Talk:Half-Life 2: Episode Two/Archive 1

misc
Additions;

Added new release dates for ep2 on 06-16-2006

Adrian Shepard
I have 60% accurate confirmation that Adrian Shepard will make an appearance in Episode 2, thanks to an E-mail a friend got back from Marc Laidlaw. We try not to answer questions about the story directly outside of the game--believe what you play, not what you read, is my motto. The waters are murky, unfortunately, when it comes to the Gearbox titles because we did not make them and I don't feel compelled to abide by every story idea they came up with to make their game more fun. That said, it's now public knowledge that you'll be meeting at least one further survivor of Black Mesa in Episode 2. Hope you enjoy it. In the forum post, another member wrote So, who might it be? Characters from Black Mesa (those in HL2 in bold, those known to have escaped but not seen since in italics):

Gordon, Dr Kleiner, Eli Vance, Alyx Vance, Slick(?), Walter Bennett(?)(escapes at the end of Blue Shift, plus Dr Rosenburg calls him Walter, so he's more "canon" than the other nameless scientists), Simmons(?)(escapes in Blue Shift), Dr Rosenburg, Doctor Richard Keller (from Decay), Drs Cross and Green (Decay), Barney Calhoun, Otis, Frohman (heheh), The G-Man, Adrian Shephard

So... it might be another scientist model, but that would be boring. It might be Dr Rosenburg, which I guess is quite likely, but also boring. Frohman, sadly, isn't canon, which leaves ADRIAN SHEPHARD!!!!

However, an E-mail, because it's impossible to prove it wasn't fabricated, is not enough proof to put in Wikipedia...darn. Just thought I'd mention it somewhere. Feel free to discuss why I'm wrong.--72.70.53.87 22:35, 28 August 2006 (UTC)


 * It's a mistake on the person who read that letter. "One survivor of Black Mesa." It did not say that Gordon knew this character, or that the character has seen Gordon. For all we know, it could be a random person, scientist or not, that will walk up to you and say "Hi I survived Black Mesa." Or, they might be a retired scientist. Whatever the case might be, this does not imply at all that Shepard will be in Episode 2; that is, if the letter is legit. --Anonymouses 00:22, 4 September 2006 (UTC)
 * That's true. It's why I said 60% accurate. I just don't think Valve would make up a character...but then again, they did with Eli, sorta.--72.70.53.87 22:02, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

The Accuracy of Valve Trailers
All you have to do is read my Steampowered thread about this trailer, and you'll know what I'm talking about. I'd add something to this article about it, but a.) I'm a wuss and b.) I'm way too tired tonight. Takua108 07:34, 3 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Interesting, but I don't think there's any need to overflow the article with too much speculation. Qjuad 14:24, 3 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I think he makes a good point, to be honest. It's too bad there's not much we can say for certain...and worse, it seems like the vote on Alyx's death is 50:50 at this point.--72.70.53.87 22:07, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Falling from height
Takua108, in the article you write: "Alyx is seen bodily intact during this scene, ruling out an impact with the ground as suggested by the trailer's opening." Ah, this is wrong. (And I'm not really sure what you mean by 'intact'. It suggests the human body comes apart if it falls a great distance. This isn't true.) There's simply nothing in the trailer that rules out a fall from a great height. As an example, there's a rather famous picture around, published in Life magazine, I think, of a suicide from the Empire State Building - the victim landed on her back on a parked car, substantially crushing the roof and blowing out the glass. She's completely unmarked, and looks peacefully asleep. Additionally, even if she fell, for instance, from the top of the Citadel, the human body doesn't perpetually accelerate up to the point of impact; it reaches a 'terminal velocity' where the force of gravity can no longer overcome air friction (roughly 180 mph, if memory serves). People have fallen from these heights and no, the human body doesn't go 'splat!' even at these speeds. While yes, it's _possible_ for a person to recieve grievous _and_ obvious external, bloody injuries from a fall, the lack thereof simply isn't proof that they didn't fall. (I'm "Gooshy" on Steam.)
 * Actually, that's me. While it might be possible for someone to end up visibly intact (though I bet you most of her bones and spine had been broken), the chances are so incredibly slim that should it be occur in fiction people would merely laugh and consider it a cop-out. It isn't going to happen. --Tom Edwards 12:07, 4 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Your refusing to correct this, then? The argument is flawed, regardless of what happens in Hollywood.
 * In the context of your analogy, this is Hollywood. --Tom Edwards 13:32, 4 June 2006 (UTC)
 * You're wildly speculating and making a flat statement without any sort of logical support. The most you can really say is that "The cause and extent of Alyx's injuries are unknown." Are you going to change it or not?
 * I have provided a perfectly reasonable argument that you have not yet put any serious effort into countering. --Tom Edwards 14:06, 4 June 2006 (UTC)
 * You've only supported the possibility, not your flat claim. "the chances are so incredibly slim that should it be occur in fiction people would merely laugh and consider it a cop-out. It isn't going to happen." That's pure speculation to support false reasoning.
 * And using a one in a million example isn't? This is going to be speculation either way, because the truth is not known. If you really want, soften the language, but it's about as sensible as querying whether or not the player will recieve any guns during play. --Tom Edwards 14:39, 4 June 2006 (UTC)


 * I've just deleted it; actually reads better anyway now, I think. But that's NOT a 'one in a million' example - people have even survived enormous falls; it all depends on what you land on and how you land on it. You shouldn't have used the term "ruled out" - your opinion abou things doesn't rule out anything, especially when the 'anything' is speculative to begin with.
 * I personally think Alyx has snuffed it. But really, if the speculation is put in again it should be NPOV. Some people think she's dead because, others think she's alive because. --AiusEpsi 19:08, 4 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Just though this might be relevant:
 * So what was the longest fall survived in the world?: When a Yugoslav DC9 exploded in mid air, as a suspected result of a terrorist bombing, Vesna Vulovic plummeted over 33,000 feet to land on a snowy slope. Vesna Vulovic was paralyzed from the waist down, but later recovered and was able to walk. She was the only survivor and holds the record for the longest fall.
 * Found here. -- Ubergenius 19:06, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

One major character's death immenent?
On another Wiki article, it linked to this Games Radar article:

http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/pc/game/news/article.jsp?articleId=2006060215564781055&sectionId=1006

It does hint something. xertnevnI 03:16, 5 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Read above. However, I think it will be one of the scientists; I'm thinking Eli, who then gets avenged by the blinded-by-grief Alyx. Dog will enjoy bashing Combine soldiers with a disabled Ministrider he found alongside. Master of Puppets FREE BIRD!  03:41, 5 June 2006 (UTC)

Myrmidonts?
Where did this alias for antlions come up? Matveims 00:00, 6 June 2006 (UTC)


 * The Vortiguant that salvages the Pheropod launcher thing from the Antlion Guard calls it a Myrmidont; I don't know if thats the first time, and I know it is used later when you are being trained in the use of the pod. Master of Puppets FREE BIRD!  00:01, 6 June 2006 (UTC)


 * I didn't catch it even through my 10+ playthroughs of HL2... funny names. xertnevnI 09:22, 6 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Just thought I post this to those who read this, it's spelt "Myrmidont". I even checked by playing HL2 with subtitles with the Vortigaunt opening up the antlion guard for the bugbait.--Gamer007 20:47, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

Overwatch stopped our train in the woods...
Somebody on the Steam forums just pointed this quote out (it's from the woman holding the wire fence as you arrive in C17) in relation to Episode Two. Worth mentioning? Can anyone glean anything from it, apart from the obvious implication that the Combine operate in the countryside too? --Tom Edwards 15:11, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Kind of speculation at the moment. Thunderbrand 16:53, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
 * They might have a corpse out there near a train track for fun, but I doubt there will be anything directly concerning the plot. --71.248.190.238 20:58, 14 June 2006 (UTC)


 * there are corpses scattered everywhere, you'll probably wont notice it. fwed66 12:23, 27 november 2006 (GMT)

PC Gamer US preview
Summarised here. I'm going to unwatch the page to save my innocent eyes from these ravaging spoilers right now, so it's up to someone else to do the editing I'm afraid. ;-) --Tom Edwards 18:00, 15 June 2006 (UTC)


 * I've got a list of the pieces of information included in the article that I posted on halflife2.net but I'll need someone to write it into the article for me. I'm not too good at writing Wikipedia stuff yet so I'll only induce further editing.Anyway, here's the information on a forum post: http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1928241&postcount=2 --Clockwork Apricot 19:33, 15 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Do I even want to read my next PC Gamer issue now. I'll try to stay away from this page, but it's tempting to know what happens. If no one minds, I'll try to make a basic outline that people can edit to improve. I'm no good "wiki-writer". but I might as well try. --Gamer007 22:43, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

PC Gamer preview
Just added a bunch of info from the Aug '06 issue I got yesterday. Pretty interesting stuff so far ...

