XEN

Black Mesa Archive The Cafeteria
#61

On the other Xen thread, we talked about how it should begin as an alone, and desolate wasteland, but should evolve into a more NPC-heavy and scripted world where, in some way or another, Freeman participates in the Vortigaunt uprising.

There’s a bunch of points supporting and opposing the idea, but I don’t feel like dumping em all here, but I think implementing things like that, or other removed portions Xen, would be an interesting way to expand the portion, without deviating too much.

Also, though, these are probably obselete discussions. We have no idea how for along the devs already are, and the things they’ve already implemented. All these threads with all these ideas are probably junk to them at this point, because it’s not like they’re starting from scratch. They’re just opening a few windows for work.

#62

Yup, just backed it up.

#63

isn’t that from Evolution?

#64

I’m pretty sure it was from Evolution. Fucking love that movie. A true spiritual successor to Ghostbusters. I recommend it if you’re into classic 50s style sci fi and 80s style comedy.

#65

That was my initial thought, but that movie was way more colorful than the thing in that pic, so I have no idea.

#66

I dunno if here is the real source of the pic, but check it out anyway. (scroll down some posts)

#67

Imlementing the rebellion would actually contradict HL2. Hear from the vortigaunts themselves:

“While our own lay scattered at your feet, you severed the vortal cord that bound the Nihilanth to life, and to us.”

Vortigaunts were controlled by Nihilanth. There was no rebellion until Gordon killed it.

#68

I don’t really get the desire to have a vortigaunt uprising before you kill nihilanth. If killing him is the last thing you do and is what frees them it just doesn’t make much sense for them to be on your side before that.

On the other hand I personally thought valve did a terrible job explaining that whole transition between friend and foe vortigaunts in HL2. I remember when Hl2 came out most casual gamers had no idea why they were suddenly on your side. The story basically didn’t even try to explain it unless you went into that super secret cave tunnel thing off the beaten path and listened to a ten minute speech. So maybe having an uprising of some sort at the end of half-life is the way to go?

#69

I would love to see some Combine-related stuff in Xen.

#70

The combine didn’t arrive to Xen until after the events of Half-Life, though.

#71

Ooh, ooh, I have an idea, based on HL1 ending with the G-man
https://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2012/37/1347361578-gman.jpg
It would actually be pretty cool if, when you arrive on the alien planet, you could see a few HECU, maybe even an apache, fighting their way desperately inside Xen, and then getting killed by the alien. This would be a nice way to say that it’s over for them, you’re not gonna have to fight them anymore, their story is closed.

And for the skybox design, you’re right, I love this one

620×620 81.7 KB

#72

Finding ammo for earthly weapons and conventional health packs in Xen seems illogical if Gordon is the first to be sent there (unless G Man provides- would be a convenient explanation).

#73

It’s fairly obvious with the other HEV suited scientist corpses that Gordon is not the first person in Xen.

#74

Although I expect it’s 99% unlikely to happen, it would be nice to see some antlions in Xen, probably not engaging the player but just flying around in the distance (their short-range flight ability actually fits the Xenian geography very well, come to think of it). Even if we don’t directly see any, perhaps some small indicator of their presence might be possible, considering their relationship with the Vorts. There were thumper-like machines on Xen in HL, so maybe their purpose could be more clearly linked to antlions somehow.

Regardless, I’m sure the devs will give us something awesome and astounding!

#75

#76

Oh fuck, the Antlions.
That thought has never crossed My Mind.

-But, they ARE Xenian creatures, they’re fair game.

#77

Yeah that’s pretty cool and all, but that’s not how Black Mesa will look. :wink:

#78

I’m just happy we will have seen a glimpse of their “drastically different direction” for Xen by this Friday. We travel very briefly to Xen during the Resonance Cascade, after all. I hope it is an interesting vista.

However, they might’ve not wanted to spoil their interpretation of Xen so soon. Since the “Xen” part of the mod is months away (or maybe a few years away, god forbid), whatever we get in the first release might be an even more limited view of Xen than the little there was in the original Half-Life.

Dunno, both scenarios make sense: the mod is bigger and more epic, so they might’ve gone that route with the initial glimpse or Xen; an sprawling vista with strange buildings and creatures far away, similar to the Xen scenes you get with G-Man in the ending scene, after being teleported away from Nihilanth’s chamber.

Or… they might’ve made it even more of a tease, with just a teensy little glimpse of what’s to come.

#79

The devs have already stated that cut creatures are not going to be revived.

Ram said it will be like another game (part 2) and so I figure it will have a similar play time span to bm.

It would be fun not having xen ending abruptly after killing nihilanth. But instead seeing Gordon not being attacked by vorts anymore. Rather them turning back to their role as "game keepers"in the borderworld. Then seeing HECU storm the place and help fighting them off until vorts/aliens have to retreat temporarily. Then snip enter gman - end blabla. Next wake up on train to city 17.
There shouldn’t be any references to the combine, as they only flood the borderworld a little after the nihilanth is killed…

Though highly improbable, this would be actually very cool. It would also be cool if black Mesas xen would be aligned to valve’s new concept.

This looks awesome, sadly it’s not the devs approach to it.

#80

Oh buggers.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.