolutely blow the pants off everyone with HL3 - an almost impossible task. Making it work well for VR could be just the ticket for them. Plus, Valve like to use their games to bring attention to their other products. They used Orange Box to get people to buy Steam, and Portal 2 to highlight Steam Workshop. They will almost certainly find something to attach to HL3, since HL3 will be their highest-profile product of all time. Maybe VR will be that something (or maybe they'll build their VR solution as a SteamOS exclusive?)
This makes sense to me from a business perspective, but I am thinking about them leveraging HL3 and their version of the console, steam boxes and what they term as big picture for the living room. VR could still tie into this. Personally, I cannot see myself buying a Steam Box because I primarily detest the console and if I wanted one, I would look at either the PS4 or Xbox One due to their years of experience in that space. I find Valve's decision for the Steam Box offerings somewhat perplexing since it is essentially a PC. I agree with you that if Valve ties in VR with HL3 for that breakthrough experience, it could be another winner for them. But with the current console market in motion, it appears that Valve is trying to get a piece of that. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
I'm expecting HL3 to be a VR showcase. And let's be honest, the reason HL3 hasn't gotten released yet is because people aren't forced onto projects and they have a hard time getting a team to self-assemble for such a timesink. The prospect of making an epic VR game and writing the rules of how a FPS should play in VR, would probably appeal to a lot of people though. It's no longer just a grind with no upside for employees.
I don't think SteamOS can be judged until 2016. When there are cheap APUs more powerful than PS4 and you can put a powerful APU into a tiny box, for dirt cheap. Then we'll see if the console crowd wants to ditch the training wheels and enter PC land. And since they're not doing hardware, there really is no downside. And even if the hardware doesn't take off, if they can convince 90 percent of the developers to switch to Linux, PC gaming would benefit anyways. I know I only buy Windows licenses for gaming. Plus, the first incarnation of Nvidia's 3D was OpenGl based. So they could easily implement widespread OpenGl 3D Vision again.
Half Life 3 a thankless grind and timesink? I imagine half the game developers in the world would kill to be able to work on that!
From what I've read, they got quite far in development of it, but it wasn't good enough (I'm guessing Episode 3 was just more of the same, but years had passed and 'the same' wasn't good enough anymore), so they completely scrapped it and started again. Probably they're trying to now reinvent the rule book a bit, as you say.
You're right that SteamOS needs to be judged in the long term. Though I wouldn't hold my breath about 'console users taking off the training wheels'. We're living in a world where interfaces are becoming simpler, not more complicated: Google, youtube, iOS, the cloud, responsive web design, voice control, and so on...they're all making it easier to get what you want from a computer. Once that ease of use has been tasted, there's no going back. What you see as training wheels, the majority see as wings.
Half Life 3 a thankless grind and timesink? I imagine half the game developers in the world would kill to be able to work on that!
From what I've read, they got quite far in development of it, but it wasn't good enough (I'm guessing Episode 3 was just more of the same, but years had passed and 'the same' wasn't good enough anymore), so they completely scrapped it and started again. Probably they're trying to now reinvent the rule book a bit, as you say.
You're right that SteamOS needs to be judged in the long term. Though I wouldn't hold my breath about 'console users taking off the training wheels'. We're living in a world where interfaces are becoming simpler, not more complicated: Google, youtube, iOS, the cloud, responsive web design, voice control, and so on...they're all making it easier to get what you want from a computer. Once that ease of use has been tasted, there's no going back. What you see as training wheels, the majority see as wings.
[quote="Volnaiskra"]Half Life 3 a thankless grind and timesink? I imagine half the game developers in the world would kill to be able to work on that![/quote]
If you're working on it. The quickest any of those games got made was 5 years. HL was really long. So they were gonna make HL2 much quicker. And that took even longer. So the answer was episodic gaming. And that was a disaster from a release schedule. It's now been... I don't even want to count the years.
The employee lists leaks we've had always had a fairly modest number on HL3. 45 people for a mega game is small.
I'll agree half the world's developers would love the IP because it's a goldmine they could milk for mega $$$, but all the interviews ever given talking about those previous games have all talked about how they almost destroyed the employees will to work in the industry. Which was the whole reason they went episodic. They thought they could get away from the five year cycle that fried employees out.
But to be remembered as people who worked on the legendary VR game? And wrote the rules of FPS VR? That can get people excited to join the team (and no one is forced to join anything at Valve). Not only would it be satisfying professionally, but it'd be a heck of a thing on your resume.
Volnaiskra said:Half Life 3 a thankless grind and timesink? I imagine half the game developers in the world would kill to be able to work on that!
If you're working on it. The quickest any of those games got made was 5 years. HL was really long. So they were gonna make HL2 much quicker. And that took even longer. So the answer was episodic gaming. And that was a disaster from a release schedule. It's now been... I don't even want to count the years.
The employee lists leaks we've had always had a fairly modest number on HL3. 45 people for a mega game is small.
I'll agree half the world's developers would love the IP because it's a goldmine they could milk for mega $$$, but all the interviews ever given talking about those previous games have all talked about how they almost destroyed the employees will to work in the industry. Which was the whole reason they went episodic. They thought they could get away from the five year cycle that fried employees out.
But to be remembered as people who worked on the legendary VR game? And wrote the rules of FPS VR? That can get people excited to join the team (and no one is forced to join anything at Valve). Not only would it be satisfying professionally, but it'd be a heck of a thing on your resume.
I see the steam machines interesting. If they can give really good performance per dollar, I see them as a good option. It will have VR games on day one, steam game prices are amazing compared with consoles, 3d supported games, and they will be cheaper since you don't have a 100$ OS.
