I don't know about "instead of" - why deprive ourselves of fantastic video games? I have always been a really big fan of the Half Life universe and think a film or short series based in it could be great, as long as it was based on new characters and not Gordon Freeman.
I can't wait for 8 months from now, where I'll buy this game for , beat it in a couple hours and never play it again except for when friends are online.