Valve Announcement: Source Engine for X360
cerberus414
Join Date: 2005-05-07 Member: 51098Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
Join Date: 2005-05-07 Member: 51098Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
Today, valve proudly announced that it will offer source engine to the developers for the Xbox 360. This could only mean one thing:
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->NS 360!!!!<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Read more here: <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6159873.html?sid=6159873" target="_blank">http://www.gamespot.com/news/6159873.html?sid=6159873</a>
Since Xbox 360 and PCs have so much in common, it should be a piece of cake to port to a console. Just need Flayra to make up his mind. Please Flayra, Please. This could make NS one of the best games ever. One hard thing though, would be securing a deal with a publisher.
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->NS 360!!!!<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Read more here: <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6159873.html?sid=6159873" target="_blank">http://www.gamespot.com/news/6159873.html?sid=6159873</a>
Since Xbox 360 and PCs have so much in common, it should be a piece of cake to port to a console. Just need Flayra to make up his mind. Please Flayra, Please. This could make NS one of the best games ever. One hard thing though, would be securing a deal with a publisher.
Comments
Quoting valve word for word:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->"The combination of Source and the Xbox 360 provides game designers throughout the industry the chance to create powerful entertainment experiences," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "Whether they're pursuing a traditional FPS, RTS, RPG or delving into new genres, Source and the Xbox 360 are designed to offer the flexibility and tools to allow designers to pursue any design imaginable."<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hey they mentioned RTS =P
There's quite a few controls needed...and not nearly enough buttons, joysticks and whatnot.
X - Reload
A - Jump
B - Building structures
Y - Commander request (Ammo/Health/PG/RT)
RB - Right weapon switch (fastswitch)
LB - Left weapon switch (fastswitch)
Right Stick Click - Zoom (maybe finally those marines will be able to use the scope provided for the LMG) or Walking
Left Stick Click - Crouch (This allows you to aim and walk at the same time)
Left Stick - Moving
Right Stick - Aiming
Right Trigger - Shoot
Left Trigger - If hand grenades are upgraded, it automatically takes out a hand grenade. You can prime it by holding down the left trigger and release when the left trigger is let go.
Obviously, D-Pad could act as a hotkey interface for a commander
In essence, the basic controls would be pretty easy to establish, leaving tons of buttons for the commander. This is one reason why I prefer 360 controller over any other controller. Lots of options and comfortability. Got, I'm getting myself all hyped up now. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
Now, remember, for aliens, it is possible for each class to have its own programmable buttons which should solve the button shortages. It should also allow players to customize the button layouts yet provide some default arrangements for normal people or southpaw.
It's also been stated before that a zoom function is unneccessary with the construction of official NS maps, and that one will not be implemented. The visible 'scope' on top is simply a model aspect. If Source maps bring in more outdoor maps one may be considered, but for the time being there are zero plans even in discussion.
Controller differences aside, a console version would be very difficult to balance against a PC version. Given the intrinsic superiority of keyboard/mouse over the limitations of a gamepad... primarily the speed and accuracy of a mouse versus a joystick in a FPS arena, not to mention the lack of mappable buttons for quick functionality. Cross-play would put the console gamers at a severe disadvantage, as was seen with the whole Quake 3 bit on Dreamcast. Solo play (consoles and PCs seperated) would divide the gaming community.
The way I see it, the Source got popular because of CS 1.6, the engine itself is pretty worthless.
I think that UWE would be biting off more than they could chew by using both the PC and Xbox360 platforms at the moment.
How would I bunnyhop without a mousewheel!!!
I think that UWE would be biting off more than they could chew by using both the PC and Xbox360 platforms at the moment.
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I hope you're not hoping for bunnyhoping in NS2? I know I'm not. I doubt that Flayra will take the time to code it into the game, since it's not a part of Source itself <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nerd-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::nerdy::" border="0" alt="nerd-fix.gif" />
How about a game based in the world of NS on the source engine that ISN'T NS2/NS:S? Since the NS team will undoubtedly be proficient with the source engine it would be very efficient to launch a 360 game on the source engine.
This would be a very smart move, Chuck Cleveland.
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Yeah because obviously you could track a celerity leaping skulk, or bunnyhop, or even kill anything with a gamepad .... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />
I honestly don't think the game would work on a console the same as it has on PC's, it's not a port problem it's a problem with the fundamental game design (read that as you will) - it's simply not made for consoles.
Obviously, a straight port of the game wouldn't work. Adjustments would need to be made. But what makes the controller harder can be made up with the adjustments.
Just my 2 cents.
Single Player!
Then, no one can complain about not having a single player...
Xbox360 owners won't complain about getting owned by PC players...
We don't have to deal with split communities...
And the PC gamers would complain like crazy because it wasn't made for PC!!
Seriously though, if a single player campaign were made, it could be marketed on both platforms, the console and PC. Also, by making them separate purchases, 360 owners can't complain about lack of multiplayer (get it on PC), and PC can't complain about lack of (or having to pay for) single player (360 owners have to buy both, too).
Comeon Flayra, this is the perfect oppurtunity to create singleplayer.
Single Player!
Then, no one can complain about not having a single player...
Xbox360 owners won't complain about getting owned by PC players...
We don't have to deal with split communities...
And the PC gamers would complain like crazy because it wasn't made for PC!!
