The Orange Box

There's a very simple argument to the misguided notion that the PC is dead or dying. Not just the bog-obvious fact that people have been saying it's dead for years now with no sign of being right, much like a crap soothsayer knocking back the date of the apocalypse every time it doesn't happen. Oh no. The reason the PC is evergreen (though you've likely got a grey or black one, with neon bits depending on how hardcore you are) is that anyone can develop for it, meaning that it will always be gaming's biggest hotbed for new ideas...

What is it with Half-Life 2 fans and quality film-making? While fan films based on any other series tend to be variable like Star Trek movies, the H-L universe has some stunning non-professional cinematic entries. Like this. And this. And now there's Beyond Black Mesa, a professional-as-hell-looking fan-made short set five years after the seven hour war (during which the Combine made Earth its new back yard) which tells the story of the human rebellion pre-Freeman's return.

The hero is one Adrian Shephard, the protagonist of H-L1 expansion Opposing Force. In canon, he's still lost to space-time by way of G-Man tinkering, but it's good to see him back. And overall, this trailer gives the impression that the film is a brilliantly authentic effort, despite the brief lapses into Kung Fu leg sweeps and Max Payne window dives. The quick tease of Ravenholme however, more than makes up for those little transgressions.

Available now until November 8th, Valve's free Second Annual Scream Fortress update treats gamers to a monster-sized grab bag of Halloween content including the new Mann Manor map, randomly dropped Haunted Halloween Gifts, four new 'scarechievements' and Team Fortress' first boss monster, Horseless Headless Horsemann...

Chances are, if Hollywood ever get round to making a Half-Life movie, it'll be rubbish. Hell, we'll probably have to make do with Matthew Maconahay shoved into a pair of specs and Paris Hilton as the 'believably' brainy Ms. Vance. Thankfully, an enterprising deviantART poster called agentscarlet has envisioned a Half-Life 2: Episode Two movie in incredible poster form...