Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Gh0stFT on November 15, 2004, 06:03:33 PM

Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 15, 2004, 06:03:33 PM
...installed my HL2 copy and waiting for steam to activate it in aprox 8 hours, good night! :D
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: lasersailor184 on November 15, 2004, 06:15:18 PM
Jesus man.  Some of these people out here are like 6 year olds on christmas eve.  They won't go to sleep and they shake out of excitement.  Some people aren't even going into work.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 16, 2004, 01:05:40 AM
I will be in the bushes in front of my house, waiting for the UPS guy...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 01:22:13 AM
~40 min
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: GRUNHERZ on November 16, 2004, 01:30:18 AM
Yiu think an athlon 2100, ati 9700pro, and 512mb pc2700 corsair xms run this decently?
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Makarov9 on November 16, 2004, 01:39:59 AM
Octavius, go to bed.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 16, 2004, 01:41:26 AM
wooow... try RO 3.1 .. the tanks are incredible.

oh ya that other game comes out in 19 mins.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 01:42:56 AM
Dunno what to expect Grun.  CS:Source runs decent on my machine.

AMD 64 3000+
1gig ram
9600xt

The vid card is definitely going to hold me back.  Your 9700 should see more performance than mine, but your CPU might be a problem - I dunno, we'll see.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 16, 2004, 01:46:45 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Makarov9
Octavius, go to bed.



I guess those maps can wait till Wednesday?  :p
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Makarov9 on November 16, 2004, 01:47:10 AM
Downloading now SunKing, thx. Wow they really fixed/added a bunch of stuff on RO. Crap...too many games and not enough time.

Grun, that system should run HL2 just fine.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 01:49:55 AM
well that makes me feel better.

but there's a difference between just running it and running it.  I want *some* nifty effects :D

OC'ing my poor 9600xt just a tad more for hte occasion.  It's freezing in the comp's room...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Makarov9 on November 16, 2004, 02:02:02 AM
Someone hold me...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 02:04:03 AM
hmm.

going in... cover me.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 16, 2004, 02:34:36 AM
WOW... I gotta stop.. my new pc shows up Thursday.. I can't spoil it anymore playing on this stutter box. Lag anytime something makes a sound. Sure is pretty.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 02:56:44 AM
HOLY CRAP

LOL dont throw cinder blocks at guards :D
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Nilsen on November 16, 2004, 04:31:36 AM
Half Life ?
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Overlag on November 16, 2004, 05:03:32 AM
Quote
Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
Yiu think an athlon 2100, ati 9700pro, and 512mb pc2700 corsair xms run this decently?


probably on low low settings

mine is on medium to get good fps. My CPU is much faster than yours and HL2 recons i can run everything on max detail, but i only get 10-30fps like that :eek:

very good so far, just about to test HL1:Source
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Makarov9 on November 16, 2004, 09:29:48 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Octavius
HOLY CRAP

LOL dont throw cinder blocks at guards :D


Hehe, I spent 10 minutes last night just bouncing the plastic babydoll I found off the guard's heads. :) Amazing physics engine. Just after 40 minutes of playing last night this is the best FPS I've ever played.

Crap, this is going to be the longest workday ever!
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 16, 2004, 09:37:46 AM
Grrmblmm... will be here on the 19th.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 16, 2004, 02:09:06 PM
Why didn't you pre-order via steam like 99% of the rest of the world?

From what I understand you just get steam and the preloads if you purchased the box. You can't even play with out an internet connection to unlock it.

Great game so far.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 04:39:46 PM
Can we play after unlocking it without connecting to Steam?  

I can't connect now... :(
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saurdaukar on November 16, 2004, 04:47:46 PM
I cant connect to Steam either and its making me insane... ****ing worthless program taking up more of my disk space.

Pay your $50 for a pretty box and CD's with information you cant access.

**** Valve.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 04:51:25 PM
You'd think after 6 years of hype they'd atleast have an idea of the network issues they'll face on launch.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 16, 2004, 04:58:32 PM
lol the game rox, im driving right now the "luftboot" (dunno the
name in english, playing a german version). It reminds me alot
of 1998 HL1, because they use some known HL1 sounds.
Grafik is high end, never seen anything better. Gameplay is
very similar to HL1.

But there is also a minus i found, there is no MP! :( aaaargh!
and no, im not interested in CS:S.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 05:05:32 PM
Quote
In an unusual first for PC games, Half-Life 2 will require some form of Internet access upon installation, Valve Software's Doug Lombardi confirmed today. "All versions require an Internet connection upon installation" to prove the legitimacy of a player's copy, Lombardi said. "This is for authentication/anti-piracy purposes. Once this has been completed, the owner of either the retail or the Steam version can play Half-Life 2 single player in offline mode.


So uh... how do we access it!?
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saurdaukar on November 16, 2004, 05:06:22 PM
Luftboot = Flying Boat?  Maybe Inflatable Boat?

How many different meanings can "Luft" have as a prefix in German?

