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The technology in question is most probably a form of portal technology that, like in Half-Life which allowed the [[Nihilanth]], and later the [[Combine]], to invade as well as in [[Half-Life 2]] which featured the Citadel's destruction creating a super portal. If the pattern continues to repeat, the Aperture Science technology will likely be a highly efficient and accurate form of portal like the [[Portal Gun]] but capable of moving much larger objects then an individual person, such as a whole ship (and part of its drydock) for example.
 
The technology in question is most probably a form of portal technology that, like in Half-Life which allowed the [[Nihilanth]], and later the [[Combine]], to invade as well as in [[Half-Life 2]] which featured the Citadel's destruction creating a super portal. If the pattern continues to repeat, the Aperture Science technology will likely be a highly efficient and accurate form of portal like the [[Portal Gun]] but capable of moving much larger objects then an individual person, such as a whole ship (and part of its drydock) for example.
   
It is also possible that there will be a reappearance of [[GLaDOS]] on board the Borealis who may alternatively help and hinder the player much like she did in [[Portal]]. Although her 'still alive' song likely refers to the expected sequel to [[Portal]], the number of eyes shown during the ending Cinematic makes it possible for her to exist on the Borealis as well; however, Valve may wish to keep GLaDOS separate from the Half-Life series since she has the same voice actor (Ellen McLain) as the [[Combine Dispatcher]] and would likely prove confusing.
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It is also possible that there will be a reappearance of [[GLaDOS]] on board the Borealis who may alternatively help and hinder the player much like she did in [[Portal]]. Although her 'still alive' song likely refers to the expected sequel to [[Portal]], the number of eyes shown during the ending Cinematic makes it possible for her to exist on the Borealis as well; however, Valve may wish to keep GLaDOS separate from the Half-Life series since she has the same voice actor (Ellen McLain) as the [[Combine Dispatcher]] and would likely prove confusing (not to mention that the tongue-in-cheek dark humor provided by GLaDOS would likely be a poor fit for the generally more serious Half-Life games).

Revision as of 13:45, 26 July 2008

Development

Like other Half-Life 2 episodes, Episode Three will follow the adventures of Doctor Gordon Freeman. Parts of the episode will likely be set further north, possibly in Arctic conditions. Valve has said that they intend for each episode to highlight a major new feature or gameplay design element. In Episode One, this was the interaction with a well developed NPC, along with full implementation of the Source High dynamic range rendering (HDR) lighting system. In Episode Two, this was creating large outdoor environments, battles previously unseen in the Source engine, performance and rendering enhancements to the Source engine to accommodate multi-core processor architecture and a new cinematic physics system to create large physics-based events. The new gameplay and Source engine features for Episode Three have neither been announced nor discussed by Valve to date. It has been stated that Episode 3 will be the final Half Life 2 episode, but not the end of the Half Life series.

Plot

Wiki spoiler This article contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!

The plot of Episode Three is largely unknown. Judging from events at the end of Episode Two, it will see Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance moving even further away from City 17 to an Arctic setting. The plot is expected to revolve around the Borealis - an ice-breaker vessel belonging to a former rival of Black Mesa, Aperture Science -- the same fictional company featured in Portal. It is implied that some powerful technology exists on board and the main objective of Episode Three will be to find the ship and the technology on board whilst rescuing Dr. Judith Mossman in the process. The action to be taken is unclear as the two characters in the Half-Life universe that have expressed opinions on the matter disagree about whether the technology on board should be destroyed to prevent another catastrophe or retrieved for use against the Combine. Eli Vance was killed in Half-Life 2: Episode Two so it is unclear about who is leading the resistance but it seems likely that Isaac Kleiner would take on that role and he believed harnessing the technology would be the best course of action. This is not a guarantee though as Eli's death may change his mind; in either case, Alyx may wish to honour her father's last direction to destroy it. Template:Endspoiler

It is anticipated that the player will see a glimpse of the G-Man's overarching plan for Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance as well as the "unforeseen consequences". It is also possible that, being the final episode, there may be a function of player choice towards the end that affects the outcome; however, like Half-Life's ending, only one of the choices will end up as canon in Half-Life 3 if Valve proceed in the same way.

The technology in question is most probably a form of portal technology that, like in Half-Life which allowed the Nihilanth, and later the Combine, to invade as well as in Half-Life 2 which featured the Citadel's destruction creating a super portal. If the pattern continues to repeat, the Aperture Science technology will likely be a highly efficient and accurate form of portal like the Portal Gun but capable of moving much larger objects then an individual person, such as a whole ship (and part of its drydock) for example.

It is also possible that there will be a reappearance of GLaDOS on board the Borealis who may alternatively help and hinder the player much like she did in Portal. Although her 'still alive' song likely refers to the expected sequel to Portal, the number of eyes shown during the ending Cinematic makes it possible for her to exist on the Borealis as well; however, Valve may wish to keep GLaDOS separate from the Half-Life series since she has the same voice actor (Ellen McLain) as the Combine Dispatcher and would likely prove confusing (not to mention that the tongue-in-cheek dark humor provided by GLaDOS would likely be a poor fit for the generally more serious Half-Life games).