More info
Steam have released a new Episode Two trailer. Check it out for more info. "Armed with new weaponry and vehicles, Dr. Gordon Freeman must race through a countryside riddled with an increasingly fierce Combine threat." --WikiCats 03:44, 22 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Do you know where I can find and download the high-quality version of the second trailer? --GaMeRuInEr 12:24, 23 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Steam has the trailer now. I believe it's the high-quality version. --Gamer007 22:21, 23 July 2006 (UTC)
 * EDIT. If you don't have Steam, http://halflife2.filefront.com/file/HalfLife_2_Episode_2_Extended_Trailer;66591 720p HD version too. Cheers. --Gamer007 22:24, 23 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Thanks a bunch, Gamer007. --GaMeRuInEr 14:38, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Originally "Half-Life 2: Outland"
I've stumbled across a script file in Episode One that reveals Ep2's original name:

"precache_file"		"scripts/level_sounds_aftermath_episodic.txt" "precache_file"		"scripts/level_sounds_outland_episodic.txt"

Worth including? I'm not sure myself. --Tom Edwards 14:22, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
 * IMO, it's a cool tidbit. But I don't think it's that important to be put into the wiki. --Gamer007 06:14, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

It should be in. --Barnz 22:52, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Not notable enough for inclusion, though it is interesting. (|-- UlT  i  MuS  05:22, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * This doesn't prove that it was the original name planned. If we could get confirmation, I'd say add it... but we don't know.
 * Enfestid 21:39, 6 September 2006 (UTC)


 * wasn't it going to be called Half life 2 aftermath before it was called episode one (front cover of PC Gamer 148) fwed66 12:25, 27 november 2006 (GMT)

Simulating the realtime deformation of objects
Is there word from VALVe that this actually is an engine feature and that the bending isn't just animation? 155.207.254.169 23:07, 17 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Well, its written sort of confusingly, implying that the engine somehow allows any given object to suddenly sprout bend points. That isn't what's going on at all.  I'm going to clean that up a bit.Plunge 01:52, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

Leipzig Games Convention 2006
There is a 5 part video posted on Youtube. Is it allowed to be posted? Or is it just official vids allowed to be posted on wikis.

People should also incorporate the information from these videos into this article such as the vortiguants as a sidekick, the dynamic lighting (the flashlight and shadows cast from it), the vehicle shown, the return of the combine helicopter, hunters are susceptiable to physical objects/singularity balls, etc.
 * Also, am I the only one to notice the use of some of the music from the Portal trailer in use in some of the videos shown down there? (Case in point.) --Shadow Hog 01:31, 24 August 2006 (UTC)
 * That, or some of the music from Episode 2 being used in the Portal trailer. Well, it's all one package, so they're allowed to use the same music.--72.70.53.87 22:09, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Full Console Versions?
Is it confirmed that the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game is going to include Portal and Team Fortress 2? Wasen't the console versions suppose to include Half-life 2 and Episode one besides Episode Two? Forcen 17:39, 25 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I think this has been confirmed, but I'm not certain where.--72.70.53.87 22:10, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

The Creatures Section needs to be cleaned up
Apparently whoever wrote this section, just wanted to show off and he also didn't write it informatively. All he did was speculate and didn't even give proof.

The same can be said about Mossman and Eli Vance escaping through an Advisor pod. While this is a very reasonable expaination it is not solidly confirmed.

Third trailer
Who has a link? Dlong 04:06, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Wasn't aware there's a third trailer. I know there was the original teaser, extended teaser and the 5 part gameplay vids from Leipzig.--Gamer007 04:16, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * It's in the article? Dlong 04:26, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Listed as a hoax. Can't find any source at all. (|-- UlT  i  MuS  05:21, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Someone's added a link. Dlong 06:07, 26 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Yep, somone did. :)--Planetary 06:10, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * But there is no link to the trailer in the article.Forcen 12:27, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Got it. It's from IGN. I got it w/ the rest of the hi-res movies from Leipzig. It's the one where they speculate there's a relation between Alyx and G-Man.

Strider Buster!
The Strider buster weapon that was mentioned in the PCgamer article is visible in the IGN trailer "Driving, Mini Tri-pods, Big Tri-Pods" at 2:54. It is a bomb that you stick to a strider with the gravity gun. http://media.pc.ign.com/media/812/812574/vids_2.html Forcen 16:00, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

Episode Two trailer 2
Episode Two trailer 2 was been released. --WikiCats 08:15, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

"forget 'em out" guy
Ban this idiot, seriously.--Pkaulf 17:16, 10 September 2006 (UTC)

We recommend...
Why does the wiki say silence and not sense? I thought it was pretty clear. Should I edit it?155.207.254.32 07:43, 11 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Upon closer inspection of the sound file, he is saying "silence" and not "sense". It's difficult to make out, but if you listen carefully it is definetly silence. Qjuad 14:43, 11 September 2006 (UTC)
 * You know what? I recommend sense. Freeman was making a lot of noise, so the vortigaunt wanted him to be quiet. Saying "I recommend sense" is an insult, something a vortigaunt would never do to Freeman.--Katana314 00:21, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Removed backstory section in Plot
The section contained too much speculation without any actual reasoning. What if rebels were already there, rather than taking refuge in the houses? It would explain why you have the buggy there, etc. What if overwatch has already relocated and is launching an attack, rather than "retreating" right into the resistance? Also, saying the resistance has been working on MULTIPLE projects for a LENGTH of time is far too much. We only saw a rocket. Work on this could only have just started (as it is an abandoned missile silo) and we have seen no other projects.--Katana314 23:15, 26 September 2006 (UTC)


 * There's some support for the last idea in Kleiner's Episode One broadcasts: "We have made, in secret, several technological advances which we will do our best to deploy in advance of the Combine's return. We continue to diligently assemble and train a new generation of scientists and technicians.". I would've removed the backstory section anyway, but for a different reason - clutter. This article is full of it. Shoejar 01:28, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Dialog in trailers from unused portions of HL2
"You're not supposed to be here... Forget about all of this." (It is interesting to note that both expressions are part of an unused voice clip from Half-Life 2).

Where is this dialog present in the HL2 tree? I cannot find it using GCFScape.

