Combine sniper rifle

[Tagaziel]

Mikael,

The Combine Sniper Rifle does make a brief appearance in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. We took this opportunity to design an entirely new weapon that fits squarely within the distinctive combine technology family; but also clearly looks the part of a high power, high accuracy infantry weapon.

You'll be able to get a good look when the orange box is in stores later this year.

Thanks for taking the time to write.

Ted Backman
Valve Software.

Meaning the great mystery will be finally unveiled!

 

[Narvi]

Put it in the Valve feedback thread, man!

And awesome.

 

[leib10]

Excellent.

 

[MorganFreeman911]

OH, YES!

YES! YES! YES!

YES!
Finally!

 

[Avoidist]

I always thought this was one of those issues where there was a consensus that this was a very bad idea. Ah well, if Valve make it work all the more power to them.

 

[Asknoone]

'Brief appearance'

Hrm, I'm not sure it's saying you got your hands on it. Maybe in the hands of an NPC? Should be cool to look at.

 

[Tagaziel]

'Brief appearance'

Hrm, I'm not sure it's saying you got your hands on it. Maybe in the hands of an NPC? Should be cool to look at.

Indeed. My obsession was soothed

 

[AJ Rimmer]

'Brief appearance'

Hrm, I'm not sure it's saying you got your hands on it. Maybe in the hands of an NPC? Should be cool to look at.

Well Alyx had handled it before. Maybe this time she'll bring it with her instead of leaving it behind where you can't reach/see it.

 

[Remus]

'Brief appearance'

Hrm, I'm not sure it's saying you got your hands on it. Maybe in the hands of an NPC? Should be cool to look at.

It doesn't matter if you can't actually use it. At least there will be a proper model for the weapon, and moders will be able to make it usable, maybe in Smod perhaps.

 

[Asknoone]

Hopefully the weapon itself is more interesting than your standard rifle, because that was really what the Crossbow was for.

 

[Sloth]

That would be cool, but I very much doubt it being used by the player... Maybe have it like a posistioned gun, sniper rifle on a bipod that you can't move?

 

[Tagaziel]

That would be cool, but I very much doubt it being used by the player... Maybe have it like a posistioned gun, sniper rifle on a bipod that you can't move?

I think it'll be seen in an armory rack in the silo with Alyx remarking it's a sniper rifle.

 

[Tomu]

Awesome I think maybe it will be used somewhere like that hotel level mentioned in the previews where you hold off a combine attack and you have the sniper rifle to help you take out some of the combine soldiers coming toward you from a distance.

 

[losttheskyagain]

I think it'll be seen in an armory rack in the silo with Alyx remarking it's a sniper rifle.

Yes, I can already hear repeated iterations of Alyx saying, "Let's go, Gordon."

Even if they have a working model, however fleeting the in-game appearance may be, it creates hope.

 

[Tagaziel]

The *resistance* controlled silo.

 

[Narvi]

It'll obviously be a stationary position, if only because the rifle being man-portable and not falling out windows is silly.

 

[Asknoone]

Ima thinking it will be in the hands of an NPC.

 

[99.vikram]

It'll obviously be a stationary position, if only because the rifle being man-portable and not falling out windows is silly.

The butt of the rifle is heavier than the barrel. Ergo, the rifle tends to fall into the room rather than out of the window.
I think.

 

[leib10]

The butt of the rifle is heavier than the barrel. Ergo, the rifle tends to fall into the room rather than out of the window.
I think.

I would think that a grenade blast would still be enough to blow it out of the window. Unless it just weighs a ton, because grenade blasts will blow the snipers out all the time.

 

[ríomhaire]

I think it'll be seen in an armory rack in the silo with Alyx remarking it's a sniper rifle.

It'd be a bit odd to have it on a rack but the player not being able to take it (and I doubt that it will be a player-useable weapon).

My bet is going on seeing a friendly NPC with it.

 

[Narvi]

A stationary position makes more sense. Explains why you can't take it with you, for instance.

 

[leib10]

Stationary positions are BS because they go against the encompassing nature of snipers, which is stealth and surprise. Because they are set up on a semi-permanent basis, it will not take long for the enemy (Rebels) to determine their location and smoke the snipers out. Also, since they know where they are already, they will avoid that area entirely and find another path that is sniper-free, therefore rendering them worthless other than as a deterrent.