Oh yeah, and Valve can still suck my dick because I still cant connect.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Nilsen on November 16, 2004, 05:06:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Gh0stFT
l"luftboot" (dunno the
name in english, playing a german version)


airboat :)

(http://pcmedia.gamespy.com/pc/image/article/566/566240/airboat_1100554904.jpg)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 05:18:26 PM
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19710

"Early birds up this morning activated the game at 8am with no problem. If this subsequent monumental crash is anything to go by, however, we can only expect all hell to break lose when the USA comes online in force."

damn skippy biznatch! :D
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 06:06:30 PM
holy **** i'm in
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on November 16, 2004, 06:51:46 PM
How does it run at what settings on your computer cOct?

I want to know before I are buying.
-SW
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Pongo on November 16, 2004, 07:41:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Saurdaukar
Luftboot = Flying Boat?  Maybe Inflatable Boat?

How many different meanings can "Luft" have as a prefix in German?

Oh yeah, and Valve can still suck my dick because I still cant connect.


you seem to have other problems with your pc that would make it not work. Fix that then blame valve.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 16, 2004, 07:56:26 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe
How does it run at what settings on your computer cOct?

I want to know before I are buying.
-SW


1024x768 (shudder) - but 1280 also runs decent.

2x AA ingame - although like Doom 3, you don't really need it.
Full reflections, full shadows, full textures, etc.  Smooth as a baby's bottom.

I think AA is my killer.

The performance has far surpassed my expectations.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Chaos68 on November 16, 2004, 08:04:44 PM
Enough said..... IM PISSED!!!!  damn Valve!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/69_1100656111_hl2sucks.jpg)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saurdaukar on November 16, 2004, 08:50:08 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Pongo
you seem to have other problems with your pc that would make it not work. Fix that then blame valve.


It was Steam - and it was Steam last year before I wiped it from my drive.

Steam is back up and now I successfully created an account.

Great game... but I still hate Steam.  :)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: JBA on November 16, 2004, 09:21:01 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Makarov9
Hehe, I spent 10 minutes last night just bouncing the plastic babydoll I found off the guard's heads. :)  



Something surreal about that.:confused:
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Chaos68 on November 16, 2004, 09:37:18 PM
i got it working!  STUPID register webpage!   now im loading Product registration for steam...... god i hate steam.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 16, 2004, 10:40:24 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Chaos68
i got it working!  STUPID register webpage!   now im loading Product registration for steam...... god i hate steam.



Steam is awesome when it works. Aces High needs to develop a similar system, fire out thise bug fixes as soon as their done.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: GRUNHERZ on November 16, 2004, 11:25:06 PM
What exactly does steam do,  what are its benefits for players and for Sierra?  I used to play day of deafeat HL mod a lot but stopped just before sierra introduced steam so I'm waaay out of the loop now.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 17, 2004, 12:11:56 AM
Steam is a network that allows Valve to add files to clients and servers instantly. VAC Valve anti cheat, like punkbuster can be updated at anytime they wish and monitors everyone playing. It allows them to  monitor who's on the network with legit copies and can ban the hacked copies... so they say.

The best thing about it is as soon as an exploit or hack is know the developers can patch it , send the the patch through STEAM and STEAM sends the patch to every server and every client, restart STEAM and you're up to date. No need for one patch every 3 months, things are fixed and content added ASAP.



I don't think sierra is involved at all anymore.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 17, 2004, 12:19:27 AM
In addition to anti cheater and anti hacker protection, Steam allows the developer to bypass the producer (Vivendi).  Valve will make more money per copy sold due to electronic software distribution as opposed to shelling out CDs, boxes, and manuals.  Boxed copies will continue to exist, but in HL2's case it is basically 5 CDs with just the preloaded (downloaded game from Steam) bunk... still needs to be activated via Steam.  

I don't mind the whole activation over the internet, but once it's activated, leave it alone.  Today was a good example - steam servers were hosed and we weren't able to play a single player, offline game.  Maybe they'll change it.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 17, 2004, 03:09:37 AM
with an 56k modem im not a big fan of steam.
The instant patching and so is nice, but what are you
doing if your reinstall HL2? download the patch again?
yesterday Steam patched my HL2 (boxed 1 DVD version)
and i cant found the patch offline for later use (ie. new reinstall).
I have to look at the /valve root to see whats new and what
i can backup maybe. The days are over where u installed
a game, typed in the CD key and GO! ;)

and btw. there will be an HL2DM Mod, another company is
working on it, and valve will create 2 or 3 DM maps too.

R
Gh0stFT
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Chaos68 on November 17, 2004, 05:12:14 AM
steam is not my fav, i think valve is just another example of a corp just sqeezing more money from there fans.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 17, 2004, 07:34:37 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Gh0stFT
with an 56k modem im not a big fan of steam.
The instant patching and so is nice, but what are you
doing if your reinstall HL2? download the patch again?
yesterday Steam patched my HL2 (boxed 1 DVD version)
and i cant found the patch offline for later use (ie. new reinstall).
I have to look at the /valve root to see whats new and what
i can backup maybe. The days are over where u installed
a game, typed in the CD key and GO! ;)

and btw. there will be an HL2DM Mod, another company is
working on it, and valve will create 2 or 3 DM maps too.

R
Gh0stFT


As long as you login on the same account you can download steam 50 times and get all the games. You can do this on several computers. You just can't be logged on more then 1 time to play.

