Valve promises '3 big surprises' are coming!

[derrman0426]

Acording to this article http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=262521, Valve promise 3 big suprises in the next 12 months.

In the article Gabe says...

"I can guarantee you people are going to be surprised at stuff we do. That isn't going to stop any time soon. I'm just laughing because... people will be shocked again," Valve boss Gabe Newell told the latest issue of PC Gamer.

"We have three pretty big surprises in the next 12 months at least."


Let the rumours and speculation fly!
I say DotA, L4D for PS3, and HL2 Ep3 or HL3 :P

[Wazhai]

I don't recall people being shocked about anything other than the L4D series. Which isn't good.

[somebody]

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1421247

Already posted

[tgcleric]

There has definitely been something brewing at Valve.

Probably the new engine, a game, but the biggest thing seems to be them moving towards a more active role in a grander social network.

[mickster04]

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1173683&page=1

???

[ac1dTr1p]

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1173683&page=1

???
Never going to happen, they would have to port all the games to work on PC, MAC & Linux. So like this CS:S update they would have to do that all over again, Linux is too sparsely used and not a profitable option and never will be.

[CannibalBob]

Calling it - Dota, minecraft and PS3 games (L4D?). I highly doubt it's going to be HL2:Ep3.

[Chapa9dj]

3 Surprises?

1st Surprise: L4D3
2nd Surprise: L4D4
3rd Surprise: L4D5

Now lock the thread :p.

[nanobot]

Left for Dead 2 on ps3, Left for Dead 2 on iphone, and Left for Dead 3 for pc. Hoping for Half-life 3 or Episode 3 but I bet I will be disappointed.

[SARCASM]

3 Surprises?

1st Surprise: L4D2 Ep 1.
2nd Surprise: L4D2 Ep 2.
3rd Surprise: L4D2 Ep 3.

Now lock the thread :p.

Fixed.

[epsylon_Z1]

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16820574#post16820574

posted my prediction in there

[franjrp92]

DotA
HL2: Ep. 3
New engine

[McChadworth]

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16820574#post16820574

posted my prediction in there
Valve publishing Black Mesa: Source, and picking up its development team would be awesome for both parties. That is if the Black Mesa team has not added too much non-canonical parts to the game.

[SARCASM]

Valve publishing Black Mesa: Source, and picking up its development team would be awesome for both parties. That is if the Black Mesa team has not added too much non-canonical parts to the game.

If they picked up the Black Mesa devs' Valve time will probably get lengthened.

[McChadworth]

If they picked up the Black Mesa devs' Valve time will probably get lengthened.
Really? I thought they were already setting their clocks to Valve time.;)

[Murderdolls]

It'd be cool if they announced EP:3 for 2011 and HL3 for 2012 along with a new engine.

[wazups 2x]

along with a new engine.

Why do they need a new engine? Source is a new engine, it's been constantly updated. Do you just want them to put a 2 after it?

[GFree]

Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3 Please be Half Life 3

and etc

[ac1dTr1p]

Why do they need a new engine? Source is a new engine, it's been constantly updated. Do you just want them to put a 2 after it?

Even the most advanced version of the Source engine is still old and outdated, it plays dated and looks dated. There is only so much that can be done with an engine and this one has just about reached its peak. It is not a next gen engine and that is very apparently obvious, while it can look OK at times if you compare it to any new game engine it shows its blatant weaknesses.

For example the L4D engine looks good in it's own right but everything is flat, no depth to textures, feels and looks a bit cartoony and it is still Direct X 9.0c. While I believe Portal 2 will look better than any version of Source currently out it still won't do itself any justice. This engine is going on 8 years old with the ORIGINAL HL2 release that was halted in 2003 because of the Europeans stealing the source code. Bottom line it is old no matter how much they update it and it badly needs a replacement, I see them using this engine for so long as a sign of being CHEAP & LAZY, nothing more, nothing less.

[>X2<]

EP3; DOTA would be no surprise.

