Valve
'Team Fortress 2' Gets Tough on MvM Leavers
Attention, cowards! Saxton Hale has some very unkind things to say about those who are intentionally leaving Mann vs Machine matches mid-game. If you are one of these people, stop being one of those people. Not only will Saxton Hale not like you, but Valve is putting in place some measures to make your game experience less enjoyable; a fair punishment considering you're doing the same to others.
Microsoft Unveils Peripheral That Recreates Your Hands In-Game
This may look like a prototype webshooter, but it is actually Microsoft's new wrist-mounted accessory, named Digits. It is essentially a Kinect for your hands, but it will be available for PC, TVs, smartphones and pretty much anything with a battery. It creates a sort of ghost hand onscreen using infra-red sensors that allow you to interact with digital items with various hand gestures (and not THOSE kinds of gestures!). It's very reminiscent of Minority Report minus the gloves and the Tom Cruise. Check out the cool infomercial-like concept video below.
TF2: Mann vs. Machine Update Features New Tours of Duty
Considering Team Fortress 2 has been a part of my gaming hobby for the better part of four years, it's safe to say that even though I love it, it does feel a little stale once in a while. That being said, Mann vs. Machine is easily the most fun I've had with a game this year. After three runs through the initial Tour of Duty, I'm ready for more. An update, going live today, is about to give us just that, adding two new Tours, as well as some brand new loot to add to your collection. Read on for details on both.
'Portal 2' Soundtrack to be Released on October 30th
Commence testing! Ipecac Recordings is set to release a 4-disc sound track for Valve's little puzzle game that could, Portal 2. Titled Portal 2: Songs To Test By, the album will cover over seventy tracks from the Portal franchise. That's right, apart from the seventy tracks from Portal 2, thirteen unreleased tracks from the original Portal will be available on Disc 4 of the album.
Here's an Adorable Look at Steam's Big Picture Mode
I haven't had a chance to try out the new Big Picture mode for Steam, but by all accounts, it works rather well (are you at all surprised, it's Valve we're talking about here). The Big Picture mode allows you to play your Steam games through your TV, via an alternate interface that makes navigating Steam easy to do with a gamepad. I'm not sure it's worth the hassle to get it set up, and I personally don't mind playing games at my desk, but I can definitely see the appeal of crowding all your friends in your living room for an Amnesia session.
Valve is in the Mad Science Business Now, Creating Gaming Goggles
We recently got word that Valve was making a move on the hardware industry, although they expressly denied they were making consoles. With the obvious possibility out, we were left to wonder, what the heck could they be working on? Considering it's Valve, the answer should've been obvious: something insane.
Watch the Scout from 'Team Fortress 2' Fight the Witch from 'Left 4 Dead'
This is a video of the Scout from TF2 having a fight with the Witch and a bunch of zombies from L4D2. This is pretty much the exact reason Source Filmmaker exists. More please.
Confirmed: Valve's in the Hardware Business Now
While Valve has already expressly denied they were making a console, it now looks like they're definitely getting into the hardware business in some way. A recent job listing on Valve's own website is seeking an Industrial Designer for a hardware related position. This past Spring, Valve was seeking engineers to help them "invent whole new gaming experiences," and this definitely sounds along those lines.
Half-Life 1 Confirmed: 'Black Mesa' Remake Release Dated
Fans have been waiting for Black Mesa, the fan-made source-engine remake of the original Half-Life, longer than Half-Life 3. Having been in production since 2004, many rightly wondered if the mod would ever see the light of day. It looks like we'll be seeing it sooner than we thought though, as the development team has announced the official release date has been set for September 14th. Yes, that's September 14th, 2012.
