Valve Plans to Release Another Quick Sequel

On the heels of Valve's previous "three surprises" announcement, company boss Gabe Newell said that another quick-release sequel--as seen with the surprisingly fast outing of Left 4 Dead 2--will be released "at some point." He added that Valve learned a lesson with L4D2 in that it was a surprise to customers, and that there's a certain amount of entertainment value in that kind of quick release.

He also hinted to the backlash Valve received shortly after L4D2's launch. Fans of the original game claimed that there wasn't enough time to develop a true sequel, and insinuated that the resulting product was nothing more than a glorified expansion pack. The opinion seemingly changed over time as the game proved to be an outstanding sequel, receiving strong positive reviews.

"There's also a certain amount of fear value in that," Newell said, referring to a quick sequel process, "because the traditional surprise in the gaming industry is not 'Oh, I’m surprised: something good happened!' The traditional surprise is 'Oh, I’m surprised: X-Fire just got bought again and went away.' 'Oh, I’m surprised because something horrible has happened to a franchise that I’ve been following since I was a little kid.'"

Naturally Newell didn't drop any hints as to the next quick sequel, however it could easily fall into the company's planned "big three surprises" slated to be announced over the next twelve months. Speculated "big three" titles include Half-Life 3, Half-Life 2: Episode 3, and Portal 3.

  • partytime
    Pfffft!! L4D3 Please!!
    Reply
  • kikireeki
    Quick Sequel = lazy programmers.
    Reply
  • processthis
    I call sequel to Alien Swarm!
    Reply
  • cbrownx88
    Gimme HL3 pleease
    Reply
  • gogogadgetliver
    No the gripe was that L4D players immediately got their gaming communities fractured with L4D2 released and were "forced" to pay another $50 if they wanted to keep playing with the same crowds. Some of us gave them the middle finger then switched over to "Killing Floor" which turned out to be an awesome choice. There have been several FREE expansions from Tripwire who apparently knows how to treat customers.

    Valve are kinda turning into d1cks.
    Reply
  • porksmuggler
    "The opinion seemingly changed over time"

    Not for everyone...compared to some other AAA titles, it's still a vignette release. Not complaining though, as long as they don't charge $49.99 for a full title.

    /Bought both L4D and L4D2
    /Only paid $35 for both (not each)
    Reply
  • jdog2pt0
    ^^^Quit whining

    HL2:EP3 Please
    Reply
  • jdog2pt0
    The quit whining was addressed to gogogadgetliver
    Reply
  • hellwig
    How can Valve expect us to buy that a Quick Sequel is worth the extra money of a full release, when it's been how long since they released Half-Life 2, Episode 2? Sure, they threw-out the Lost Coast teaser, 30 seconds of game play, whooptie doo!. I suppose there's a lot less story line that goes into L4D2, but that's what made it even harder to pay full-price for. New weapons, monsters, and scenery on the same engine does not a full-release make.

    I would have paid $15-$20 when L4D2 first came out if it had been an add-on to L4D. Instead I waited until it was $10 during their 4th of July sale. If they release L4D3 this year (or Q1 2011), I'll just wait again.
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    gogogadgetliverNo the gripe was that L4D players immediately got their gaming communities fractured with L4D2 released and were "forced" to pay another $50 if they wanted to keep playing with the same crowds. Some of us gave them the middle finger then switched over to "Killing Floor" which turned out to be an awesome choice. There have been several FREE expansions from Tripwire who apparently knows how to treat customers.Valve are kinda turning into d1cks.
    KF was ok.

    But I don't think they are better than VALVe. TF2 alone has had an entire games worth of content added for free. Alien Swarm is pretty fun and its free. L4D is going to get another DLC as will L4D2. Of course with L4D/L4D2 the biggest addition is the community. Maps are starting to flow pretty well and like TF2 will probably be the main source of content.

    As for the quick sequal..... I guess I would hope for something towards Alien Swarm since it was just released. I don't think it will be L4D3 since there has been no hints or news about it. Possibly Portal 3.

    Damn VALVe. Cryptic.......
    Reply