My specualtions:

1. STEAM on PS3 full intergration?

2. STEAM on LINUX?

3. Apps on STEAM?

4. Onlive hosting of steam games?

5. A Steam console?

[wazups 2x]

Even the most advanced version of the Source engine is still old and outdated, it plays dated and looks dated. There is only so much that can be done with an engine and this one has just about reached its peak. It is not a next gen engine and that is very apparently obvious, while it can look OK at times if you compare it to any new game engine it shows its blatant weaknesses.

For example the L4D engine looks good in it's own right but everything is flat, no depth to textures, feels and looks a bit cartoony and it is still Direct X 9.0c. While I believe Portal 2 will look better than any version of Source currently out it still won't do itself any justice. This engine is going on 8 years old with the ORIGINAL HL2 release that was halted in 2003 because of the Europeans stealing the source code. Bottom line it is old no matter how much they update it and it badly needs a replacement, I see them using this engine for so long as a sign of being CHEAP & LAZY.

Portal 2 (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/25/stylish-gel-portal-2-footage/) looks great, I don't know how you think it looks dated.

Also, see this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3bPjEbenew)

They don't need a new engine, continually updating Source is the same thing as a new engine.

[KoopaEaterMKII]

I think it'll be this.

1. Prospero in the Source engine, finally released.
2. New Team Fortress...!
3. YOUR MOTHER or also known as HL2:EP3. It'll be the last episode before Half Life 3, where combine gets defeated.

(Because I'm a friend of a valve worker)

[ac1dTr1p]

Portal 2 (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/25/stylish-gel-portal-2-footage/) looks great, I don't know how you think it looks dated.

Also, see this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3bPjEbenew)

They don't need a new engine, continually updating Source is the same thing as a new engine.
It does look good but even that cave video looks like old tech MAXED OUT and that is fact. Continually updating an engine is not the same as a new engine and the technical name for it is a Hybrid. Saying with advancement and updates to the Source engine is the same thing as a new engine is like saying I buy a Pontiac Fiero and build it up to look like a Ferrari, it may look like a Ferrari but underneath all that crap that was added it is still a Pontiac Fiero and nothing will ever change that. Source is old and no matter what is added it may start looking better but at its core it is old and has limitations that new engines do not.

[Tannekr]

Source is able to run well on most old machines, though.

Can the newest and most cutting edge engines say the same?

[ModplanMan]

Source is able to run well on most old machines, though.

Can the newest and most cutting edge engines say the same?

This,

Valve is not Crytek. They do not makes games that no ones hardware can reasonably run. The fact they're games don't look as good as some competitors has more to do with consideration for wider ranges of PC hardware than it is to do with inherent, fundamental limitations in Source.

[ac1dTr1p]

You can run the newest engines perfect on a $600 machine, it is not our problem if you are poor and can't afford to play new PC games. If you cannot afford a $600 PC you really have no business playing computer games in 2010, simple as that.

You could build my identical system right now for $700 and crush any game that comes out.

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=837192

[Tannekr]

If you cannot afford a $600 PC you really have no business playing computer games in 2010, simple as that.

I'm running a mid-range computer from 2008. Can I continue to play video games, or am I not update to date enough for you?

I'll probably get a new computer soon, but believe it or not, there are some who can't afford to build a new computer every two years.

[Pinworm45]

DOTA, Half-Life 3, and then something no one really cares about like Steam/PS3 Integration or something is my guess.

[ac1dTr1p]

I'm running a mid-range computer from 2008. Can I continue to play video games, or am I not update to date enough for you?

It probably plays newer games fine and was also probably around $600-$800 when you built it correct? I think it is hilarious when peoples points get overrun they result to semantics as a position of argument.

[Tannekr]

It probably plays newer games fine and was also probably around $600-$800 when you built it correct? I think it is hilarious when peoples points get overrun they result to semantics as a position of argument.

The point I was trying to get across is what business do you have saying who and who can not play video games?

Because you and I may be able to afford to buy new computers, doesn't mean everyone can. Valve realizes this and thus keeps the engine playable on a wide-range of computers.

[ac1dTr1p]

The point I was trying to get across is what business do you have saying who and who can not play video games?