So if my hd crashed and I lose everything I just reinstall steam login using my existing account and dl all the games I had prior to the crash at no cost. You can also back up steam and the games easily enough. For example under play games right click on HL2 and click on 'back up files'.

Even 56k'ers cans just down their downloads at night, if your connection drops the download picks up where it left off.

GH
DoD:Source is underway and I still play DoD regularly.

Steam is fine and I haven't any issues with it. I been using the same account on different rigs and changed my HD out once.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 17, 2004, 11:14:28 AM
I went and borrowed some money from my friend and went out and bought the game!

Installing now!

Wish me luck! :)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 17, 2004, 11:23:39 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Wotan

You can also back up steam and the games easily enough. For example under play games right click on HL2 and click on 'back up files'.


hey i think thats what i was looking for Wotan, thank you for the Info! :)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 17, 2004, 11:47:35 AM
Modem users just need to deal with it. Yes there's rural areas where you are forced to use modems but 70%+ of the world is now on broadband, the industry can't wait around.  Overnight downloads are an easy answer till a connection upgrade.  If that doesn't work you've got friends that can burn you files if needed. That's what I did for years till I was able to move to broadband.

I'm surprised Aces High is still trying to make their game a small download when at the sametime people are downloading mods daily that are 300mb-1gig in size or even full games, which is the normal these days regardless their connection type.

Getting an update overnight right away through STEAM sure beats waiting 3 months to do it overnight.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 17, 2004, 01:21:11 PM
The game is fantastic.

WOW!!!!!!!!!

Five tumbs up!

:aok :aok :aok :aok :aok
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 17, 2004, 01:26:37 PM
Anyone make it to Nova Prospect yet?  My fav part so far :)  Kick bellybutton level.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 17, 2004, 01:36:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SunKing
Modem users just need to deal with it. Yes there's rural areas where you are forced to use modems but 70%+ of the world is now on broadband, the industry can't wait around.  Overnight downloads are an easy answer till a connection upgrade.  If that doesn't work you've got friends that can burn you files if needed. That's what I did for years till I was able to move to broadband.

I'm surprised Aces High is still trying to make their game a small download when at the sametime people are downloading mods daily that are 300mb-1gig in size or even full games, which is the normal these days regardless their connection type.

Getting an update overnight right away through STEAM sure beats waiting 3 months to do it overnight.


thats true, i had DSL since 1999 or so, now i moved to a new
town where there is nothing (the 30% you talking about) LOL
But hey there is hope, next year maybe its time for DSL here.
I live right at the border Germany/Swiss. German Telecom first serve the mainland, then the border ;)  grmpf #&*!

R
Gh0stFT
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 17, 2004, 03:02:44 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Octavius
Anyone make it to Nova Prospect yet?  My fav part so far :)  Kick bellybutton level.


No, im stuck lol!

Im at a place called "route canal" and dont know what to do...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 17, 2004, 04:01:36 PM
I just finished 'follow freeman'. WOW...

I wont spoil it if you haven't gotten that far.

Ravenholm was my favorite. Sandtraps is cool too once you get the  pheromone thingy. I wont say anything more.

The canal is easy and if you remeber the first one and are familiiar with those puzzles the canal is easy. I am glad there aren't any of those jump puzzles like the first one.

I started on 'hard' but just couldnt get through Ravenholm (actually just to frustrating with fast shreckers rushing you) so I re-started in nomral.

Anyone figure out how to stop the autosaves? They cause a slight stutter/sound loop on my end.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 17, 2004, 04:14:27 PM
I *hated* Ravenholm.  Those fast shrecks are scary :D

Follow Freeman... hmm dont recall the name... but I must be close.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 17, 2004, 05:20:09 PM
When you get there remember the squad command key is 'c' by default.

You will use it alot....
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 17, 2004, 06:45:30 PM
Im in Ravenholm now, just watched at the clock and its soon 2 o clock in the night over here LOOOL!

Good thing im off work tomorrow tough! :)

I want to play more, but at the same time i dont want to finnish the game too fast!

Dog was coool! And that girl is so hot that im falling in love with her.

Damn this game rocks.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 17, 2004, 07:09:50 PM
I just finished it...

Damn gravity gun...:p
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 17, 2004, 07:39:02 PM
You finnished the whole game`?
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 17, 2004, 08:40:20 PM
Yup done...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 17, 2004, 10:51:53 PM
Heh finished here too.  Grav gun rocks :)

Now I am left with the "thats it?" feeling.  I want more :)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: stiehl on November 18, 2004, 02:03:02 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Wotan
Yup done...


How long did it take?

Just downloaded(about 2 hrs).
Ordered the silver package.
..........
....edit....
All set,  time to see what the fuss was all about.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 18, 2004, 02:38:02 AM
Getting it in 24 hours... gahhh...drool... must...wait...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: deSelys on November 18, 2004, 02:44:45 AM
You've already finished the game???? Sheesh that is way too short.:(
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: stiehl on November 18, 2004, 05:13:09 AM
*sniff  just got the sound stutter freeze:mad:
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 18, 2004, 08:27:13 AM
Reduce sound to med is you haven't already. The stutters on my end were from the auto saves. I am sure there's a console command to turn them off but I don't know what it is...

re: Short

It took a few days but I was left at the end thinking there must be a missing chapter.

