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Dr. Isaac Kleiner

Dr. Isaac Kleiner

@exxiion

Don't worry Gordon! She's debeaked and completly harmless!

Joined 22 Jun 2021
43 Posts
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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
May 10
Exploring Valve Archive, part 20. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Art>Robots> Developing an iconic look for Atlas and P-body was very important to the designers at Valve, as a heavy focus of Portal 2 was placed on its cooperative campaign. They initially experimented with more humanoid robots with a very "Westworld feel"; they wanted them to "look human, but feel robotic" according to Valve's Matt Charlesworth. Despite this initial goal, the designs naturally developed into less humanoid, more abstract figures, integrating the design of turrets and personality spheres into P-body and Atlas respectively.

Exploring Valve Archive, part 20. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Art>Robots> Developing an iconic look for Atlas and P-body was very important to the designers at Valve, as a heavy focus of Portal 2 was placed on its cooperative campaign. They initially experimented with more humanoid robots with a very "Westworld feel"; they wanted them to "look human, but feel robotic" according to Valve's Matt Charlesworth. Despite this initial goal, the designs naturally developed into less huma…

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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
May 4

Exploring Valve Archive, part 19. valvearchive.com>archive>Other Files>Videos>Unpublished Orange Box Trailer>finalCut.mov (posted on youtube due to file size limit) This is an unreleased trailer for The Orange Box, depicting a meteorite embedded with Half-Life 2 supply crates crashing to Earth. The meteorite breaks up in the atmosphere, showering a peaceful scene of a trailer home with many copies of The Orange Box, with one crashing and shattering the viewers' screen.

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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
Apr 20
Exploring Valve Archive, part 18. valvearchive.com>archive>Half-Life>Half-Life 2 Episode 1>Art> The "Shu'ulathoi" or Advisors. The mysterious main antagonists of the Half-Life universe. Their main form of transport? Advisor pods. The retail design for the Advisor Pods reflect the design concepts that came about behind the scenes: some of which were purely mechanical, and others of which seemed almost entirely organic. The final design seems to borrow elements from both these ideas, being seemingly mechanical at first glance, but having organic elements and hints of being alive upon closer inspection. It's assumed that these pods are living creatures, transformed, similar to the other Combine Synths. One aspect of these creatures that interests me is how stark of a contrast they are to other Combine creations. While the structures and Synths of the Combine are often angular, rough, and imperfect in their design: the Advisor Pods are smooth and sleek. Perhaps that goes to show the importance of the Shu'ulathoi within the Combine ranks.
Exploring Valve Archive, part 18. valvearchive.com>archive>Half-Life>Half-Life 2 Episode 1>Art> The "Shu'ulathoi" or Advisors. The mysterious main antagonists of the Half-Life universe. Their main form of transport? Advisor pods. The retail design for the Advisor Pods reflect the design concepts that came about behind the scenes: some of which were purely mechanical, and others of which seemed almost entirely organic. The final design seems to borrow elements from both these ideas, being seemingly mechanical at first glance, but having organic elements and hints of being alive upon closer inspection. It's assumed that these pods are living creatures, transformed, similar to the other Combine Synths. One aspect of these creatures that interests me is how stark of a contrast they are to other Combine creations. While the structures and Synths of the Combine are often angular, rough, and imperfect in their design: the Advisor Pods are smooth and sleek. Perhaps that goes to show the importance of the Shu'ulathoi within the Combine ranks.
Exploring Valve Archive, part 18. valvearchive.com>archive>Half-Life>Half-Life 2 Episode 1>Art> The "Shu'ulathoi" or Advisors. The mysterious main antagonists of the Half-Life universe. Their main form of transport? Advisor pods. The retail design for the Advisor Pods reflect the design concepts that came about behind the scenes: some of which were purely mechanical, and others of which seemed almost entirely organic. The final design seems to borrow elements from both these ideas, being seemingly mechanical at first glance, but having organic elements and hints of being alive upon closer inspection. It's assumed that these pods are living creatures, transformed, similar to the other Combine Synths. One aspect of these creatures that interests me is how stark of a contrast they are to other Combine creations. While the structures and Synths of the Combine are often angular, rough, and imperfect in their design: the Advisor Pods are smooth and sleek. Perhaps that goes to show the importance of the Shu'ulathoi within the Combine ranks.
Exploring Valve Archive, part 18. valvearchive.com>archive>Half-Life>Half-Life 2 Episode 1>Art> The "Shu'ulathoi" or Advisors. The mysterious main antagonists of the Half-Life universe. Their main form of transport? Advisor pods. The retail design for the Advisor Pods reflect the design concepts that came about behind the scenes: some of which were purely mechanical, and others of which seemed almost entirely organic. The final design seems to borrow elements from both these ideas, being seemingly mechanical at first glance, but having organic elements and hints of being alive upon closer inspection. It's assumed that these pods are living creatures, transformed, similar to the other Combine Synths. One aspect of these creatures that interests me is how stark of a contrast they are to other Combine creations. While the structures and Synths of the Combine are often angular, rough, and imperfect in their design: the Advisor Pods are smooth and sleek. Perhaps that goes to show the importance of the Shu'ulathoi within the Combine ranks.

