episode3proofstickzero.JPG

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/s ... ?t=1372451
*sigh*

I also agree this proves EP3 is in the works. these entities do exist in AS's SDK. they are there since AS is built on a newer version of Source and taking advantage of new features (an early version of Source 2 i can only assume). I think EP3 is very real.
Moreover, it was made by Valve very clear that Aperture Science and Black Mesa are rivaling companies. You can clearly see reference of Aperture in EP2 and of Black Mesa on Portal. In Portal, Chell (the figure you're playing as) is an employee in Aperture Science and the storyline hint heavily about a possible relation to her offsprings (probably Alyx, making Chell Eli's spouse.
The Aperture Science logo is clearly shown on the video you see when you deliver the data stick to the Silo lab in EP2. ..and it goes on and on.
The link seems a fact by now and the hints regarding a final connection and completion of the two storylines in either EP3 or Portal 2 (or both) seem inevitable.

Its already been reveled that Portal 2 takes place 100 years after the first one meaning whatever happened in Episode 3 is long gone by then. Perhaps we'll get something similar to what the portal update that added the transmission received achievement for episode 3, some images or audio files. Then again Valve could just stall even longer and include Episode 3 as the beginning of Half Life 3 if thats still even a possibility.

One thing is for sure. I cant wait to see what goes on in Portal 2 beyond the amazing puzzles I've already seen.

same here. can't wait to see what sort of MP they have in store.
BTW, i think i read somewhere Valve said EP3 will be the finale of the HL series. that there will be no HL3. i might be wrong tho.

Yeah I've heard that too and I'd respect Valve a lot if they didnt release HL3 after these 3 episodes. Because having a trilogy within a trilogy is just a little too much.

Then again Gaben Might want more om nom nom money.

iirc I read on gameinformer (or some magazine that had a special on portal 2) said they weren't going to expand on the connection between half life in portal 2. i might be wrong though.

I believe that they might have slipped that in, but who knows maybe they thought 'yes some mapping nerd is gonna eventually find this out and then tell the whole community that we are still working on it!'

Honestly I'm more interested in Half-Life 3 than any other episodes.

chickenmobile wrote: Honestly I'm more interested in Half-Life 3 than any other episodes.

what do u think will be the difference between hl2 ep3 and hl3? could only be the length, not?

koncentrate wrote:what do u think will be the difference between hl2 ep3 and hl3? could only be the length, not?

Probably the engine and another deathmatch to go with it.

what could possibly be the difference between a new episode and a new chapter in the franchise? i think you're reading to much into the titles, while in fact, this is just more released content - title being episodes or new game with ...doh...episodes - it's still Freeman and etal. a new MP can sit on EP3 much as it would on a new full HL game. it doesn't matter at all. not to Valve and not to us.
Going a few back, let me remind you Valve announced soon after the release of HL2 that it will no longer release full games in the series but focus on episodic releases, to quote them "so we can ship out new content in shorter time periods. instead of waiting 6-7 years for a game, you would wait 1-2 years for an episode". more or less these were the words.. .
Two things we know for facts with Valve: 1. they need to make economically driven decisions - so if something accumulates enough hype to becoming a hit then it's a good prospect. and 2. they do what gives them pleasure - this is what sets them apart from other developers.

BTW, i cannot honestly believe Valve "forgot" those EP3 entities in the AS SDK "by accident" and is now going "oh shit, now they'll be on to us". if you know anything about Valve, this is how they've been playing since forever. they love dropping you leads and hints everywhere. I once read an article about one of the writers at Valve explaining they never had any real clear storyline regarding who or what the G-man is for example. they fed off community theories and went with them. Gives you some insight on the creative process at Valve don't it.

chickenmobile wrote:I believe that they might have slipped that in, but who knows maybe they thought 'yes some mapping nerd is gonna eventually find this out and then tell the whole community that we are still working on it!'

This coming from the company that stealthily integrated an ARG into portal by adding Morse and SSTV codes.. eventually leading to a BBS.

Yeeah an accident.

What makes you guys think that there'll be a HL3? Gabe said many times that the Episodes were actually the HL3.

And if later there is a HL3, it is because the tittle "Half-Life" sales for itself like "Counter-Strike" or "Call of Duty", then I'm pretty sure the game is going to suck.

s0iz wrote:What makes you guys think that there'll be a HL3? Gabe said many times that the Episodes were actually the HL3.

And if later there is a HL3, it is because the tittle "Half-Life" sales for itself like "Counter-Strike" or "Call of Duty", then I'm pretty sure the game is going to suck.

Yeah you're implying Valve will rush out a Half Life game.

If there IS a HL3 we wont see it until 2020. And everyone will LOVE it just as they loved all the other ones.



















And everyone knows that is true.

heh i was about to make a snobby remark about how pessimism is the second worse thing after ignorance but yours works a lot better

{Rx}Crowbar Ninja DJ Z3R0 wrote:

s0iz wrote:What makes you guys think that there'll be a HL3? Gabe said many times that the Episodes were actually the HL3.

And if later there is a HL3, it is because the tittle "Half-Life" sales for itself like "Counter-Strike" or "Call of Duty", then I'm pretty sure the game is going to suck.

Yeah you're implying Valve will rush out a Half Life game.

If there IS a HL3 we wont see it until 2020. And everyone will LOVE it just as they loved all the other ones.



And everyone knows that is true.

I'm talking about the story of the possible HL3, which Gabe said the Episodes actually were HL3.

So probably Portal 2 and Episode 3 are the end of HL.

s0iz wrote:I'm talking about the story of the possible HL3, which Gabe said the Episodes actually were HL3.

So probably Portal 2 and Episode 3 are the end of HL.

Again.. Implying.

Valve has said that they never really had a story thought out. Any story that developed was influenced by fan speculation and Valve decided to go with it.

I already know that the episodes are 'supposed' to be HL3.

And its already been said that Portal 2 takes place 100 years after Portal. So by current standards there's at least 100 more years of story left untold.