Half-Life
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Gabe Newell stepped back from game design during Portal 2's development, because 'he always wanted to be part of the team, but being Gabe and being in his position, that never really worked'
Valve CEO Gabe Newell stepped back from active game design during the development of Portal 2 because his position made it difficult to be a collaborative team member. While he was involved in earlier titles like Half-Life and spearheaded acquisitions, Newell realized his presence could stifle developer creativity. He now focuses on higher-level company strategy and other ventures.
Half-Life & Portal Writer Says Itd Be Silly Not To Look Into Generative AI
Erik Wolpaw, a writer for Half-Life and Portal, revealed that Valve has been exploring the use of Generative AI for research and development. He believes it would be unwise not to investigate the potential of this technology.
Half-Life & Portal Writer Says It’d Be “Silly Not To Look Into” Generative AI
Writer Travis Howe stated that it would be "silly not to look into" generative AI for game development. He also revealed that a team had previously pitched a fan-made remaster of Jak & Daxter to Sony, which involved creating an animated sequence to showcase the updated visuals.
There's a new Payday game, this time in VR
Payday: Aces High, a new virtual reality installment of the co-op heist franchise, is set to release for Meta Quest and SteamVR later this year. Developed by Fast Travel Games, it features four-player co-op, role specialization, and the series' signature gameplay loop of planning heists and upgrading gear. This release marks another major franchise experimenting with VR, following titles like Half-Life, Assassin's Creed, and Horizon.
Gamer Discovers Dad’s Incredible PC Gaming Legacy After His Passing
A Reddit user discovered their late father's extensive PC gaming library, which included classics like Doom, Half-Life, and SimCity. The user shared fond memories of their father, known as 'Mad Max,' playing these games and highlighted the importance of PC gaming's history and the generational connection it fostered.
Biting the silver bullet: AI in the games industry in 2026 and beyond | Opinion
Dr. Tommy Thompson argues that while AI has potential in game development, the current focus on generative AI is misguided and driven by corporate greed, overlooking genuine breakthroughs and ethical concerns. He emphasizes the need for a more nuanced industry discussion on responsible AI adoption, distinguishing between hype and practical application.
Counter-Strike Got Its Name in an ICQ Chat 27 Years Ago Today
The name "Counter-Strike" was decided upon in an ICQ chat on March 15, 1999, by modders working on a Half-Life project. This simple decision led to the creation of one of the most enduring names in competitive gaming. The name perfectly reflects the game's tactical, skill-based gameplay, a principle that continues to define the franchise, including the current iteration, Counter-Strike 2.
22 years later, this classic Half-Life zombie survival mod shambles onto Steam with all new features
The classic Half-Life zombie survival mod Zombie Panic! has been released on Steam with new features, 22 years after its initial debut. Developed by the Zombie Panic Team, this updated version includes improved compatibility, Steam Workshop support, new player models, weapons, animations, reworked maps, a fatigue system, and a hardcore mode. The original mod, released in 2004, was a precursor to the more well-known Zombie Panic! Source built on Half-Life 2's engine.
Morning Patches
A beloved Half-Life zombie mod has officially launched on Steam 22 years after its initial debut. Additionally, Resident Evil Village received a substantial 20GB HD texture pack, enhancing its visual fidelity.
Beloved Half-Life zombie mod finally comes to Steam 22 years after it debuted
The multiplayer mod Zombie Panic, originally released for Half-Life 22 years ago, has now officially launched on Steam. This marks the culmination of a long wait for fans of the beloved zombie mod.
The original Zombie Panic! arrives on Steam with various upgrades
The original cooperative survival-horror Half-Life 1 modification, Zombie Panic!, has been released on Steam with several upgrades, including Steam Achievements and Workshop support. Players who own Half-Life can play it for free. The game pits survivors against zombies in a classic human vs. zombie scenario with objective-based gameplay and scarce resources.
Resident Evil Requiem now inadvertently features an in-game ad for a Half-Life YouTuber thanks to Capcom leaving in a fake website domain without registering it itself
Capcom inadvertently included an in-game advertisement for a Half-Life YouTuber in Resident Evil 4 due to an unregistered website domain. The URL 'newdawn-capcom.com', found on in-game computers, now redirects to a site featuring Half-Life branding, claimed by a Valve content creator.
PROJECT LAMBDA: Half-Life is remade in Unreal Engine 4, and you can play the first chapter FOR FREE!
A fan project called Project Lambda has recreated the first chapter of Valve's classic first-person shooter Half-Life using Unreal Engine 4. This remake, available for free, offers a new visual perspective on the iconic Black Mesa Inbound chapter. While the project showcases impressive graphical updates, it also highlights high system requirements and a different artistic direction compared to the original.
Steam Vs Epic Game Store
This analysis compares Steam and the Epic Games Store, highlighting Steam's dominance in PC gaming with its vast user base and extensive features. Epic Games is challenging Steam through exclusivity deals and offering weekly free games, aiming to capture a significant share of the market despite Steam's established ecosystem and customer loyalty.
Now Playing at SUPERJUMP: Issue 38
This article features updates from SUPERJUMP writers on various games they are currently playing. Topics range from returning to classic MMORPGs like Guild Wars and Final Fantasy on PC and Steam Deck, to enjoying modern titles such as Granblue Fantasy Relink, Powerwash Simulator 2, and Turbo Overkill on consoles. The writers also share their experiences with Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series.
15 Great Total-Conversion Mods To Make Your Old Games Feel Brand New
This article highlights 15 total-conversion mods that breathe new life into older PC games. These mods, created by amateur developers, can introduce new stories, worlds, or even act as sequels to beloved titles. Examples include Star Wars Genesis for Starfield, Enderal: Forgotten Stories for Skyrim, and Fallout London for Fallout 4.
What is FPS or First Person Shooter? - PLAY4UK
This article explains the First-Person Shooter (FPS) genre, detailing its gameplay mechanics, common modes like mission and multiplayer, and its historical significance starting with "Wolfenstein 3D". It also clarifies the technical meaning of FPS as "Frames Per Second" and provides guidance on optimizing game settings and hardware for better performance.
