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Promising unequalled graphics and game play as Half-Life 2 demos and trailers continue to wow audiences - but is it any closer to release?

Half Life 2

"Microsoft hails the forthcoming – and much anticipated - Half-Life 2 as the new benchmark in games for Windows, with the DirectX 9.0 capablilty promising 'unequalled' graphics and game play as demos and trailers wow audiences.

Ensuring that the long-awaited sequel to one of the industry's most groundbreaking games will not only live up to five years of anticipation, but will also give gaming enthusiasts a reason to fasten their seatbelts in front of their PCs, Microsoft DirectX 9.0 will bring scientist Gordon Freeman and his creeping, shooting alien nemeses back to life - with the vibrant graphics and enhanced game play needed for a truly immersive experience - with the release of Half-Life 2 by Valve Corporation.

"We see Half-Life 2 as a new benchmark for the type of amazing experiences that can be delivered on the Window platform, and DirectX 9.0 is clearly serving as the catalyst for the development of these state-of-the-art games," said Dean Lester, general manager of Windows Gaming and Graphics at Microsoft Corp. "Half-Life 2 emphasises the trend we are already seeing: Games for Windows now deliver the most cutting-edge technology and immersive entertainment available anywhere."

"A Worthy Sequel"

"DirectX 9.0 has been crucial in helping us create a worthy sequel to Half-Life, one that gives Windows gamers everything they've been waiting for, a truly unequalled experience," said Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve. "We are thrilled that our relationship with Microsoft has produced a title that all of us can be proud of."

In 1998 Half-Life sent a shock through the game industry with its combination of relentless, pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title went on to win more than 50 ‘game-of-the-year’ awards, on its way to being named ‘Best PC Game Ever’ by PC Gamer magazine – before launching a franchise which has seen more than eight million retails units sold worldwide.

Now, by taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new level of realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environments to the behaviours - even the emotions - of both friends and enemies.

The player again picks up the crowbar/pump-action shotgun/pack mines (etc...) of research scientist, Gordon Freeman, who once again finds himself in a bit of a sticky situation...Faced with an alien-infested Earth - being picked to the bone, its resources depleted and its populace dwindling - Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing that seemingly doomed world from the wrong he unleashed back at the Black Mesa base. Along the way a lot of people - people he cares about - are counting on him – and this being Half-Life, you know that an awful lot of them are going to get creamed before his work is done.

Real-Life

The intense, real-time game play of Half-Life 2 has been made possible only by Source, Valve's new proprietary engine technology. Source provides major enhancements in the advanced facial animation system, physics and graphics.

Among the singular advantages that the DirectX 9.0 API brings to Half-Life 2 are increased speed and improved graphics - from more-detailed bump-mapped characters (just see the difference between the original game characters and the new ones in the G-Man skin, below) to more-nuanced lighting and delicate soft shadows that lend further realism to games on Windows.

The central feature of DirectX 9.0, High-Level Shader Language (HLSL), allows for full-spectrum colour graphics, video, 3-D animation and enhanced audio capabilities.

Half-Life 2 and its DirectX capabilities have been critically hailed by GameSpot, which recently wrote, "Half-Life 2's characters are so detailed that even (their) eyes are modelled in great detail. So when (one character) was made to look toward the screen, the effect was that she was looking right at us, rather than staring blankly at nothing, as game characters tend to do...These are definitely some of the better-looking real-time 3-D characters that we've seen in a PC game to date."

Havok, developers of Havok 2 game dynamics, announced today a new marketing campaign that highlights Valve's use of the industry's leading physics technology in Half-Life 2. The integration between Half-Life 2's game environments and Havok's dynamics engine provides a glimpse into the next generation of gaming. Players will experience an extraordinary level of physical interaction with the environment, redefining expectations of game play. The campaign will debut in early spring of 2004.

Powered by Valve's Source Engine, Half-Life is one of the most anticipated games of the year. Havok is pleased to have provided dynamics technology for the game and Valve's Source Engine toolset that will be made available to third-party developers. The inclusion of Havok technology will provide a revolutionary system for Valve's active community and engine licensees to create unique and compelling games.

Breakthrough

David O'Meara, CEO of Havok says: "Valve's original Half-Life was recognised as a breakthrough game, changing the way we look at games and ultimately, changing what was possible. Half Life 2 will be a revolutionary new release, setting a new benchmark and redefining what we expect from games in the future. It will reveal how a truly physical world dramatically enhances the players' experience. Games will never be the same again after Half-Life 2. Valve has the vision and the expertise to deliver this. And Havok is happy to play its part in contributing to Valve's achievement."

"Gabe Newell, Valve’s Software Managing Director said: "Creating robust and responsive environments will be an essential component to successful next generation games," said Gabe Newell, Valve's managing director. "Havok dynamics was the clear choice for Half-Life 2 and the visceral experience Valve wants to bring to gamers."

Founded in 1996, Valve Corporation's entertainment software titles, include Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and Team Fortress. Valve's portfolio accounts for over 10 million retail units sold worldwide, and over 88% of the online action market.

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