Here is an idea for a gameplay mod for Half-Life 2. I propose that somebody create a new version of the HEV suit to include a number of new features. I’ve listed my ideas but would welcome yours.
Before we go any further, I’m sure that we could all think of many various modes for the suit but the important point is not to give the player too much power (Jet Pack for flying!) and ensure that it fits the theme of the Half-Life universe.
I want something like a PDA on my sleeve. This will allow me to access data networks (Combine scanners, control panels, satellites, email systems, youtube, planetphillip.com etc). This could add some interesting features to mods and also allow the modder a legitimate way to feed the player information without having to worry about other time consuming methods, like voice acting.
How about a slight colour change just to signify the upgrade or perhaps some form of cosmetic alteration? Clearly that’s not important but there could be different versions of the suit available and it may be important to know which version a user is wearing.
The suit should be available of other characters within the game. For example other rebels or scientist could wear it and be able to do the things the player can do.
This may bee very useful in hazardous environments where the users needs to ensure that he or she doesn’t drop anything. The feet would have a similar capability to ensure stability in slippery surfaces. I’m not suggesting Spiderman-like climbing ability but perhaps enough to reach a broken ladder or similar.
Allows the wearer to hear things both beyond the decibel range of a normal human and beyond the frequency range of most humans. The suit would be able to detect all manner of vibrations. Perhaps it could have the ability to pick-up radio signals too.
Same thing as the long jump module but vertically. That’s gotta be useful somewhere!
Well, there you have them. Just a few ideas to get you started. All we need now is for some smart person to agree with me and start making it. Once released other mod teams could sue it in their mods for enhanced story-telling and gameplay.
It’s your turn to propose some features for the suit….
Firstly, a decent battery so your flashlight doesn’t run out after 5 seconds of use. I think after that though it would start copying the Crysis power suit thing, with the increased speed, strength etc. In built vision modes could be one useful addition though, similar to the audio pickups you mentioned.
I know they’re not quite perhaps what you have in mind, but there are several different HEV forms in the excellent Substance Mod, where the player can choose enhanced stealth, a variety of weapons, different levels of vulnerability to damage….and so on.
I liked the Night-vision ability in Opposing Force….I’m sure it would work just as well in HL2……
Perhaps a jetpack that could run off of your suit’s auxilary power…
Also, what would be really cool is a retracting blade on your forearm for quick-key melee attacks (kind of like Star Wars: Republic Commando)
Maybe like a stealth mode where the HEV has some sort of invisibility, if only for short times. Also, it would be interesting to have some sort of ammo counter on the HEV suit, rather than directly in the HUD.
Depending on where the ammo counter is on the HEV suit, it might be a problem.
The HEV suit should look a little more militaristic. Instead of orange and black, why not go all black? Or even maybe grey? It might make you less of a target that way for levels like Nova Prospekt.
I think this would be a better idea if new maps were created around this so that there is a point to the HEV suit, Chewie.
Also…
Before we go any further, I’m sure that we could all think of many various modes for the suit but the important point is not to give the player too much power (Jet Pack for flying!) and ensure that it fits the theme of the Half-Life universe.
I’d like a more advanced flashlight a-la DOOM3’s flashlight being static-powered; making it work all the time via the “duct-tape” mod would be excellent as well.
Going off-topic (Phillip, if you’d like, make another post for this) what I’d LOVE to see is weapons replacements. For instance:
* I’d like to see a better pistol, maybe a 10mm or .40cal with an extended clip, for both hitting power and better accuracy;
* For that matter, go with a .45ACP and use the Kriss sub-machine gun (http://i9.tinypic.com/6pzner4.jpg), which uses the same ammo;
* While we’re at it, let’s improve the shotgun, and use the MPS-AA12 automatic shotgun (http://i13.tinypic.com/6yd9kkk.jpg)–talk about stopping power!!
* An alternative submachinegun would be the FN-P90 (http://i15.tinypic.com/6s9kd28.jpg), compact, and with alot of power.
* While we’re at it, let’s put some punch in Gordon’s hands, with the GE XM214 Minigun (http://i15.tinypic.com/82djrlz.jpg). That’s right, boys’n’girls, it’s Ol” Painless, from “Predator” (http://i15.tinypic.com/82djrlz.jpg). 😀
Phillip, I didn’t know how to embed the images into the post, if that’s even appropriate. And if you would rather move this portion of the post to another topic, that’s fine as well. Thanks all for the patience.
I don’t mean like that jetpack that we all think of. I’m talking about something that will hover up to around 10 feet or so (at maximum).
Yea I guess I can see how that works. But more like up above mention like the vertical jump module or something.
How about a program within the suit to convert shield power into artificial health for when you really need it.