It was far to easy but I won't spoil it for you...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on November 18, 2004, 08:29:17 AM
So I take it it's much shorter than DoomIII?

I played that for a week or week and a half (although I only got maybe an hour or two in a night).
-SW
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Overlag on November 18, 2004, 10:03:47 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Chaos68
steam is not my fav, i think valve is just another example of a corp just sqeezing more money from there fans.


how the hell did you work that out???????? its cheaper on steam, and ALL the money goes to valve, and not the publisher
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: stiehl on November 18, 2004, 10:30:49 AM
Updated my drivers, lowered my sound quality...2 desktop crashes. Guess that's better than the total pc freeze that I had earlier. Considering the amount (http://steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=176237)  of problems, it's not on my end. Wouldn't it be shocking if companies made products that worked? 6 years for shoddy quality...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 18, 2004, 10:55:56 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Wotan
I am sure there's a console command to turn them off but I don't know what it is...


I read somewhere you have to write in the console: autosave 0
i will test this later at home, i have stuttering because the
autosave function.

LOL some people are really fast, finishing HL2 in 2 days :D
I'm still stuck at the Canal, driving my airboot *g*
well i found only 1-2 hours to play, the rest is for homework & Gf ;)

R
Gh0stFT
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: MrLars on November 18, 2004, 11:39:22 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Octavius


I don't mind the whole activation over the internet, but once it's activated, leave it alone.  Today was a good example - steam servers were hosed and we weren't able to play a single player, offline game.  Maybe they'll change it.


You can play offline just by either not establishing a connection prior to starting the game or firewalling Steam...when you launch Steam just click the 'offline' button and there ya go.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Makarov9 on November 18, 2004, 03:22:04 PM
Hehe, latest Penny Arcade cartoon sums up the game perfectly. :)

http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3 (http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3)

(http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2004/20041117l.jpg)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 18, 2004, 04:26:20 PM
Need help,

How do i turn the buggy over to the right side after she drops me with the crane?
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Makarov9 on November 18, 2004, 04:58:29 PM
Zap it with the zero-G gun.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 18, 2004, 05:03:42 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Maniac
Need help,

How do i turn the buggy over to the right side after she drops me with the crane?


lol those bugs bite....

hit the G button :p
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 18, 2004, 06:30:16 PM
That solution finally entered my mind lol!

Im past the bridge now, whoopee this game is good!

Using that crane was sweet lol!
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Overlag on November 18, 2004, 07:02:25 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Maniac
That solution finally entered my mind lol!

Im past the bridge now, whoopee this game is good!

Using that crane was sweet lol!


aye, i played with that for hours

you know the strange thing tho...im SURE i remember seeing something like this before in another game but i cant remember what. dejavo? dreaming about HL2 or something? lol
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 21, 2004, 04:26:41 PM
finished it too, striders were hard to get on my Celeron 1.7 ... but I got 'em su****ers!

Ravenholm was by far the best level: Gravity gun + circular saw ...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Darkish on November 21, 2004, 08:56:11 PM
Just got it today and the past five hours have flown by.  I almost feel sorry for any other fps developers - how on Earth are they going to top this?

Favourite moment so far: ripping a radiator off a wall and using it as a lethal weapon :D
- but then again I'm getting favourite moments every 30 bloody seconds.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wolfala on November 21, 2004, 09:46:23 PM
When I got my MANPAD from the Brit Colonel after the G-man sold it to him - I was very happy. (Incase you didn't look before you entered the town, the G-Man was having a pow-wow with the Colonel - but hey. Anyways, I blew up the teleporter, slow teleported taking 1 week within a few seconds relative - and smack in the middle of the human uprising.

What a **** storm.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Fishu on November 21, 2004, 10:07:13 PM
The scenario after the sandtrap was fun.
The action brings in mind the Starship Troopers movie...  damned bugs, except not so damned after the sandtrap :D
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: moose on November 22, 2004, 04:27:39 AM
just killed the striders off. woo.

most fun moments definitely centered around using the bugbait for me. nothing like having your own personal army at your disposal. the big ones dont go for it tho, found out the hard way.

for those who finished it, how much more do i have to go? i think ive got carpal tunnel from playing for the last 7 hours
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: deSelys on November 22, 2004, 06:26:57 AM
How long lasts the game at 'normal' difficulty level for someone with a (barely) average eye-hand coordination?

Some of you have finished it fairly quick....
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 22, 2004, 08:33:29 AM
Friday : 19:00 --> 03:00
Saturday: 09:00 --> 02:00
Sunday: 09:00 --> 17:00 (finished on "normal").

I lost 2Lbs (no time for food), smoked about 120 cigs, drank 4.5 Liters of coke, and the GF has left the flat.

