Commander Shepard

Yet someone still got "you're" wrong... Can't win 'em all, I suppose. I'm just glad we can win any of em.

When I was a kid (the 90s), we had an old computer that the school got rid of. It was made in 1985 and ran Windows 95. We had no internet and lived in a rural place, so access to games was pretty much limited to a CD (I think it was called FunPack or FunPack HD) that had seven ripoffs of classic games. However, we didn't know they were ripoffs, so I grew up thinking Tetris was called 'Emlith,' Asteroids was called 'Hyperoid', and Breakout games were 'Block Breaker.' I haven't played any of those games since, so this episode finally gave me the true name for the genre of paddle-influencing-ball games. Excellent archaeology work, Ross.

I dont think there are anthromorphic frog people living in the sewers Shephard you're just being paranoid (NAME THE REFERENCE YO!) Forget citations; we just witnessed three consecutive people on the internet spell 'anthropomorphic' correctly. That's remarkable on its own. I'm assuming you reference the Shephard from Opposing Force, rather than my own moniker.

Ross! I was worried that the anthropomorphic frog people living in the sewers had kidnapped you. I'm glad to see this is not so.

HOOOOGAN! No one plays all the way through Wolfenstein.

WHAT?!?! Ross, you don't look like this?

So, you're saying Ross is going to be terribly disappointed when the camera arrives? That's a bummer. Erm... I just wrote something above. Please refrain from inventing theories I was kidding. Clearly, I need to make it more evident when I do such things. Also, you can't stop the theory-making process. Ross is a robot from Connecticut who is actively working to topple all civilized government. Mike from Civil Protection was involved in Pointe Defiance's time-traveling murder-spree. Sean Puckett didn't get abducted by aliens; he abducted the aliens and is holding them in his basement for use in experiments. These are theories! (maniacal laughter) In all seriousness, I look forward to the announcements and will happily check the site a few times a day until they arrive.

So, you're saying Ross is going to be terribly disappointed when the camera arrives? That's a bummer.

While I can understand your skepticism on that point, keep in mind that Ross uses the premise that Freeman forms conclusions based on two things; his personality and what he observes in the game. Evidence to suggest the G-Man could be CIA (from Freeman's perspective): 1. He's seen ample evidence of a giant government coverup at Black Mesa. Marines have killed every scientist they can. They've failed to kill Freeman over a substantial period of time. A guy shows up, tells him he has limitless potential, and offers him employment. I know Freeman doesn't say it, but maybe he figures they've decided he's too hard to kill and it's better to work with him. That's consistent with his ego. 2. G-Man dresses like a government official. This is why he is known as 'G-Man' after all. He also speaks English. 3. G-Man talks about Xen being "under our control." Throughout the game, there are two extremely hostile forces; aliens and the US military. Freeman doesn't have any information to suggest that G-Man represents some mysterious third party. After all, Black Mesa has sent hundreds of researchers into Xen, heavily armed, along with soldiers and tanks. Freeman probably thinks he's capped off the takeover of the other world by killing its most powerful entities. Sure, there are plenty of things that aren't explained (how Freeman winds up with G-Man [possibly explained by going through one of the teleporter-like orbs given off by Nihilanth], G-Man's apparently supernatural powers [which Freeman acknowledges]). Also, while we, the audience, know the series is at its end (for the moment, at least), Freeman does not know that. He just wants to get out, as ever. Add in the fact that G-Man doesn't really give Freeman much room to respond...makes it tough to squeeze in a different theory.

Ross, you've mentioned several times in interviews that the format of Freeman's Mind is a limiting factor. Well, you made the series extremely interesting and varied. You did a fine job with the tools you had. I hope you get plenty of rest.

Well the irony is you "save" it in HL1 then in HL2 the Earth is still screwed. It's really not until Episode 2 that there's any hint that you're not involved in a futile battle. Actually, I believe killing Nihilanth is what draws the Combine to Earth all the more quickly. So, not only do you not save Earth, but you bring about that dystopia even faster.

I don't think Freeman grasps the fact that the Earth is screwed unless he saves it. 1. He could believe that the portals through which they come are located only in Black Mesa. All the military has to do is contain the aliens in there. In this case, all he has to do is leave (he thinks this, anyways). This is backed up by the fact that, throughout the series, Freeman has seen the use of superior firepower to be the solution to pretty much every problem. 2. Freeman is pretty egocentric; I don't think he's too worried about everyone else, even though the condition of the planet does affect him. 3. Even though the scientist and the guard say he's the only one who can fix the situation, I very much doubt he believes them.

As I said, Steam won't launch it anymore. I could hear sound effects (crane moving, door opening, and so on), but no voices.

Are you sure the audio isn't turned off? I'm pretty sure the audio was on. I could hear the crane moving, door sounds, walking around, etc. It's a bit moot now, though, since Steam won't launch the game for some unknown reason.

I fired it up and there is no sound during the intro, nor can I hear Ross' character's voice. Environmental sounds (picking stuff up, walking, etc.) work.