Valve really hit the nail on the head with providing those breaks in "gameplay" so to speak, and allowing either story, character, or just exploratory development to happen. Those moments in Half-Life 2 are some of the more memorable moments that I love and have with the game. For example: You get the airboat. A new experience, a new vehicle, and the game makes you go through these moments dodging fire, you're getting chased, going off jumps, etc... It's all very exciting but you drive into a tunnel, faced with a blockade of sorts, no way to move forward so you are then encouraged to exit the air boat and explore. In this moment it essentially introduces another side to the gameplay while simultaneously allowing the gamer to explore the environment. It's layered story telling and gameplay. There's a lot going on here even though you're not getting chased anymore, no gunfire, no driving. Figure out how to get passed this blockade, explore the surroundings, complete the puzzle.
Exactly... i always liked those calm moments before chaos breaks loose. These days games are non stop action with no time to chill or soak in the story.
If a Half Life movie ever were to happen I would actually like them to tell an original story with it and not Gordon Freeman's story which we already know. Like how about focusing on Kliener and Eli's attempt to escape from Black Mesa.
I'd rather not see a game to movie transition for Half Life, If I wanted more story for Half Life keep it in games where Valve can handle it with care because that was the franchise that not only brought them commercial success it was revolutionary in pushing games forward.
For me, they should show us fiew parallel stories: about Gordon, about Shephard chasing him, about Eli, Kleiner and Barney trying to escape AND maybe about G-man puting infant Alyx out of Black Mesa
***** Doubt that, for some reason mirrors or reflections just don't allow for his face to be shown. Gordan Freeman's inability to see his own face is basically one of the laws of physics in the Half Life universe.
So.. abrams talks about how you dont focus in games, and gabe talks about how in movies you dont really 'experience' it, you dont feel part of it... Then they announce their VR kit... So.. are they working on a movie you can be a part of... IE a game in a VR environment. It would make sense... they have been working on this VR for a long time...
I know games and movies don't cross very well together, but PLEASE. A half life movie?? HOW FUCKING AMAZING WOULD THAT BE. Just pleeeease make sure it's fucking awesome.
I thought Gabe was just a generally better speaker. Very comfortable, focused on the main points, and fun to listen to. I feel like the R2-D2 thing seemed more like an easter egg kind of deal rather increasing the viewer's experience in the next viewing.
Gabe's vision of the industry's future rests in the hands of the gamers. The modding community itself is an entire industry with it's very own ecosystem, big publishers such as EA/Activision/Ubisoft are foolish to think their "AAA" games will be ever lasting. As software advances, so tool will the simplicity of tools that are required for the average person to both design and modify their gaming experience to then be shared with the world. Minecraft is the golden example of this.
FINALLY! The talk we've all been waiting for. Thanks Variety! I was afraid for a moment, every talk would be uploaded like this, kind of like Episode 3.
That would require Valve to not be Valve anymore. They have a specific structure within the company that prevents them from really doing that, also, I don't know if you've heard this before but: "A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad." so let Valve be Valve, have patience and enjoy the game when it gets to you.
The interesting funny thing is that Valve games have gotten around the issue of players ignoring narrative by taking agency and control AWAY from the player at specific points, same as in movies. Towards the end of HL2 they literally hold you in an arm, completely unable to move or even turn your head very much, while everyone else is talking in a composed frame. In Portal 2 they trap you in an elevator, in Episode 2 they put you in a very specific place when Alyx gets stabbed, etc etc.
They're talking about Portal 1 you're talking not only about Portal 2 but the co-op mode. Portal is a great movie to compare to mystery and thriller movies in how it unfolds and feeds your mind scene to scene and wonder what is next or where the protagonist is going.
I think the two early clips from HL2 show what is wrong with story telling in video games. You either get bored and do your own thing and destroy the moment, or you stand around like a tool and destroy the moment. In HL1 they didn't make that mistake. Early in the game the scientists were stoked about getting to the military, you followed them and witnessed them being wasted by the ones who were supposed to save them. That was great story telling. You knew your enemy right there.
you know who did story and videogames well? farcry 3. we could all learn from that. i know that i feel deeply deeply in love whenever i think about that game.
