Valve Opening
the Valve on Eurogamer is a Q&A with Valve's Gabe Newell and company
about Half-Life 2, Episode One, and more: "We don't think of these as
expansions. If we were to do expansion properties we'd go back and work out
those various events. We see [Episode One] more as moving the story forward
rather than what we do with expansion packs. I like the idea of expansion
packs giving you a different perspective on things you've already lived
through, but I think gamers are expecting more core products to move the
technology forward, to move the story forward and move the gameplay
forward."
BF2: Armored Fury GameSpy's
Battlefield 2 Armored Fury Q&A catches up with Tom Galt to discuss the
just-release booster pack: "Armored Fury was already planned and into
production before Euro Force was released. We really wanted vehicles that
offered a unique gameplay experience this time around, and wanted the levels
to be more balanced between infantry, armor, and air power. The feedback we
received about Euro Force reinforced for us that we were on the right
track."
Operational Art of War 3 The
Operational Art of War 3 Q&A Part 3 on Armchair General concludes this
series with a conversation with Daniel McBride about the wargame sequel:
"From my point of view this first release is a shakedown cruise that has
everything working, with some key areas improved, all in preparation for
some long-term development. Players that know my work will understand that I
did not want to redo some of my larger scenarios until I see what
improvements can be made down the road as it affects the whole play test
equation. Certainly Ralph’s tweaking-up of the PO (Programmed Opponent) is
key in this release. More available supply points, events, and other items
noted, are all important improvements. I have a very long wish list and will
spare you that now until we can see what is feasible and what is not.
Obviously some sort of an improved naval dynamic is important to look at
down the road…"