Free at last :D
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: moose on November 22, 2004, 08:51:09 AM
btw, can anyone explain the story? i feel like i missed something that explained the combine and stuff
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 22, 2004, 09:24:36 AM
Lots of theories going on at halflife2.net forums about this... nothing from the dev team itself though. There are a lot of things (graphitis, dialogs, etc...) while playing the game. The end kida got me going "huh?".
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: moose on November 22, 2004, 09:28:46 AM
just beat it. damnit. i want more!
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: moose on November 22, 2004, 09:29:35 AM
btw when you go to create a new game it has 'chapter 15' but you cant select it. i wondder what thats for
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: moose on November 22, 2004, 09:30:11 AM
nevermind. credits. :mad:
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 22, 2004, 09:44:13 AM
deSelys i was on of he first who installed HL2 last week Monday when they started
auth server on 9am my local time. Today is Monday again and i just started at
the sandtrap Level. Well i dont have time to play every day, but usualy i play 1-2
hours maximal a day.

A friend of mine started HL2 yesterday and he is further then me, he played non stop
for 14 hours! ;p
And btw. at one point he shortened one level dramaticaly, dont know the name, its the
huge Train Bridge before the Sandtrap level. I dont wanna talk more specific because
*spoiler alarm* ;) but he saved at least 1 hour but he also missed some of the best
visual Level in HL2.

I played HL1 only once but used the graphic engine for years, editing and creating privat Maps
and so on, that will be the same with HL2 for me with this physic engine its so cool,
i doubt i will play it a second time full, maybe some parts.

R
Gh0stFT
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 22, 2004, 09:57:39 AM
Had it for over a week now, i havnt finnished it yet, i have no rush,

I think i have 1/3rd left...

If you dont play everyday then you will have entertainment for 1 - 2 weeks for sure!

Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: texace on November 22, 2004, 12:49:23 PM
The story of Half-Life? Check this out. I wrote this a few nights ago. See if it fits.

Half-Life's story begins long before the Black Mesa incident was even a thought in anyone's mind. The border world of Xen was begining to use up the last of its resources, spelling the end of the planet and the aliens that lived there. It was decided by the rulers of the planet to seek out another planet with decent resources that they could use for their benefit.

They settled on Earth, a planet quite some distance away.

Since Earth was so far away from Xen, it would have been impossible to launch an assault directly from the planet itself. They needed a way to put their teleportation technology to use, but without a gateway into the planet there wasn't any feasable way they could use their technology. After  some deliberation, the rulers decided to try and get the Earth people to open the gate for them using their own technology.

The G-Man, our friend with a speech impediment, was sent on the long journey to Earth to set that plan in motion. His craft crashed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1949 and he successfully escaped the wreckage. The American government stated the craft was a weather balloon. The G-Man assumed the identity of a government agent and proceeded to the American capital as a lobbyist for research.

He worked for years, managing to get the government to agree to limited funding to such a project. They commissioned the construction of a top secret reserach facility in New Mexico, name Black Mesa. The facility was complete in 1967 and research started.

The G-Man hung around as the base and the experiments grew larger. The scientists were making huge progress, studying samples of Xen minerals the G-Man had brought with him. In 1987, the Black Mesa Facility opened the first warp gate to Xen. They began sending science teams to the planet, which gathered fauna, animal life, and minerals for study. The Lamda complex was responsible for most of the research. The G-Man was pleased with this.

Research continued for many more years, and science teams began disappearing. Research ceased with Xen and the study with the teleportation technology increased. In 1996, the G-Man planted the purest sample of a Xen mineral known as Etheral, which wwas designed to react vioently with the Earth machines. When the mineral was hit with the analysers, it would open the gate and Xen forces would flood the planet. Now, they needed someone to do it for them.

Then came Gordon Freeman.

Dr. Freeman was a 24 year old genius with a doctorate in Theoretical Physics from MIT who had just been employed at the facility two weeks prior by his former professor at MIT, Dr. Issac Kliner. Dr. Freeman had a position in the Anamolus material lab, and they were the ones who would be analysing "the purest sample of Etheral they had seen yet."

When Dr. Freeman began analysing the mineral, all hell broke loose.

Dr. Freeman's hazard suit allowed him to survive the explosion in the test chamber, and he managed to escape and began trying to get out of the lab. Dr. Eli Vance instructed him to get to the surface and tell someone the science team was in danger. Dr. Freeman complied and began heading to the surface. Finding a crowbar, Dr. Freeman began the long trek to the surface.

He fought his way through the Xen aliens and zombified science team members with thee help of armed security guards as far as he could possibly go before it became evident that getting to the surface would not be an option. The Xen aliens had begun sweeping across the American homeland, and the government pinpointed Black Mesa as their arrival point and sent a cleanup team of US Marines to sweep the facility. Dr. Freeman fought through increasingly difficult battles with soldiers ans aliens unitl he reached the Lamda complex. There, the science team agreed to send him to Xen to stop the invasion from its source. They did so, and Dr. Freeman faught his way all the way to the ruler of Xen, Nanalinth. After defeating Nanalinth, Dr. Freeman blacked out and was recovered by the G-Man, who had been watching him since the begining.