Exploring Valve Archive, part 18. valvearchive.com>archive>Half-Life>Half-Life 2 Episode 1>Art> The "Shu'ulathoi" or Advisors. The mysterious main antagonists of the Half-Life universe. Their main form of transport? Advisor pods. The retail design for the Advisor Pods reflect the design concepts that came about behind the scenes: some of which were purely mechanical, and others of which seemed almost entirely organic. The final design seems to borrow elements from both these ideas, being see…

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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
Apr 10
Exploring Valve Archive, part 17. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Art>Boxart Concepts> Because there's so many boxart concepts, I've instead put them all together in a tier list (those are still popular... right???) Portal 2's boxart went through a lot of different iterations. A lot of thought and experimentation went into the design, which was evident from the sheer amount of boxart designs conceptualised. The final art provides iconic imagery and a sense of 'serious whimsicality', but it's fun to imagine what could have been...

Exploring Valve Archive, part 17. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Art>Boxart Concepts> Because there's so many boxart concepts, I've instead put them all together in a tier list (those are still popular... right???) Portal 2's boxart went through a lot of different iterations. A lot of thought and experimentation went into the design, which was evident from the sheer amount of boxart designs conceptualised. The final art provides iconic imagery and a sense of 'serious whimsicality', …

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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
Apr 3

Exploring Valve Archive, part 16. valvearchive.com>archive>Other Files>Valve Answering Machine Message>Valve_answering_machine.ogg Valve's old answering machine appeared to use the voice of Dr. Kleiner for love of the character and entertainment purposes. Although not much information could be found on this phenomena online, it's assumed that Valve asked Harry S. Robins (the voice of Isaac Kleiner) to provide his voice for their answering machine during the development of Half-Life 2, to which…

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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
Mar 29
Exploring Valve Archive, part 15. valvearchive.com>archive>Other Files>Publications>Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf Valve's official employee handbook carves an identity out for itself with humorous illustrations of Valve characters and creative infographics. Throughout the pages, various topics and ideas are represented through artworks, likely as a means to make the handbook an entertaining and rereadable read to read. The handbook itself is open to all Valve employees for edits and suggestions (with any changes being collectively reviewed and folded into new revisions), so it's likely that the handbook looks very different in 2022 compared to this first edition, which was made publicly available in 2012.
Exploring Valve Archive, part 15. valvearchive.com>archive>Other Files>Publications>Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf Valve's official employee handbook carves an identity out for itself with humorous illustrations of Valve characters and creative infographics. Throughout the pages, various topics and ideas are represented through artworks, likely as a means to make the handbook an entertaining and rereadable read to read. The handbook itself is open to all Valve employees for edits and suggestions (with any changes being collectively reviewed and folded into new revisions), so it's likely that the handbook looks very different in 2022 compared to this first edition, which was made publicly available in 2012.
Exploring Valve Archive, part 15. valvearchive.com>archive>Other Files>Publications>Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf Valve's official employee handbook carves an identity out for itself with humorous illustrations of Valve characters and creative infographics. Throughout the pages, various topics and ideas are represented through artworks, likely as a means to make the handbook an entertaining and rereadable read to read. The handbook itself is open to all Valve employees for edits and suggestions (with any changes being collectively reviewed and folded into new revisions), so it's likely that the handbook looks very different in 2022 compared to this first edition, which was made publicly available in 2012.
Exploring Valve Archive, part 15. valvearchive.com>archive>Other Files>Publications>Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf Valve's official employee handbook carves an identity out for itself with humorous illustrations of Valve characters and creative infographics. Throughout the pages, various topics and ideas are represented through artworks, likely as a means to make the handbook an entertaining and rereadable read to read. The handbook itself is open to all Valve employees for edits and suggestions (with any changes being collectively reviewed and folded into new revisions), so it's likely that the handbook looks very different in 2022 compared to this first edition, which was made publicly available in 2012.

