Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #HalfLifeAlyx
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For #HalfLifeAlyx, we enabled our animators to control the performance of the characters and objects in the game through visual scripting (mostly state machines). Frequently, even the logic they created was art.
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Controlling how Antlions move, based on which limbs have been shot 
Picking where the Reviver (electric) Headcrab is within its infested zombie host.
Some tech notes about the @VulkanAPI renderer for #HalfLifeAlyx : volumetric fog is implemented using async compute, per-batch overhead is reduced using bindless texturing (courtesy of my colleague Shanon Drone), and render targets are half size as on DX11
On DX11 we were at times CPU bound on the renderthread, so we implemented multiview instancing to submit to a double-wide target. On Vulkan we stuck with dual command buffer submission for each eye, which while not always as efficient on the GPU helps our texture streamer out by
reducing GPU memory use overall (our render targets are HUGE, especially with headsets like the Index). The bindless path helps a lot with per-batch overhead, it was complex to fit into the engine, but basically we got down to a push constant update and VB/IB bind between draws
I’m thoroughly enjoying #HalfLifeAlyx but I get that fighting gory monsters in #VR does not appeal to many players. Still, the game is gorgeous & I wish more people can enjoy it. If you’re feeling FOMO but want to skip the scary bits, I’m keeping track of the non-violent parts /1
FWIW it’s taken me a few years of developing/playing in #VR to kinda get used to jump scares & monsters coming me with IMMERSION. Sometimes I just want to admire the artistry of HL:A in peace without a headcrab threatening to mount my face 😐 /2
Fortunately, you can enjoy the entire opening sequence & reach Russell’s office without encountering anything too scary. Marvel at the details! The architecture! The floor tiles! The plants coming through cracks in the ground! The pigeon! The teacups! /3
Shoutout to all the countless dry erase marker dongs that have been skilfully drawn onto virtual glass surfaces today. #HalfLifeAlyx
My own entry, for the record.
CRT mustaches and beards are underrated though
Ok, so I just had a horrifying encounter with the first few headcrabs, so it's time to take a break, have some tea, and share some first impressions. #HalfLifeAlyx
Please note that my videocard is below the minimal system requirements, so what you see in this screenshots reflects that. By default all my settings were set to either low or occasionally medium. I did turn on flickering lights though.
It is great to be back in the world of Half-Life, and actually feel like you're inside it. The sense of scale is immense. Striders you see in the first few minutes are intimidating. It really doesn't differ from many VR games, but you *feel* how polished the experience is.
being a Half-Life fan on the 22nd of March, 2020
Seriously, just these free hangout environments are top-notch. You can almost smell that room, those old computers. Psyched for the full experience, man.
Je n'ai pas oublié ce thread ! J'vais d'ailleurs bientôt rajouter quelques nouveautés. En attendant, @humble Bundle propose un petit pack spécial #VR : Cosmic Trip, Smashbox Arena, Gorn, Budget Cuts, Space Pirate Trainer, Superhot VR et Moss pour 13,50€ !
humblebundle.com/games/vr-bundle
humblebundle.com/games/vr-bundle
@humble Je suis limite chaud de le prendre, et je pense que je vais le faire, mais #Stormland (développé par @insomniacgames) est actuellement à -25% sur l'Oculus Store, donc à 29,99€. C'est compatible #OculusRift et #OculusRiftS.
oculus.com/experiences/ri…
oculus.com/experiences/ri…
@humble @insomniacgames J'ai craqué.😅 Les promos sont assez rares sur le store Oculus, donc autant en profiter.