I think the point Abrams is making is that when you allow absolute freedom, the gravity of a scene can be essentially demolished (perhaps even unintentionally), since the developer cannot craft an image/scene with as much precision as a director would. The flip side is having freedom suddenly taken from you can be jarring in a videogame. Striking that middle ground is essentially the problem entertainment makers need to solve right now.
No one "destroyed" anyone, they were just having a friendly discussion about the comparative merits of each format of storytelling. Stop trying to instigate a conflict that isn't there.
While I would trust that to be a blockbuster with great effects and epic scale, I wouldn't expect a JJ Abrams Mass Effect to care much about what really matters - the story and characters. The Reapers reduced to even less menace than (in a literal view of story, not Indoc Theory) in ME3. BLARG BLARG BIG ROBOTS SHOOT LAZARS. Would still be a fun summer movie.
I feel so much joy watching these two giants of opposite yet similar industries talk about what video games and movies have done well, not so well and also what we can do in the future.
He makes blockbuster quality stuff without pandering totally to the lowest denominator. (Yet still skirts close to it at times, as you indicated with your Lost example) He's not the hero to cinema that fanboys make him out to be, but he's not a bad guy ruining any industry.
This conversation is amazing. It's like Photography talking to Cinema or Classical Music talking to Rock&Roll. This is Historical, everyone !! Historical !!
Sometimes they were bad, but sometimes I thought they were warranted. It made it seem futuristic. The times that it got in the way made me want to look closer to see the action. I'm not saying it was a good choice to have so many, but it wasnt bad to the point were the movie was unwatchable.
Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams, on behalf of all gamers and movie lovers we say THANK YOU! These 2 are going to change the industry and if not, at least make something amazing!
this may come off as a debate early on but it is obvious that Abrams and Newell wrote this presentation together; i mean they are working off of cue-cards and changing them at the EXACT SAME TIME for God's sake!
Hollywood has made really bad video games in the past, and only very few which could be considered mediocre, but with these two guys I feel very optimistic, so I am really looking forwards to see what they can come up with.
It would have been funny if Gabe said he wanted a sequel to Cloverfield and Abrams responding with him telling Gabe that it will come out when Half Life 3 is released.
Maybe Valve haven't made HL3 (or HL2 ep. 3) yet, cause they wanted it to be a movie, not a game, but couldn't find the right person to direct it. And now they got together with JJ to do it.
in case your wondering yes half life 3 is on valves agenda but has like 7 pretty extreme obstacles to overcome first before any animation n writing can be done. 1st is source 2 in development that's priority. motion capture is the 2nd biggest problem, they know they have to be up with the times and to show something new, other issues take your pick. its a complicated thing they are in no way interested in discussing to anyone. source2 engine will most likely be a hl sandbox n will blow our minds
I agree, but I think gordon talking would be weird, I think that's the most important thing, he never talks, soo...how would one go about casting an actor? His voice would be a huge part of that, yeah he may have never had a voice, but that (in my opinion) would probably be the biggest challenge, because even though its never been there, people will be expecting a voice that suits him extremely well.
It was not scripted. They were actually having a conversation on stage while being looked at by tons of people. They may not be amazing public speakers (maybe Abrams is, but Newell doesn't need to be one in his line of work).
The minute the HL2 clip started I knew what was going to happen. I think everyone does that... You can't give me a teleporter and expect me not play with it xD
But what JJ doesn't know is that the build up for players to know Eli comes from the first game, just as Gordon leaves the test chamber. It is asumed that players actually beat HL1 first.
It'd probably work best as a movie about the 7 hour war, since Gordon was absent. They can introduce new characters and kill them off by the end of the movie.
Not really. They're just raising points on different storytelling platforms. What they're trying to achieve is to arrive at a middle ground between narrative and interactive storytelling: ergodic literature, cybertexts.
Hes extremely intelligent infact, not dumb. And he makes very intelligent movies and series... Oh and they're also excellent and great, so boo-hoo. Your personal dislike for him doesnt change the fact that him and Gabe are more or less friends. Which is only a good thing, they're leaders in their fields.
Valve really hit the nail on the head with providing those breaks in "gameplay" so to speak, and allowing either story, character, or just exploratory development to happen.
Those moments in Half-Life 2 are some of the more memorable moments that I love and have with the game. For example: You get the airboat. A new experience, a new vehicle, and the game makes you go through these moments dodging fire, you're getting chased, going off jumps, etc... It's all very exciting but you drive into a tunnel, faced with a blockade of sorts, no way to move forward so you are then encouraged to exit the air boat and explore.