It was in the Half-Life 2 "Beta", the version leaked from a hacker and redistributed on the web. It was originally just for when Gordon managed to get near the G-man, but now is being used for a plot point. It can't be found in the GCFs.--Katana314 20:53, 1 October 2006 (UTC)

Ant guard (recoloured)
Is it me or is it not at all visible, because I can't see it at all, I can see everything else in the pic, just not the actual Guard, this could be that this comp (not mine) is too dark.. Can someone check? -Lord Kaboom

EDIT: never mind, just checked, its my comp. IGNORE THIS

Episode 4?
From what i remember reading in my PCGamer magazine wasn't there ment to be four episodes?--LukaszFalencki 17:08, 17 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Apparently, but only three make up this story arc Qjuad 18:14, 17 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Oh yeah, 3 episodes and the fourth and/or fifth may be a mmo or ttp.--LukaszFalencki 18:27, 18 October 2006 (UTC)
 * I recall hearing episode 4 will be made 3rd party much like how Opposing Force and Blue Shift were. Never heard anything about any eps being an MMO game. --Gamer007 21:46, 18 October 2006 (UTC)
 * I also read that article, team one worked on episode one while two worked on episode 2 while one started 3 and then team 2 will finish off with 4. Side teams working on Portals, TF2 and something thats suppose to be released with 3 or 4. And all 4 are in the story arc. Someone should update the main thing to quadrilogy instead of trilogy.


 * Well, half life 2, then episodes 1 through 3, thats 4 games altogether. Maybe thats what they meant. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.251.63.116 (talk) 05:42, 25 February 2007 (UTC).

Feb 2007, Release Date?
The New Release Date was announced in Gamespot and is being Discussed on Steam Forums

Is it Good to Change the Date in the Main Article?


 * it said in this month's PC Gamer magazine that the release date was in january Fwed66 12:36, 21 December 2006 (UTC)


 * It has been confirmed that the estimated release date has been pushed from Q1 2007 to late Q2 2007

Half-Life 2 Episodes Article
This has been discussed before, I know, but I wanted to refer to a recent news. It was said that Episodes One to Three would be a story arc, and that there would be an Episode Four. Why don't we make an article of the Episodes with that in mind, dividing it in the known arcs? Just a suggestion.


 * It's too early. -- Shoejartalk/edits

Minor issue
I notice that a couple of the dates in this article refer to "Spring 2007" or "Summer 2007". Clearly these mean the Northern Hemisphere seasons; but given that the seasons are different depending on where you are on the globe, it would be good to get an unambiguous date range. Can I suggest that Spring 2007 becomes "early 2007" and Summer 2007 becomes "mid 2007"? Unless anyone can come up with a better solution... -- FP (talk)(edits) 09:57, 26 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I would also suggest using "Q1 2007" to replace Spring 2007 and "Q2 2007" to replace Summer 2007. That would be better. --Bruin_rrss23 (talk) 13:16, 26 November 2006 (UTC)
 * OK, thanks for that. The whole introductory paragraph was slightly confusing so I rewrote it. -- FP (talk)(edits) 01:56, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

"You're not supposed to be here ... Forget about all this."
Article says these lines come from an unused file. Could anyone point me to which .GCF and stuff it's in? Or a link to the file itself? &mdash;Yar Kramer 09:29, 1 December 2006 (UTC)
 * It was in the HL2 beta, but not the full version. You don't have it.--71.245.228.79 17:23, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

I put a link to a file in the description of the second trailer. I hope somebody will put this file somewhere else to prevent it being lost if a server deletes the file. --87.110.160.219 19:23, 19 February 2007 (UTC)

Delay
"However, it now appears that the release date has been extended at least until Quarter 1 2007[2]"

Who do I have to thank for this? I want his name, address, and phone number (preferably toll free). This was hyped up for pre-Christmas release, and people will be expecting it under their goddam trees. Someone has to answer for preventing that, if indeed someone has!

when is it coming out
it started with rumours of september, it slipped past christmas and is now in january, but the main page says summer. when is it atualy coming out? Fwed66 11:53, 8 December 2006 (UTC)
 * When it is released. "Probably Summer 2007". The official site still has no content. -- Jordi· ✆ 16:17, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

Half-Life 2: Orange
lol? ~ UBeR 00:14, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Seasons.
WP:DATE says quoted references to seasons should remain, but I added a reference to 3rd quarter in an attempt to satisfy everyone.. Rehevkor 01:54, 23 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Precisely -- quoted references to seasons should remain. But the information in dispute is not and was not in the form of a quote; it is simply information about the time of release, inferred from a separate source. (Furthermore, the cited reference gives no geographical details, and given Valve's steam content delivery system, the release is almost certain to be global.) I can't believe I have to argue about such a stupid and uncontroversial matter, but apparently occidental bigotry dies hard.
 * Relax. Rehevkor 16:50, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

PS3?, why?
I think everybody knows why they scheduled release of HL2 Ep.2 has been delayed, it is because of the PS3's bad game porting. Existential Thinker 22:23, 1 February 2007 (UTC) PC will always be the top system for games.
 * Um ... citation needed. I may not be "everyone", but, well, I didn't know about that. &mdash;Yar Kramer 02:48, 2 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Valve wouldn't delay the game on PC and 360 just to get a simultaneous launch with the PS3. --Tom Edwards 09:02, 2 February 2007 (UTC)
 * You would hope not anyway.. :P Rehevkor 16:39, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Another delay?
EA now has a "winter" 2007/2008 release date for Episode two:. I guess that means a Q4 release. :/ HertzaHaeon 18:54, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
 * http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/02/07/hl2_episode_two_coming_in_the_winter/
 * An update to this article now states a Fall 2007 release. I've updated this wiki along with Portal and Team Fortress 2. --Gamer007 01:10, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
 * If you read above, we shouldn't use seasons for release dates since they're different on the southern hemisphere. HertzaHaeon 10:24, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
 * That's not what it says. It says quoted references should remain seasons. And, if it's only the U.S. release they're referring to, does it really matter to the southern hemisphere audience?
 * Enfestid 13:27, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
 * But it's not a quote, I don't see any quote marks. Steam is international so any release date is not just an american one. Rehevkor 16:32, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
 * ...the article states the release date in that time frame, hence referencing it would be in quotations.
 * Steam is an international platform, but the games are not released at the same time everywhere. The German release isn't the same as the American one. It's like saying the American release for an in-store only game is the same as the European release simply because they're both released at the same store.
 * Enfestid 17:45, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
 * What? As he said Steam is international - therefore releases are released once on it. It would even be wrong to say it's released in all the different countries at once, because Steam does not make that distinction. 82.32.40.219 09:12, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

Vehicles
As you can see in this Steam update, Valve released artwork and images of one new (and for now untextured) vehicle that's slated to appear in Episode Two. Could someone upload the artwork and add it to the article? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 87.196.76.166 (talk) 17:44, 18 February 2007 (UTC).

Rewrite
Does anyone else think the organisation and quality of this article could be better? I've begun a rewrite here and I'd like help. -- Shoejartalk/edits

Spoilers?
What happened to the spoiler warnings above the Plot that used to be on these pages? Shougunner 16:20, 13 September 2007 (GMT)

Inconsistency
When was this released for the rest of the world? The 19th, or 18th of October? Both things are said in this article.

