Hl2: The Lost Coast

reasareasa Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8010Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">New Steam Update</div> <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->One feature that we'll be adding to the Source engine in the coming months is high dynamic range lighting. To showcase this we've taken a part of the Highway 17 chapter of Half-Life 2 and worked it into a single level that incorporates HDR along with some new gameplay. We're calling this short level "The Lost Coast," and it will be made available free of charge to Half-Life 2 customers that meet a specific set of high end hardware requirements. We'll be publishing those requirements soon.

Below are a few early concept sketches of the level early in its development.

<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/Feb4.2005/img/lost_coast_01.jpg' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketin...st_coast_01.jpg</a>
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/Feb4.2005/img/lost_coast_02.jpg' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketin...st_coast_02.jpg</a>
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/Feb4.2005/img/lost_coast_03.jpg' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketin...st_coast_03.jpg</a>
<a href='http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/Feb4.2005/img/lost_coast_04.jpg' target='_blank'>http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketin...st_coast_04.jpg</a><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Well I found that in my Steam update news tonight, and I have to say it looks awesome. I just pray to God I meet the requirements...
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Comments

  • CyndaneCyndane Join Date: 2003-11-15 Member: 22913Members
    I won't.. BOOO!!!!!!
  • Marik_SteeleMarik_Steele To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
    I get the sneaking suspicion that these "system requirements" will include ATI cards whose name contains 'x' followed by a three-digit number.
  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-Marik Steele+Feb 4 2005, 07:47 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marik Steele @ Feb 4 2005, 07:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I get the sneaking suspicion that these "system requirements" will include ATI cards whose name contains 'x' followed by a three-digit number. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    lies.

    Lets hope, for our sakes.
  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    yeah, I'm really worried that the minimum requirements are going to be somehow artificial, i.e. higher for ATI than nVidia. Then somebody will hack around the cap, and run it on a low end nVidia card, and Valve will have yet another PR nightmare.
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Nah, they'll just include a 95 followed by two digits. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> That or a 6 followed by three digits. And 'SLI'. And 'liquid nitrogen cooling'.
  • Marik_SteeleMarik_Steele To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
    Personally, whether or not I meet the system requirements, I'd appreciate if they made an attempt to explain what HDR is and show me why I should want it.
  • KungFuSquirrelKungFuSquirrel Basher of Muttons Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 103Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited February 2005
    HDR = High Dynamic Range lighting. (EDIT: oh my god, that was in the first quote of this thread, I suck at life <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> ) It basically allows pushing brightness to really mind-numbing levels. There's some examples of this on the Unreal Engine 3 tech page, as well as various places online. Basically allows for some really impressive lighting range.

    That's a rough layman's outline of it, at least.

    I think this is really cool, personally. Even if the specs are set stupidly and/or the tech is iffy, having a free single player map is always pretty spiffy. Perfect no-commitment time investment. I can guarantee that, if I have the specs, I'll play it. None of that "will I have time" crap <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    <!--QuoteBegin-Marik Steele+Feb 4 2005, 10:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marik Steele @ Feb 4 2005, 10:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Personally, whether or not I meet the system requirements, I'd appreciate if they made an attempt to explain what HDR is and show me why I should want it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    My guess is that it simulates your eyes dilating and contracting when you enter and leave darkness. So when you are outside, you can't see very well into a cave, and when you are inside a cave, the outside area looks bleached out. Notice how in the first shot the building glows in the sun really brightly, such that you can't see all the detail.
  • BadKarmaBadKarma The Advanced Literature monsters burned my house and gave me a 7 Join Date: 2002-11-12 Member: 8260Members
    I love the old fisherman dude, I really like the style for some reason.
  • TequilaTequila Join Date: 2003-08-13 Member: 19660Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-BadKarma+Feb 5 2005, 04:21 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BadKarma @ Feb 5 2005, 04:21 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I love the old fisherman dude, I really like the style for some reason. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Makes me wonder how far they're going to push the boat out for this level, aside from the HDR. New models? Textures? Dialogue with Faceposer work? I hope so.
  • UltimaGeckoUltimaGecko hates endnotes Join Date: 2003-05-14 Member: 16320Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-moultano+Feb 4 2005, 10:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (moultano @ Feb 4 2005, 10:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Marik Steele+Feb 4 2005, 10:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marik Steele @ Feb 4 2005, 10:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Personally, whether or not I meet the system requirements, I'd appreciate if they made an attempt to explain what HDR is and show me why I should want it. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    My guess is that it simulates your eyes dilating and contracting when you enter and leave darkness. So when you are outside, you can't see very well into a cave, and when you are inside a cave, the outside area looks bleached out. Notice how in the first shot the building glows in the sun really brightly, such that you can't see all the detail. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm fairly sure it looks like that because it's a quick 3d model or something. I'm pretty sure there's a bink video of early HDR rendering somewhere around. Plus, there's already parts in HL2 with the lighting effect you've mentioned; namely, used when you're coming our or going into a tunnel (like the mines after Ravenholm.

