Joystiq is reporting that Valve Software is researching sign language for the next episode (3) of Half-Life 2 by conducting a focus group with deaf individuals. The company is looking to understand the language and how it can be used in games. Valve's first use of the new sign language technology will be implemented into the backstory of Alyx as explained in this YouTube video with Gabe Newell.
"[Alyx] had a crush on someone who was hearing impaired, so she taught Dog how to sign so she could practice," Newell said. "Something happened, maybe, the person is off fighting the Combine someplace else, but that's why she and Dog would start signing with each other when they wanted to communicate without making noise, or communicate without other people knowing."
The largest aspect of virtualizing the use of sign language is not only the unique hand movements, but the facial expressions as well. While Valve Software has been one of the more prominent developers in regards to character facial movements, taking on sign language and its nuances is a huge--but ultimately a beneficial--project. Ultimately Valve wants to create a believable, authentic experience, a believable backstory for the heroine.
"It gave us the excuse to build the technology for signing," he said.
valve isnt using the sign language to help the inpaired play the game, they are putting it in as a gameplay mechanic
Unless you're hearing impaired and /or know sign language, it which case it might be a nice touch. It's nice when the medium you are engaged with acknowledges that people like you exist, and that everyone isn't a fully functional, straight, white American.
Look on it as primary research; it may not add much to the game, and it may not be used in future, but they are going to have to do some nifty animation to implement it which will get used somewhere else.
I guess it depends on how far they're going with it. If they're developing the full technology for inclusion in Ep3 then it will take time. If they get the ball rolling with a "lite" version between Alyx and Dog then I agree it shouldn't take too long.
But knowing Valve's attention to detail, I fear it'll be the whole hog just for a segment of the game (the arctic wastes have sound-sensitive creatures or something so it's hand signals, crossbows and silenced SMGs)