Cheerful Ghost: An Awesome Community For Gamers

Video Game History: Half Life

Interesting video covering the history of Half-life and Valve. Much has been said about both topics but this video covers them well including who was the inspiration for Gordon Freeman.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/17/2013 at 03:24am

Half-Life amazes me that it still holds up after all this time. I played a bit of it last year and still had a blast with it.

It was interesting to know that "Valve time" started with their very first game. I'm certainly glad they didn't rush to release though, and pushed it back when they knew they needed to.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/17/2013 at 03:32am

Yeah, me too. Strange fact, I originally bought Half-life to play Counter Strike. Many moons later, I played it, but yeah it was for Counter Strike.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/17/2013 at 04:36pm

I bought Counter Strike just for the models for Garry's Mod. I still have yet to play a CS game.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/17/2013 at 04:44pm

Hahaha, yeah, I haven't played a game in ages myself. It's so much fun, but I suck so bad. I sucked then too, it's just that I was playing with friends and a bot mod, which made it really fun because I would win sometimes.

Speaking of, I think I still have CS 1.5 and that bot mod still..... Hmmmm.

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Gabe Newell: "The future of gaming is on Linux"

Gabe Newell gave a rousing talk at Linux Con today. He talked more about Valve's strategy with games, Windows, consoles and Linux. It is all shown in the video above(warning, it was recorded and put on YouTube so it isn't perfect).

A few note worthy bits from the talk:

Valve is announcing hardware next week

Valve is sinking resources into Linux in terms of development in SDL, LLVM & a Linux debugger

They are working on something in mobile

Valve wants to unify the mobile, PC and living room experience so they are not all different

They want the future of technology to be built on open technologies

All of that sounds great and I am very interested in seeing what... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 09/17/2013 at 03:06am

Came here to post this. Can't wait to hear what the announcement next week will be!

Mobile is quite interesting. They could be targeting Android devices, since you can have distribution platforms there. Apple won't let it happen. Or, they could be going their own route (probably also with Android) and doing something like NVidia did recently.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/17/2013 at 03:31am

Yeah and I hope they do. A compelling open handheld is very interesting to me.

Chowda wrote on 09/17/2013 at 06:18pm

I'm really happy for these talks to be broadcasted to large audiences. I really do think Linux is the future of gaming, especially on the desktop. The fact that I refuse to upgrade beyond Windows 7 means I'm really banking on Linux getting a serious share of the gaming market because it will be my reality sooner than later.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/17/2013 at 06:55pm

Right. The only downside to Linux gaming is compatibility with your old library of games. A big problem for certain and it helps with things like Wine, but yeah, some games just won't be ported.

Chowda wrote on 09/17/2013 at 11:28pm

I'm okay with that. I may keep a small windows 7 partition just to play a few old games. But you know that will fade with time as well.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/18/2013 at 12:19am

Right. I may keep around old hardware, like an old console for that. Boot into it when I need. Or maybe Virtualization will be stellar at that point so I could run it all in a Windows 7 VM.

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/20/2013 at 05:53pm

WOW!

I like that Gabe is very open about why Valve has become so vested in the future of Linux. It is the only way that Valve can retain complete control over the end-user experience.

Some wonderful points (still in awe of his honesty) I took from it:

- AAA publishers don't care about Linux because the revenue just isn't there - DEAL WITH IT! 1% isn't going to turn any heads.
- Proprietary systems and hardware only create exclusionary markets which lack the support of a strong community. It's obvious that Gabe values the community and he should because that's where Valve's revenue lies.
- Gabe seems almost humbled by the community support but understands how to cultivate it. "Properly enabled and supported" developers and users will thrive and can add value to any undertaking.
- Valve doesn't just think Linux is the future, they're invested in seeing that future become real. I didn't realize that Valve had such an active role in the development of SDL. SDL is a mature, cross-platform library that would help realize Gabe's stated goal of unification across platforms.