Exploring Valve Archive, part 15. valvearchive.com>archive>Other Files>Publications>Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf Valve's official employee handbook carves an identity out for itself with humorous illustrations of Valve characters and creative infographics. Throughout the pages, various topics and ideas are represented through artworks, likely as a means to make the handbook an entertaining and rereadable read to read. The handbook itself is open to all Valve employees for edits and suggestion…

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what5
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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
Mar 22
Exploring Valve Archive, part 14. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Other>Reference Photos> combineoverwiki.net>wiki>Caroline> Did you know: after casting calls failed to find the perfect face for Cave and Caroline, Valve would turn back to their own staff for inspiration? Pictured above, Cave's likeness is actually based upon Bill Fletcher, Valve's lead animator for Portal 2 and other projects. Similarly, Caroline's is based upon Laura Dubuk, an independent contractor to Valve for environment art and creation. The two would would later cosplay as their counterparts at Comic-Con 2012, where they took photos with fans and other Valve employees (the one holding the Wheatley plush above is Karen Prell, lead animator for Wheatley and other Portal 2 robots).
Exploring Valve Archive, part 14. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Other>Reference Photos> combineoverwiki.net>wiki>Caroline> Did you know: after casting calls failed to find the perfect face for Cave and Caroline, Valve would turn back to their own staff for inspiration? Pictured above, Cave's likeness is actually based upon Bill Fletcher, Valve's lead animator for Portal 2 and other projects. Similarly, Caroline's is based upon Laura Dubuk, an independent contractor to Valve for environment art and creation. The two would would later cosplay as their counterparts at Comic-Con 2012, where they took photos with fans and other Valve employees (the one holding the Wheatley plush above is Karen Prell, lead animator for Wheatley and other Portal 2 robots).
Exploring Valve Archive, part 14. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Other>Reference Photos> combineoverwiki.net>wiki>Caroline> Did you know: after casting calls failed to find the perfect face for Cave and Caroline, Valve would turn back to their own staff for inspiration? Pictured above, Cave's likeness is actually based upon Bill Fletcher, Valve's lead animator for Portal 2 and other projects. Similarly, Caroline's is based upon Laura Dubuk, an independent contractor to Valve for environment art and creation. The two would would later cosplay as their counterparts at Comic-Con 2012, where they took photos with fans and other Valve employees (the one holding the Wheatley plush above is Karen Prell, lead animator for Wheatley and other Portal 2 robots).
Exploring Valve Archive, part 14. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Other>Reference Photos> combineoverwiki.net>wiki>Caroline> Did you know: after casting calls failed to find the perfect face for Cave and Caroline, Valve would turn back to their own staff for inspiration? Pictured above, Cave's likeness is actually based upon Bill Fletcher, Valve's lead animator for Portal 2 and other projects. Similarly, Caroline's is based upon Laura Dubuk, an independent contractor to Valve for environment art and creation. The two would would later cosplay as their counterparts at Comic-Con 2012, where they took photos with fans and other Valve employees (the one holding the Wheatley plush above is Karen Prell, lead animator for Wheatley and other Portal 2 robots).

Exploring Valve Archive, part 14. valvearchive.com>archive>Portal>Portal 2>Other>Reference Photos> combineoverwiki.net>wiki>Caroline> Did you know: after casting calls failed to find the perfect face for Cave and Caroline, Valve would turn back to their own staff for inspiration? Pictured above, Cave's likeness is actually based upon Bill Fletcher, Valve's lead animator for Portal 2 and other projects. Similarly, Caroline's is based upon Laura Dubuk, an independent contractor to Valve for envi…

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Dr. Isaac Kleiner
@exxiion
Mar 16

Not a Valve Archive post, but still interesting. Valve has a fully articulated and motorised model of a Portal turret on display in their offices, sent as a gift from WETA Workshop. My favourite detail of the whole video was the sticker on the outside of the box mentioning GLaDOS and Narbacular Drop. Most Valve fans have already seen this video, but it's cool to revisit anyways :)

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