Valve speaks on physics, AI for Half-Life 2: Episode 2

Half-Life 2 Episode 2 to come with improved physics and AI - Image 1Doug Lombardi, who’s been pretty skeptical of Microsoft’s big “we’re saving the PC” campaign, decided it was high time to divulge a few more details about the second episode to Half-Life 2. With their announcement of Half-Life 2: Episode 2 for the PC, Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, Lombardi highlighted a few things in an interview with Kikizo that should be interesting to note.

Not only will game objects sport real physics manipulation, but so will the environment. Things in the player’s view but usually solid and inanimate, such as buildings, can now be treated as actual objects in game and will react to the same physics as chairs and tables.

Powerful weapons will be able to destroy buildings, while the player can readily enter structures that usually couldn’t be entered with the limitations on the older engine. Also, Valve is going to make game AI even more real and natural.

In their bid for more interaction with non-player characters, companions like Alyx is being planned to be “viable partners in crime” and not just for story progression and comic relief. So expect some NPCs to be more helpful during combat situations instead of bailing out at the right moment.

But given that Half-Life 2 Episode 2 has been talked about for a long time, we’re just asking that the game be released soon. How long does an episode take to be completed anyway?

Via Kikizo

Half-Life 2 Episode 2 to come with improved physics and AI - Image 1Doug Lombardi, who’s been pretty skeptical of Microsoft’s big “we’re saving the PC” campaign, decided it was high time to divulge a few more details about the second episode to Half-Life 2. With their announcement of Half-Life 2: Episode 2 for the PC, Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, Lombardi highlighted a few things in an interview with Kikizo that should be interesting to note.

Not only will game objects sport real physics manipulation, but so will the environment. Things in the player’s view but usually solid and inanimate, such as buildings, can now be treated as actual objects in game and will react to the same physics as chairs and tables.

Powerful weapons will be able to destroy buildings, while the player can readily enter structures that usually couldn’t be entered with the limitations on the older engine. Also, Valve is going to make game AI even more real and natural.

In their bid for more interaction with non-player characters, companions like Alyx is being planned to be “viable partners in crime” and not just for story progression and comic relief. So expect some NPCs to be more helpful during combat situations instead of bailing out at the right moment.

But given that Half-Life 2 Episode 2 has been talked about for a long time, we’re just asking that the game be released soon. How long does an episode take to be completed anyway?

Via Kikizo

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