Because you and I may be able to afford to buy new computers, doesn't mean everyone can. Valve realizes this and thus keeps the engine playable on a wide-range of computers.

You people think about this all wrong lol, should a car company stop making new cars because not everyone can afford them? NO! Should Intel stop making processors because not everyone can afford them? NO! Should expensive restaurants charge less because not everyone can afford to get in? NO!

That is the entire point, should PC game developers stop advancement with new engines because not everyone can afford the components to play? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

As with everything in life if you cannot afford it you cannot do it, we are not all equal and just because of scragglers who cannot upgrade the rest should not suffer because of it, if you can't cook stay out of the kitchen, nuff said.


Is that enough analogies for you to understand?

[>X2<]

It won't be games, it will be to do with steam.

They said it would shock us.... I can't see it shocking if Valve released all the games you have suggested.

Shocking is putting apps on steam

Shocking is STEAM for PS3

Shocking is STEAM games on ONLIVE

Shocking is a STEAM console

Shocking is MUSIC on STEAM

[Tannekr]

That is the entire point, should PC game developers stop advancement with new engines because not everyone can afford the components to play? ABSOLUTELY NOT!?

You seem to think that keeping Source open to a wide range of computers means Valve is going to completely halt advancing their engine advancement. That simply isn't the case.

As you can see in the Portal 2 video, Source looks incredibly better than it's last version, and that's only in videos. I'm sure once we get our hands on the product, it'll look even better. Will Valve eventually have to create an entirely new engine? Sure. For the moment, though. Valve is content in updating Source.

I hope they keep doing so, too. Source has a feel that other game engines can't even get close to replicating. Every time I play a new game that isn't on Source, I feel like it runs on the same engine everyone else is using.

[ac1dTr1p]

You seem to think that keeping Source open to a wide range of computers means Valve is going to completely halt advancing their engine advancement. That simply isn't the case.

As you can see in the Portal 2 video, Source looks incredibly better than it's last version, and that's only in videos. I'm sure once we get our hands on the product, it'll look even better. Will Valve eventually have to create an entirely new engine? Sure. For the moment, though. Valve is content in updating Source.

I hope they keep doing so, too. Source has a feel that other game engines can't even get close to replicating. Every time I play a new game that isn't on Source, I feel like it runs on the same engine everyone else is using.
I understand completely but myself amongst countless others are sick of this engine and want something new, 8 years is long enough...

[ModplanMan]

You people think about this all wrong lol, should a car company stop making new cars because not everyone can afford them? NO! Should Intel stop making processors because not everyone can afford them? NO! Should expensive restaurants charge less because not everyone can afford to get in? NO!

That is the entire point, should PC game developers stop advancement with new engines because not everyone can afford the components to play? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

As with everything in life if you cannot afford it you cannot do it, we are not all equal and just because of scragglers who cannot upgrade the rest should not suffer because of it, if you can't cook stay out of the kitchen, nuff said.


Is that enough analogies for you to understand?

Except no one has said anything you've claimed they said. Until you can understand there are more important things in life than video games and Portal being as visually good as Crysis 2, you'll never get your head around this.

People cannot on a whim decide they're going to put down $700 on a PC, that is not an insignificant sum. But what if I have a $700 machine from 4 years ago? What about $400 machine from 2 years ago?

This also ignores the fact that higher quality visuals = more expensive development and longer development times for a comparatively niche audience. I wander which audience size is more attractive to Valve who want to sell their games to people, people who bought a $400 machine in the past 4 years or those who bought a $700 in the past 2 years?

Back on topic:

I vote for -

New original game, most likely another adaptation from another bunch of indies/modders they've hired.

HL2: Episode 3 reveal.

Steam on Linux (next year).

[Tannekr]

I understand completely but myself amongst countless others are sick of this engine and want something new, 8 years is long enough...

To each their own, I guess.