    Although, I'm pretty sure it's an artificially created effect...Although I could probably test in Hammer to see if it just does it if you're coming from light lit to enviroment_lit places or something.
  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    <!--QuoteBegin-UltimaGecko+Feb 4 2005, 10:25 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (UltimaGecko @ Feb 4 2005, 10:25 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm fairly sure it looks like that because it's a quick 3d model or something. I'm pretty sure there's a bink video of early HDR rendering somewhere around. Plus, there's already parts in HL2 with the lighting effect you've mentioned; namely, used when you're coming our or going into a tunnel (like the mines after Ravenholm.

    Although, I'm pretty sure it's an artificially created effect...Although I could probably test in Hammer to see if it just does it if you're coming from light lit to enviroment_lit places or something. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I believe that effect is created from plain old fashioned glow sprites, or some variant of them.
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    edited February 2005
    No, HDR is kind of like the glossmap that currently exists on tile and whatnot, in HL2... but on crack. It allows for 'auras' around a window, if light is spilling through it. Soft glows, shiny tin, glittering sunshine through rain.

    It's a poor-man's compensation for basic radiosity and light refraction, essentially... and it would look WONDERFUL. A real-time rainbow off sea foam mist, anyone? A warmly-lit room from sunlight spilling against thin drapes? At least, that's the kind of thing I've seen HDR be capable of.

    I'll post a link to a site with plenty of mini-demos, once I get back from dinner.

    (edit) <a href='http://www.debevec.org/' target='_blank'>http://www.debevec.org/</a>
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    HDR is nice and alll... But I'd much rather have dynamic lighting. :(
  • Marik_SteeleMarik_Steele To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Feb 4 2005, 10:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Feb 4 2005, 10:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> HDR is nice and alll... But I'd much rather have dynamic lighting. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I can tell the little modmaker in you is screaming for engine enhancements regarding shadow manipulation <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • Har_Har_the_PirateHar_Har_the_Pirate Join Date: 2003-08-10 Member: 19388Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Marik Steele+Feb 4 2005, 08:55 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marik Steele @ Feb 4 2005, 08:55 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Feb 4 2005, 10:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Feb 4 2005, 10:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> HDR is nice and alll... But I'd much rather have dynamic lighting. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I can tell the little modmaker in you is screaming for engine enhancements regarding shadow manipulation <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    wow, that really means nothing of human sense to me
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-dirtygabbsnevada+Feb 4 2005, 09:56 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dirtygabbsnevada @ Feb 4 2005, 09:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Marik Steele+Feb 4 2005, 08:55 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Marik Steele @ Feb 4 2005, 08:55 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Feb 4 2005, 10:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Feb 4 2005, 10:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> HDR is nice and alll... But I'd much rather have dynamic lighting. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I can tell the little modmaker in you is screaming for engine enhancements regarding shadow manipulation <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    wow, that really means nothing of human sense to me <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'll see if I can explain it to you. DOOMeh is making a HL2 mod - Espionage - and it will be needing good lighting. The mod is based on a guns team (the empire IIRC) and a stealth team (the rebels). With dynamic lighting, DOOM would be able to do some cool effects. Maybe someone can code dynamic lights in, but it would be an arseload of work.
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    <a href='http://www.debevec.org/' target='_blank'>http://www.debevec.org/</a>

    Go there, check out the Fiat Lux, as well as the Campanile movie, under the 'movies' link. They're wonderful examples of what HDRI (High Dynamic Range Imaging) can do. ALL lighting in these movies is HDRI... as that's all it is. A better way to simulate light.


