Portal And Half-life 2: Episode 2 Update Released

This update adds the ability to tweak FOV as well as tweaks the particle rendering system.

Portal and Half-Life 2: Episode 2

• Added a new advanced video option that allows the user to easily change the field of view to any value they wish between 75 degrees and 90 degrees
• Updated the particle rendering code and particle data files to make them compatible with the particle editor included in the Source SDK

Steam Client - Minor Update Released

A Steam client update is now available. To apply the update, click the File menu inside of Steam and then select “Check for Steam Client Updates…”. The specific changes include:

Steam Client

• Fixed Portal: First Slice being unable to launch for some users
  
• Fixed GoldSrc MODs being unable to launch from the Steam serverbrowser
  
• Fixed network issue on startup

Valve’s Doug Lombardi talks Portal 2, Left 4 Dead and future plans

At the recent EA games showcase in london, CVG sat down with Valve’s Dough Lombardi to discuss Valve’s upcoming game Left 4 Dead. Lombardi also talked about Portal 2, Source engine and Valve’s expansion into new genres. Here’s a snip:

How much has the Source engine been updated for L4D since Half-Life 2?

Lombardi: I would say that almost half the code has been developed since Half-Life 2 was released. We introduced new lighting effects, we did a lot of character animation work for HL2: Episode 2, added support for multi-core PCs, we worked on the physics for Portal and new AI added for L4D.

We look at Source as a set of tools, not necessarily as an engine that we’ve built that we’ll use until it expires and throw away. We see it as this organic thing that we’re constantly tweaking and building. It’s more of a toolkit than a set engine.

Valve talks Portal sequel; More Innovative than original

CVG scored an interview with Valve’s Doug Lombardi, Valve have revealed few details about how they’re going to go about Portal 2. Here’s a snip:

“It could have been one of those things that 20,000 people thought was really cool and everybody else just scratched their heads and thought ‘What the hell is this, I don’t get it’,” added Lombardi.

Of course, the game was huge, which makes a sequel crucial. “Now we’ve got this challenge of living up to what we did with that.

The Orange Box - Over 100 Awards

According to the official website, Valve’s Orange Box has won over 100 awards across platforms. See what Gabe Newell has to say about it after the break. “While some have called it the best value in video game history, Valve took a chance with the product mix in The Orange Box, the game design of Portal, and the art style of Team Fortress 2,” said Gabe Newell, president of Valve.
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Orange Box Games To Be Released Separately

Valve’s Orange Box, A Compilation of five different games (Half Life 2, Half Life 2: Episode One, Half Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, Portal) will now have it’s three games (Half Life 2: Episode 2, Team Fortress 2 and Portal) released as separate titles on April 9th. Half Life 2: Episode Two and Team Fortress 2 will be priced at $29.95 while Portal will be $19.95. Why anyone would buy 3 games for $80 when they can get 5 games for $50 ? beats us. It should be noted however, that you can already purchase these games individually via Steam.