[Rumor] Valve Working on Source 2?

DoctorFinger · 08-06-2012, 07:20 AM

Files uncovered in the recently released Source Filmmaker may indicate that Valve is working on a new Source engine. This comes to us via Valve Time, which found multiple references to a 'Source 2' in the code for the Filmmaker. And if Valve is going to launch a new engine, I can think of one game which would make a wonderful first offering.

Before you get all verklempt about a new Source that rivals Unreal 4 or Luminous, there are a couple of problems. For starters, this goes completely against Valve's oft stated philosophy on engines. Namely that they don't see the need to put out a whole new engine every 4-5 years. The Source engine you use now is an almost completely different beast than the one first seen in Half-Life 2 eight years ago. There's little reason to think that it won't continue to evolve in small steps for the next few years. Yes, eventually they'll have to build a new engine, but to be working on it now would be a total reversal from statements made only a few months back by senior Valve technical gurus.

Beyond that, how much trust can we put into any of these supposed "accidental" reveals via unpacked code? A quick stroll through our own news stories on Valve reveals at least 4 other stories similar to this - a couple of words sprinkled throughout newly released code - which have yet to be proven right. This could be Valve trying to futureproof their products, or it could be the company trolling their fans. It could be the digital equivalent of a Valve employee wearing a Half-Life 3 shirt to a developer gathering.

Sources - Valve Time; Eurogamer; RPS

fitbabits · 08-06-2012, 07:23 AM

Isn't this akin to saying that Microsoft is working on a new Xbox, Sony on a new PlayStation, etc.? I always assumed Valve would be working in some way, shape or form on a new Source engine as the limitations of the current engine have been evident for some time.

muddi900 · 08-06-2012, 07:29 AM

It will come out in 2015 VT....

Ink Asylum · 08-06-2012, 07:35 AM

If I were Valve I know I'd suggest hiding fake tidbits in games like that. Don't think of it as trolling, think of it as counterintelligence. Hide fake hints so that no one knows when they've found a real one.

Deadend · 08-06-2012, 08:10 AM

Maybe at some point they will just roll the version numbering on Source over to 2.

El Cabong · 08-06-2012, 08:13 AM

8 years is pretty good. If this is true and they are working on Source 2 it might be 9 or 10 years by the time a game comes out that is built with Source 2.

Played Left4Dead 2 the other day. It didn't look great. Plus better engine might mean they could do even crazier stuff in Portal 3.

Narradisall · 08-06-2012, 09:29 AM

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Source 2 hit in say, 2 years. That was a 10 year cycle for an engine is hardly in the same realms as other engines that do complete updated every 5 years or so.

MagGnome · 08-06-2012, 10:51 AM

Source has done quite well so far. I'm impressed with how much it has evolved over the years.

Savok · 08-06-2012, 10:53 AM

Gaben loves trolling fans.

And I'm sure Source 2 is being worked on/tinkered with, just not with any urgency. The bizarre commune way Valve operates people are probably fiddling with it on their breaks.

iHap · 08-06-2012, 12:16 PM

With "Next-gen" console rumors floating around so much, advances in computer hardware, DirectX 11 becoming more popular, and their work with OpenGL and Linux, it makes sense they would updated the source engine. Actually, it's about damn time they did.

Vague mentions don't mean much though. It could be a new engine based on Source, or it could a complete overhaul on Source.

OldJadedGamer · 08-06-2012, 12:42 PM

Will this one not have mid-level loads?

Hemalin · 08-06-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldJadedGamer

Will this one not have mid-level loads?

Since their entire game is a single level, that would be quite the impressive feat.

OldJadedGamer · 08-06-2012, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemalin

Since their entire game is a single level, that would be quite the impressive feat.

Stream > load

MagGnome · 08-06-2012, 05:41 PM

The loads last like a half-second, if that. You are picking nits.

OldJadedGamer · 08-06-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagGnome

The loads last like a half-second, if that. You are picking nits.

They always interrupted gameplay and seemed out of place to me.

Hemalin · 08-06-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldJadedGamer

Stream > load

You've cracked the code. Have you told the game industry yet? When is Bethesda going to hire you to clean up some of those loading screens?

Wasson_ · 08-06-2012, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Cabong

Played Left4Dead 2 the other day. It didn't look great.

Don't say things that are wrong.

Deadend · 08-07-2012, 01:11 AM

I like load screens/mission ends at times, as they are great spots to take a break. Now if they be separated from technical aspects.. so that the pacing of the game dictates when it's a good point to slow down, and not the fear of running out of memory, that would be great.

