So an interesting little video (see above) has surfaced showing us some fantastic, and saddening, images that were previously considered (so we're told) lost to the ravages of time. Further compounding the loving hatred we have for Gaben's total inability to count to three. Not only did we not get Half-Life 2 Episode 3 (or Half-Life 3 yet) and not only did we not even get a completed Episode 2. But now we're being tormented with details about the cancelled Episode 4, working title "Return to Ravenholme". It seems Valve really weren't kidding when they said we don't go to Ravenholme. 'Cause, y'know, they cancelled plans to let us go back.

Tears dude. Tears.

Marc Laidlaw, of Valve, offered context to the decision by telling us, "it would have to take place sometime before the end of Episode 2, so as not to advance beyond where Valve had pushed the story." Because, whilst Arkane studios were working on this, the aforementioned Episode 2 was also still in the works. That and a general consensus of the zombie angle already having been "pretty much played out" during the initial Ravenholme section, are certainly what lead to its untimely demise. It's unfortunate really, because the scant images we can see show what could have been an entertaining addition to the franchise. So, just thinking out loud here, a stray thought that came to me as I was finishing up. Nothing to do with this, but I wanted to get it out before I forget. What about that mod community?