Panther Eye
|
The contents of this article have been cut. |  |
|---|---|---|
The subject matter of this article contains in-development information that was cut from the final version of an official and/or canonical source and appears in no other canonical source. It may also contain incomplete information since not all cut material is publicly known. |
| |
| |
| Panther Eye | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Faction | |
| Type |
Wildlife |
| Individual information | |
| Weapon(s) |
|
| Game information | |
| Entity | |
| Designer(s) | |
The Panther Eye,[2] also known as Panthereye, is an alien enemy cut from Half-Life. It comes in two versions: a blue-colored one, which was created first, and a red-colored one. While not in the retail game files, the source files of the red version can be found in the Half-Life SDK files, where its folder bears the name "Diablo". Both the blue and red versions can be found in the leaked Half-Life Alpha.
Contents
Overview[edit]
Like many of the Xen creatures, it has a single eye and is overall very similar to the Vortigaunt. Originally created for Quiver, it was first called "Sound Dog".[2] This theme relates to the Houndeye, who bears a similar name.
Behavior and skills[edit]
This panther-sized creature was a fast opponent that would attack with slashing claws. It could also throw its victims on the ground, pin them with its paws, and attack them with its mouth and a beige tongue located behind its chin (as seen in the red version). In a few animations, it crawled on its belly to avoid being noticed. It would shake its tail while idle, and it had an animation for catching bugs. Overall, its behavior was similar to a panther or other feline, hence its name.
Both the blue and red panther eyes had compound eyes, likely allowing them to see with a very large view angle.
The leaked Half-Life Alpha contains 4 Panther Eye sounds, used when it is idle. They consist mostly of high-pitched groaning sounds (reminiscent of the "Sound Dog" concept) and undetermined noises.
Behind the scenes[edit]
According to "Skeletal Animation.txt", a text document in Half-Life Alpha, the Panther Eye was to have a tongue, and was to be animated using vertex animation. The tongue can be seen in a screenshot included along with the document. There is a version of the tongue animated using skeletal animation used by the red Panther Eye. The Gargantua also appear to have a similar tongue, which is used in several animations, and is hard to see because of its placement.
One of the reasons that led to the the Panther Eye being cut was problems with its feet sliding, a technical issue facing quadruped-type creatures in the game.[4]
In modding[edit]
The Panther Eye has since appeared in several mods, notably Azure Sheep, Point of View and They Hunger 3.
Gallery[edit]
Concept art of the "Sound Dog" above a victim.
High-res render of a blue Panther Eye attacking a scientist.
Blue Panther Eye in The Portal Device.
Ditto, in a more recent version.
Ditto, featuring the red variant.
Glimpse of a blue Panther Eye.
Blue Panther Eye about to attack a Military Police.
Front view of the blue Panther Eye.
Blue Panther Eye with animation skeleton visible.
Blue Panther Eye about to attack.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Blue Panther Eye attacking.
Ditto, close-up.
Scientist getting killed by a blue Panther Eye.
Red variation model renders.
High-res render of HECU grunts enlightening a red Panther Eye attacking a scientist.
Red Panther Eye beside a dead security guard.
List of appearances[edit]
- Half-Life SDK (First appearance) (Non-canonical appearance)
- Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar (Non-canonical appearance)
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ cine, or cinematic are hard coded character entities (with no artificial intelligence) used for the in-game scripted scenes in the earlier builds of Half-Life, before they were replaced with scripted_sequence. When triggered, they leave their idle pose, and play the only animation they have.
References[edit]
- ↑ Worldcraft, Half-Life Game Definition File (
halflife.fgd) in Half-Life Alpha - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 16
- ↑ Chuck Jones' personal website
- ↑ Chuck Jones' ArtStation portfolio