In this moment it essentially introduces another side to the gameplay while simultaneously allowing the gamer to explore the environment. It's layered story telling and gameplay. There's a lot going on here even though you're not getting chased anymore, no gunfire, no driving. Figure out how to get passed this blockade, explore the surroundings, complete the puzzle.
Exactly... i always liked those calm moments before chaos breaks loose. These days games are non stop action with no time to chill or soak in the story.
I wonder if there is a crowbar hidden in The Force Awakens...
Maybe a crowsaber
+Rafreaky Weyland There is, you can see a picture of Luke Skywalker holding a crowbar for a brief 0.1 seconds during the opening of a movie.
Rafreaky Weyland no dude, all the credits to starwars
the stanley parable would fit so perfectly here...
And all we got was CS:GO Player Profile UA-cam videos and a TF2 Threewave CTF mode from this collaboration.
The gaming legend and the filmmaking hack
I guess Disney put a huge damper on Gabe and Abrams movie/game collaboration. JJ Abrams has his hands full at the moment.
Wait is their gonna be a Half-Life movie or something?
The recent announcement JJ Abrams said he will have a meeting at Valve to talk about the new movies. In 2 weeks.
If a Half Life movie ever were to happen I would actually like them to tell an original story with it and not Gordon Freeman's story which we already know. Like how about focusing on Kliener and Eli's attempt to escape from Black Mesa.
Yeah, a silent protagonist would be hard in a movie, and I would punch J. J. in the dick if he tried to give Gordon a voice.
I'd rather not see a game to movie transition for Half Life, If I wanted more story for Half Life keep it in games where Valve can handle it with care because that was the franchise that not only brought them commercial success it was revolutionary in pushing games forward.
For me, they should show us fiew parallel stories: about Gordon, about Shephard chasing him, about Eli, Kleiner and Barney trying to escape AND maybe about G-man puting infant Alyx out of Black Mesa
*****
Doubt that, for some reason mirrors or reflections just don't allow for his face to be shown. Gordan Freeman's inability to see his own face is basically one of the laws of physics in the Half Life universe.
Imagine a Valve game directed by JJ Abrams, I don't think I would ever stop playing.
+Matt Filer Half Life 3 confirmed ?
Well there is Pass time game mode on TF2. Made by Bad Robot.
If you watch until the end, Gabe spills the beans on that in saying that the dialogue was a recreation of their communication over an extended period.
So.. abrams talks about how you dont focus in games, and gabe talks about how in movies you dont really 'experience' it, you dont feel part of it...
Then they announce their VR kit... So.. are they working on a movie you can be a part of... IE a game in a VR environment.
It would make sense... they have been working on this VR for a long time...
Michael Edmond Half life alyx
Bingo!!
So much insight of this conversation, very inspiring.
amazing seeing a comment section with people opinions of JJ Abrams pre star wars and post star wars
with those cue cards and all it kind of seems like Newell and Abrams had this whole thing set up to look partially candid
i like how you notice the cue cards but overlook the fact that they have selected footage to show as examples
This is too much epicness for one stage.
I know games and movies don't cross very well together, but PLEASE. A half life movie?? HOW FUCKING AMAZING WOULD THAT BE. Just pleeeease make sure it's fucking awesome.
I love the way that valve doesn't use cutscenes. I personally hate cutscenes. I like to interact with the story.
HALF LIFE 3 CONFIRMED
Many UH's were given
Never seeing Gordan seems pretty important and iconic to the series. I kind of hope they don't change that by making a movie. Portal movie imo
I think people are just noticing that Gabe was a generally better speaker. He felt more relaxed and such and such.
I think a Portal movie could work, but a Half Life movie might be a little too ambitious.
SyndexAwesome I personally think it's the other way around.
@@SpiraLHub Same.
I thought Gabe was just a generally better speaker. Very comfortable, focused on the main points, and fun to listen to. I feel like the R2-D2 thing seemed more like an easter egg kind of deal rather increasing the viewer's experience in the next viewing.
i grew up with godzilla and i just loved cloverfield, the first person view is amazing
"Put the camera down and fucking run."
