A treasure trove of never-before-seen Valve concept art
A collection of never-before-seen Valve concept art has been shared online, providing a fascinating glimpse into the Gaming giant's canceled projects. This exclusive art is now available to view via the Internet Archive, offering fans a treat following the release of a documentary about Valve's most intriguing failures.
The Last Days of Valve documentary delves into the mysteries of the gaming giant's canceled games, and the concept art was made available in connection with this release. David McGreavy, a games industry professional and self-proclaimed Valve superfan, obtained the art through his connections at Valve and rescued it from being discarded when the company relocated. Now, fans have the opportunity to explore this captivating collection of Valve's unseen creativity.
The concept art encompasses a range of projects, including Half Life 2: Episode 3, Left 4 Dead, Half-Life: Alyx (titled 'Alyx and Dog'), Dota spinoff Underlords, and the rumored game Stars of Blood. Additionally, there is an intriguing folder titled 'Counter-Strike: Source 2,' although it is likely just a playful jest given Valve's history with Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
The Episode 3 art reveals desert landscapes featuring scrapped ships and a Combine Citadel in the background. It remains unclear whether these scenes were intended to take place on Earth, the rumored setting, or if they were simply testing grounds. The landscapes may represent the arctic surroundings of the Borealis, the central vessel in Episode 3's planned plot. Within the art, glimpses of the ship's interior and a version of antagonist Wallace Breen can also be seen.
The Stars of Blood art hints at a possible connection to the Half-Life and Portal universe, showcasing a biomechanical design that wouldn't be out of place in the world of Aperture Laboratories.
The Underlords art treats viewers to a spooky Halloween-themed town, complete with an eerie-looking tavern.
The Alyx and Dog art showcases rocky moonscapes, with the two characters appearing to escape some sort of peril.
The Left 4 Dead folder contains alternate character art and scrapped zombie designs.
Take a look at the full Valve concept art collection below, courtesy of the Internet Archive:
The Last Days of Valve documentary is narrated by Clint Basinger, creator of retro PC channel LGR and a self-confessed 'bear-a-byte PC enthusiast.' Basinger's YouTube channel features numerous videos highlighting the best old games, as well as his own custom PC housed inside a giant Ikea Teddy bear.
This release of concept art is an absolute treat for Valve fans and enthusiasts of their canceled games. While many of Valve's most ambitious projects have been left on the cutting room floor, there are still hidden gems to be discovered in the Steam catalog.
In the meantime, explore some of the best multiplayer games available or discover the best new games of the year. Alternatively, dive into the world of indie games on PC.