Seriously though, if a single player campaign were made, it could be marketed on both platforms, the console and PC. Also, by making them separate purchases, 360 owners can't complain about lack of multiplayer (get it on PC), and PC can't complain about lack of (or having to pay for) single player (360 owners have to buy both, too).
Comeon Flayra, this is the perfect oppurtunity to create singleplayer. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Then we can't expect it to be out anytime soon (soon reads: a year-year and a half)... Single player would have to be thought from scratch and everybody knows that single<->multi balance isn't the easiest thing to do, especially with something like NS
2) By the time NS:360 was finished, we could have NS:S or NS2 already in the hands of PC gamers. A platform port would slow down primary development on the new game.
3) There is no number three.
4) If number one turns out to be true, and things like CS allow interplatform play, it will become very obvious that the gamepad IS a debilitating disadvantage. If not, the primary reason for the (still somewhat niche) growth of NS as a HL mod was that it was FREE. Expecting folks to shell out $50-60 for an online-only game with zero established userbase purely on faith tends not to work too well.
5) The discussion is pointless at this time. UWE is already committed to the current development projects on their plate, and given that resources are more than a bit tight, adding an uncertain console release due to a recent press release by Valve with next to zero details is very likely beyond any scope that Flayra could even possibly be entertaining.
So. About as unlikely to happen as the US moving entirely to an alcohol or hydrogen based fuel model in the next five years.
<!--coloro:red--><span style="color:red"><!--/coloro-->*LOCKED.*<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Why cut-off brainstorming of a potentially great project?
Let us brainstorm and discuss. You don't have to participate.
The discussion isn't pointless.
Why cut-off brainstorming of a potentially great project?
Let us brainstorm and discuss. You don't have to participate.
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For reasons like this, I'll vouch for this thread to stay open--at least as long as people are still treating each other well, and everyone understands the points Talesin is trying to make: NS on the Xbox 360 is unlikely to the point of this being a "what if? daydream" thread.
Now, with the commander, the precision aiming aspect come with placing meds and ammo. This can be replaced with a joystick 'rotating' through different players on the screen like a hand on a clock. Let's say you wanted to choose the guy on the top right of the screen. You'd push the joystick to the top right and it highlights the selected marine as you do so. Perhaps there are two guys next to each other there. If it selects the wrong guy you can easily shift the joystick a little to get the other guy. When the correct person is selected you can hit your button to drop a medpack.
These don't solve all the problems (eg. navigating quickly through vents as a skulk or fading around corners could be hell with that slow turning speed) but it's fun to think about.
The points about tracking skulks and lerks as marines on a console are quite true. You'd have to break and rework some fundamental aspects of NS gameplay. You'd get something different, but no less fun for the gamer. I've only given it a couple minutes of thought as I was reading this thread, but a lock-on system would work. (come to think of it, like Metroid Prime) It'd be like live overwatch. The skulk has to be on your screen and you have to pull the trigger, but it does the precise aiming. This could be easier to balance as you know shots won't miss. Skulks can still get an advantage by flanking. Similarly, skulks can get a lock-on feature as well and strafe around the marine as needed. This one would need to turn the camera view whereas the marine lock might have this optionally depending on how it plays out in testing.
Now, with the commander, the precision aiming aspect come with placing meds and ammo. This can be replaced with a joystick 'rotating' through different players on the screen like a hand on a clock. Let's say you wanted to choose the guy on the top right of the screen. You'd push the joystick to the top right and it highlights the selected marine as you do so. Perhaps there are two guys next to each other there. If it selects the wrong guy you can easily shift the joystick a little to get the other guy. When the correct person is selected you can hit your button to drop a medpack.
These don't solve all the problems (eg. navigating quickly through vents as a skulk or fading around corners could be hell with that slow turning speed) but it's fun to think about.
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Totally agree with you man
The result would be a freakshow human with amazing kharaa based abilities. As the Kharaa DNA takes increasing hold on him he has to use his evolving powers to overcome obstacles and enemies to reach a scientist expelled from the project (he had moral issues with creating the super soldier). This scientist is the only one with the cure.
The mutations might include the ability to leap, metabolize, gas, grow lerk wings?, paralize, acid rocket. Also, don't forget that he can still pick up and use the human weapons also.
You could even go as far as to make a rage meter that when reached he shifts into a fade or even an onos.
Something like this COULD WORK on 360 source.
360 has USB Keyboard and Mouse support fyi.
eliotmat's concept is intriguing and I like the single-player angle for the console game. It wouldn't replace or compete with the PC game but instead supplement it. An alternative storyline would be similar to the AvP games with a campaign for both marines and kharaa. Going straight with a marine-oriented storyline would probably be too generic unless you had an incredible writer.
Does it? I thought they were specifically staying away from that, and for good reason. It doesn't matter, though. It needs to work with the controller first and that would require reworking the game to the point where the advantage of a keyboard/mouse falls away.
eliotmat's concept is intriguing and I like the single-player angle for the console game. It wouldn't replace or compete with the PC game but instead supplement it. An alternative storyline would be similar to the AvP games with a campaign for both marines and kharaa. Going straight with a marine-oriented storyline would probably be too generic unless you had an incredible writer.
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Well the game would be more generic at the beginning. As the game would progress the soldier would mutate/evolve into something more advanced. Obviously the skill level of the player would have to increase to effectively use the new abilities.
But yeah, straight marine is kinda generic.... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
That would obviously be unfare; you dont HAVE to pull a shadowrun guys...