Archive for December 2015

Poll Question 334 – Digital distribution or bricks and mortar?

With recent hiccup regarding online security, it has brought to mind the problems with digital distribution. There was any actual security issue but due to a cache issue some users were being shown other users details – although nothing serious is my understanding.

I love Steam and being able to just install and uninstall at any time is so nice. I trust Valve but there is always a chance something bad could happen. In the old days, I could buy a game, install it on my system and that was that. IF my disc was stolen or broken, it was my fault. Now, getting your account hacked is possible.

Just before the hiccup mentioend above, LambdaGeneration reported that Valve is moving into the retail space. Good for them but I fear that eventually games and movies will only be available via digital distribution.

I hope for a time when boxes return and even more collector’s editions are released.

Anyway, I haven’t bought a game in a physical shop for over ten years.

What about you?

30th December 2015 8 Comments

New Year, New Logo and New Features

I love running RTSL. I must do because I spend 80% of my free time doing it. But I am never happy. I know that a lot of the downloads are not working and a lot of the older mods need updating and 2016 will be called “The Year of the Content”. That said, there are lots of things that I want to improve and create.

Below, you will find details of most of my plans. I do have one major idea up my sleeve, that I hope to reveal very soon.

29th December 2015 22 Comments

What The Headcrab: Episode 006

Hello, time for another WTH. Christmas is pretty much over and it’s time to think about the New Year.

It’s been 3 weeks since the last WTH, so this one might be a bit longer than the others, although I don’t think so.

Pick of the Episode

This week’s pick is the Lost Story Dev Blog. It’s always nice to see new features added to the base game and this looks great. Check it out later in the episode.

27th December 2015 6 Comments

Poll Question 333 – How often do you buy game soundtracks?

I was recently looking at a Steam page for a game, can’t remember which,sorry, and I noticed that the soundtrack was available.

In general, I love soundtracks, both from movies and games.

The problem is that they can be expensive, at least when I used to buy them (no, that doesn’t mean I download them now, it means I don’t listen to music much any more).

This game was around 10 Euros and the sound track was 5 Euros.

To me, that’s quite expensive – 50% the cost of the game. I’m pretty sure people would buy more if they were cheaper, although that argument is used for almost everything.

So I began to wonder how many of you actually buy the soundtracks from games.

Which reminds, some mods have even released soundtracks and if I am not mistaken, some have even sold them.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this whole issue.

24th December 2015 26 Comments

The Hammer Cup 2016

I am incredibly excited to announce a new initiative from RTSL called “The Hammer Cup”.

I hope this will be an annual event, but let’s see what happens with the first year!

20th December 2015 5 Comments

Arctic Incident

for Half-Life

The action takes place in a scientific complex, which is located somewhere in the Arctic.

In the caves, scientists have found a new form of life, which is resistant to frost and incredibly aggressive to intrusion.

The staff at the complex do not have sufficient means to counter it.

As a consequence they are forced to ask for help from the military, but the military, apparently, have their own plans for the incident.

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Total Downloads: 7,95620th December 2015
53 Comments and 35 recommendations, most say "Play It Now!"

Poll Question 332 – Does a modder have the moral right to block videos and screenshots of their work?

Earlier this year, a modder asked me not to livestream his release on the weekend of release. I wasn’t happy about it because once I had released it anybody could stream it and RTSL would have lost a small opportunity to gain some coverage. However, I agreed and that was that.

I did get me thinking about whether a modder has the right, either legally or morally to block people from posting videos and screenshots.

I know that Twitch carefully monitors the game people stream because some games prohibit broadcast of their games. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but it seems only fair. Just like I can’t read a book aloud in a public place or show movies to the public.

But modding is more of a grey area.

17th December 2015 32 Comments

Week 51 – Weekend Livestream Schedule

Hi All,

This weekend sees Don continue his Classic of the Month event by playing The Long Night for Half-Life. The stream will be at 9am EST / 2pm GMT on Saturday. He is expecting it to last around 45 minutes.

Phillip will also be streaming, probably CrossoverVille and Strider Mountain.

There is also a good chance that Don and Phillip will stream the final few chapters of Decay.

On all streams we will be giving away a few copies of Decent: Underground as well as at least one copy of Circuits, all courtesy of SteamContests.com AKA Aaron’s Giveaways, so a HUGE thanks to Aaron.

All streams will be on the RTSL Twitch Channel and announced on the RTSL TWitter Feed.

If you have any questions about the streams, just ask.

15th December 2015 8 Comments

Discussion Topic 003

In the recent Half_life sub-reddit thread Shocking how many people haven’t played the whole series, or even ANY of it. There was an interesting comment: The_Dook said In my opinion, you’re not a pc gamer until you’ve at least beaten one of the main Half-Life games. and it got me wondering…

If we had to recommend 10 PC games that a person must play in their life, what would they be?

I am not qualified to answer this because my gaming experience is pretty limited but there are plenty of RTSL readers who have played a LOT of PC games.

I’d like you to list each game and say why each game should be played. Please don’t put “Because it’s Awesome” because that doesn’t help anybody.

We see enough of these sorts of lists for movies and books, and I know they are available for PC gamers too but I have never really read or looked for them.

Looking for to seeing your suggestions.

14th December 2015 33 Comments