[GFree]

I have a mid-range laptop I've got connected to a 1920x1080 display via HDMI. Valve games run flawlessly whereas things like Crysis tend to kill it. I was considering building a desktop since I don't need the mobility of a laptop much anymore (yay new house!), but what's the point? Valve has kept the Source engine very scalable so there's little motivation wasting money on new hardware when I don't need to. I'm sure other people have similar reasons for not wanting to spend money when they don't need to. I'm actually glad "progress" has slowed down somewhat - means lower end hardware is still useful.

[ac1dTr1p]

I just can't wait around for it honestly and because of it I am losing interest in any VALVe products coming out. Do you realize there are people who play 1.6 and still get 30 fps and complain about it in and out day after day? It is people like that in which visual enhancement is stunted, I don't know about you but if you can't get more FPS out of a game which is almost 13 years old in this case nearly 8 you need to rethink your hardware and not complain about it moving up because after EIGHT YEARS people want a nextgen engine, not a turd with a wax job....

[>X2<]

I just can't wait around for it honestly and because of it I am losing interest in any VALVe products coming out. Do you realize there are people who play 1.6 and still get 30 fps and complain about it in and out day after day? It is people like that in which visual enhancement is stunted, I don't know about you but if you can't get more FPS out of a game which is almost 13 years old in this case nearly 8 you need to rethink your hardware and not complain about it moving up because after EIGHT YEARS people want a nextgen engine, not a turd with a wax job.... My dear friend, If you believe the surprise is an engine upgrade, you will be wrong.

Valve says the are going to shock us, a new engine or a new game is no shock at all and is/has been expected for a long time.

Shocking is doing something outside what is expected.

Like selling Steam to Sony or Microsoft.... shocking.

Think about what is shocking, but possible.

[DrHojo123]

1. Microsoft brought Valve
2. Steam is now Called Cloud
3. Gabe hates you

--yes thay are jokes--

[GFree]

I just can't wait around for it honestly and because of it I am losing interest in any VALVe products coming out. Do you realize there are people who play 1.6 and still get 30 fps and complain about it in and out day after day? It is people like that in which visual enhancement is stunted, I don't know about you but if you can't get more FPS out of a game which is almost 13 years old in this case nearly 8 you need to rethink your hardware and not complain about it moving up because after EIGHT YEARS people want a nextgen engine, not a turd with a wax job....
Well that's silly I agree. But you're using an extreme example. If a computer cannot run CS 1.6 at a decent FPS then obviously the user can't be catered for and it's reasonable to ignore their whining. You just have to strike a reasonable balance.

Also, HL2 runs far better on my laptop than HL2: EP2, because it uses less shaders and other visual tricks. They're using the same engine, just different components of it. It is this which makes it a little misleading to refer to the engine as 8 years old (well, 6 actually, HL2 was in 2004). Windows XP is roughly 9 years old for example, but it's not the same OS as it was when it was released, particularly after Service Pack 2.

[Scared]

Is it too much to hope for that Valve will open an Australian studio (and then hire me)?

[SpaceRanger]

day of defeat 2

[GFree]

Is it too much to hope for that Valve will open an Australian studio (and then hire me)?

You could always move to the US. Valve have shown their willingness to hire Aussies (eg. Robin Walker).

[ac1dTr1p]

My dear friend, If you believe the surprise is an engine upgrade, you will be wrong.

Valve says the are going to shock us, a new engine or a new game is no shock at all and is/has been expected for a long time.

Shocking is doing something outside what is expected.

Like selling Steam to Sony or Microsoft.... shocking.

Think about what is shocking, but possible.

A Half-Life variant or new engine would be a huge shock because VALVe always comes off like it is never going to happen, if it is anything besides those or a proper remake of Counter-Strike I could seriously give a damn.

[Scared]

You could always move to the US. Valve have shown their willingness to hire Aussies (eg. Robin Walker).

I need a boat load of experience first ;)

[ac1dTr1p]

its a little misleading to refer to the engine as 8 years old (well, 6 actually, HL2 was in 2004). Windows XP is roughly 9 years old for example, but it's not the same OS as it was when it was released, particularly after Service Pack 2.It is going on 2011 and the Source engines original release with HL2 was in 2003 but the Euro hackers stole it (I had a copy of it then) which sent it back into development until late 2004 so it is nearly 8 years.