72.222.145.19 00:29, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Magnusson
Should an article be created for Doctor Magnusson, or should we wait until the game is released? CRACK-A-BACK 23:01, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Rewrite
Article partially rewritten, talkpage archived. Sections Gameplay and Technology still need consolidating. -- Shoejartalk/edits 02:55, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

Gamespot Q&A
I got some new info from this Q&A. It seems to me that Drs Kleiner and Mossman are at the same place and the base shown in Ep 1 is in fact the missile silo. Should we put it in the article? --HertzaHaeon 11:43, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

-Yeah I think it's worth mentioning, because it's important to their, and the whole story. Chicks Dig Evil not Hobo 13:26, 26 April 2007 (UTC)


 * The stuff revealed in that Q&A makes the points listed under "Plot" overlap. That needs sorting out. -- Shoejartalk/edits 00:54, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

Release date
Release date now appears to be Q4 - October, most likely. See this forum post and the article referenced. Derfy 21:03, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

SNES?!?!?!??!!?
Erm. Half-Life 2 Ep2 on the Super Nintendo? Seems a bit odd.
 * Fixed now. Looks like we got a few vandals changing little stuff around. --Gamer007 19:45, 21 May 2007 (UTC)

news
black box cancelled. only orange box available for purchase. http://pc.ign.com/articles/790/790013p1.html


 * The Black Box will still be available for download via Steam per your article. Might want to clarify that. Derfy 05:12, 23 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Incorrect - the black box has also been pulled from steam. --193.1.96.36 15:47, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

While there is no confirmation either way, it appears that the Black Box has been pulled from Steam as the only options on there are to buy the games individually or all together in the Orange Box. Strangely, at the moment it is cheaper to buy the Orange Box than just Portal and Episode 2 together, so there's no real incentive for the Black Box. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Thekoyaanisqatsi (talk • contribs) 08:45, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Source Please...
whoever edited the release date as sep 26, source please?

I'll say that it wasn't me, but official xbox magazine (or was it PC Gamer??) had an article on Team Fortress 2, saying the release date was 9/25 (same release date as Halo 3 (Team Fortress 2, portal and Half-Life 2: episode 2 are to be released on same day)). It doesn't matter now, though, since valve's told us the relese date is 10/9/07. 70.100.166.161 16:05, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

more info here
Gamespot article, 7 Jun http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflife2episode2ob/news.html?sid=6172111

Release date confirmed
Valve confirmed the release date to be october, 9, 2007. Found this on a german website, http://www.hlportal.de/?site=news&do=shownews&news_id=5225

"Nach zahlreichen Verschiebungen gibt es nun endlich das exakte Releasedate für die Orange Box, welche die drei neuen Valve-Spiele Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal und Team Fortress 2 sowie auch Half-Life 2 und Episode One enthält. Die in den letzten Wochen kursierenden Gerüchte scheinen sich damit zu bestätigen, das Spiel kommt demnach tatsächlich Anfang Oktober, konkret am Dienstag, 9. Oktober 2007"

"After many delays there is now an release date for the orange box, wich will contain Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2, in addition to Half-Life 2 and Episode One. The rumors of the last few weeks seem to be confirmed, the game will indeed come at the beginning of october, concretely at tuesday, october, 9, 2007"


 * This seems to be confirmed now at Shacknews as well, so I changed the article. HertzaHaeon 13:39, 15 June 2007 (UTC)


 * Confirmed by IGN http://pc.ign.com/articles/796/796940p1.html.L CuRtiS 21:05, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

Release date "for rest of the world" was invalid should be the 19th - [http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/3383507/Half-Life-2-The-Orange-Box/Product.html http://www.amazon.co.uk/Half-Life-Orange-Box-PC-DVD/dp/B000RO0OKU/ref=pd_bbs_1/203-8010974-0198308?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1191760548&sr=8-1 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.6.163.129 (talk) 12:42, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

European release date?
I suggest removing the European release date if there's no source for it. A European delay seems rather unlikely since it's distributed over Steam. HertzaHaeon 23:18, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

Again, there is no source for the October 12 release date. The reference provided only mentions October 9. I'm removing it until someone comes up with a link. HertzaHaeon 22:06, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

The release date is October 9 for North America and October 12 for the rest of the world (source: http://www.gamespot.com/video/0/6175071/videoplayerpop?rgroup=e32007_live at 23:17) -155.207.254.180 12:15, 31 July 2007 (UTC)


 * I saw that show live and I missed that detail. I guess I was too giddy over the game. ^_^ Anyway, it's not clear whether the seperate dates apply to retail and Steam, or just retail, but I'll put it up. HertzaHaeon 15:34, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
 * UK release is October 19 but I have no idea if that applies to the rest of Europe...Mezigue 09:46, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Black Box Canceled?
Many sources are stating that the black box edition has been canceled. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.126.147.146 (talk) 14:23, 27 June 2007


 * I wouldn't be totally surprised. Valve has clearly shown they want to make as much of their distribution as possible electronic via steam. If you can provide a source or two it would be helpful. -- Oni Ookami Alfador Talk 14:34, 27 June 2007 (UTC)
 * (add) The main reasoning for this is most likely the fact that forcing this larger package will encourage more people to use the steam distribution method and that valve will be able to cover their additional overhead on the hard copies by charging for the additional content. I just wish a reputable source would say the same so it could be used as article content.-- Oni Ookami Alfador Talk 14:39, 27 June 2007 (UTC)


 * well, the black box has been cancelled physically, but you still can buy it over steam. a reasonable guess whould be valve is attempting to save costs, and to focus all retail sales on orange box. no actual reasons have been given for this, only spectulation exists.


 * Actually no you can't, at least not at the moment. You can buy the games individually, or together in the Orange Box, but there is currently no mention of the Black Box on Steam. Thekoyaanisqatsi 08:31, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Style question - The Black Box
Since The Black Box was cancelled, what's the proper text decoration? None, italics, double quotation marks? I'm not sure, because something that was cancelled hardly counts as "works of literature and art", does it? Manual of Style --Pizzahut2 18:18, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Half Life 2: Orange Box
Why is there a seperate page for the Orange Box? No other game compilation packages have their own page..Rehevkor 19:21, 2 July 2007 (UTC)


 * The Command & Conquer: The First Decade has got its own page. Why not the orange box? because portal and team fortress 2 does not sell separately. It come along with orange box. --SkyWalker 19:28, 2 July 2007 (UTC)


 * The C&C set with new content. The Orange box is more of a gimmick. All the article is a list of the games with no notable information that isn't already on the respective games pages. I feel it's unnecessary to have it's own page. A good comparison would be having seperate pages for the Half-Life Platinum Pack or Half-Life 1: Anthology. Rehevkor 19:51, 2 July 2007 (UTC)


 * It does not matter what it contain. Iam sure many of them may ask what is orange box and what it contains. So certainly the orange box is useful in some ways. --SkyWalker 06:49, 4 July 2007 (UTC)


 * The Orange Box is not a gimmick. It's what you buy when you buy Episode 2 in retail and it's not obvious to non-HL fans. It should have its own page, IMO. HertzaHaeon 11:24, 4 July 2007 (UTC)


 * The Orange Box should not have it's own article, it's not another game, it's just some games packaged together and therefore a separate article isn't needed. All that's required is a couple of sentences such as the one already in the lead section of this article in the articles of the games that's including in the box. - kollision 13:49, 4 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Well.. sorry to be a spoilsport, bit I'm gunna put it up to the community.. here. Rehevkor 14:25, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Notes on trailers
Original writer (who included links to trailers)- If you're going to link to a trailer, please include a message if there will be a required download to view said trailer. (Macs cannot download steam, etc). I've included a notation now. RatherBeBiking 11:53, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

Box Art or Logo?
Earlier today, I've noticed there was some reverting between the newly released box art for the Orange Box and the regular Episode Two logo. Which one are we going to use? I'm thinking of staying with the logos (maybe for the time being) because it helps to differentiate between the 3 games rather than having 3 games w/ the exact same box art in each wiki. --Gamer007 19:31, 8 July 2007 (UTC)


 * I rather have a logo the box art can go to the orange box article. --SkyWalker 19:39, 8 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Hm.. I never noticed the Orange Box article. =/ --Gamer007 19:53, 8 July 2007 (UTC)
 * I think we should use the box art rather than the logo, because we really aren't going to have a specific boxshot of Episode 2. And the orange box article really just points out the specific games in the box. Bradley1243 16:44, 9 July 2007 (UTC)
 * I really feel that boxart should not be in EP2. The logo makes things better. Has i said the logo can go to orange box and yea it is been added to orange box already.--SkyWalker 21:04, 9 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Why not use both? Rehevkor 22:06, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