- Gabe Newell
Wow..... Jj is my fav director and gabe is my fav game maker
that's why it's called a "keynote speech" and not a debate
Gabe's vision of the industry's future rests in the hands of the gamers. The modding community itself is an entire industry with it's very own ecosystem, big publishers such as EA/Activision/Ubisoft are foolish to think their "AAA" games will be ever lasting. As software advances, so tool will the simplicity of tools that are required for the average person to both design and modify their gaming experience to then be shared with the world. Minecraft is the golden example of this.
of course. Gabe says its a recreation of past conversations at the end.
You're not the only one who wants to see that game rebooted.
Those last 30 seconds made my blood flow faster XD
Gabe actually said Portal Movie and Half-Life Movie out loud. Like he wasn't harassed enough.
FINALLY! The talk we've all been waiting for. Thanks Variety!
I was afraid for a moment, every talk would be uploaded like this, kind of like Episode 3.
When you and I are playing L4D....how cool is that.
Both of them seem like nice people.
That would require Valve to not be Valve anymore. They have a specific structure within the company that prevents them from really doing that, also, I don't know if you've heard this before but: "A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad." so let Valve be Valve, have patience and enjoy the game when it gets to you.
Standing ovation at the end! STAND UP!
i just love how gabe talks!
Can't wait for dramatic Lens Flare effects in Half life 3
New Age Retro Hippie LMAO
"It's original form". Very pro, Variety!! But don't worry it's UA-cam here, nobody notices those kinds of typos.
The interesting funny thing is that Valve games have gotten around the issue of players ignoring narrative by taking agency and control AWAY from the player at specific points, same as in movies.
Towards the end of HL2 they literally hold you in an arm, completely unable to move or even turn your head very much, while everyone else is talking in a composed frame. In Portal 2 they trap you in an elevator, in Episode 2 they put you in a very specific place when Alyx gets stabbed, etc etc.
They're talking about Portal 1 you're talking not only about Portal 2 but the co-op mode. Portal is a great movie to compare to mystery and thriller movies in how it unfolds and feeds your mind scene to scene and wonder what is next or where the protagonist is going.
I like how Gabe keeps his cool while he defeats Abrams' invalid points
It would be interesting to see a game or movie made by both of these guys so we would get best of both.
I think the two early clips from HL2 show what is wrong with story telling in video games. You either get bored and do your own thing and destroy the moment, or you stand around like a tool and destroy the moment. In HL1 they didn't make that mistake. Early in the game the scientists were stoked about getting to the military, you followed them and witnessed them being wasted by the ones who were supposed to save them. That was great story telling. You knew your enemy right there.
The Super 8 mini game was great, hopefully we can see more of that come out of Valve.
Hail Gabe
WHY CAN I NOT WATCH MOVIES AND PLAY GAMES?!
I know right
This seems more like a 20 minute commercial promoting Abrams' movies and Valve's games rather than a Keynote speech.
Yes, they debated earlier, then did it on stage.
you know who did story and videogames well? farcry 3. we could all learn from that. i know that i feel deeply deeply in love whenever i think about that game.
I think the point Abrams is making is that when you allow absolute freedom, the gravity of a scene can be essentially demolished (perhaps even unintentionally), since the developer cannot craft an image/scene with as much precision as a director would. The flip side is having freedom suddenly taken from you can be jarring in a videogame. Striking that middle ground is essentially the problem entertainment makers need to solve right now.
i love both these guys! Both bring up great points, and honestly, this really isnt a debate....its just sharing opinions
No one "destroyed" anyone, they were just having a friendly discussion about the comparative merits of each format of storytelling. Stop trying to instigate a conflict that isn't there.
While I would trust that to be a blockbuster with great effects and epic scale, I wouldn't expect a JJ Abrams Mass Effect to care much about what really matters - the story and characters. The Reapers reduced to even less menace than (in a literal view of story, not Indoc Theory) in ME3. BLARG BLARG BIG ROBOTS SHOOT LAZARS.
Would still be a fun summer movie.
"Put down the camera and fucking run" Best Gabe quote ever.
2:19. Best Gabe moment ever.
Remember when bruce willis had hair?
I feel so much joy watching these two giants of opposite yet similar industries talk about what video games and movies have done well, not so well and also what we can do in the future.
Best 20 minutes of my life.
He makes blockbuster quality stuff without pandering totally to the lowest denominator. (Yet still skirts close to it at times, as you indicated with your Lost example)
He's not the hero to cinema that fanboys make him out to be, but he's not a bad guy ruining any industry.
