Gearbox...

[Atomic_Piggy]

This guy makes some points, and may change my views. MAY. I was just wandering what you guys make of him?
http://forums.blackmesasource.com/index.php?showtopic=1068

 

[Asknoone]

There was no plan for 'Race-X'. Gearbox wanted new enemies in their expansion, and Valve said ok, what are you thinking. Gearbox present Race-X, and instead of being a pain in the ass Valve said, sure, you can have those. The fact that Valve approved them, does not mean they are free of criticism. Gearbox designed the enemies, they wanted them in there, and that is how it went. And like Marc said, they will not be continued and were simply a way for Gearbox to include new enemies. (Proven fact.)
But the simple fact is, I don't like Race-X. I don't like the enemy designs, and I think they suck ass. I think their inclusion of pointless and stupid, and regardless of whether Valve approved them or not I do not like them.

I've yet to see conclusive evidence that Marc Laidlaw wrote the expansions. Yet to see it. If he did, fair enough. But most of my complaints come from the game design itself, and some of the decisions Gearbox made. Such as weapons.

I enjoyed Opposing force, and whilst it wasn't on the level of quality Half-life presented it was a worthy game, and I had fun with it. But lets clarify, it WAS Gearbox that conjured Race-X, and what happens in the game. Weapons such as the Barnalce gun, the teleport gun and other such things were their idea. And I don't like them. Thats that.

 

[Shippi]

.

 

[bbson john]

We yell. 'tis doesn't mean we don't like the game, OP4. lol

Anyway, I am always saying that OP4 is canon. Race X is in Half-Life universe and is approved by Valve. And I agree something has to be done on Race X in the expansions of HL2 since Race X has, unfortunately, become a part of HL. Rather than pretending Race X does not exist at all, I agree that Race X has to be explained, perfunctorily. It is needless for, and better not let, Race X to reappear. Just a couple of related words will be enough.

No one cares, anyway.

 

[A True Canadian]

I always imagined that the only reason Race-X was able to come to Black Mesa was because of the Lambda Reactors and the Anomolous Materials' Test Chamber. The high concentration of energy is what made it possible for them to teleport within that location.

It's kind of like walking towards a flare in a pitch black wearhouse. When it's lit, it's easy to go to that location. When it's not, you're chances of finding it diminish rapidly. But the beacon was lit, and Race-X launched a full invasion of Black Mesa.

They were quite successful in eliminating most of the Xen invaders, and their only real threat was a team of Black Operatives and some stragglers from the military. They were taking control.

Then the nuke went off and destroyed the facility. All the Race-X forces on Earth were eradicated in the blast. The portal storms occured and the Combine followed shortly after.

This could mean one of three things for Race-X:

1. The destruction of their entire invading army at the hands of Earth's technology caused Race-X to simply give up. It wasn't worth sending another invasion to Earth especially after their first squad was disposed so quickly (in about a day or two given the length of Opposing Force). Black Mesa technology was destroyed in the explosion, so there wasn't much to gain by returning to Earth.

2. With the reactors destroyed, the signal to Earth was lost and they couldn't find it again.

3. They launched another invasion, but with the bigger armies of Xen, the more robust Earth military, and the eventual army of the Combine at war, Race-X was obliterated quickly because their army was much smaller.


So to summarize, I do not think that Race-X is canon. I feel that they are a part of the Half-Life story. However, I do not think they need to return to the story. Given what happened at the end of Opposing Force, and what is currently happening with the Combine, Race-X would be foolish to return to Earth at this point.

 

[MorganFreeman911]

Well stated, True.

 

[hungryduck]

I thought gearboxes expansions were awesome...........

 

[ríomhaire]

Exedence suggests that Race-X where a species that resided in Xen.

 

[XIII]

woot to the guy that wrote the post!

 

[Langolier]

I've always liked the Gearbox expansions. Until I read that one guy's guide (that I dare not mention by name) the idea that Race-X wasn't just another part of Nihilanth's army hadn't even entered my mind. You only ever see them fighting a Gargantua, and it to be honest I had always thought of the Gargantua as being a wild animal.

I really don't get the hatred for people that post a thread about Shephard ever so often. It's no more annoying than any of the countless threads arguing over Metrocops or the damned Crowbar. The childish posters that see fit to rabidly attack anyone who posts a Shepard thread should take a look at themselves when they state such people are a "bad aspect of the community". Seriously... get a life.

 

[Asknoone]

I don't think anyone thinks that Shephard posters are a "Bad aspect of the community."
They are annoying though.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

According to the Op4 prima guide, Race X invaded are world to steal our recources for revenge (because we nicked their babies - evidence they explored Xen as well). That enourmous monstrosity at the end takes the resources, and turns them into whatever they need.
They won't be continued, from Valve's mouth. besides, between the Black Ops, Adrian and the nuke their proboaly to scared. The nuke proboaly destroyed their link. Then again, the Combine got through Xen using the Nihilanths portal...