    To REALLY screw with your head, download some of the real-time demos, and see how impressive it can be, on your existing hardware. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • KungFuSquirrelKungFuSquirrel Basher of Muttons Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 103Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    <!--QuoteBegin-moultano+Feb 4 2005, 10:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (moultano @ Feb 4 2005, 10:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I believe that effect is created from plain old fashioned glow sprites, or some variant of them. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Fading portals, actually. Same effect can be seen inside some windows in the later levels, but only on the inside... looked kinda poor there. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> But you'd be getting a similar-styled (but better) glow from stuff.
  • Invader_ScootInvader_Scoot Join Date: 2003-10-13 Member: 21669Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Well I guess that I can rest assured that my x800 will be enough. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    I'd like to see them implement Air Resistance, add Paper (and other things that are really flat), and then Bounciness Physics. Then I could have trampoline.
  • V_MANV_MAN V-MAN Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6217Members, Constellation
    I have a great idea for a multiplayer mod but can't mod for ****.
  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    Why release it only to those with high-powered systems? I understand that it would take a high-powered computer to run the lighting, but why not let the user decide?
  • frostymoosefrostymoose Join Date: 2003-09-12 Member: 20799Members
    edited February 2005
    I'm pretty sure the light auras and bright spots drowning out darker areas are actualyl the effect called light bloom...And I have absolutely no idea what HDR is <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    and ahh, guys all of those pictures are 3d...it almost looks like the first one might be at least part 3d but it is not.

    edit: did about 2 minutes of research. I guess the aura is light bloom but HDR allows pixels to get really bright by going "beyond" the usual 0-255 levels of brightness.
  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-MedHead+Feb 5 2005, 07:02 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MedHead @ Feb 5 2005, 07:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Why release it only to those with high-powered systems? I understand that it would take a high-powered computer to run the lighting, but why not let the user decide? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm fairly sure in time it will come out for lower end users, I'm guessing my Radeon 9550 will not run it well, but I'd load it up in-game and play at 3fps for the sake of it.
  • ChronoChrono Local flyboy Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18989Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Talesin+Feb 4 2005, 09:03 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Talesin @ Feb 4 2005, 09:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> To REALLY screw with your head, download some of the real-time demos, and see how impressive it can be, on your existing hardware. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    my computer failed to initialize the program saying i do not have a video card that supports DX9.0+ and advanced shaders

    geforce 4 ti 4600 FTW!
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Congrats! Your hardware is officially well on its way to being outdated.
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    I would theorize based on chrono's experiment that basicly the range of card they are catering too are those that are DX9.0 capable... So I therefore pretty much agree with Talesin compleatly then...

    Anyways, I'm just excited to find out that valve is continuously improving the sourse engine, which I like alot considering that there were thing about it that were really kind of dissapointing, and I now have hope that there is a possiblity they will be improved.

    Makes me wonder if any kind of real dynamic lighting for sourse isn't possibly already on the list...
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    <!--QuoteBegin-Talesin+Feb 5 2005, 03:05 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Talesin @ Feb 5 2005, 03:05 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Congrats! Your hardware is officially well on its way to being outdated. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It was outdated a year ago... :P
  • panda_de_malheureuxpanda_de_malheureux Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24775Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-frostymoose+Feb 5 2005, 06:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (frostymoose @ Feb 5 2005, 06:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm pretty sure the light auras and bright spots drowning out darker areas are actualyl the effect called light bloom...And I have absolutely no idea what HDR is <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    and ahh, guys all of those pictures are 3d...it almost looks like the first one might be at least part 3d but it is not.

    edit: did about 2 minutes of research. I guess the aura is light bloom but HDR allows pixels to get really bright by going "beyond" the usual 0-255 levels of brightness. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    But.. won't that break my monitor? I'm scared.
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