[Attack Nun]

One of those "Big Surprises" better be Episode 3.

[GFree]

It is going on 2011 and the Source engines original release with HL2 was in 2003 but the Euro hackers stole it (I had a copy of it then) which sent it back into development until late 2004 so it is nearly 8 years.
I suppose, though you could theoretically stretch if even longer if you wanted to (2002 maybe, as the engine was probably in at least some working form at this stage). HL2 was release November 2004, so if you start from them it's just about 6 years old. You can find ways to stretch it even longer but then you start to lose credibility as it looks like you're just extending the age to make your argument seem more dramatic. Gotta put a start and end date which are reasonable.

[ac1dTr1p]

I suppose, though you could theoretically stretch if even longer if you wanted to (2002 maybe, as the engine was probably in at least some working form at this stage). HL2 was release November 2004, so if you start from them it's just about 6 years old. You can find ways to stretch it even longer but then you start to lose credibility as it looks like you're just extending the age to make your argument seem more dramatic. Gotta put a start and end date which are reasonable.

Well I played a functioning copy of it in 2003 so I am stretching nothing.

[tirto_brass]

One of the surprises is maybe a Half Life movie?

[Scared]

Well I played a functioning copy of it in 2003 so I am stretching nothing.

Pirating a leaked (stolen) copy of a game doesn't mean that the game engine was complete at the time. It may have been functional (and if it wasn't then development would have been much longer) but not in the complete state that it launched in.

[ac1dTr1p]

Pirating a leaked (stolen) copy of a game doesn't mean that the game engine was complete at the time. It may have been functional (and if it wasn't then development would have been much longer).

All I am getting at is like it or not the engine IS dated even with all the glitter they masked it with, that is all.

[yorKer]

ITT: Acidtrip thinking his opinion is fact.

[ac1dTr1p]

ITT: Acidtrip thinking his opinion is fact.

It is not an opinion, if you have functioning eyes you would know it is dated lol......

[Fatdude]

1-Portal 2
2-Steam for PS3
3-Unknown

[Scared]

Portal 2 can't be a surprise. It's been announced and announced for PS3 (which I totally called).

[>X2<]

THey said shocked , not surprised. Surprised is Games. Shocked is major changes to steam... like steam for PS3

[Finalwish]

Portal 3, Left 4 Dead 3, Half-Life: Episode Three. 3 big suprises, see the connection here?

[airblad3]

Ricochet Source
L4D2: Stimilus Pack
L4D2: Resurgence Pack

[>X2<]

Last surprise Portal2 for PS3

Games on Steam or by Valve are hardly "Surprises"

I tell you Steam on PS3, Steam on Xbox, Steam on Linux. Surprises 1 2 and 3.

That would make steam the only cross platform Gaming platform in the world and allow you to play your games on any decent gaming platform no matter which one you purchased it for (if supported)*.

This would be a huge win for gamers and Steam.

It would also mean these copies can't be hired out or resold, a big win for Microsoft and Sony.

Then bring music to the store and you have an awesome personal entertainment delivery system.

*This does not mean all games will be supported by all platforms, it means that you can play the games on all the platforms that support it.

[serieus1]

Here's the surprise.

Half Life 2: Episode 3.

And they're gonna give it to you for free. Only catch is you have to go through Steam. Fresh meat is always wanted. I bet they make more money with Steam than with all of their games.

Oh yeah the other two surprises. It's the console v PC multiplayer capabilities. We're finally going to kick some console joypad butt.

And the last one is.......
everyone knows about DOTA, everyone knows about the L4D/L4D2 DLC......

I'd say something completely out of the ordinary like a puzzle game using Source, but not FPS style. Maybe more like Alien Swarm top down view.
I think they want to branch away from the FPS genre that they are stuck on.

[HornetOne85]

I'm not keeping my hopes high
Their last surprise ended with the boring announcement of Portal 2 on PS3

Well, actually Gabe's sudden love for PS3 was a surprise though.

