The third episode of Gaming Today’s File-N-Forget podcast broaches the question of when is too much hype a negative to a game’s potential success?

Host Ron Whitaker and guest host Shawn Sines discuss the Bioshock launch. Why Halo 3 is destined to fail and how games like Psychonauts, Crysis and GTA IV figure into the hype machine that is video game marketing and news sites.

We’re working on getting an RSS up and running for those who want to subscribe to the podcast but once you’ve listened, let us know if you think Ron and I are on the mark of just tools of the proletariat looking to foment hate and discontent.

You can download the podcast here.

This video wins the award for “Funniest Trailer of the Day.” It had some stiff competition, but none of the other videos released today had a twisted re-telling of the Noah’s Ark story. Steve reported on this the other day, and now here it is: the “Meet the Soldier” trailer for Team Fortress 2. In it, we get introduced to the gung ho soldier class, who moves fast and carries an array of weapons, including the all-powerful rocket launcher. It’s interesting how Valve is giving each of these classes their own distinct personalities. The soldier seems to do a good job filling the role of “the crazy one” of the group. Kind of like Bunny in “Platoon,” for those who have seen it. It’s certainly ranks up to the “Heavy Weapons Guy” video that was released a few months back.

Team Fortress 2 will be released as part of “Half Life 2: The Orange Box,” along with Half Life 2, Episode One, Episode Two, and Portal. The full package will retail altogether for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. PC owners however will have the option to download each of the components separately, which might save a few bucks for people who already have HL2 and Episode One (like myself).

The folks from Lit Fuse Films, known for a number of short videos made using the Half-Life 2 Garry’s Mod, have released their newest creation with Combine Nation: Episode 1. The show follows a style similar to Cops, but with flashier editing and visuals; and of course following the excursions of the Combine in City 17. The guys behind this obviously put a lot effort into all of it. And you just gotta love Lt. Tibbles.

Via Lit Fuse Films

This just in from Valve’s very own Doug Lombardi:

“A second Team Fortress 2 video short entitled, ‘Meet the Soldier,’ will debut next week at the Leipzig Games Convention. For more information on Team Fortress 2, please visit www.steamgames.com“

Way cool. If it’s anything like the Heavy Weapons Guy interview they did a while back it should be a hoot.

My gaming friends, I must confess. I can not stand waiting any longer for this game. Every time something new is mentioned about Team Fortress 2 I have to go change my shorts. I can’t think of a PC multiplayer game that has had me choking blue on the anticipation. Don’t get me wrong, Crysis will probably be the ultimate single player experience. But, TF2 will probably be THE multiplayer experience. I don’t think anything will compare to it. It’s just so different than everything else. Granted, this is my classic Team Fortress background speaking with fanaticism (I played it like it was crack). I’m about to explode like a Demolition Man’s detpack *beep* *beep* *beep*. Please, somebody help me…

Don’t forget to check out the official Team Fortress 2 site.

Thanks, Doug!

What can I say? I’m old school. I bought the original Half-life when it hit stores. I watched the modding community embrace the game, creating amazing variants out of a single game. While this had been done with success in the past, Half-life set new standards for excellence in “mods”. From Counter-strike Beta 1 to Counter-strike: Source, we have seen Valve work to improve upon the gaming community that was started all those years ago.

Their biggest risk was “Steam”, an open-ended client that works as a control center for a vast array of gaming titles. Once home to only Half-life related mods, Steam has grown to include brand-new games in downloadable form, or classic titles for moderate prices. Over the course of its history, Steam has gone from sucking to good, back to sucking, then good again. The swings are sometimes attributed to risks that Valve takes with the system. It looks like we are in for the biggest swing yet.

Valve is announcing the biggest update ever, incorporating a variety of new features into their Steam system. Valve has released the updated Steam client in beta form, so be sure to hit their website for the latest details. See what fundamental changes Valve has made to this popular gaming client after the jump:

Read the full article »

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Open File.

This regular feature here on Gaming Today is a little self love for our site. A moment to reflect on the excellent files and other content hosted by our affiliates and a great opportunity to point out files that might interest the readers of Gaming Today who may not be aware of the other content available within in the FileFront family.

The files listed in this feature are submitted regularly by the webmasters of the various websites under the FileFront banner and then we take the time to look over the file and create a nice summary for you.

This week we have files from Half-Life 2 Files, F.E.A.R Files, Quake 4 Files and Command & Conquer Files. Read the full article »

Its not every day an interesting new Source based game can grab the attention of jaded players but Left 4 Dead, the upcoming co-operative multiplayer survival horror game from Turtle Rock Studios and Valve is garnering a lot of attention. The collaboration of the two studios previously produced Counterstrike: Condition Zero and with the new game the focus is more on survival of the fittest.With QuakeCon in full swing this weekend, we took the opportunity to conduct an interview with Chet “Mr. Awesome” Faliszek who is a writer and contributor for Left 4 Dead who works at Valve.

Read the full article »

There’s a new Half-Life 2 mod up on Half-Life Files. Riot Act is a small single player mod featuring full HDR. You play as Jamil Lee, a young member of the resistance, who’s been captured by the Combine and imprisoned at Nova Prospekt. The opening is enough to raise my interest.

Numbness and rage.
Fright and anger.
I open my eyes. Oh, well. My cell is pitch dark anyhow.
“Block E1″. I heard their inhuman voices.
Lying on this cold metal bed, I stretch my arms along my sides.
This must be the right posture to fit in a pod.
I do not tolerate the idea of not being ready.

Yes, but ready for what?
No, I won’t give way to grief.

 

A squeaky sound…
No, no way. It can’t be true.
The door opens, light replaces darkness.
I will ask for a reason later. Now I have a choice to take. An easy one.
I will run the hell out of here, whatever it takes.
It’s time to get a little revenge.

 

It’s time to start my own riot act.

You can download Riot Act and some accompanying screenshots from Half-Life Files,

From Namco’s acclaimed weapon-based fighting series comes the fourth chapter in the series. Delivering new gameplay modes, characters and enhanced features with 3D modeling and animation, Soul Calibur IV aims to be a definitive fighting game experience. Developed by Project Soul, Soul Calibur IV re-introduces classic warriors from the series as well as introduces new characters that bring new conflict and intrigue. With online play, new life is being breathed into the series, and gives fighting games a new outlet.

Looking at some of these screens, I am wondering if the female characters have enough protection from the sword play involved. Taki looks like she just painted herself pink instead of dressing, and Ivy…. personally I would get sick and tired of having a constant wedgie. Soul Calibur IV will be released for the PS3 and Xbox-360 sometime in 2008.

MORE SCREENS

You might remember the news back in May that Valve had canceled the ‘Black Box’ edition of Half Life 2 Episode 2. Now, the sole remaining edition, the ‘Orange Box’, has had its cover art revealed. Sure, we had a picture for it before, but it was just a generic font on an orange background. According to TeamXBox, the final cover art actually features Gordon Freeman, the Portal symbol, and the Heavy Weapons Guy from Team Fortress 2, along with his trusty minigun, Sacha.

With no Black Box edition to hold the price down, PC is actually getting the Orange Box for $49.99, and PS3 and XBox 360 owners will get the Orange Box for $59.99. Also, if you’re a PC gamer, you can download the individual components of the Orange Box through Steam.

It’s actually not a bad deal for anyone that hasn’t been into the series yet. You get Half Life 2, Episodes 1 & 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. It’s a pretty good way to get into Half Life 2. Besides, I’d pay fifty bucks just to be able to play Team Fortress again. Remember, Episode 2 will be released on October 9th.