This excites me on two fronts. One, as a long time Linux user, and the other as a returning PC gamer. I have zero interest in the PS4 or the XBOX One as I've had both of their predecessors and they no longer hold any charm for me. However, if I can be promised the same or better experience when playing on my Steambox or my Linux rig, I'll throw more money Valve's way when their console comes out.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/20/2013 at 08:23pm

Yep, I will too. Open platforms are the future I want and i'll get it because if that. Well, and because it will most likely be awesome.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/20/2013 at 08:33pm

One thing we have to acknowledge though, is that it's probably just a PC with a smaller form factor, probably set to automatically open Steam upon login into a lightweight DE. You may not get any benefits over just plugging in a PC to your TV.

But the way they're presenting it and marketing it, the way they're pushing to bring PC gaming into the living room with controller support, and trying to get it all under an open platform, that's the "product" here that I'm so excited about.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/20/2013 at 08:42pm

Right, and that's the point right? An open system really needn't be much more than that, which is totally awesome. You can DIY or buy something off the shelf. Frankly I don't mind using an open system but building one these days is somewhat out of the question, I used to though.

That said, the PS4, Xbox One those don't need to be closed. Well, they do if you want to limit whom can make them and Sony and Microsoft both do. So, yeah, this may very well just be a reduced form factor PC with Steam to auto start, which would still be awesome.

Plus if it's linux I can run a few other things on it, which would be nice because I want to replace the mac mini under my TV. It's running an antiquated version of OSX and doesn't really work great these days. Planned obsolescence and all that, plus they are made VERY hard to upgrade. But I guess, that's kind of what I bought with it. Still, something more open would be what the doctor ordered and if it could run a junk load of games at launch, yay.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/20/2013 at 08:45pm

Yeah, I wasn't trying to say anything bad about it. I'm still probably going to get one myself depending on price and specs. But it may be more cost effective to just buy an off-the-shelf PC and install Linux and Steam, and I may do that someday too. It's just awesome that we can do that! :)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/20/2013 at 08:46pm

Totally, it is nice to have options. Yeah, it's not an auto-buy for me either, but I am learning more that direction right now than the PS4. Still, PS4 looks neat though.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/20/2013 at 08:47pm

Kind of hope Destiny announces a Steambox port too. One can dream I suppose :D

beansmyname Supporter wrote on 09/21/2013 at 12:27am

I like the idea that Valve will provide support for the device and that in exchange I'm providing support for that business model. Hardware support is a big deal to me. I have a 3 GHz quad-core processor sitting in the closet and I'm not sure if the motherboard or the power supply is bad. If it were a console with a warranty, I'd be running that instead of current system.

Like Jon, and obviously Gaben, I think that open platforms are future. Open platforms provide the freedom to let truly innovative companies continue to innovate. It also provides a framework for the "Grand Unification," where mobile, desktop and console gaming experience their Singularity.

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It's happening! Terraria 1.2 trailer

So much to love in this trailer. There's so much stuff we've never seen before, it almost looks like a sequel.

User thomar on reddit has a great breakdown of all the new stuff you can see from the trailer: http://www.reddit.com/r/Terraria/comments/1mh7uk/terraria_12_trailer_spoilers/cc97xfv

I'm so excited for this. Half a month!

http://i.imgur.com/YCSSmiq.gif

Site Tech: Upgraded To Bootstrap 3.0

I just pushed a new update to the site upgrading it to use Boostrap 3. As with any upgrade, some site breakage may occur so if you see anything amiss let me know.

That said, the site should look much better on phones, tablets and desktops now.

http://getbootstrap.com/

Travis Admin wrote on 09/16/2013 at 02:13pm

Things look a little smoother in places, yeah. It's nice!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/16/2013 at 02:16pm

Yeah, it should be. Plus the site should be a ton better on Tablets in both orentation modes.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 09/16/2013 at 05:42pm

Green notifications!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/16/2013 at 05:44pm

Ha, yeah. They discontinued the purple for some reason. Oh well.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 09/16/2013 at 05:50pm

I like the green. Works well with the leaf.