Both sounds alright too as per Rehevkor. But if we must stick with one, I'd choose the logo because it discerns it from the other HL games. Scar ian Talk  23:36, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
 * I've noticed some edits going on between users: "Removing the logo - removing the box art - removing the logo" etc. etc. We need consensus as to what to use, guys, please. Scar ian Talk  17:13, 16 September 2007 (UTC)
 * We ought to stick with the box-art; the norm appears to be use the box-art image in the infobox and not the logo whether the game has one or not. The Orange Box is a tricky one because it contains more than just Episode-Two, but nevertheless it is the appropriate image. Though I admit it is not a major issue in the slightest. Qjuad 17:16, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

Then why the removal and re-adding all the time then ? Scar ian Talk  17:18, 16 September 2007 (UTC)
 * Two edits does not constitute 'removal and re-adding all the time'; I performed the second edit to further state my reasons. If the revert had continued I would have put the issue to discussion (In respect to the other user and to the 3RR). Qjuad 17:21, 16 September 2007 (UTC)
 * No, no - I was making a reference to the above discussion aswell. Those two edits aren't the only time that this has happened, friend. There needs to be some sort of consensus as to what image is going to be used to avoid unnecessary changes. Scar ian Talk  17:24, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

If we can't use both, I'd say we use the logo. Simply put, it best represents the game. I would think the intention of any picture would be one that represents the article, not how it's sold and advertised. The Orange Box pic best represents, well, the Orange Box. Rehevkor 17:38, 16 September 2007 (UTC)
 * I agree. Scar ian Talk  17:41, 16 September 2007 (UTC)
 * The article should be consistent with other video/computer game articles; the consensus is they show the box art. While the Orange box represents many games in one package, it is still the box art for Episode Two as well. Qjuad 22:25, 16 September 2007 (UTC)
 * Consensus or not, those games all have their own unique box art. This game, however, does not. Sometimes a picture that best represents the article is more needed that what everyone else is doing. Rehevkor 22:45, 16 September 2007 (UTC)
 * The article should be kept in line with the norm. In addition, the box art represents Portal and TF2 which are packaged with Episode Two irregardless. Qjuad 22:53, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

Something to consider here, we're moving into an era of digital distribution (which is believe is the primary distribution method of HL2ep2}, and a lot of games aren't even sold in retail. I don't understand this fixation on "box art", it's counter productive, and redundant. Rehevkor 21:00, 17 September 2007 (UTC)
 * While Digital Distribution continues to expand and will certainly play a huge role in the future, retail is still the number one source of sales for most games; I believe even Valve, who heavily favour the digital distribution model, currently sell more of their games in stores than they do online. I would argue that digital distribution is Valve's favoured form of distribution, but by no means their primary. Qjuad 17:04, 18 September 2007 (UTC)

I must say I much more prefer Image:Episode_2_logo_from_Steam.jpg as added by Thekoyaanisqatsi. It matches better with the other episodes' logos, it looks better than the banner, and the Orange Box logo feels a little out of place and is in my opinion fine for just The Orange Box page. 217.123.230.116 20:00, 8 October 2007 (UTC)
 * It is not really a case of preference; I prefer the logo as well, but rather what is appropriate in order for the article to conform with other game artices; in this case, the answer is retaining the box art - be it a compilation or not. Qjuad 20:50, 8 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Ok, I see your point and I'm not going to fall into a revert war here. However, I do believe that 99.9% of other games are released individually and have their own box art. HL2:E2 does not, so cannot be said to confirm to other game articles with either image. It also seems there is overwhelming support for a more suitable image than the Orange Box artwork. Please note that Team Fortress 2 does not use the Orange Box art. Thekoyaanisqatsi 22:04, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

I'm still not convinced the Orange Box art should be used. So far the only real reason people have given for using it is "because everyone else does", which is a rather weak argument. As I said, an image that best represents the game would be more useful.Rehevkor 22:39, 8 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm going to go ahead and place the Steam image. If there's still any strong opposition we could have a vote or some such. Rehevkor 12:28, 9 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes I agree - let's compare like for like here too. We should be looking at other games that don't have their own box art as examples of standard Wikipedia practice. For instance, Space Invaders, although released as part of numerous compilations, does not have its own original box art and the article reflects this - it does not show the box art from any compilation but uses a graphic from the game itself. I'm sure there are other games without their individual box art that ended up in compilations too. People wanting to push the case for the Orange Box logo ought to look into this. Thekoyaanisqatsi 13:15, 9 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I think Space Invaders is really a special exception, but I'm starting to understand why the logo is more a popular idea. Consequently I'm willing to support a change to the logo over the box art. Qjuad 17:18, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

Review
The Orange box already got a review with a sore of 94 out of 100.

This can be found in this month's edition of pc gamer magazine. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.49.76.19 (talk) 20:29, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

Game availability
Will the contents of the Orange Box eventually be available separately? All I want is Episode 2 and Portal. I have no use for the Gift Subscriptions, as I have no friends on Steam to transfer them to. Has Valve stated anything to this effect? PowderedToastMan 08:44, 28 September 2007 (UTC)

As far as I know there has been no formal announcment, though the word on the net is that they will all be available seperately on Steam at or just prior to the release date. I should hope so too! Thekoyaanisqatsi 14:03, 28 September 2007 (UTC)


 * I've preordered the Orange Box, which lists their individual prices, so yes, you'll be able to get just Episode 2 and Portal separately for about five cents less than the Orange Box itself once it comes out. &mdash;Yar Kramer 01:23, 29 September 2007 (UTC)


 * The games will be available as standalone products after October 10th, as confirmed by DougV of Valve on the Steam User Forums. --193.1.96.36 15:45, 6 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Do you have a source please? I too really don't want to buy the Orange Box as Ep2 is the only game I want. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.71.49.132 (talk) 11:51, 7 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Well it's not a source that would hold up to scrutiny in a Wikipedia article (though I did try briefly to find one), but if you just want reassurance, then check Steam. They've already added the seperate games to their store ready to be made available for purchase, with a "coming soon" tag on them. And I'm sure they'll be released for purchase on the 10th, I've read it somewhere (just can't remember where). Falastur2 13:28, 7 October 2007 (UTC)


 * I've looked into it and you appear to be right. I'm still a bit annoyed I can't pre-order it individually though. Thanks 81.158.191.197 17:46, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Plot
Out of idle curiousity, when do you guys think would be the right time to add the actual plot into the plot section? I'm quite aware that for those not buying the game via Steam, it technically hasn't been released yet, so for some this could be revealing spoilers before release, but then...it has officially been released, and the Wiki guidelines do state, somewhere...I think...that the Plot section by nature should be construed as a Spoiler Warning in itself. I have completed the game, by the way, so I have the knowledge to put the story into the article. Falastur2 20:08, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Such info can be added as soon as the information is released and clarified (i.e. after the game is released). If they don't want to be spoiled they shouldn't be reading a wikipedia page on it. Rehevkor 20:11, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Is it worth adding now, then? Same goes for Portal, I guess (also completed that). I'll wait for a few more comments before making a move myself. And I'm well aware that there are probably far more eloquent and capable people for this task than I, though I am perfectly willing to do it myself. Falastur2 20:19, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Could you post it here for preview, for those who are interested? And I think we need some new screenshots from the final version.
 * Do you want a short version that covers the basics, or are you asking for a draft of the quality that might be added to the actual article? Falastur2 20:52, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
 * The names of chapters as in section "LOL" don't say much to those who haven't played. A one sentence summary of each one would be great. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.68.128.121 (talk) 22:43, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
 * FYI, the game hit the stores today. I bought the Orange Box at Gamestop with cold hard cash.  Already finished the game.  You can start writing up the plot. Alyeska 05:53, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Spoiler Warning, as if it wasn't already obvious...


