Half-Life 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
CyberLeek, Explained: Inside the GTA 6 Leaks, the Manifesto and the Memecoin Votes
An individual or group known as CyberLeek has been publishing alleged unfinished footage and details from Grand Theft Auto VI, accompanied by a manifesto advocating for consumer rights regarding digital preorders and game preservation. The group has also launched a memecoin, $CYBERLEEK, which is used for community voting on which leaked content to release next. While Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have taken action to remove the leaked material, the origin and authenticity of the leaks remain unverified, with possibilities of AI generation or playable build access being discussed.
Valve fyller 30 år – företaget som förändrade PC-spelandet
Valve, founded 30 years ago by Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, has significantly impacted PC gaming through titles like Half-Life and its sequels, and the revolutionary digital distribution platform Steam. The company has also ventured into hardware with the Steam Deck and VR, continuing to innovate in how and where PC games are played.
30 år och fortfarande inget Half-Life 3
This article discusses the long-standing mystery surrounding the unreleased Half-Life 3, 30 years after the original Half-Life's debut. It explores the history of the series, the failed episodic continuation of Half-Life 2, and potential reasons for Half-Life 3's absence, including developer Valve's high expectations and the passage of time.
Dishonored was a last-ditch effort by Arkane Studios after years of fruitless contract work, according to the game's co-creator: 'I think we had four months of money left'
Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith revealed that the game was a last-ditch effort for Arkane Studios, which was facing financial collapse with only four months of funds remaining. The studio had been taking on various contract work, but ultimately decided to focus on their passion project, which became a critical and commercial success. This experience solidified Smith's belief in pursuing creative passion, a principle he is applying to his new studio, Black Pony Immersive.
Frustrated with GTA 6 leaks, Rockstar fans dig up Gabe Newell's "I play games to have fun" rant – and miss the most important part
Following Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks that suggest a realistic fuel system, fans have resurfaced a Gabe Newell quote about realism in games. The article discusses Newell's definition of fun in games as player choice recognition and response, contrasting it with the potential tedium of hyper-realism. It also touches on how games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur's Gate 3 utilize player agency and systemic interactions.
Behold, "the whole story of Steam's economy in one picture": the top 1% of games earn 84.5% of estimated revenue, and most games barely make anything
A new analysis of 99,206 paid games on Steam reveals that the top 1% of games earn 84.5% of the estimated revenue, with half of all paid games earning less than $4,000 lifetime. The report, which excludes free-to-play titles, highlights extreme revenue disparities and a rapidly growing Steam catalog that outpaces revenue growth.
The Best Games Under $10
This article highlights excellent games available for $10 or less, including several free-to-play options. It features titles like To The Moon, Portal 2, Vampire Survivors, and Half-Life 2, available on various platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Boomer shooters tar oss tillbaka till spelglädjen
The "boomer shooter" subgenre, inspired by 90s FPS classics like Doom and Quake, is gaining popularity by prioritizing gameplay mechanics over complex narratives and graphics. This retro approach emphasizes player freedom, interactivity, and straightforward action, offering a refreshing alternative to modern, cinematic-style shooters.
Getting Ill: Understanding the grossest horror game in development and how it takes more than a few cues from Valve's seminal shooter Half-Life 2
Ill is a highly anticipated horror game developed by Team Clout and published by Mundfish, noted for its extreme gore and detailed visuals. Director Maxim Verehin draws inspiration from Half-Life 2 for its physics-based combat and immersive storytelling, aiming to create a visceral and interactive experience. Despite its shocking content, the game also incorporates crafting and exploration elements, with a planned release for PC, Xbox Series, and PlayStation consoles around 2027.
Games Inbox: Will the Xbox reset work for Microsoft?
Readers express concern over recent price increases for Xbox consoles and PC GPUs, questioning Microsoft's strategy and the future of console gaming. Discussions also touch on Nintendo's Direct presentation approach and the ongoing debate about digital versus physical game sales, with a focus on potential EU intervention regarding Sony's digital store practices.