Dr. Freeman could not stop the invasion, and the G-Man realized that his services could be valuble to the Xen cause. Dr. Freeman was blackmailed into assisting the G-Man and his bosses. When he awoke, he was aboard a train heading to City 17. After wandering around, he met up with Barney Calhoun, a secuirty guard at Black Mesa, who told him to meet Dr. Kleiner at his lab. Groups of soldiers known as the Combine littered the streets, and they didn't take kindly to Dr. Freeman wandering without being told. After a breif chase, Dr. Freeman met up with Alyx Vance, daughter of Eli Vance from Black Mesa. She took him to Dr. Kleiner, who attempted to send Dr. Freeman to Eli's lab. When the teleport failed, Dr. Freeman wormed his way to the lab on foot.

THe newspaper clipings Dr. Vnace held onto showed that Earth had surrendered to the Xen soldiers and the surviving humans were sent to concentration camps known as "Citys," like City 17.

That's all I've got so far...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 22, 2004, 01:39:54 PM
"Nihilanth" :)  Kinda like the Big Lebowski.

Tex, have you 'spoken' with some of the Vortigaunts scattered throughout the game?  They call the Nihilanth the lesser master and the 'greater' has yet to be defeated.  

Also, when did the Vort's become friendly?  I seem to remember killing many of them in the original Half-Life as they teleported in.

Good write up by the way.  Is this fan fiction or the actual storyline?
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wolfala on November 22, 2004, 02:00:23 PM
Repost from the Steam fourms.....
And I refer u to the other post on HT: http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=136012
For those of you especially who think the story is weak:

*don't read unless you beat both, or don't care to spoil the ending.. you may want to read it when you finish hl2. There are no cliffs, so dont ask, and i dont care if you dont read it*

As we all know, Gordon doesn't talk. This was a design feature, so that you know what he knows and he knows what you know. Especially in HL2 where you are dropped in the middle of a world with İİİİ going on you have no clue on. The only reason we even have reason to believe it is Earth, is because all your old friends are there, and no one mentions "traveling to another world." The thing I love about this story, is because (now I'm playing hl2 a second time) I notice things the second time around I missed completely, same with the first, and now that I'm play hl1 source, I'm noticing a few other things as well.

Hl1 starts out with you in the infamous tram. As you near the destination, some information is revealed to you about Gordon. MIT Graduate in theoretical physics, your clearance, and your sponser, who is unknown. Weird as that may be, when HL2 starts, gman says "The right man in the wrong place can make a world of difference." and even though at the end of HL1 he says "I like a survivor, reminds me of myself." It SOUNDS like he didn't know you, but WHY do you see him all the time in both games? Following you. Not to mention near the end of HL2 the Administrator says something about how as a baby, you were given something (I can't remember right now) that explains why a mere scientist can blow up entire human/alien/combine armies, but still not completely clear.

Anyway, the sponser wouldn't surpirse me at all, if it turned out to be Gman. He anonomously sponsers you to work at black mesa, cuz he KNOWS İİİİ is going to go down.

Now, why were they trying to get aliens in other dimensions in the first place? Well in the first, you kill the Nihilath, which controls them all. Therefor leading them all leaderless. I would think the administrator wanted this, as in the second you see many vortgornauts (sp?) used as slaves. The dude with the broom right as you get off the train.

When you get to black mesa east, in HL2, as you descend the elevator, there are Vort's cooking (your friends, clearly.. perhaps they like humans cuz you saved them from being slaves to the nihilath.) headcrabs. Then later, at ravenholm, you hear the priest say "I must tend to my flock." It may be possible, after a time, they brought over the aliens for food (Maybe something to do with humans using all their resources on earth, so we looked for alternatives). Also, clearly, they use them as weapons when "shelling" an area.

As for the Gman, something tells me he knew you before Black Mesa. Something also tells me he is not only fully aware of what is going to happen, but also, perhaps he holds a greater purpose in this war.

http://www.phenylshouse.com/members...oast_030000.jpg

In that pic on the coast. You are looking through a combine binocular set up. Though it seems like an ordinary "Hey, the gman is there" situation. I zoomed in on that pic (try it yourself) he is talk to the colonol (the dude with the british accent who gives you the RPG) Check out the leet toque on his head. I'm sure it is him. So, then you drive over to that town and everyone says "We are expecting a Gunship attack." Now how the İİİİ do they know that? Could be a few ways, intercepted radio transmissions, or maybe the Gman said it. Maybe the Gman SOLD the RPG to them (Perhaps he makes profit on war. As he says at the end of the game, "I have numerous employers who want to buy you." or whatever.) Also, when going on the underground railway (in the canel) you drop down into a broken down rail cart, with a Vort and a Resistance member. If you are quick enough, you can see the Vort, by the TV, is watching the Gman... Why? İİİİ if I know.

Anyway, when you are in nova prospekt and teleport out, and then, even though, your travel instantly to the Dr. Klieners Lab, he says it's been a week. I heard some moron on another board say "It's because they couldn't figure out how to start the rebellion, and wanted to get the game out." Well, maybe, but I figure it's to prove that the teleporters dont only transport you, but can go through time. Though, kliener says it's a "Slow teleport", perhaps it is an accelerated teleport. Maybe thats why gordon went straight from blackmesa, to city17 without anything in between, even though its been about 10 years.

