Half-Life 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
American publishers are ruining the video games industry - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern that American publishers are ruining the video game industry, citing the closure of BioWare and EA's financial practices as evidence. The author contrasts this with the perceived stability of Japanese and European companies, while also noting the potential negative impact of AI on game development and artistry.
In this age of pervasive slop maybe we should be grateful for Shrek 2 Remastered
Aspyr Media has announced that Shrek 2 Remastered will be released in November, bringing the 2004 game to modern platforms including PlayStation 5. The remaster appears to be a port of the original PS2 version, featuring local and online co-op. The article humorously notes the release date's proximity to Grand Theft Auto 6.
'Little Tim is so obsessed with Gabe': Former Valve writer baffled by Epic CEO Tim Sweeney's attempts to…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek criticizes Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney's recent announcement for the Epic Games Store, particularly Sweeney's perceived obsession with Gabe Newell and his yachts. Faliszek argues that Epic's approach to its launcher, including its focus on 'vibe coding' and comparisons to Steam, is baffling and alienates players seeking community and agency.
Diskutera – Vilket spelögonblick sitter kvar?
This article discusses memorable moments in video games, prompting readers to share their most impactful experiences. It highlights iconic scenes from the Gears of War series, Half-Life 2, Bioshock, and Red Dead Redemption, exploring how these moments resonate with players long after playing.
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Is The Best Entry In The Franchise Since The Original Film
Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival is a grotesque and ambitious horror-action survival game that successfully brings Clive Barker's vision to life with incredible fidelity. Despite a shaky start and an identity crisis, the game evolves into a unique experience, blending stealth, melee combat, and shooting mechanics with a compelling narrative rooted in the Hellraiser lore. The game handles mature themes of desire, abuse, and BDSM with consideration, making it a well-deserved addition to the Hellraiser legacy.
Fallen London is where the writers of Baldur's Gate 3, Dishonored and Stellaris come to let their hair down
Fallen London, a text-based RPG from Failbetter Games, serves as a creative outlet for writers behind major titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Stellaris, and Destiny. The game's 'Exceptional Stories' allow these writers, both AAA and indie, to explore diverse and often dark themes in a richly detailed, choice-driven world.
This ambitious Half-Life 2 mod asks: what if Iron Lung had a submarine and an airship?
An ambitious total conversion mod for Half-Life 2, titled The Temple, is set to release soon. Inspired by the submarine horror of Iron Lung, the mod features players piloting a submarine, an airship, and a space shuttle across an aquatic planet and its moons. The mod expands on previous maps and promises over two hours of exploration-based sci-fi horror.
Diskutera – Vilket spel har skrämt dig mest?
This article discusses which video games have been the most frightening for players, referencing specific moments and games like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and Alien: Isolation. It also touches on scary moments in non-horror titles such as Half-Life 2 and Subnautica, inviting readers to share their most terrifying gaming experiences.
Gabe Newell made Steam after going "f*** these publishers" due to the broken relationship with Half-Life publisher Sierra, Counter-Strike co-creator says
According to Counter-Strike co-creator Minh Le, Gabe Newell's decision to create Steam stemmed from a deeply negative experience with Half-Life publisher Sierra. This dissatisfaction with traditional publishers led Valve to develop its own digital distribution platform, revolutionizing PC game sales.
The Last of Us director apologizes for using God of War Laufey as an example of "lack" of innovation in AAA:…
Naughty Dog veteran Bruce Straley has apologized to the Santa Monica Studio team behind God of War for using their game as an example of a lack of innovation in AAA development. Straley explained that his comments were taken out of context and used for clickbait, and that he was trying to illustrate a broader industry concern about stagnant gameplay loops and a reluctance to take risks.
Ex-Naughty Dog Dev Apologizes To God Of War Studio For What He Said About Laufey
Former Naughty Dog director Bruce Straley has apologized to Santa Monica Studio for his previous comments expressing a lack of excitement for God of War, despite acknowledging its visual quality. Straley clarified that his remarks were intended as a broader critique of the AAA games industry's stagnation and lack of innovation, not a specific attack on God of War. He is now working on smaller independent titles.
SPRAWL zero Review – Execute
SPRAWL zero offers an outrageously fun experience that recaptures the spirit of 2000s first-person shooters, featuring fast-paced gameplay, a phenomenal soundtrack, and a charming aesthetic. While it successfully evokes nostalgia with numerous references to classic games like Doom and Halo, its narrative and level design suffer from the same issues that plagued games of that era, leading to confusion and frustrating difficulty spikes.
2026 is the best year ever for video games and GTA 6 isn’t even out yet - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that 2026 will be the best year for video games, despite industry challenges, citing a packed release schedule including titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered. The author highlights numerous anticipated games across various genres and platforms, suggesting a peak in gaming quality.
"We can get any IP" - Saber CCO on why reviving dormant franchises is the big, obvious secret the the publisher's success, and why Xbox could learn from it
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes the company's success stems from its strategy of reviving dormant franchises and ensuring projects can generate four times their cost. He highlighted titles like World War Z and Snow Runner as examples of profitable ventures, and suggested that larger companies like Microsoft could benefit from a similar approach by revitalizing underutilized IPs.
"The Half-Life 2 of AI" will change people's minds about AI, Saber exec says after CEO claims he'd…
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes a breakthrough game, akin to Half-Life 2's impact, will eventually change public perception of generative AI in gaming. While the company is experimenting with AI in its game Rideshare Stimulator, Willits acknowledges the industry is still figuring out its place and consumer acceptance, contrasting it with the established utility of platforms like Steam. Despite industry backlash and legal concerns, Willits remains optimistic about AI's potential.
id Software's former co-owner says they absolutely would've used gen AI back in the day: 'John Carmack…
Former id Software co-owner Tim Willits discusses the potential and current limitations of generative AI in game development, noting Saber Interactive's experiments with the technology in 'Rideshare Simulator'. He believes a groundbreaking AI-driven game, akin to 'Half-Life 2' for its impact, will eventually emerge, though acknowledges current implementations often fall short. Willits also speculates that id Software would have embraced generative AI if it were available during their pioneering days.
"Somebody will make the Half-Life 2 of AI" - after the Rideshare controversy, Saber CCO says something will come along and "change people's minds" about gen-AI
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes a groundbreaking game akin to "Half-Life 2 of AI" will emerge, changing public perception of generative AI in gaming. Despite recent controversy surrounding its use in "Rideshare Stimulator," Saber is experimenting with AI, with Willits emphasizing the need for innovation and the potential for AI to create new experiences, drawing parallels to the initial skepticism surrounding Steam.
Jubileumsquiz: Vad kan du om Valve?
Valve is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a poll asking fans to vote for their favorite game from the studio's history. The poll includes major titles like Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal, and Dota 2, among others.
Snabbkollen: Vilket är bästa Valve-spelet?
Valve is celebrating its 30th anniversary, prompting a discussion about which of its games is the most beloved. The article presents poll results showing Half-Life 2 as the current favorite, followed by Counter-Strike and Half-Life.
When Valve killed its Ravenholm game, Arkane founder says "we did not understand" its thinking: "It all came down to the economics behind Half-Life 2 and how the DLCs were selling"
Arkane founder Raphaël Colantonio discussed the cancellation of the Ravenholm game, a Half-Life 2 spin-off, stating that Valve's decision was based on the economics of DLC sales. Colantonio reflected on the decade-long pain of the cancellation but now understands Valve's business reasoning. He also mentioned that the project led to close collaboration with Half-Life 2's art director, Viktor Antonov.