Besides this is by far the generation where PC has started stronger vs next-gen consoles. Usuaslly consoles had a 2-3 year advantage until PC got up to speed, but nowadays almost every next-gen game has a PC version, and I bet Steam Machines hardware will stand the test of time vs consoles games since hardware wise they are not that good.
Steam Machines may find it's place in the market. I think they will be priced fine. Games prices plus steam sales are amazing , Steam Big Picture will allow a great interface for gaming on the living room, you get a full roster of apps like media players, internet browsers etc that console lacks, they have a android-like royalty free/open platform that will allow smaller games to flourish, plus VR and 3D for the real hardcore. Since VR is PC exclusive, several games that are VR only like EVE Valkyrie, The Gallery, etc will be playable with them and not in MS/Sony consoles. A VR HL3 SteamOS exclusive would seal the deal.
I see the steam machines interesting. If they can give really good performance per dollar, I see them as a good option. It will have VR games on day one, steam game prices are amazing compared with consoles, 3d supported games, and they will be cheaper since you don't have a 100$ OS.
Besides this is by far the generation where PC has started stronger vs next-gen consoles. Usuaslly consoles had a 2-3 year advantage until PC got up to speed, but nowadays almost every next-gen game has a PC version, and I bet Steam Machines hardware will stand the test of time vs consoles games since hardware wise they are not that good.
Steam Machines may find it's place in the market. I think they will be priced fine. Games prices plus steam sales are amazing , Steam Big Picture will allow a great interface for gaming on the living room, you get a full roster of apps like media players, internet browsers etc that console lacks, they have a android-like royalty free/open platform that will allow smaller games to flourish, plus VR and 3D for the real hardcore. Since VR is PC exclusive, several games that are VR only like EVE Valkyrie, The Gallery, etc will be playable with them and not in MS/Sony consoles. A VR HL3 SteamOS exclusive would seal the deal.
All hail 3d modders DHR, MasterOtaku, Losti, Necropants, Helifax, bo3b, mike_ar69, Flugan, DarkStarSword, 4everAwake, 3d4dd and so many more helping to keep the 3d dream alive, find their 3d fixes at http://helixmod.blogspot.com/ Also check my site for spanish VR and mobile gaming news: www.gamermovil.com
I'm expecting HL3 to be a VR showcase. And let's be honest, the reason HL3 hasn't gotten released yet is because people aren't forced onto projects and they have a hard time getting a team to self-assemble for such a timesink. The prospect of making an epic VR game and writing the rules of how a FPS should play in VR, would probably appeal to a lot of people though. It's no longer just a grind with no upside for employees.
I don't think SteamOS can be judged until 2016. When there are cheap APUs more powerful than PS4 and you can put a powerful APU into a tiny box, for dirt cheap. Then we'll see if the console crowd wants to ditch the training wheels and enter PC land. And since they're not doing hardware, there really is no downside. And even if the hardware doesn't take off, if they can convince 90 percent of the developers to switch to Linux, PC gaming would benefit anyways. I know I only buy Windows licenses for gaming. Plus, the first incarnation of Nvidia's 3D was OpenGl based. So they could easily implement widespread OpenGl 3D Vision again.
From what I've read, they got quite far in development of it, but it wasn't good enough (I'm guessing Episode 3 was just more of the same, but years had passed and 'the same' wasn't good enough anymore), so they completely scrapped it and started again. Probably they're trying to now reinvent the rule book a bit, as you say.
You're right that SteamOS needs to be judged in the long term. Though I wouldn't hold my breath about 'console users taking off the training wheels'. We're living in a world where interfaces are becoming simpler, not more complicated: Google, youtube, iOS, the cloud, responsive web design, voice control, and so on...they're all making it easier to get what you want from a computer. Once that ease of use has been tasted, there's no going back. What you see as training wheels, the majority see as wings.
If you're working on it. The quickest any of those games got made was 5 years. HL was really long. So they were gonna make HL2 much quicker. And that took even longer. So the answer was episodic gaming. And that was a disaster from a release schedule. It's now been... I don't even want to count the years.
The employee lists leaks we've had always had a fairly modest number on HL3. 45 people for a mega game is small.
I'll agree half the world's developers would love the IP because it's a goldmine they could milk for mega $$$, but all the interviews ever given talking about those previous games have all talked about how they almost destroyed the employees will to work in the industry. Which was the whole reason they went episodic. They thought they could get away from the five year cycle that fried employees out.
But to be remembered as people who worked on the legendary VR game? And wrote the rules of FPS VR? That can get people excited to join the team (and no one is forced to join anything at Valve). Not only would it be satisfying professionally, but it'd be a heck of a thing on your resume.
Besides this is by far the generation where PC has started stronger vs next-gen consoles. Usuaslly consoles had a 2-3 year advantage until PC got up to speed, but nowadays almost every next-gen game has a PC version, and I bet Steam Machines hardware will stand the test of time vs consoles games since hardware wise they are not that good.
Steam Machines may find it's place in the market. I think they will be priced fine. Games prices plus steam sales are amazing , Steam Big Picture will allow a great interface for gaming on the living room, you get a full roster of apps like media players, internet browsers etc that console lacks, they have a android-like royalty free/open platform that will allow smaller games to flourish, plus VR and 3D for the real hardcore. Since VR is PC exclusive, several games that are VR only like EVE Valkyrie, The Gallery, etc will be playable with them and not in MS/Sony consoles. A VR HL3 SteamOS exclusive would seal the deal.
All hail 3d modders DHR, MasterOtaku, Losti, Necropants, Helifax, bo3b, mike_ar69, Flugan, DarkStarSword, 4everAwake, 3d4dd and so many more helping to keep the 3d dream alive, find their 3d fixes at http://helixmod.blogspot.com/ Also check my site for spanish VR and mobile gaming news: www.gamermovil.com
Different rooms.