Did you watch the whole video? Gabe openly admits that @ 19:37.
We all know HL3 will be HUGE. Give VALVe the time to polish this soon-to-be masterpiece and stop asking for releasing it all the time.
If anyone can do it right, it's these guys
of course they did that, gabe himself said that at the end.
This conversation is amazing. It's like Photography talking to Cinema or Classical Music talking to Rock&Roll. This is Historical, everyone !! Historical !!
Sometimes they were bad, but sometimes I thought they were warranted. It made it seem futuristic. The times that it got in the way made me want to look closer to see the action. I'm not saying it was a good choice to have so many, but it wasnt bad to the point were the movie was unwatchable.
and the film never came...
I think that project is in the screenplay development phase.
Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams, on behalf of all gamers and movie lovers we say THANK YOU!
These 2 are going to change the industry and if not, at least make something amazing!
this may come off as a debate early on but it is obvious that Abrams and Newell wrote this presentation together; i mean they are working off of cue-cards and changing them at the EXACT SAME TIME for God's sake!
Although I'm sure JJ Abrams contributed a lot, I wish he would've addressed that Matt Reeves actually directed Cloverfield.
Abrams is the perfect director for a half life film. Hell yes.
Hollywood has made really bad video games in the past, and only very few which could be considered mediocre, but with these two guys I feel very optimistic, so I am really looking forwards to see what they can come up with.
It would have been funny if Gabe said he wanted a sequel to Cloverfield and Abrams responding with him telling Gabe that it will come out when Half Life 3 is released.
Hopefully, it will have been worth the wait.
These two go together really well.
I can't wait to see what these two come up with next
They're not bashing at all, they're just saying their points.
Maybe Valve haven't made HL3 (or HL2 ep. 3) yet, cause they wanted it to be a movie, not a game, but couldn't find the right person to direct it. And now they got together with JJ to do it.
I love these guys!
in case your wondering yes half life 3 is on valves agenda but has like 7 pretty extreme obstacles to overcome first before any animation n writing can be done. 1st is source 2 in development that's priority. motion capture is the 2nd biggest problem, they know they have to be up with the times and to show something new, other issues take your pick. its a complicated thing they are in no way interested in discussing to anyone. source2 engine will most likely be a hl sandbox n will blow our minds
it was a debate that was taken over twitter a couple of weeks previous. them cards they was holding where the individule tweets.
Gabe must find a way to live 200 years, He MUST.
love these guys
JJ was only involved with the pilot for Lost, hence he was involved at the 'cool stage' of the show.
I agree, but I think gordon talking would be weird, I think that's the most important thing, he never talks, soo...how would one go about casting an actor? His voice would be a huge part of that, yeah he may have never had a voice, but that (in my opinion) would probably be the biggest challenge, because even though its never been there, people will be expecting a voice that suits him extremely well.
Can't I get a movie? I mean come ON guys!
The greatest director ever!
Yes, you can know its a set up for the future use of the tanks, not as common as in videogames..
It was not scripted. They were actually having a conversation on stage while being looked at by tons of people. They may not be amazing public speakers (maybe Abrams is, but Newell doesn't need to be one in his line of work).
Is that Steve Merchant doing that voice over in that portal clip ? =o
Well said Freeman.
i'm surprised they didn't bring up the super 8 "mini-game" that they had with portal 2
The minute the HL2 clip started I knew what was going to happen. I think everyone does that... You can't give me a teleporter and expect me not play with it xD
But what JJ doesn't know is that the build up for players to know Eli comes from the first game, just as Gordon leaves the test chamber.
It is asumed that players actually beat HL1 first.
It'd probably work best as a movie about the 7 hour war, since Gordon was absent. They can introduce new characters and kill them off by the end of the movie.
Not really. They're just raising points on different storytelling platforms. What they're trying to achieve is to arrive at a middle ground between narrative and interactive storytelling: ergodic literature, cybertexts.
Hes extremely intelligent infact, not dumb. And he makes very intelligent movies and series...
Oh and they're also excellent and great, so boo-hoo. Your personal dislike for him doesnt change the fact that him and Gabe are more or less friends.
Which is only a good thing, they're leaders in their fields.
Nice speech Gabe
Well, yeah. It'd be some coincidence that they had those movie/game clips ready just in case they were needed.