 * 1) Chapter 1: The White Forest - You accompany Alyx away from the train wreck until she is attacked by a hunter, whereupon you proceed underground, where she can be healed by vortigaunts.
 * 2) Chapter 2: The Vortal Coil - You fight your way through the antlion burrow to recover a larval extract which will help in the healing process.
 * 3) Chapter 3: Freeman Pointex - You proceed with Alyx back above-ground, fighting a boss battle and rescuing the car from the collapsing bridge.
 * 4) Chapter 4: Riding Shotgun - You drive with Alyx, stopping along the way to meet the hunters in combat, and to fight the combine gunship from the trailer.
 * 5) Chapter 5: Under the Radar - You keep driving, stopping several more times to fight combine, as you head for Kleiner and Vance's base.
 * 6) Chapter 6: Our Mutual Friend - You assist Kleiner and Vance in defending the base (called The White Forest) from combine attacks, as the scientists prepare to launch the rocket seen in the trailer, ending with a boss battle against striders.
 * 7) Chapter 7: T-Minus One - Summary chapter, which sees the rocket fired, and the leading character killed as you prepare to leave for the arctic base. The name of the character is underneath in the "lol" section, if you haven't already read it, but for decency I won't say, incase any more people come here to read this before reading "lol" and don't want to know who it is.

There's the summary. Sorry for the delay (was playing Portal). Falastur2 23:09, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I made some changes before looking at the talk page. It'll need to be rewritten into paragraphs. Remember, Wikipedia is not censored. Like Rehevkor said, doing it right away is fine. - Zero1328 Talk? 00:26, 11 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I'll see about doing it tomorrow, then. And I wasn't so bothered with censoring. Just didn't want to be accused of being a killjoy by inserting spoilers before most people had had a chance to see the game for themselves. Falastur2 00:45, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

DO YOU GET A EPISODE THREE TRAILER?????
 * No, there is no episode 3 trailer. It faded to black and rolled the credits. Then returned back to the menu. EvilMonkeySlayer 10:09, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

dunno if this should go in the plt, but lamarr was in the rocket. he gets in during the first meeting if magnussen and never gets out. this is backed up by kleiner's comment about the rocet being eight and a half pounds overweight just before the launch. 212.56.120.244 00:38, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

GODDAMNIT! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.46.230.123 (talk) 10:50, 11 October 2007 (UTC) What is the "Borealis"? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.46.230.123 (talk) 11:41, 11 October 2007 (UTC) --The Borealis is the name of a ship which is seen in a video in Episode 2. There is some discussion among the characters about what should be done about it. There is one line in particular which serves as the foundation for the following speculation-- Dr. Kliner states something to the effect that "the Borealis simply disappeared, along with half the dry-dock." The language used in-game to describe the Borealis suggests that it housed an experimental project, analogous to those at Black Mesa, except that it was developed by a competing science team. Anything beyond that is speculation. However, Eli Vance conveys an extreme amount of apprehension when he learns of its existence. The video footage of the Borealis was embedded in Mossman's report, which Alyx had identified as the primary communcation to which the data packet was 'attached'. Recall that Judith intends to discover whether there is anything "remaining of the project" which "could compromise their work". Because of this I submit that the Borealis is another kind of instant transportation (i.e., teleportation) device, given that Judith and Dr. Vance were primarily engaged in this kind of work.

--Also, Eli Vance is quick to recommend the Borealis for destruction, which presumably would entail the loss of highly sophisticated technology. Given the severe technological disadvantages of the Rebels, the destruction of the Borealis would only make sense for one of two reasons: (1) if it were a redundant line of research, which in the hands of the combine would be bad, or (2) if it posed a significant threat to the survival of humanity, such as by opening portals through which who-knows-what could come. I suspect it is a little bit of both: the Borealis seemed to be regarded by the science team as having the potential for another Black Mesa.

--Recommend some kind of alteration to the article text because Eli clearly states that it's the Borealis itself that should be destroyed, rather than making any reference to any kind of cargo. --86.21.141.152 (talk) 15:09, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

--Further speculation: Borealis bears some relation to the Super Portal. The citadel's collapse did not create or open a super portal, rather its origins lie in the actions undertaken by the Combine after the explosion. The means and methods by which they hope to accomplish this are not explored, but Eli Vance unequivocally declares that "its the Combine". In episode 1, Kliner states that the combine survivors were isolated units, cutoff from the larger forces, stranded; in episode 2, they're apparently exploiting some new mechanism to open a massive super portal. I suspect this relates to the Borealis because it (the Borealis) may provide the means for opening a super portal. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.195.72.87 (talk) 18:13, 12 October 2007 (UTC) Well tnx..I remembered reading something about the Borealis in the content cut from half life 2...according to that the borealis is a icebreaker owned by Aperture Labs...the plot just gets more complicated by every episode :D —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.46.176.123 (talk) 15:24, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
 * The super-portal was created by the explosion of the Citadel - the commentary explicitly states this. Either way, plot speculation about Episode 3 and events in Episode 2 should be kept out of the article lest it be filled with cruft. Qjuad 15:29, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

--To qjuad: from what I can recall (only played through it once), they implicitly stated that the --portal-- was not created by the citadel's explosion. The thing in episode 2 above the city was referred to as some kind of residual, as if it were the remaining portion of energy not "consumed" in the citadel's explosion. If it were true that the portal was the result of exploding a citadel, then the combine would only need to explode a different citadel to achieve that particular result. But this is not what we experience, and it's contrary to the primary plot point: bring the data packet to White Forest before the Combine are able to open their super portal. And in the end, you are told that you got there "just in time." The portal does not exist in episode 2, it was never opened or created. In-fact it was averted. --To conclude: Yes, you're absolutely correct. Speculation -should- be left out of the article. I included all of the above in the natural course of attempting to giving an informed answer to the question: 'what is the borealis?' —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.195.72.87 (talk) 01:14, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

TfD nomination of Template:Half-Life games
Template:Half-Life games has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the template's entry on the Templates for Deletion page. Thank you.

Physics Puzzle
Episode Two will have even more puzzles than Episode One, including the "biggest physical puzzle" yet in the series -- what puzzle was this? 12.11.149.5 16:25, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Yeah, I dunno either. Hope it wasn't the bridge car thing, cause that was a bit basic.--Katana314 18:25, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
 * The rocket launcher thing, when you get the radar for the first time? 82.95.255.5 16:32, 13 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I think it was the bridge. If it was meant as biggest literally, in terms of dimensions, than it makes sense. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.85.33.209 (talk) 20:56, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Clean up the trailers?
This is more of a concern now that the game is out. We have a COMPLETE excess of information solely on the game's videos. I loved them as much as anyone else, but that does not mean half the article should be dedicated to them. Let's strip them out and just give our information as it is in the game. I suppose I wouldn't mind a "previously removed content" section, but...--Katana314 18:27, 12 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Simply cut them all together. Unless they have been particularly praised or criticised anywhere - and to my knowledge they haven't past the standard "that looks awesome" - I wouldn't deem them notable now the game has been released. -- Sabre 19:27, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Cleanup really needed for this page
The article contains tons of information about the trailers and what the game will be like when it is released. Now that is has been released, all this should be removed and the article should be cleaned up. Also, some of the screenshots are from pre-release versions. They should be updated with screenshots from the final release. --JacobPalm 15:36, 14 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I just finished tearing through it. What does everyone think? CABAL 19:19, 14 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Great job, the article is much better now! --JacobPalm 13:50, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