Blue_Element wrote on 09/16/2013 at 06:50pm

Wow, the new font is pretty nice. And the site does look better overall.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/16/2013 at 07:41pm

Awesome, glad you like it!

hardeyez wrote on 09/16/2013 at 08:24pm

Yes, it's definitely nicer... The posts fill the screen better on linux and android (i.e. chrome and chromium on linux, and chrome on android 4.2). In fact, android is much better all around. Nice!!

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The Firehose: Anodyne Remixed, Eldrich & Crawl

Jon & Sean from Analgesic Productions released a Anodyne Remix Album on Bandcamp under the "name your price" model. I love the Anodyne score and this remix album compliments it well.

http://seagaia.bandcamp.com/album/anodyne-remix-album

Blizzard has collected the winners of the Blizzard Gamescom 2013 cosplay contest. The winner this year was Ralph Z, a male Barb.

http://us.battle.net//d3/en/blog/10737565#best

Eldritch is a interesting new 3D Lovecraftian FPS from two former EA developers. The has a very unique style and has been making some waves in the indie community.

http://www.eldritchgame.com/

Crawl is a neat 2D retro styled Zelda/Ninja Turtles hack-n-slash with... Read All

Treasure Adventure World

Treasure Adventure World is the follow up to the free PC game, Treasure Adventure Game. Featuring hand drawn art and a large open world, Treasure Adventure World looks to up the ante considerably.

This game is being published by Chucklefish, the creators of Starbound and will initially ship on PC only.

http://treasureadventureworld.com/pre-order/

Hyper Light Drifter

Back this on Kickstarter!

"Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with unknown dangers and lost technologies. Inspired by nightmares and dreams alike.

Hyper Light Drifter is a 2D Action RPG in the vein of the best 8-bit and 16-bit classics, with modernized mechanics and designs on a much grander scale.

Visions for this game have been fluttering in my skull for ages; something dark and fantastic, with giant forests to navigate, huge floating structures to explore, deep crumbling ruins to loot, massive throngs of enemies to rend, and behemoths both flesh and mechanical to overcome. I want it all to be as beautiful as possible, forging color with the dark and eerie wastes and... Read All

Legend of Dungeon 1.0

Robot Loves Kitty just dropped Legend of Dungeon 1.0 today after a great beta period. The game has really improved over the last few months of refinement and I think it is well worth a look if you peeked early or haven't yet.

Legend of Dungeon is a new Indie Game that is reviving the Rogue-like in a fresh way. They are planning a few more large content updates after 1.0 in terms of a in-game pet system and player classes. I talked with Alix and Calvin a bit about this at PAX and what they have planned sounds very interesting.

You can nab the game for Mac, Linux and Windows for $15.

http://www.robotloveskitty.com/LoD/buy.php

Dishonored Game of the Year Edition Ships Oct. 8th

http://zmi-cdnstatic.s3.amazonaws.com/bethblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/disgoty_3D_stacked_osleeves.jpg

Been waiting for the Game of the Year Edition to pick up Dishonored and it looks like Bethesda is finally releasing it. Game of the Year Edition comes with the base game, The Knife of Dunwall, The Brigmore Witches, Dunwall City Trials & Void Walker’s Arsenal.

I don't typically get stealth games but I have heard good things about this one and want to give it a shot.

Dishonored Game of the Year Edition ships October 8th on PC, PS3 & XBox 360 for $40.

http://www.bethblog.com/2013/09/12/dishonored-game-of-the-year-edition-announced/

Tex Murphy Creators Discuss Tesla Effect

Tesla Effect is the forthcoming sixth installment in the Tex Murphy series of adventures. Tesla Effect provides closure to a "To Be Continued..." promise made to fans 15 years ago.

In this interview with the Gameological Society (http://gameological.com/2013/09/interview-tex-murphy-creators/), Chris Jones and Aaron Conners talk about bringing Tex Murphy and company back to the fans. At one point, there was a consideration of making a casual version of the series, which neither felt would do justice to the series.

If you never played Under a Killing Moon, The Pandora Directive or Overseer, you missed some of the best gaming created for the adventure genre. On par with... Read All