[StonerMk2]

Personally id be happy with a L4D 1/2 announcement for PS3. Really all i want.

[held]

One of those "Big Surprises" better be Episode 3.

I lost interest in Halflife after episode 2. An episode 3 wouldn't give it back, but a Halflife 3 with a final ending of the Halflife-story would.

[dazman76]

I lost interest in Halflife after episode 2. An episode 3 wouldn't give it back, but a Halflife 3 with a final ending of the Halflife-story would.

I think that's exactly what EP3 would do - Valve have said before, making another full HL game would take too long (lol!). You know, EVEN longer than the EP's have taken. It wasn't thought possible, until the true intricacies of Valve Time(tm) were revealed :)

My interest in HL has definitely dropped over the years, although I did replay HL2 and both EP1 and EP2 recently - and if EP3 was to appear, I'd be snapping it up for sure. I'm a sucker for HL :)

[R0TTENCAT]

Steam client for LINUX!

and

2) Half-Life movie
3) DotA

[SKiLLY2]

1) A HL3 announcement (full length 12+ hour game - most likely coupled with some kind of multiplayer component)
2) Blizzard games on steam (I can dream right?)
3) Cross platform gaming with the PC and PS3.

I wouldn't think there'd be a half life movie. Gordon Freeman never speaks and would be the most boring protagonist in a movie ever.

That dota-themed game is very possible.

[sinatosk]

1) Steam client for Linux with all source games eventually... like mac ( may even come out with the rest of the games for mac at the same time )
2) Defense of the Ancients and Postal 3
3) Half-Life 2: Episode 3

[Raul]

Why are so many people hoping for/expecting a new engine? Valve made sure they will be able to easily and constantly update Source. The only reason they would change Source is if it limited them in some way -- the way I see it right now, that's not the case.

[sinatosk]

Why are so many people hoping for/expecting a new engine? Valve made sure they will be able to easily and constantly update Source. The only reason they would change Source is if it limited them in some way -- the way I see it right now, that's not the case.

people used to this

v1.0, v1.1, v1.2, v2.0, v2.1, v3.0, v3.1, v3.2, v3.3, v3.4

and different name all the time

valve has updated the source engine a lot in the past 6+ years but people still see "Source engine" as "v1.0" because no name change and no version number announced to them... to them it's outdated

[Alienchild]

You heard it here first;

1) Half-Life: Uplink. Tech demo for a new and heavily upgraded version of the source engine. It's a remake of the old demo used as a test for the next iteration of Half-Life.

2) Some sort of DotA-project. Not really a surprise for anyone though.

3) Further down the line; Half-Life 3 -OR- EP3, release date announced. Possibly in a new Orange Box-like package with DotA, the updated version of TF2 (for consoles) and HL(ep)3.

[SKiLLY2]

The source engine should be a bit more demanding though. I somewhat agree with acidtrip. If you look at L4D2, many people with circa 2006 hardware run that game with 150+ fps on max settings and I personally think the textures and overall appearance looks pretty bland and dull. Obviously Valve are improving the looks with Portal2 but I still think they need to push forward just a tad. Just like when the source engine/HL2 was first released.

[airblad3]

Linux client does sound good.

[NeoRazorX]

1.- Steam for Linux.
2.- HL: ep 3.
3.- Half life goes open source!

[Chris_TC]

!!Breaking News!!

The big surprises have been revealed:

1) Portal 2 will be on the Wii
2) Left 4 Dead 3 will come out
3) Portal 2 will support Kinect on the 360

Rejoice Steam fans! We rock!

[Lusit]

I'd like Valve to upgrade Source to DX11. 11 is really gaining a foothold graphics-card wise, and I'm guessing it will be completely widespread in a year or two. Upgrading to DX11 would really help the graphical quality, and stuff like tessellation would help the graphical quality of the games.

Something I can see happening sometime soon (i.e. before DX12 comes out) is Valve implementing destructible environments into its games. This would be really nice paired with the grav gun imo, and would keep with their fixation on physics.