Yes, a better visual system would be good. Exactly like OP had the night vision and that might be nice to have in a normal HEV.
I think that wouldn’t fit the theme of the suit.
I’m not sure that I want significantly different weapons, but I suppose that just a personal choice. Of course there are plenty of weapons that users can download and use, whereas the suit would need to be made.
I normally add the images myself but in this case I don’t have the time to ensure that are the correct size and will let readers visit the images themselves.
Mmm.
Jetpacks, retractable blades, do you people remember what the H.E.V suit is? A protective body suit “for operation in hazardous environment conditions”. It’s basically a fancy Hazmat suit. It’s ability to deflect incoming weapons fire is unintentional.
Anywho, I want the long-distance jump module to come back. I rather enjoyed that particular piece of technology.
As for night vision, I’m sure the latest suit would have it if the Freeman ever bothered to wear a helmet for once.
Then why does it have a “weapons management system”? Plus, a jetpack COULD have some use
in hazardous environment. For example, hovering across toxic waste. But, I think “only environment” was the intention for the first Half-Life. Now, I think it might be a little bit more combatative useful.
Yeah I think that the HEV Mark V is supposed to be a little more combat-ready, unlike the HEV Mark IV used in Half-Life. However, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the HEV suit is meant to be at least primarily for hazardous environments.
I was reading in a science journal about an electronic camoflauge system, in which cameras (in this case put on a Challenger Tank) project what they see onto the opposite side of the object.
HEV Invisiblity! That’ll help getting through all those dangerous areas. Who said that just because it’s a “hazard” suit, the hazards in question have to be science related?
I’ve just realised what else the cloak system was in: Die Another day.
About the flashlight. In EP2 they fixed it’s ineffectiveness.
But a night vision/IR mode would be nice too. Personal I would like the IR mode for the potential gameplay it could bring. Finding a specific target through heat/lack there of.
How about adaptation to enviromental changes. Like sealing the suit in water and liquid toxins. Or going to internal oxygen in a poison atmosphere (including need to refill).
A geiger counter too avoid to dangerous radiation levels.
It already does, doesn’t it?
I like that idea. It could ad something new to the gameplay. In fact that reminds me of Alpha Prime, which includes this feature.
My idea is to eliminate the HEV in mods in which you aren’t Gordon Freeman. It gets annoying having to play a mod and then they go “yeah you somehow get an HEV suit in the sewers lol”
*cough*TheCitizen*cough*
It just clicks over the toxic liquid. What I’m proposing is a meter (perhaps colour coded) that tells you when it is acceptable and when you need to get the hell away from. You have to make your way through a radioactive area, with hotspots that are lethal and a save route. A variation of the falling floor.
Guys, I think your getting carried away here. Adding in all these new features to the game would cripple the balence and limit mappers (such as my self) greatly. Its work enough to figure out where the player can and can’t get, even VALVe get it wrong some times (EG EP1 in the room where you fall down and zombies bust down the doors, with three jumps you can reach the skybox and an invisible wall).
Adding in things which are not only a lot of effort to implament but will, as far as I can see, get only minor use unless you base an enitre game / level set around them. Things like the super grip to climb and such. These are all good ideas but I really dont think giving the suit all these powerful addons really does not fit with the game.
If you have a mele weapon on the suit whats the point of the crowbar?
If you have a jetpack / climbing ability then levels will have to be tall and walls around you high to stop players getting to places they shouldnt.
Weapons replacements are nothing to do with the suit anyway (though I would love to see the SMG scrapped and the MP5 given a new lick of paint and brought back).
Night vision doesnt fit with the theme of the suit and, while being cool, would again limit mappers / level designers. Remember the zombie infested underground in Ep1? Would be a bit easy with NVG, dont you think?
Radio? The suit has a radio, seriously play through Half-Life 2 again if you didnt know that (theres a part where Alyx mentions and uses it).
As it has been said before, the suit is a scientific hazard suit designed to protect the wearer from hazardous experiments. Its not somthing built by the Preadator race. Keeping the suit as “not the perfect combat choice but it will do” adds to the challenge and feel of the game. I dont think the suit needs to be modified at all, it wouldnt fit with the universe.
The only way this could really work is if you designed a game or a mod around the idea of the new thing(s) you want to implament. Such as a climbing mod, or a close combat mod? Look at Portal; stick the portal gun in the hands of gordon freeman and it probably wont work, but use it in conjunction with a new avatar and setting (appature science facility) and it works.
There are some ok ideas here but if your considering modding these into Half-Life I suggest you stop now, because IMHO it wont work unless you make the powers very subtle and base levels around them.
I would like to see a way you could balance your ammo, IE, forgo carrying pistol rounds, when you could really need a few extra rockets or shotgun shells.
