Half-life 3. The sequel was created at Source 2 in 2013-2014, drawing inspiration from Left 4 dead. To increase replay value, the developers wanted to create procedurally generated gameplay segments between manually created plot moments.
For example, a local Director could create a building and a task inside it like “free a prisoner”, then create a level and fill the house with opponents. And each time a similar episode would have looked different.
Frank Sheldon’s appearance was even scanned for the project, the appearance of which was used for the G-Man image in Half-Life 2. The project was canceled due to the dampness of the engine.
Borealis. Another VR project for Half-Life, the development of which was led by screenwriter Mark Laidlaw. Its action took place on the time-traveling ship Borey.
The plot unfolds in two times – during the seven-hour war and the period after the final of the second episode of Half-Life 2. In addition, it is known that the developers implemented mechanics with fishing.
Left 4 Dead 3. Cooperative shooter wanted to transfer to the open world. Morocco was chosen as the scene, and one of the features was to be hundreds of zombies on the screen.
Like Half-Life 3, the game was abandoned due to the incompleteness of Source 2.
Project under the working title RPG. As you might guess, the studio wanted to try its hand at the role-playing genre. They did not work on the title for long – he never left the concept stage, and a few developments were used in a single RPG about Ax from Dota. This game has also been canceled.
A.R.T.I. A fun voxel game where you could create and destroy almost everything – something like Minecraft. In one iteration, Half-Life 2 and Portal screenwriter Eric Woolpo voiced a character named “King Kevin,” who was supposed to get out of prison using the available tools.
After cancellation A.R.T.I. tried to revive as a VR-game, but again postponed, because more and more studio attention was required Half-Life: Alyx.
Simtrek. A game for helmets of virtual reality from the authors of the original Kerbal Space Program. The project was also put on hold due to Half-Life: Alyx.
“Shooter“. Half-Life range for VR helmets, which was supposed to be part of The Lab’s VR attraction. The game was created on the basis of Half-Life 2 assets, offering to take part in small shootings.
As a result, the project was simply not ready for release at the same time as The Lab, and it was canceled.
Hot dog. Another attempt to make a new Left 4 Dead. Unfortunately, the project details were not shared, but the working name was used to hide the fact of development.
Vader. Valve’s first attempt to make his own virtual reality helmet, which was created without any compromise. The final result was too ambitious – the cost of the device was approximately 5 thousand dollars (370 thousand rubles without taxes).
This helmet was originally supposed to come out simultaneously with Half-Life: Alyx.
What will be the next Valve game? It’s too early to say, but the team wants to start creating the next Half-Life – a full-fledged game without reference to VR helmets. The studio considers Alix successful, and now the team is not afraid to take on a new game in the series.
Since 2018, the company has been working on a “secret project”, but it is not known what it is.
Half-Life: Alyx – Final Hours is available on Steam for 259 rubles. In this interactive project, among other things, you can run around the virtual office of Valve.
More on review
