standalone titles Archives

AppWizard

November 16, 2024

Half-Life 2 gets a major 20th Anniversary Update and bundles Lost Coast with episodes —the game is now free on Steam until November 18

Half-Life 2 celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a comprehensive update on Steam, introducing free content including elements from the Lost Coast expansion and Episodes One and Two until November 18. The Orange Box bundle, which includes these titles along with Portal and Team Fortress 2, is available for .99 until November 22. Most mod support for Half-Life 2 is now integrated into the main game, and standalone store pages for expansions have been delisted. The update features a complete visual overhaul, enhancing graphics to match Lost Coast's fidelity, and introduces a new High Quality mode for improved model rendering and shadow effects. User interface improvements include compatibility with modern controllers and three and a half hours of developer commentary added to Half-Life 2.

AppWizard

August 27, 2024

Techland says short standalone titles may be “the future of games”

Polish developer Techland is suggesting that shorter, standalone titles may become more common in the gaming industry. Tymon Smektała, director of the Dying Light franchise, discussed this trend in a conversation with GI.biz, highlighting the release of a new standalone entry in the Dying Light series called The Beast. He noted that as players age and face increasing distractions in their lives, the appeal of lengthy games requiring 50 to 100 hours to complete diminishes. Smektała reflected on his own experience with long games like Assassin's Creed Origins and Odyssey, which became challenging to commit to. He believes the industry's focus on game length is starting to shift towards offering shorter, more meaningful interactive experiences that align with players' evolving lifestyles.