Achievements
Is it worth mentioning that this is the first HL2 episode to feature Xbox-style "achievements", for things like killing all the antlion grubs, or running over 20 enemies in the car? Dave-ros 20:41, 14 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Absolutely. Anything that hasn't been seen previously in this series should be included here. --Lethargy 20:47, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

the garden Gnome achievement is driving me nuts. 203.120.68.75 07:00, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Easter Eggs
Somebody is deleting my easter egg section over and over again, can't really see why... it's only two sentences long and does not really hurt anybody.. When there's a tracklist, i think that something like easter eggs should be also mentioned... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pcbflare (talk • contribs) 16:53, 17 October 2007 (UTC)
 * The easter-egg information is cruft and amounts to nothing but trivia. Wikipedia's attitudes toward trivia is very straightforward - it should be avoided at all costs. Only the most important, notable details about Episode Two should be written in this article. Information regarding the "LOST" numbers is as unneeded as mentioning you can carry a garden gnome through the game and be rewarded. That information belongs, and can be found on, fansites dedicated to the game. Qjuad 21:33, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Ok, understand, won't add it again. But that tracklist info seems to me fall into exactly the same category... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pcbflare (talk • contribs) 06:12, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Only important notable details should be written about episode 2? A tracklist featuring uninspired music is being listed, and that is neither notable or important. What gives? Information regarding Gabe Newell and J.J. Abrams being friends is of notable interest, and maybe it should be posted in their respective articles instead of a trivia section, but arent we calling the kettle black here? If we arent going to go all the way then quit deleting the trivia section.User:Noj_R 09:14, 18 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Please see the Half-life 2 article; as a featured article, you will notice the soundtrack is listed. Whether you consider it uninspired is irrelevant - it belongs here. Gave Newell's friendship with J.J Abrams and the inclusion of the LOST numbers is as pointless as mentioning Eli Vance's character model has a new cardigan. It means nothing to the average reader of this article. Unless the adding of the LOST numbers is an integral piece of Episode Two's development, which it clearly is not, then it should not be on this page. Qjuad 01:01, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

Why does it matter that the Half-Life 2 article lists the soundtrack? It doesn't mean it is correct. According to your description of what is unacceptable in an article, the soundtrack listing shouldnt belong. It is no way important or integral to the article or most readers. However, for the few people interested in the soundtrack it is provided. Likewise, notable game trivia deserves a spot of its own. This doesn't mean that contributors should jump the shark when it comes to listing trivia. Obviously every tiny detail cannot (and should not) be listed. However, the Lost computer and Newell and Abram's friendship is of notable mention and should be included. Noj_R 23:41, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
 * As a featured article, I think it is safe to assume it is correct in the sense it is the appropriate guideline to follow. The trouble with adding any trivia section (be it called easter-eggs or not) is it will quickly becomes stuffed to the brim with utter, utter nonsense. If a good third-party source makes mention of the LOST numbers inclusion and the friendship or Gabe Newell with Abrams, then perhaps it could be added as a nice aside in the game's development section - when this article actually gets one. I dispute that the soundtrack isn't important; Valve give great attention and care to the soundscape of their games and the music is one of these things, playing a vital role in creating the game's atmosphere. Qjuad 13:07, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

I understand your concern about a trivia section being loaded with tiny details that that are of no importance and may not even be true. The Lost reference probably would have a better home in a game development section. The game's audio commentary can be listed as the reference if it is ever added. As an aspiring game programmer, I do recognize the important role that Kelly Bailey's ambient soundtrack fulfills in creating an atmospheric experience. What I meant was that it was not as important aesthetically as say, Yasunori Mitsuda's soundtrack for Chrono Trigger (and that soundtrack isn't listed in its respective article). I also realize that Valve's goal for the Half Life audio experience was not a grand musical opus. Currently, all of the Half-Life Soundtracks are listed in Bailey's article. Maybe it would be better to provide a link to Bailey's article in a new section called audio. There are other sections for the game's development like "lighting" and "effects", audio could compliment this and could discuss the game's audio developments like Bailey's soundtrack, the Vortigaunt's new voice actor, etc. Noj_R 18:25, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

I completely agree with Noj_R. PcbFlare —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.71.157.201 (talk) 22:29, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

Well, if anybody else doesnt object Ill go ahead with the changes. Noj_R 12:18, 22 October 2007 (UTC)  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 140.211.180.40 (talk)

Borealis Image
I dont think the pictures of the Borealis ship should be shown, as you have to actually cheat to see what is seen in the picture. Cant we just have it as a picture from the actual transmission?--193.1.96.36 16:20, 19 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I think as long as there are no specific problems with the picture's license or anything I don't think there is a problem with the picture being there. It represents what it's supposed to. Scar ian Talk  16:56, 19 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I think an accurate in-game portrayal would be preferred, but the only real difference is that the transmission is more fuzzy, and this is more clear. The appearance of the HUD and weapon is of more concern. A new picture needs to be taken with them removed, since it's only cluttering the image. - Zero1328 Talk? 22:18, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Keep the Borealis picture! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.46.204.170 (talk) 11:53, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Yeah I would agree that the picture could edited with the HUD display removed. I have absolutely no idea how to photoshop pictures. I'll contact the guy who uploaded it and ask him. Scar ian Talk  13:17, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Alright, I'll go and make that screenshot now. [[Image:Flag_of_Poland.svg|20px]] gracz54 (talk) 13:37, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Okay, good stuff. Cheers. <font color="black" face="tahoma">Scar <font color="black" face="tahoma">ian Talk  14:17, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Alright, done. What do you think? [[Image:Flag_of_Poland.svg|20px]] gracz54 (talk) 14:43, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

Yeah that looks great. Good job. <font color="black" face="tahoma">Scar <font color="black" face="tahoma">ian Talk  15:51, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Hi. I'm the original uploader of the first Borealis picture and I completely agree with the new picture that has been uploaded. Thanks for the update. Jale86 19:41, 20 October 2007 (UTC) [[Image:Flag_of_Venezuela.svg|20px]]

In hindsight, I probably should have said it beforehand, but for future reference, you use cl_drawhud for removing the HUD, and impulse 200 for the weapon model. You might need to turn on cheats with sv_cheats. If you want to bind it, use "incrementvar cl_drawhud 0 1 1; impulse 200". - Zero1328 Talk? 12:15, 21 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I did it by doing this: bind f12 "cl_drawviewmodel 0;cl_drawvgui 0;screenshot;wait;wait;cl_drawviewmodel 1; cl_drawvgui 1" But you can replace the "screenshot" with "jpeg" if you prefer lossy jpg, which I don't like personally. [[Image:Flag_of_Poland.svg|20px]] gracz54 (talk) 12:17, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

I think this image should be removed. It could potentially be classed as a spoiler seeing as it depicts an area from Episode Three that obviously wasn't intended to be seen very clearly. I don't think it was even made clear it's in an Arctic environment in Episode Two, which is in itself a big spoiler about *where* Episode Three could be set. The area depicted is also likely to change significantly before Episode Three is released, hence why they only showed a restricted area of it in little detail. 89.105.102.210 (talk)
 * The entire article is full of spoilers (which do need to be tagged), and the image is embedded inside the plot summary, where one would expect to find them. The image is likely to change, yes; but we have to work with the information we have.  In any case, it looks a lot nicer than the fuzzy TV view you get in-game, and I would argue that it doesn't convey any more information than that does, given the blocky, low-res textures, and the small size of the image itself.  The article is supposed to deliver information spoilers or no, and that image is the best available. Fedallah (talk) 18:28, 22 January 2008 (UTC)

