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Half-Life 2 Episode One Gold, available June 1st

LOC   on 25 May 2006 - 12:14 · 8 comments & 4395 views

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Bellevue, WA, May 22, 2006 - ValveŽ, developer of the blockbuster series Half-LifeŽ and Counter-StrikeTM, announced Half-LifeŽ 2: Episode One has gone gold. Episode One is the first in a trilogy of episodes that will conclude by Christmas of 2007.

Half-Life 2: Episode One advances the 15-million unit selling franchise and launches the first in a new, three-part series that leads far beyond City 17. Half-Life 2: Episode One does not require Half-Life 2 to play, and will be available via SteamŽ and at retail stores in North America for just $19.95 on June 1st. Also included in Episode One is a first look at Episode Two, which will ship by year's end.

"Given the rapid changes in PC gaming, we expect episodic games will have the same impact on single-player gaming that Counter-Strike had on multiplayer," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "The frequent releases of upgraded technology and new content works better for both consumers and developers, and is one of the key reasons Counter-Strike grew to be 80% of the online action market. We decided that a follow-up to Half-Life 2 delivered in 18 months with our first episode was more in tune with what our customers want than waiting 6 years for another monolithic product."

Episode One offers a new single player experience created by Valve, and is designed to be four to six hours in length. Stepping into the hazard suit of Dr. Gordon Freeman, you face the immediate repercussions of your actions in City 17 and the Citadel. Alyx Vance and her robot, Dog, will accompany you in your efforts to aid in the human resistance's desperate battle against the totalitarian alien menace of the Combine.

In addition to the new single player experience, two multiplayer games are included. And those who purchase Episode One will have free access via Steam (www.steamgames.com) to Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, the interactive technology demo that introduces High Dynamic Range lighting to the SourceTM Engine, Valve's award-winning game technology.

News source: Steam News

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 8 additional comments
#1 epple on 25 May 2006 - 13:54
Only 4-6 hours of gameplay? That's a bit low IMO, then we have to wait six months for the next episode.

Well, I'm glad we're getting new content to HL2, can't wait to play it.
#2 jamcon04 on 25 May 2006 - 14:01
Any word on what the "2 multi-player" games will be?
(1 reply) #3 Enigma776 on 25 May 2006 - 14:14
Hl2 EathMatch and Half life Source DeathMatch and it's 4-6 hours of gameplay anyway
#3.1 Enigma776 on 25 May 2006 - 14:20
**Deathmatch (Edit is not working)
#4 LeeŽ on 25 May 2006 - 19:15
I'll have to order this sometime in the future. Never did finish HL2 though.
#5 Audhumla on 25 May 2006 - 20:02
Gotta remember to replay HL2 to freshen my memory on the storyline
#6 Sp3ctranova on 26 May 2006 - 01:11
hell YES! Can't wait!
#7 Wrezal on 02 Jun 2006 - 09:20
heh, my friend got it and told me instantly what happens, I was so annoyed!

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