Mod Goes Viral
Update – Clicking the second ’s’ in the Remote Access link takes you to the Black Mesa (Source) mod website.
Update 2 – That link has been changed a few times since I last updated this, whatever this is just an attempt by a mod at getting some exposure. They succeeded, but only because the initial impression was that this was a Valve piece of work.
Original Story
Damn it.
Is Valve re-entering the Viral marketing world? Prior to the release of Portal Aperture Science was found on the web and masses of information was uncovered by many people who were eagerly anticipating Portal. A new site knows as Black Mesa Research has recently surfaced on the web. Look at the ‘About Us’ and ‘Latest News’ sections.
Black Mesa is the world leader in advanced technology research and development. From medical devices and pharmaceuticals to commercial space transportation, to body armor that protects America’s brave servicemen and women on the front lines, Black Mesa develops and builds the technology that powers your life.
Black Mesa wins $5 billion defense contract, beating out rival Aperture Science.
What does this all mean? Well the ‘Contact’ e-mail address leads to an immediate Delivery Status Notification reply and a Whois.Net search doesn’t indicate a Seattle based registration which is where Valve is based.
To throw a further spanner in the works a ‘John Q. Fake’ sent an e-mail to the halflife2.net news address telling us to look closer at this thread which was started on the 17th July.
Furthemore there is a ‘Aemote Access’ link at the bottom on the Black Mesa Research site which require a username and password. I am sure someone can dig up more on this.
A ‘Press Release’ accessed by clicking on the image on the website.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2008
BLACK MESA RESEARCH RECIEVES REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR REVOLUTIONARY NEW RESEARCHWashington, DC — Black Mesa Research Corporation (NY:M), the world leader in advanced technology research and development, received regulatory approval from the Department of Energy today to proceed with the planning stages of exciting new high energy particle physics research presently slated to begin in the second half of FY 2008.
The results from this groundbreaking new research will lead to vast improvements in Black Mesa scientists’ ability to harness the fundamental forces of the universe to greatly benefit American consumers’ quality of life.
In recognition of the revolutionary nature of this research the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has already granted Black Mesa Research Corporation a waiver for standard requirements for high energy particle research in January. The Department of Energy’s approval of the project earlier today marked the end of the major regulatory hurdles faced by Black Mesa Research for this research.
For more information about Black Mesa Research and the HEPP/AM research, visit blackmesaresearch.com.
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Most interesting…
Tags: Aperture Science, Black Mesa Research, Half-Life, Portal, Valve, Viral Marketing
July 31st, 2008 at 6:17 am
That website is, unfortunately, not that amusing. There’s a lot lacking, as if it’s only half finished. Definitely not a full-fledged website and, honestly, not exactly an example of the high-quality that flows through the majority of Valve’s work.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:29 am
Hmm, do a traceroute. p4w2.geo.re4.yahoo.com??
Either way… I cannot wait for Episode 3 and Portal 2
July 31st, 2008 at 10:21 am
If you read my update guys this is from the Black Mesa mod team. Wow what fun!