How do I know it has to be about 10 years? When you get to Eli Vance, in Black Mesa East, and you can check out a picture of him, his wife, and Alyx. In that pic, she looks about 8-10. (Maybe younger) and Eli says "Ahh, you remember my wife don't you? That was the only thing I could save from Black Mesa". Well clearly Alyx is no little girl anymore.. and is at LEAST 20, if not older. So yes, a fair bit of time has passed.

As for the combine, what are they? I noticed while inside the citadel, there were "Mechanics" of some sort. Looked humanish, but with legs (shorter) like striders (little stick legs). The Administrator is also constantly talking about immortality and "Evolution". It SOUNDS like he is doing something to the captured humans to accelerate evolution. Being the combine? Could be.. I wouldn't doubt those Engineer's seen working on İİİİ in the Citadel, have their own Combine uniform.

Now for the "Benefactor's". When you do the teleport at the beginning, the admin says "Who are you? How did you get here?" You teleport away. When you come back you see him talking on a Video thing, with .. something, saying "I Think it was Gordon Freeman" or whatever. Well, later in the game, when you sneak up on him, he is talking to that "thing" again. It looks alien, maybe a robot? I'm thinking when he says he is going to teleport to another "Universe" that is where he is going and that is who the "Benefactors" are, and they are the one's who gave him the citadel, and who gave him this power over everyone.

As for all the people, you notice a few people you talk to mention "Scientists" and when you get to the "Sandtrap" chapter, one guy lies by his dead friend saying "Why? He was the finest mind of this age". They are capturing all the bright minds to use them to evolve to greater beings to create a master race? Maybe.

Lastly, the Gman is always seen everywhere, and disapears. Even at dead ends, he more than likely teleports somewhere else. He aslo, as you see in the end, holds some serious power/technology. He İİİİing stops time. Who knows what happens to alyx, I'm sure she is fine though. Right at the end, he pulls a "matrix" and steps out of the darkness through a door (like the hallways full of doors in the matrix, though cooler and less İİİ than reloaded.) I'm assuming he has some great technology at his disposle, for whoever his "empolyers" are, and whatever his purpose is and whatever his job actually is.

Yeah, I'm done.

Edit: I'd like to add the part at the Sand Trap level, he says "he was the finest mind of HIS generation" So I wouldn't be surprised to find out that these teleporters do involve time travel and they took brilliant minds from all places and times on earth.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: texace on November 22, 2004, 03:06:18 PM
I suppose my write up would be considered more along the lines of fan fiction, since there really isn't a "real" storyline laid out before or even during HL1. We know that the aliens are attacking, and that the government is there to clean up. I wrote my story based on a lot of things I've read, plus what I have concluded about the HL universe. I mean, why would the aliens be attacking Black Mesa only? That wouldn't make any sense. In my mind, the story I'm working on probably close to the actual timeline, but knowing some of the other hardcore fans out there, I may be way off base.

Yes, Nihilanth was a "lesser" leader, as there is no way that he alone could control the entire planet of Xen.  In terms of power, Nihilanth is probably as powerful as the G-Man. His boss, as well as Nihilanth's controler, would be the one responsible for the Black Mesa incident. Nihilanth was merely a controller. He is the one that controlled the vortigaunts and most of the other creatures that invaded Black Mesa. He did not have control over the headcrabs or the barnicles, but most of the other creatures were his. This would explain why the vortigaunts are your friends and some classic HL creatures like bullsquids, the ichyasour, houndeyes, the alien grunts, and the flying creatures are absent this time around.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on November 22, 2004, 05:23:49 PM
I bought HL2 today, installed it off the CDs fine.

Steam is a piece of **** and I hate it.

Fifteen minutes after CDs are done with installation, it's still decrypting files. Maybe I'll be able to play the game tonite... maybe.
-SW
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Tumor on November 22, 2004, 05:37:52 PM
Who or what is the G-Man?  Maybe I haven't been paying attention!

Maybe I did see him, I dunno... but when I was in the Water Hazard area, working my way over to lower that dam-door (the one that only goes down 1/2 way)... I noticed a dude way over on the other side in what looked like a blue suit, holding a red briefcase.  Didn't think much about it but figured I'd take a look through binoc's after I cleared the area.  When I came back around the corner, he was gone... and I haven't seen "that" guy since.  G-man?  Some kinda wierd Easter-egg?  What?

Tumor
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Octavius on November 22, 2004, 05:48:49 PM
I need to replay HL1.  Been so long.

Wolf, that isn't your write up is it? :)

The story is... interesting... in my opinion.  Calling it weak is probably a result of frustration from crapola cliff-hanger endings.  I can make the story of my own life interesting as well simply by telling only smaller, more exciting bits and pieces.  I could make my own cliff hangar ending when I'm on the can... "Will he make it?  Will the toilet dominate him or will he dominate the toilet?  Did G-man give him food poisoning!?  WHAT IF IT DOESN'T FLUSH!!"

It's a business move by Valve.  Even if the overall story is only on par with B-class sci-fi movie, it'll sell more copies of the next title and extend HL1 and HL2's life considerably.