I think that seeing the Long jump module being used as a high jump module wouldn’t be done, as it would make level design harder, with there being more places you can reach, and making level design harder.
A camouflage system that only works when you stand still would be cool, and a practical game play mechanic.
I think a short range laser welder would fit into the theme of the HEV suit and be a practical weapon. It would run off the suit’s power, so while it would have unlimited ammo, it would be balanced by it being short range, and you being only able to use it for short time periods.
I could see a retractable blade being an all around useful tool for an HEV suit. not a combat blade per se, but just a regular utility blade. A targeting laser, to guide air strikes, or satilite coordinated artillery would be a cool feature.
What would be cool, going with Philip’s Idea of a PDA (which would be really useful in Minerva, to review all the text messages) would be a micro camera, mounted in the hand of the HEV suit, so you could walk up to the corner, stick out your hand, and in effect peer around the corner without alerting your enemies. Sort of like the Saving Private Ryan mirror trick, used at the beginning of the movie.
I would like to see a function of being able to throw a single grenade at will, without having to switch weapons. I wouldn’t want it to be ridiculous ala FEAR or HALO, where you can pitch 10 grenades in series with shooting bursts.
I would like to see a hand stabilization feature in the suit, that would incidentally improve aim, while slowing one’s mobility.
A grappling hook, ALA the barnacle in Opposing Force wound be cool.
On the simple aspect of weapons, I would like to see dual wielding, either of pistols, a pistol and a crowbar, or a pistol and a grenade.
I want to see a really hazard protection mode, IE you don’t take poison damage. I imagine you would be unable to use any weapon of than the crowbar in such a situation, as a way of a game dynamic.
Keeping with a theme of additions that would work for a hazardous environment, I would like to see a deployable shield. Not a energy shield or anything like that, but a simple piece of plate armor that detaches from your back at will, and can be held in front to protect the user.
That Idea came from my High school Astronomy Geology professor who before becoming a teacher was the tech guy on a world wide vulcanology expodition. He told a story about one day on the volcano in Hawaii, he was sitting in the car while 2 team members when out into the field to set up the equipment. The equipment needed to be fairly level, so they carried along a board with a set of handles to set it up on. After setting up the equipment, on the board, a research guy was sitting on the board, with the team leader standing around.
They noticed that out in the lava field, a micro geyser suddenly shut off. The team leader suddenly kick the associate off the board, and knocking the equipment off, picked it up over his head.
Over the researcher’s objections, he told him to grab the equipment and stay behind him. very quickly, the cut off geyser started spouting lava again, this time, small droplets about a hundred feet in the air. With the wind blowing towards the two. My teacher was quite anxious as he saw the two walking backwards towards the truck, with pellets of molten hot rock that could kill a man falling around them. By the time that they got the the truck, it had stopped, and the team leader discarded the board, that had caught fire on the top of it, due to molten rock hitting it. They called it a day, on account of no longer having a board to set up equipment on.
Long story I know, but I think it illustrates why a HAZARDOUS environment suit, could really use a shield.
TeamDiary, I have no problem with other people having the HEV suit, I just wish there would be better compelling story explainations on why was the HEV suit just sitting around so they could find it.
Just my thoughts.
If you have a mele weapon on the suit whats the point of the crowbar?
If you have a jetpack / climbing ability then levels will have to be tall and walls around you high to stop players getting to places they shouldnt.
Weapons replacements are nothing to do with the suit anyway (though I would love to see the SMG scrapped and the MP5 given a new lick of paint and brought back).[/quote]
Point of a melee weapon is one of those “just in case” kind of things. Let’s say you’re shooting at some Combine, or running strafe while shooting at some, and then suddenly a Combine comes around some boxes and he’s about to swipe you with the butt of his gun. You can slash him (which would be bound to an unused key) to stun him temporarily then blast him away with your weapon of choice. Think of it as the kick feature from SMOD (or, if you’ve played it, Postal 2).
As for the jetpack, I mean for it to only hover, at the most, 10 feet or so. Not to go all the way up so you can, for example, scale the cliff of Nova Prospekt, but just enough to hover across some toxic waste, or jump the rocks on ,say, the Sandtraps level.
Yes but adding in features like this overpowers the player. I mean a jetpack? Common, thats so corney and rediculess. Why not just give Freeman a transformers suit so he can change into a tank or a helicopter?
The crowbar IS the mele weapon. In some maps you dont want the player to be able to break anything until a point where you choose to give them the ability to do so. Like in the start of HL2 where you get the crowbar from Barney to break down the boards. Adding in all these extra features would not only disascociate the Player from the player character but it would also make life a lot more difficult for mappers and some ideas would restrict the options open to mappers alltogether.
