Filmmaker Patrick Willems explores the phenomenon of movies that, despite being popular and successful upon release, seem to vanish from cultural memory and conversation. He examines potential reasons for this "half-life" effect, including shifts in comedic sensibilities, evolving social and political contexts that render certain jokes or themes problematic, and the oversaturation of media making it harder for any single work to maintain relevance. Willems uses the 2004 comedy "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" as a primary case study, highlighting how its humor, once widely accepted, might be perceived differently today. He concludes that while some films genuinely age poorly, the cultural half-life is a complex interplay of various factors that can lead to even well-regarded movies fading from the spotlight.
Valve officially released the 2013 Source SDK codebase for Team Fortress 2, including the game's client and server code. This release does not include third-party code or game assets like models, textures, or audio. While it's not the latest version of the game's code, it represents a significant official release of the engine and game logic previously only available through leaks. This allows modders and community members to more easily study, modify, and build upon the TF2 codebase.
Hacker News users discussed the implications of Valve releasing the Team Fortress 2 2013 Source SDK code. Several commenters expressed skepticism that this release would significantly impact the cheating problem in TF2, arguing that cheat developers already had access to, or had reverse-engineered, this information. Others highlighted that the real issue lies with server-side vulnerabilities and exploits, not readily addressed by this client-side code release. Some users speculated on Valve's motives, suggesting it could be a move towards community-driven development or simply a consequence of the leak becoming so widespread that an official release was the best course of action. A few expressed excitement about the potential for mods and community projects enabled by official access to this older codebase. The overall sentiment seemed to be a mixture of cautious optimism and a pragmatic understanding that this release was unlikely to be a silver bullet for TF2's ongoing issues.
Someone has rendered the entirety of the original Doom (1993) game, including all levels, enemies, items, and even the intermission screens, as individual images within a 460MB PDF file. This allows for a static, non-interactive experience of browsing through the game's visuals like a digital museum exhibit. The PDF acts as a unique form of archiving and presenting the game's assets, essentially turning the classic FPS into a flipbook.
Hacker News users generally expressed amusement and appreciation for the novelty of rendering Doom as a PDF. Several commenters questioned the practicality, but acknowledged the technical achievement. Some discussed the technical aspects, wondering how it was accomplished and speculating about the use of vector graphics and custom fonts. Others shared similar projects, like rendering Quake in HTML. A few users pointed out potential issues, such as the large file size and the lack of interactivity, while others jokingly suggested printing it out. Overall, the sentiment was positive, with commenters finding the project a fun and interesting hack.
Summary of Comments ( 162 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43147698
HN commenters discuss the lasting impact of Half-Life and its influence on game design. Several highlight its innovative storytelling, seamless integration of narrative and gameplay, and the groundbreaking use of scripted sequences. Some contrast its minimalist approach with more exposition-heavy modern titles, arguing that Half-Life's environmental storytelling allows for greater player immersion and agency. Others note the impact of its physics engine and AI, and its role in popularizing the FPS genre. The modding community's contribution to the game's longevity is also mentioned, with particular emphasis on Counter-Strike. Several users reminisce about their personal experiences playing Half-Life for the first time and the impact it had on them.
The Hacker News post titled "Half-Life" linking to an article on filfre.net about the game Half-Life has generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on the game's impact and legacy.
Several commenters reminisce about their experiences playing Half-Life for the first time, highlighting the revolutionary nature of its seamless narrative and immersive gameplay. They discuss how it broke away from the traditional level-based structure prevalent in other first-person shooters of the time, creating a more continuous and engaging experience.
Some comments delve into the technical aspects of the game, praising the GoldSrc engine and its innovative use of scripted sequences. The discussion touches upon the game's influence on level design and how it pushed the boundaries of what was possible in gaming. One commenter specifically points out the effective use of environmental storytelling, where the game's narrative unfolds through the world itself rather than relying solely on cutscenes or exposition.
The mod community surrounding Half-Life also receives attention, with several commenters mentioning popular mods like Counter-Strike and Team Fortress Classic. They acknowledge the role these mods played in extending the game's lifespan and shaping the future of online multiplayer gaming.
One compelling thread discusses the lasting impact Half-Life had on the genre, with some arguing it remains one of the best first-person shooters ever made. They point to its innovative design, engaging story, and immersive atmosphere as key factors contributing to its enduring popularity.
A few comments express disappointment with the lack of a proper Half-Life 3, lamenting the cliffhanger ending of Half-Life 2: Episode Two. However, there's also acknowledgement of Half-Life: Alyx and its contribution to the series, even if it's not the direct sequel many were hoping for.
Overall, the comments reflect a strong appreciation for Half-Life and its significance in gaming history. The discussion revolves around the game's innovative gameplay, immersive world, and lasting influence on the first-person shooter genre. While some express disappointment with the lack of a conclusive sequel, the overall tone is one of respect and admiration for a groundbreaking title.