It's full of spoilers, but they pertain to Episode Three. I was making the distinction that the Borealis image shows an area that will almost certainly be a major part of Episode Three, and could easily be classed as a spoiler of the upcoming episode. I for one didn't spot the ice at all during the game, which I think is quite the spoiler considering its implications concerning where Episode Three will be set. I'd prefer to see the distorted original as seen in game, really. I'll back down if noone agrees, though. :) Ryan Williams (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 01:13, 23 January 2008 (UTC)
 * I can understand the logic of your argument, although I still don't agree with it, given that the Borealis will likely be portrayed quite differently in Episode 3, and in far greater detail. I also still feel that the image and the textures within are of sufficiently low quality so as to provide no further information that what has already been given.  In any case, you and I may disagree, but it'd be much better to see how others feel about the issue.  I'm not sure if official policies have anything to say about it either.  Since the image is from an official source it's certainly not speculative in any way, but as for spoilers - I don't know.  Fedallah (talk) 02:04, 23 January 2008 (UTC)

New HUD?
Should we mention the upgraded HUD in Episode 2? The "flashlight" symbol now appears next to "suit health" and any ammo that is picked up displays the a picture of the gun it is associated with. - SigmaEpsilon → Σ Ε 03:14, 22 October 2007 (UTC)
 * I think a mention should be made, especially about the flashlight. In HL2 (I'm not sure about Episode One), the flashlight operates off the suit's auxiliary power, much like sprinting does. If you had the flashlight on and sprinted, the power drain would be double. But in Episode Two, the flashlight appears to operate off of separate power, since it has a separate power indicator from things like sprinting and breathing underwater. It may be that it's just a cosmetic change, but it could also be a gameplay change. I'm not exactly sure, but I think mentioning it is a good idea, as long as there's a good source. --clpo13(talk) 06:19, 22 October 2007 (UTC)
 * It's a gameplay change. The ingame commentary notes that the flashlight separation was intentional, because the high drain from using both flashlight and sprint affected the gameplay experience in the antlion burrows. - Zero1328 Talk? 07:08, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

Audio Section
I have added an audio section to the article as I felt there was enough material to necessitate a separate section. I also changed the "technology" header to "Game Development" to compliment the inclusion of the new section. Please feel free to edit or add new material to this expansion. Any problems should be discussed here before doing something drastic e.g. deleting section because you believe it's unnecessary. - Noj_R 12:05, 22 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Um.. why delete the soundtrack section? --Dr.Koljan 09:31, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

Because all of the soundtracks are listed in Kelly Bailey's article and I felt that it was redundant. Maybe a Half-Life Music article should be made so its not in Kelly's article? -- Noj_R 10:19, 23 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Please do not remove the soundtrack listsings, it's the only place on the internet where it can be found. If you find it "redundant" then go create another article with the listings. edit: it seems you've already added them to Kelly's Article. --74.119.12.5 22:23, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

No, haha. I wouldn't remove them unless they could be found somewhere else. -- Noj_R 00:14, October 24, 2007 (UTC)


 * If someone is searching for the track listing, he will probably look in the article for the game first. Redirecting him to another one would be annoying. Therefore, I have added the soundtrack section back. -Dr.Koljan 12:59, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

That makes a whole ton of sense. We have an article with all the tracks for all the games listed and an section dedicated to audio, we dont need to list the soundtrack twice. Unless your an idiot, locating the link for the soundtrack in the audio section is not annoying it is copmpletely plausible. Removing soundtrack... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 140.211.102.165 (talk) 23:58, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

Whats going on? - Noj r 00:23, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Lamarr
I don't know if I heard/seen this right but I remember seeing Lamarr inside the rocket when you first see Magnusson and Kleiner working on it. Also, before the launch you get to hear that there's a certain overweight on the rocket but it is within the safety standards so it get's ignored. Would this imply that Lamarr ended up in space now? If so then it seems worth mentioning this, if not here at least in the headcrab section where he has his own section. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Henricus the Wise (talk • contribs) 11:08, 26 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Complete speculation and original research. So no.. not worth mentioning. :P Rehevkor 16:34, 26 October 2007 (UTC)
 * Actually, it's neither, as both facts are acknowledged as being part of the "Send the Garden Gnome into space" acheivement side-quest. If the article goes into detail on the acheivements,then it's definitely worthy of being mentioned. 68.146.41.232 16:41, 31 October 2007 (UTC)
 * actually llamar does go into the rocket adn is locked in weather you do the gnome thing or not so llamar is gone.Chardrc 00:41, 2 December 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Borealis.png
Image:Borealis.png is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 07:39, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Eli's reacton to the G-man
When Eli was talking about the Gman,and he said something about him using for his own damn reasons...then he said God...damnIT .... I think this is kind of weird because I think he was going to say goddamnHIM... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.46.229.122 (talk) 16:02, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

I think this calls for a quote from an amazing actor, "Its not what you know, its what you can prove." If you cant prove that this is what Eli really meant, then it doesnt matter. - Noj r 09:47, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Now im' pissed!
WHO IS DELETING THE TRIVIA SECTION!? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sstefan (talk • contribs) 18:37, 12 November 2007 (UTC)
 * Trivia isn't an acceptable thing on Wikipedia. [[Image:Flag_of_Poland.svg|20px]] gracz54 (talk) 20:33, 12 November 2007 (UTC)
 * See WP:TRIVIA Sstefan. And also think about looking at WP:CIVIL. <font color="black" face="tahoma">Scar <font color="black" face="tahoma">ian Talk  22:23, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

movie reference
Maybe a bit late, but there are two scenes that bear a good resemblance to some movies: Kkmic (talk) 01:05, 19 November 2007 (UTC)
 * the dog/stryder fight. dog jumps on the stryder's back, rips off his protective armor, and pulls his brain out - robocop 2 final fight
 * ely's death. the advisor "stabs" ely in the head and sucks his brain out - starship troopers, the first encounter with a brain bug (to which, advisors bear a pretty good resemblance, if you leave out the mechanicals parts)

The Hotrod
Is there any way to spawn the Hotrod in a custom map? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 210.10.174.182 (talk) 06:42, 24 November 2007 (UTC)
 * ch_createjalopy in the console spawns one, I think. But it is the unmodified version.Lazyguythewerewolf . Rawr. 16:53, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

List of Advisor Appearances
Should we put a list of in-game Advisor appearances similar to the G-Man's? And also on for Episode One. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.82.229.168 (talk) 16:55, 15 December 2007 (UTC)
 * No. That kind of trivia belongs on fansites of the game. Qjuad (talk) 18:11, 15 December 2007 (UTC)

THIS IS NOT A GAME GIDE ...woops —Preceding unsigned comment added by 211.31.189.93 (talk) 13:45, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:StriderBuster.png
Image:StriderBuster.png is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 06:34, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Original Research?
Why delete the "Shakhta Pobyedy" thing? I don't see what's wrong with original research especially when it's common knowledge like this. It's like saying that the G-Man wears a blue suit in game. Are we not allowed to say that unless there is a statement somewhere that says that? 99.224.85.201 (talk) 21:28, 25 January 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't think there's anything wrong with it either. It's correct, for starters.  It's also information available to anyone with sufficient knowledge of Russian or a Russian-English dictionary.  I don't see any reason why it should be removed as 'original research'.  Fedallah (talk) 01:12, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Anyway, it's back now. I'd like to see it stay.  Fedallah (talk) 01:16, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Hm, strange. Doesn't seem to appear on the primary page that you get to when you search up "Half-Life 2: Episode 2, but when I go to history and click on your revision, I get the updated locales section..." 99.224.85.201 (talk) 03:21, 27 January 2008 (UTC)
 * Refresh? Flush your browser cache?  It really should be there. Fedallah (talk) 07:23, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

Archiving
I would like to set up archiving on this page. Does anyone object?   CWii ( Talk  19:28, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

How long was this game in development?
How long was this game in development? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.21.85.89 (talk) 23:24, 23 March 2008 (UTC)