Like what if you needed to smash a bridge down with a crane in order to get past a certain gap or drop? Oh wait, no, its ok Freeman can just jetpack over that with a little crate stacking and a run up.
What if you need to activate a lift in order to get up a lift shaft? Oh wait, no Freeman can climb up the shaft now.
Do you see what I mean? Making the player too capable will make levels less and less fun. The player is well balenced as it is and if VALVe thought otherwise they would have added in more capabilities, and lets face it, they are the experts.
I dont see anything wrong with adding in new features to the Player Character like this but if your going to do it you should make a game based around those features, not just add in the features to an already existing style of play.
Well honestly I think you guys are taking this way too seriously. We’re not saying that all of these features should be implemented, or even should. We’re just throwing out ideas. However, I don’t think that anyone here is suggesting that we should make a mod that is a redo of Half-Life 2, but with jetpacks and stuff. However, I think that if some sort of community project that had parts of code that you needed for each of these features could be made, then if a mod developer felt they needed one of these features for their mod, then they could use it. Also, some sort of balance could be made with stuff like this. If they jetpack was some sort of module like the long-jump module in Half-Life 1, it could be used sparingly, and only when appropriate. Also, Tycell, I would say that Valve is a good game developer, but I wouldn’t exactly call them “the experts.” I mean, there are many mod developers who have done things much different from Valve, sometimes adding on to things that Valve has done, that have been at least as fun. For example, SMOD has some crazy features like bullet-time and the “Gordon kick,” but it’s still a fun game. Just because an idea seems outrageous, it can still be fun and balanced if done correctly.
See, thats the point I was trying to make. Thank you for bringing that out 🙂 lol. But, in my opinion, I think we’re all to focused on the jetpack that I mentined earlier instead of actually creating ideas of our own.
How about a radar system like in the movie Aliens, but without that ongoing “clicking” sound that it had, instead of a damage indicator whenever you get attacked. I think that all of the new features, like a grappeling hook, or even night vision like most people want, are really good ideas.
NOT SURE WHERE TO POST THIS, so please pardon me in advance…
I bought HL2 when it first came out, played it a couple of times, and put it away. Not long ago my interest in it revived when I became acquainted with Phillip’s wonderful site, and I’m hoping to play the SP mods made for HL2.
Trouble is, I don’t recall anything about what I used to sign up with Valve/Steam to authenticate and unlock my copy of HL2, and their website is no help. Can anyone offer any ideas how I can go ahead and use MY copy of HL2 at this point? I’m finding this very frustrating, especially since I can’t play all the great mods I’m sure are out there!
Thanks in advance for any help.
You should probably of asked this in the forum.
Anyway,Install steam and run it.When it starts and asks you for the user/pass select the button for “retrieve a lost account”
I’ve sent shawn an email.
Even if the hev suit had invisibility function, they would have hided only the suit. not your weapons. ok. they cant see you but they will see your mp5 or bazooka. and they will ask to themselves:”wtf!! a flying mp5!! what is this?” “Its FREEMEN! HIS HEV SUIT MADE HIM INVISIBLE FIRE!!!” *MP5 SHOOTNG SOUNDS* *BLOODY GIBS BOUNCING ON THE FLOOR SOUNDS*
And, hev mark 4 is for scientific issues. but they have added weapon recognision and auto aiming systems to it, because the scientists were going to xen and there are hostile creatures in xen. as you walk in the xen, you can see dead guys in hev suits. so, it is also for combat but its primary purpose is being a shield. so, people should think about its protecting system rather than its combat effectiveness. first of all, it shouldnt lose any hev charge when you are in toxic waste or radioactive enviroment.
because radiation proof suits(real ones) dont get damaged when you take radiation. the biological protective suits also doesnt get damaged when you are in a poisioned area. and, if hev suit protects you from radiation and toxic waste, it MUST have a helmet and some oxygen stock. I think in a poisioned or radioactive area, instead of the hev charge, the aux:oxygen charge should decrease.
and, ig hev has oxygen stocks, it should use it also underwater. so, if the oxygenstock of hev is enough to breath 50 second + gordons lungs oxygen capacity: 20 or 30 secs, we should be able to stay under water for 1and a half minute.
I’ve seen that Vertical Jump Module in Dystopia. And I liked the idea of the audio detector. Let’s say there is a headcrab hidden somewhere. You may not be able to hear it while there are steam sounds, or other environmental stuff, but you will detect a small change in your audio detector.
But I’m not suggesting hud fonts. I would like to see it on the sleeve of the Hev suit.
One interesting thing I noticed was that many of these things (colored HEV suit, PDA, suits for other characters) have actually already been done in HL1 but completely forgotten in HL2.