Quake 3 engine is still powering the most popular FPS series, so.. maybe Valve doesn't so much need a new engine, as they probably like their devtools and wouldn't want to throw out good tech for whatever a new engine exactly gives them.
As fuck, remember that Half Life 2 came out on Xbox?
And that Portal 2 looked pretty good when it came out in 2011, not AMAZING, but it looked like a 2011 game, but well, same engine as Half Life 2 on Xbox. So yeah, they can probably keep improving on Source, keeping it on a proper tech level.

08-06-2012, 07:20 AM	#1
DoctorFinger Editor in Chief Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 13,855 Blog Entries: 10	[Rumor] Valve Working on Source 2? Files uncovered in the recently released Source Filmmaker may indicate that Valve is working on a new Source engine. This comes to us via Valve Time, which found multiple references to a 'Source 2' in the code for the Filmmaker. And if Valve is going to launch a new engine, I can think of one game which would make a wonderful first offering. Before you get all verklempt about a new Source that rivals Unreal 4 or Luminous, there are a couple of problems. For starters, this goes completely against Valve's oft stated philosophy on engines. Namely that they don't see the need to put out a whole new engine every 4-5 years. The Source engine you use now is an almost completely different beast than the one first seen in Half-Life 2 eight years ago. There's little reason to think that it won't continue to evolve in small steps for the next few years. Yes, eventually they'll have to build a new engine, but to be working on it now would be a total reversal from statements made only a few months back by senior Valve technical gurus. Beyond that, how much trust can we put into any of these supposed "accidental" reveals via unpacked code? A quick stroll through our own news stories on Valve reveals at least 4 other stories similar to this - a couple of words sprinkled throughout newly released code - which have yet to be proven right. This could be Valve trying to futureproof their products, or it could be the company trolling their fans. It could be the digital equivalent of a Valve employee wearing a Half-Life 3 shirt to a developer gathering. Sources - Valve Time; Eurogamer; RPS

08-06-2012, 07:23 AM	#2
fitbabits The Cat Whisperer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 8,841 Blog Entries: 2	Isn't this akin to saying that Microsoft is working on a new Xbox, Sony on a new PlayStation, etc.? I always assumed Valve would be working in some way, shape or form on a new Source engine as the limitations of the current engine have been evident for some time. __________________ The Cat Whisperer Gamertag - fitbabits \| PSN ID - fitbabits \| Steam - fitbabits

08-06-2012, 07:35 AM	#4
Ink Asylum I'll handle this. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 21,924	If I were Valve I know I'd suggest hiding fake tidbits in games like that. Don't think of it as trolling, think of it as counterintelligence. Hide fake hints so that no one knows when they've found a real one. __________________ blog ~ twitter ~ flickr ~ daily sketch

08-06-2012, 09:29 AM	#7
Narradisall Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London, England Posts: 15,483	Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Source 2 hit in say, 2 years. That was a 10 year cycle for an engine is hardly in the same realms as other engines that do complete updated every 5 years or so. __________________ Gamertag: Narradisall Steam ID: Narradisall

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08-06-2012, 08:10 AM	#5
Deadend Done Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Detroit Area, MI Posts: 4,145 Blog Entries: 2	Maybe at some point they will just roll the version numbering on Source over to 2.

08-06-2012, 08:13 AM	#6
El Cabong Colonist Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Posts: 34	8 years is pretty good. If this is true and they are working on Source 2 it might be 9 or 10 years by the time a game comes out that is built with Source 2. Played Left4Dead 2 the other day. It didn't look great. Plus better engine might mean they could do even crazier stuff in Portal 3.

08-06-2012, 10:53 AM	#9
Savok Vulcan Rage! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 9,424	Gaben loves trolling fans. And I'm sure Source 2 is being worked on/tinkered with, just not with any urgency. The bizarre commune way Valve operates people are probably fiddling with it on their breaks.

08-06-2012, 12:42 PM	#11
OldJadedGamer Old and Jaded. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,686	Will this one not have mid-level loads?

08-07-2012, 01:11 AM	#18
Deadend Done Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Detroit Area, MI Posts: 4,145 Blog Entries: 2	I like load screens/mission ends at times, as they are great spots to take a break. Now if they be separated from technical aspects.. so that the pacing of the game dictates when it's a good point to slow down, and not the fear of running out of memory, that would be great. Quake 3 engine is still powering the most popular FPS series, so.. maybe Valve doesn't so much need a new engine, as they probably like their devtools and wouldn't want to throw out good tech for whatever a new engine exactly gives them. As fuck, remember that Half Life 2 came out on Xbox? And that Portal 2 looked pretty good when it came out in 2011, not AMAZING, but it looked like a 2011 game, but well, same engine as Half Life 2 on Xbox. So yeah, they can probably keep improving on Source, keeping it on a proper tech level.