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Gordon Freeman’s a bit of an odd duck. He’s fended off aliens, won the hearts of millions, and – most mystifyingly of all – graduated from MIT, all without making a peep. In this day and age of highly cinematic videogames, though, has the idea of a “silent protagonist” worn out its welcome? Not according to Valve’s Gabe Newell.
"We're not philosophically opposed to this, but we don't have any good reasons to do it,” Newell replied when asked if he’d ever consider unzipping Gordon Freeman’s lips. “Right now making your companions more interesting and compelling seems a more fruitful avenue to explore."
In addition, when asked if Valve has considered giving Gordon Freeman a better sense of “embodiment” – ala Mirror’s Edge – Newell stuck to his guns.
"We haven't had a reason to change that. Most of what I've seen to date has been gimmicky and is entertaining for just a minute or so."
Only in videogames can one of our greatest heroes be a mute disembodied floating arm. Well, unless we’re counting the Addams Family, anyway.
Comments are closed on this article
cappomutato
April 07, 2010 at 8:22am
It's obvious that while in between HL gigs Gordon has been working as the title character in Overlord.
hogkill
April 07, 2010 at 6:29am
Samus will be talking soon. Also can you imagine how crappy no more heroes would be if Travis was a mute?
Remember how much better Vice City was than the first GTAIII? Talking is always good.
lunchbox73
April 07, 2010 at 6:13am
Why are we talking about Gordon when HL3 is no where to be found? Or is it........?