[ikar]

1 Gabie and Valve Team - Aliens :)
2 in next year they return to home on Alpha-Centaura constellation :)
3 Because in 2012 Earth will be destroyed by asteroid Apofis :\

and before this happen, i want this:
"Crazy Yellow Box" - All HL story-line on new engine: from HL2: Black Mesa Source to EP3, OF:S, BS:S, + all best mods and single maps - re-mastered to common story
+TF2, CS:S, DoD:S, Portal+Portal2, AlienSwarm:S HL2: DM +all best multiplayer mods and maps.

[RambJoe]

1. DX ditched, uses OpenGL
2. Linux client
3. Dota if that counts?

[Zamav]

1. Something about L4D(3) franchise.
2. Something about then unsupported platform getting support.
3. Something about announcing a surprise, but not announcing it.

Valve likes to give big promises, but they usually never mention it again to allow it to be forgotten. Power play, a gun that is more awesome than portal gun etc.

This is just their way of saying "hey dude! we're still alive!"

[maul_inc01]

I'm expecting news on Episode 3 or Half-Life 3. Why? Because I have been expecting news about this for the last 2 years, and it seems pretty sane to announce something about this title since there clearly is a demand for it. :)

[PeteRoy]

Counter-Strike 2

[PostalDude]

1. Blue Box! Pictures of old phone equipment all over the box, with the tag line "Nostalgia as 2 of gamings longest developed projects come together in one package! Duke Nukem Forever and Half Life 2 Episode 3! Always bet on Gordon/Duke! *coming 2019"
2. L4D3
3. Codename: Gordon: Source

But I would love to see something about Episode 3 in my lifetime, Postal 3, and something about a Linux Steam client.

[Finalwish]

Counter-Strike 2

Counter Strike 2 has been out for years now bro.

[FuuKuy]

1.- Half Life 2 Episode 3
2.- DOTA
3.- Alien Swarm 2

[Alixey]

1) DOTA
2) Updates for The Orange Box for PS3
3) Episode 3 or Half-Life 3

[AusBushman]

Coming from Valve, I can't decide which would be more shocking: redesigning the Steam interface or not redesigning the Steam interface.

[epsylon_Z1]

The original L4D will became free .

[MADDOGGE]

The original L4D will became free .because the game is moved to the original Sierra HL1 engine and ALL offical support is dropped.;)

[MaxDA]

1. DX ditched, uses OpenGL
LOL

2. Linux client
ROTFLMAO

3. Dota if that counts?
Not much of a surprise.

[generic]

These are what I hope will be:

1 - Linux client
2 - New Half-Life game (eg: HL3)
3 - Half-Life movie

Other Guesses:
- New Counter-Strike IP
- Something to do with Adrian Shepard/Op4 (New episode?)

[pendulousphallu]

1- Off-Broadway musical based in the Portal universe.
2- Novelization of the Counter-Strike universe by Tom Clancy's ghost writer.
3- Left 4 Dead board games (1 & 2 sold separately).

[Phobic]

1 - Linux client
2 - Subscription based steam
3 - Valve linux distro

Jus trying to think outside the box. Since their last 'surprise' wasn't terribly exciting.

[PostalDude]

1. Blue Box! Pictures of old phone equipment all over the box, with the tag line "Nostalgia as 2 of gamings longest developed projects come together in one package! Duke Nukem Forever and Half Life 2 Episode 3! Always bet on Gordon/Duke! *coming 2019"

I feel like a dummy posting this.

[artwork]

Counter Strike 2 has been out for years now bro.


Counterstrike: Source isn't counterstrike 2 'bro.'

1. Steam on PS3, Ability to play certain games you already have on steam. (Half Life, L4d, etc) And adding PS3 games to the Steam Network to buy on your PS3 Console

2. Possibly Counterstrike 2, but not a very good shot since they have been superupdating Source lately.

3. Something to do with DoTA, or a all new game.

EDIT: No one really actually believe that a Linux client would be a big surprise do they? Now that is something everyone would be whoopin and cheerin about huh? /sarcasmoff.