I'll probably lose interest in the next 6 years while waiting for a HL3... would be nice for a few more tidbits.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Tumor on November 22, 2004, 05:57:17 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Octavius


I'll probably lose interest in the next 6 years while waiting for a HL3... would be nice for a few more tidbits.


I was/am pretty cranked with Valve not carrying through with Team Fortress II (and their refusal to make any statements on it).  Maybe they will finally get to it.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: moose on November 22, 2004, 06:00:31 PM
well, i would think there is a basis for a real good expansion pack that would further the storyline. i dont see a reason not to try and use the current engine for more seeing as it's so damn good looking

btw, whats the word on multiplayer? I didnt realize that Hl2 didnt come with it other then CS:S. (cs is fun tho, but i want straight up DM action!)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 22, 2004, 06:11:02 PM
You can force multiplayer through the console but people can only join be connecting via direct ip.

CS did come with HL2 depending on what package you purchased. With Silver you get it for free.

CS:S is still better...

That write up is from the steam forums and there is a lot of innaccurate info...

Gman = Gordan Freeman

He is an older Gordan traveling through time...

A lot of it is left up to your imagination a lot of it can be found within both HL1 and HL2...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wolfala on November 22, 2004, 08:07:44 PM
Oct - the writeup was taken from the steam fourms - as stated before the writeup.

Wolf
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 23, 2004, 06:24:41 AM
10pm-4am, 1 2liter of Pepsi Cherry and I  just finished it. Incredible mapping... ending bah... bring on DOD:S!!!
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 23, 2004, 07:23:34 AM
lol @ Coct!
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on November 23, 2004, 07:40:40 AM
The graphics are pretty sweet, disappointed you can't beat on dead bodies and have blood splatter on the ground. I did that in HL1, in this one room a body wouldn't explode after so many hits (they always did) - so I just kept beating it until I painted the floor, ceiling and walls with blood. Destroyed my framerate, but it was fun. One thing that is cool is how you can beat a body and it moves accordingly on the ground.

I got to some point on the fan boat, where trucks fire missles at you. It's fun to just run straight into those guys dropping down from the bridges.

But anyway, I got the one that came with just CS:S (looks a lot better than I remember the first CS, did they improve everything?) ... is there a newer CS that uses everything the new HL2 engine offers? This engine is a lot faster, with better graphics IMO, than the DoomIII engine on my computer.

All in all, pretty fun - but it's really not too hard yet.

I still hate Steam, when I attempted to get CS:S started - I sat there staring at that damn Steam thing for 3 minutes before it loaded the game up. I hope it only does that the first time you first install and run the game, because if I have to wait 15 minutes before HL2 loads up... well I guess I have to...
-SW
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Saintaw on November 23, 2004, 07:52:39 AM
Depends of the systems/connections I guess... for some strange reason it's "pretty" quick on my sh*tbox system. But yes... the installation and post-installation procedures were a pain in the ... neck.

Enable the console on your shortcut to speed up the initial loading time ("shortcut path" -console). It will disable the background on the menu though.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Overlag on November 23, 2004, 09:31:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Wotan


That write up is from the steam forums and there is a lot of innaccurate info...

Gman = Gordan Freeman

 


G man = the multiplayer model name for Govenment man, nothing to do with Gordan freeman
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Wotan on November 23, 2004, 11:32:21 AM
Quote
G man = the multiplayer model name for Govenment man, nothing to do with Gordan freeman


That's what they want to think :p

Trust no one...
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 23, 2004, 04:25:20 PM
This story is so wide open they can do anything and get away with it... worse than a Star Trek episode.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: SunKing on November 23, 2004, 11:59:27 PM
"It seems that a Swedish Gaming magazine has broken its NDA and is reporting that Valve are planning for Half-Life 3 or an Expansion of Half-Life 2 based on the Source engine. This is still a rumour and is in no way official."
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Gh0stFT on November 25, 2004, 02:58:22 PM
November 24, 2004, 5:00 pm
STEAM NEWS

"Next week we will be releasing the Source SDK, along with a surprise for the community.

what surprise they talking about ?:)
ps: I,m still playing HL2, im at the level after Nova Prospect.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 25, 2004, 03:18:15 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Gh0stFT
November 24, 2004, 5:00 pm
STEAM NEWS

"Next week we will be releasing the Source SDK, along with a surprise for the community.

what surprise they talking about ?:)
ps: I,m still playing HL2, im at the level after Nova Prospect.


Still playing too. Still got 1/3 left i think.. Saving it for the weekend, i get a 21" monitor home then :)
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Rude on November 26, 2004, 10:15:41 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Maniac
The game is fantastic.

WOW!!!!!!!!!

Five tumbs up!

:aok :aok :aok :aok :aok


What FPS Genre is HL? WWII fantasy, futuristic?
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: Maniac on November 26, 2004, 10:18:57 AM
Futuristic.
Title: HL2 starts in aprox 8 hours...
Post by: texace on November 26, 2004, 03:54:33 PM
The first one was more along the lines of Sci-Fi, considering the location, the weapons you had access to, and the aliens.

THe second one is more futuristic, considering the technologiy, the weapons, and the aliens...even though the game takes plce 10 years after Black Mesa, making it around 2006 or so.