Things you would change if you were in charge

[SpectreBlofeld]

So, if you were a developer for Valve, what sort of things would you have done a little differently in the creation of Half-Life and its sequels?

There's not a whole lot I would change in terms of gameplay, but there are a few things I'd do differently style-wise - such as giving zombies a greater wardrobe variety. Most zombies are transmogrified humans, who in City 17 wore blue jumpsuits - but every City 17 zombie sports jeans and a white shirt. I'd have randomized the skinning of zombies to include blue jumpsuits, rebel gear, Civil Protection uniforms, etc.

Similarly, I'd have more than one fast zombie skin for variation's sake, to show varying levels of skin left clinging to the body, etc.

And I'd have more than one voice actor for the male citizen. It really damaged the realism when every citizen/rebel has the exact same voice. Hell, I'd have recorded some dialog for free, just for the coolness factor of having my voice in a Half-Life game. Call me, Valve.

 

[LandStander]

I would make the game harder and I would make it the "hard" difficulty very challenging. Not nerfed weapons kind of challenging (Because I hate that) but added enemies (if that's possible) and lower health emitted from first-aid kits (Like HL1). I would also change the AR2 a bit. It is one of the best weapons to engage multiple targets at far range with (which happens quite a bit) but it could be a more satisfying weapon.

 

[Narvi]

I'd have added more Xen beings interacting with each other. The best bits in HL1 were when a headcrab and a bullsquid decided to hate each other.

Also, more houndeyes kthxbye.

 

[SamuraiKenji]

Lazlo dieng or to see what the guy does to Lazlos body


also to have a pr0nz scene with Alyx

 

[kriztov]

I'd probably overhaul the AI, so that it is more intelligent, and the characters work more as a team. Mostly on the Combine side so that it challenges the chatacter more (Like maybe having a medic for the combine squads, so that thy dont fall easily, have them smartly use cover fire, and pincer movements. Basically have it so that is a challenge.

I'd also put in a multi pathway story, while there are possible multi pathway stages in HL2,ep1, and ep2, they are few and far between, and they are usually shortlived. I'd vary the troopers more, so the combine has medic troopers, and heavy ordinance troopers. I'd love to see the combine part to reveal one with a gigantic minigun.

I'd make the zombies more tenacious, so that you pretty much have to kill the headcrab to take it out, unless you burn it or explode it.

Although I like the Crowbar, I'd vary it a bit more, have the possibility to use other tools, or just random shrapnel, that said, I'd also make it so that he drops said item instead of inventories it. On that note, I'd limit Gordon's inventory size, because he's not a strong man, and he doesnt have superhuman lifting abilities, so he should be limited to about 2 weapons, or maybe 3 at one time.

 

[99.vikram]

I'd also put in a multi pathway story
.....
On that note, I'd limit Gordon's inventory size, because he's not a strong man, and he doesnt have superhuman lifting abilities, so he should be limited to about 2 weapons, or maybe 3 at one time.

^NO and NO.

Awful changes. :x

 

[SamuraiKenji]

ok Kriztov this isnt freaking Halo
Gordon could kick the Chiefs ass 6 ways to sunday like 9 times in a row without breaking a sweat


and heh if you saw how many weapons you can carry in Smod.....you would shit bricks


and also like the Chiefs armor Gordons HEV suit uses its AUX power to help him lift heavy things sprint and stuff like that

 

[Asknoone]

I'd have made the first chunk of Sandtraps (Tunnel to Lighthouse point) more interesting, and less "Here's more Highway 17". Basically do something different with the car, and I'd have also had the Dropships arrive two at a time, as opposed to one at a time when defending the Lighthouse.

I would, in general, have paced both driving chapters a little better to avoid fatigue and boredom, because they can easily get a little tedious at times.

I'd have definitely opted to spruce up the City 17 Chapters of Episode 1. Especially the final chapter, which was horrible.

I'd also put in a multi pathway story.

No wai. HoZai. That'd be terrible.

 

[SamuraiKenji]

indeed a Multi Pathway story would suck

 

[kriztov]

no, no, no, I dont mean multi pathway as in different stories, more like where you arent forced to take one route. So that you could choose to run into the combine down the hall, or take a different approach by coming from behind through smart use of the vents. It would give players choices, rather than a "YOU MUST DO THIS" attitude.

 

[Asknoone]

I don't mind open space, but I don't see a need for multiple paths. The gameplay of HL works on the basis that it is linear.

 

[GM)Paravin.]

I would make more Strider sequences. (Like the one shown in a HL2:Beta gameplay trailer (where the player threw the letters F and U at it).

 

[kriztov]

I don't mind open space, but I don't see a need for multiple paths. The gameplay of HL works on the basis that it is linear.