 

[Narvi]

Stationary positions are BS because they go against the encompassing nature of snipers, which is stealth and surprise. Because they are set up on a semi-permanent basis, it will not take long for the enemy (Rebels) to determine their location and smoke the snipers out. Also, since they know where they are already, they will avoid that area entirely and find another path that is sniper-free, therefore rendering them worthless other than as a deterrent.

These are the snipers which use blue lasers and slow-as-hell bolts you can sidestep.

But seriously, it could simply require a bit of set up, say a couple of clamps which attach the rifle to an appropriate vantage point. The reason for the clamps being the massive recoil, which blasts people away.

 

[Kevin]

I believe the sniper will be another NPC and Alyx exclusive weapon. Like her handgun.
You see her holding and using it but you can't.:sniper:

 

[leib10]

These are the snipers which use blue lasers and slow-as-hell bolts you can sidestep.

But seriously, it could simply require a bit of set up, say a couple of clamps which attach the rifle to an appropriate vantage point. The reason for the clamps being the massive recoil, which blasts people away.

But say that rebels were closing in fast on a sniper's position, and he didn't have time to unclamp his rifle, if that's what really happens. The rebels then have in their hands a powerful weapon, and the sniper is left defenseless unless he has a secondary weapon.

 

[Kevin]

Ofcourse he has some other weapons. I think...

 

[Narvi]

But say that rebels were closing in fast on a sniper's position, and he didn't have time to unclamp his rifle, if that's what really happens. The rebels then have in their hands a powerful weapon, and the sniper is left defenseless unless he has a secondary weapon.

If it's a machine-clamp, he could move it relatively quickly. Besides, if the rebels are that close he's nearly ****ed anyway.

 

[leib10]

Yep.

My bet is we'll be seeing in the hands of a friendly NPC, and possibly using it ourselves in Episode 3.

 

[Rapstah]

If a NPC that uses other weapnons (Citizen, Alyx) uses it, we'll be able to as well.

 

[Planeteer]

IMO Sniper rifle is just too cheesy, unbalanced and it must be nerfed if player can use it. Good firerate, deadly, accurate... everything. And we have this crossbow. Sure sniping enemies with real rifle would be cool but we will see about that!

 

[Que-Ever]

If a NPC that uses other weapnons (Citizen, Alyx) uses it, we'll be able to as well.

Probably through the console. I don't think they'd give it to just any random cit that might get killed and drop it right in front of gordon.

 

[Asknoone]

If a NPC that uses other weapnons (Citizen, Alyx) uses it, we'll be able to as well.

Not if the character is a specific chap.

 

[leib10]

They could have the NPC in an inaccessible area, so that even if he/she is killed you couldn't get ahold of it. Or it could disintegrate like the guns of the Combine soldiers in the Citadel did.

 

[Rapstah]

Probably through the console.

Yes, that was what I meant to say. Was and is tired.

 

[Aspe]

Have we seen in-game screenshots with the crossbow equipped? I ask wondering if it may be lost somehow, and the sniper rifle subsequently picked up to replace it.

And the why-we-couldn't-pick-it-up-before-when-'nading-Combine-snipers is brushed under the carpet by the involvement gameplay-wise that the weapon offers.

I don't know. I'm inclined towards the idea that Gordon won't use the rifle himself, but it's a thought anyway.

 

[Mahalis]

Have we seen in-game screenshots with the crossbow equipped? I ask wondering if it may be lost somehow, and the sniper rifle subsequently picked up to replace it.

Screenshots, no. It's in at least one of the original gameplay trailers though.

 

[Asknoone]

Emphasis on 'brief' appearance.

 

[Iron_cube]

Don't get your hopes up, people.

It will probably be mounted, just like the combine machine gun in the canals/prison.

 

[Asknoone]

I'm going for NPC.

 

[Iron_cube]

I'm going for NPC.

I'm not sure what you mean, we'll be controlling a robotic entity or something?

Oh, a friendly npc helping you while still being unable to use it, okay I get it.