Games Inbox: When will Spider-Man 3 be released on PS5?
Readers speculate on the release date of Spider-Man 3 for PlayStation 5, with some suggesting it might be a PlayStation 6 launch title. Other topics discussed include the pricing of a potential The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, the possibility of an Assassin's Creed set in Ancient Rome, and comparisons between the gameplay mechanics of Returnal and Saros.
'What is it?' We snooped around in our favorite gaming characters' inventories: can you identify the…
This article presents a quiz challenging readers to identify obscure items found in the inventories of various video game characters, drawing inspiration from the subreddit r/whatisit. It humorously contrasts the potential for finding benign items with the paranoia of snooping, suggesting communication over suspicion.
Vilka är det som jobbar med FZ?
This article introduces the staff behind the Swedish gaming website FZ, describing them as passionate gamers with diverse tastes and strong opinions. It highlights their backgrounds, favorite games, music, films, and books, aiming to connect them with the FZ community.
'The mid-2000s was the golden era of first-person shooters': David Syzmankski, creator of Dusk and Iron Lung,…
David Szymanski, creator of Dusk and Iron Lung, discusses his gaming history and preferences in a 'Disk Cleanup' feature. He highlights Myst as a foundational experience and considers the mid-2000s the golden era for first-person shooters due to their variety. Szymanski also shares his high playtime in Elden Ring and his enduring appreciation for Doom.
Retiring Valve programmer says 'at least one' of the studio's beloved game modes was made in secret to…
Retiring Valve programmer Christopher Green announced his second and final departure from the company, reflecting on his 16 years working on titles like Half-Life 2 and its Source engines. Green revealed that the popular Half-Life 2: Deathmatch game mode was developed semi-secretly by a single programmer who believed in the project.
Jsaux doubles down on its Steam Machine e-ink faceplate plans with a dot matrix version and a panel that looks like my…
Accessory maker Jsaux is moving forward with its plans for Steam Machine faceplates, announcing new versions including a dot-matrix LED display and a color e-ink panel with a rotary knob. The company reassured customers that the original e-ink display is still in development, aiming to offer customization options beyond Valve's own DIY instructions.
A current Valve designer recreated Half-Life 2's Ravenholm in the Source 2 engine, and says he was "blown away…
Valve level designer Chuck Wilson recreated the iconic Half-Life 2 level Ravenholm using the Source 2 engine, showcasing impressive improvements in textures and lighting while retaining the original's eerie atmosphere. Wilson expressed his admiration for the power of Source 2's level design tools, calling them his favorite to date. This fan-made recreation has sparked discussions about the possibility of an official Half-Life 2 remake.
Steam Machine review - it's all about the games you play
The Steam Machine offers a premium hardware design with a slick SteamOS interface ideal for living room gaming, but its high price and performance limitations hinder its appeal. While capable of 1080p gaming and some 4K upscaling, it struggles with demanding titles and ray tracing, making it a niche product for specific game types and users.
One of our favorite Half-Life 2 mods is getting a stealth game prequel where you're a Combine assassin preying on…
Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors, a new entry in the cult classic Half-Life 2 mod series, is in development and shifts focus to a stealth-focused Combine assassin. Set after the Seven Hour War, the game tasks the protagonist with eliminating a rogue Progenitor. Developer Blixibon is sharing gameplay clips showcasing ambitious mechanics, drawing comparisons to immersive sims like Dishonored, though a release date is currently unannounced due to development difficulties.
How a South Korean intern saved Valve from a Vivendi lawsuit
A South Korean intern named Andrew played a crucial role in resolving Valve's 2002 lawsuit against Vivendi, which threatened the company's existence and the release of Half-Life 2. The intern discovered evidence of Vivendi destroying documents related to their deal, leading the court to side with Valve and secure ownership of Half-Life and Counter-Strike, paving the way for Steam's creation.