Yes, but that too is its main flaw. Too many times have I walked down a corridor and known exactly when I am going to be attacked. There wasn't many surprises that I wasn't prepared for. The only thing that seems to get me is the stalker coming through the tunnel in HL2, eps1 and 2 go like clockwork. Heck, I'm a fan of the HL universe, but such extreme linear constraints don't really help the player with being immersed in the story.

 

[SpectreBlofeld]

ok Kriztov this isnt freaking Halo
Gordon could kick the Chiefs ass 6 ways to sunday like 9 times in a row without breaking a sweat


and heh if you saw how many weapons you can carry in Smod.....you would shit bricks


and also like the Chiefs armor Gordons HEV suit uses its AUX power to help him lift heavy things sprint and stuff like that

Chill. I started this thread because I wanted to hear people's opinions. Don't worry, your precious game isn't being threatened. There's no danger of these ideas being implemented.

And Halo has nothing to do with this.

 

[cyk]

Yes, but that too is its main flaw. Too many times have I walked down a corridor and known exactly when I am going to be attacked. There wasn't many surprises that I wasn't prepared for. The only thing that seems to get me is the stalker coming through the tunnel in HL2, eps1 and 2 go like clockwork. Heck, I'm a fan of the HL universe, but such extreme linear constraints don't really help the player with being immersed in the story.

This. I really think some slight Deus-Ex style multiple paths- though not as extreme- would be interesting. If not that, at least give players more chance to explore their environments. I don't want to get to the Borealis and find every second door locked.

 

[Adabiviak]

"Gabe, figure out a way to get cremators and the hydra to work in the story without sacrificing gameplay. I want at least two working chapters on my desk by Thursday."

 

[Cavalry]

two words-Friendly Fire

 

[Iron_cube]

Add a default co-op mode to all the singleplayer games without screwing up everything.

And have extra NPC lines which react to the extra players.

That'd be heaven.

 

[TheSock]

I'd update the .357 world model.





Seriously.





What's up with that thing?!

 

[Druckles]

I'd have included Lost Coast, and allowed the player to explore the town/village, maybe have some one-on-one with headcrabs. Maybe add a race with the combine somewhere. Some element in the game which actually requires time. Rather than playing Episode Two through in half an hour, and just complaining at Magnusson because it didn't take you "hours". Perhaps a less linear situation in the forest. Not such that you have multiple paths, but a wide, forested part where combine can pop out from behind trees and such. Much like the forest map developed for css.

Oh, I shouldn't mention Alyx... not appropriate for some members.

 

[morgs]

As a matter of fact, I would revamp the physics engine. After playing crysis, i realized how flawed the source engine actually is.

In crysis, if you shoot a leg off a table, the things on that table fall to the ground realistically when the table collapses. In half life on the other hand, if you did this to a table, objects would probably go all over the place.

Another example: In half life, i can hit a small jug with my crowbar and send it flying a very unrealistic distance.

I know it's a kinda old engine, but compared to physics engines these days, it really needs an update.

 

[Druckles]

As a matter of fact, I would revamp the physics engine. After playing crysis, i realized how flawed the source engine actually is.

In crysis, if you shoot a leg off a table, the things on that table fall to the ground realistically when the table collapses. In half life on the other hand, if you did this to a table, objects would probably go all over the place.

Another example: In half life, i can hit a small jug with my crowbar and send it flying a very unrealistic distance.

I know it's a kinda old engine, but compared to physics engines these days, it really needs an update.

You don't think Valve are on to this? The thing with the Source engine, is it still has loads of potential, and so much more that hasn't been explored. Besides, they're focussing it for a more average pc, whereas Crysis can go all out on it.

Oh, and how do you know you haven't got the strength of an ox when it comes to the crowbar?

 

[simonjedi]

Combine on xen.

 

[LandStander]

I'd also wouldn't mind a car chase instead of a helicopter one put in some where.

 

[nurizeko]

As a matter of fact, I would revamp the physics engine. After playing crysis, i realized how flawed the source engine actually is.

In crysis, if you shoot a leg off a table, the things on that table fall to the ground realistically when the table collapses. In half life on the other hand, if you did this to a table, objects would probably go all over the place.

Another example: In half life, i can hit a small jug with my crowbar and send it flying a very unrealistic distance.

I know it's a kinda old engine, but compared to physics engines these days, it really needs an update.

And praytell how many people are able, let alone, willing to play Crysis, and how many many people are enjoying the HL franchise because it doesn't spit in their faced and kick them in the nuts for not having the $$$ to have the top of the line machine all the time?.

Crysis is just *shock* proof that technology advances over time, jesus what a bloody revelation!.

On the other hand Source is a beautiful bit of technology which says "hey, I am for you, the gamer, install me, because I won't require a NASA super-computer to play, and while your at it enjoy a good looking game with good physics".

Edit: Oh and if I was in charge I would immediately resign (with a comfortable pension package mind and a clause allowing me access to all of Valves developing goodies) because frankly I know I'm not a game dev and I'de probably just cock it up for everyone else.