Half-Life
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Valve turns 30 today, and it's stronger than ever
Valve celebrates its 30th anniversary, having significantly shaped PC gaming through titles like Half-Life and the digital storefront Steam. The company has also expanded into hardware with devices like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, continuing its influence on the industry.
id Software is “All In on id Tech”, Says Executive Producer
Executive producer Marty Stratton confirmed that id Software is fully committed to its in-house id Tech engine and will not be switching to Unreal Engine 5. Despite recent layoffs at Xbox, Stratton expressed confidence in the studio's ability to remain a technological powerhouse and continue developing great games with its proprietary technology.
I got so freaked out by the fact that Gordon Freeman is canonically 27 that I decided to find out how old all the other classic FPS protagonists are, and it didn't make me feel better
This article explores the canonical ages of various classic first-person shooter protagonists from the 1990s, starting with the surprising revelation that Gordon Freeman is only 27. It delves into the lore of characters like B.J. Blazkowicz, Kyle Katarn, and Duke Nukem, discussing how their ages were determined or left ambiguous by developers.
Diskutera: Vilket FPS skulle du vilja uppleva för första gången igen?
This article discusses the unique experience of playing a first-person shooter for the first time, highlighting how the element of surprise and discovery cannot be replicated in subsequent playthroughs. It prompts readers to consider which FPS they would most like to forget and experience anew, referencing titles like Half-Life, Halo, and Doom as examples of impactful first encounters.
Snabbkollen: Vilka typer av förstapersonsskjutare spelar du helst?
A survey reveals player preferences for different types of first-person shooter games. Story-driven FPS titles are the most popular choice, followed by looter shooters and immersive sims. Arena shooters and extraction shooters received the lowest engagement.
Deadlock isn't even 'out' yet, but Valve's new game is a true monster in the making
Despite not being officially released, Valve's new game Deadlock is already attracting significant player numbers on Steam, with daily highs of 75,000 players. This hero shooter MOBA hybrid, set in an alternate-history New York, blends elements of games like Overwatch and Dota 2 with a unique aesthetic and third-person shooter mechanics. The game is currently in early development with limited access, but its engaging gameplay, diverse hero roster, and approachable design suggest it's poised for major success upon its full launch.
Games Inbox: Will single-player video games go extinct?
This article discusses the current sales trends of single-player games, with readers expressing concern over their perceived decline in popularity compared to multiplayer titles. The piece also touches on the future of VR gaming, the potential for reboots of classic games like Elite, and the rising costs of GPUs and consoles.
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.
I was excited for this Quake port of Half-Life until I discovered the creator's wild AI conspiracy theories
A new total conversion mod called Libre-life aims to port Half-Life's assets into Quake sourceports, allowing players to experience the classic game within a different engine. The modder, KleskBY, has also expressed controversial views on artificial intelligence, stating that critics are hypocritical and influenced by foreign governments.
Dev ports Half-Life to the PS1, asks Valve if it's cool with that, and says he'll "make it public"…
A developer named Manny has successfully ported the original Half-Life to the PlayStation 1 hardware, creating a custom renderer and game runtime in Rust. The port runs at an average of 17 frames per second and includes all seven maps of the Hazard Course. Manny has reached out to Valve for permission to release the source code, stating he will make it public if he doesn't hear back within a month.
Game History and Preservation
This article discusses game preservation and history, referencing two videos: one on 'Aliens: The Video Game' and another on 'Half-Life' running on a PlayStation 1. The content highlights the importance of archiving and accessing older gaming titles.
Valve aren't putting any exclusives on the Steam Machine because they see "the whole PC catalog as our 'launch exclusive'"
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the Steam Machine will not feature any exclusive games, as the company views the entire PC catalog as its 'launch exclusive.' This approach aims to keep the platform open and encourage innovation from hardware manufacturers. Valve also noted that PC hardware supply chain issues are causing delays, with retail availability lagging behind bulk supply by three to six months.
Valve says there's no end in sight to the memory crisis, and prices are only going to increase: 'Honestly,…
Valve acknowledges that the ongoing memory crisis, exacerbated by AI demand, is causing hardware prices to increase with no immediate end in sight. Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that current retail prices lag behind bulk supply by three to six months, and the company sees prices rising in the short to medium term. The memory shortage also impacted the initial production of the Steam Machine, though Valve continues to support the device.
Retiring Valve employee replies to HLX question in AMA, unintentionally feeding HL3 fans hopium again
Valve software engineer Christopher Green's retirement AMA has fueled speculation about a potential 'HLX' project, possibly related to Half-Life 3. Green's non-committal response to a question about HLX has reignited hope among fans, despite no official confirmation from Valve. This follows previous rumors and speculation surrounding Valve's development cycles and potential unannounced projects.
Half-Life-inspired Invariant re-announced following Steam delisting, but was "never meant to be" a clone
Invariant, a survival horror game heavily inspired by Half-Life and developed by Faros Game Studio's Josip Makjanić, has been re-announced and is available for wishlisting on Steam after a previous delisting. Makjanić stated the game was "never meant to be" a clone and was rebuilt from scratch with a clear direction after initial development issues. The game is being rebuilt in the Godot engine for Windows and Linux.
2026's best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants 'to do a first-person game at some point'
Developer Christoffer Bodegård discusses his journey into PC gaming, highlighting influential titles like Dragon Age: Origins and Deus Ex. His recently released CRPG, Esoteric Ebb, was inspired by tabletop RPGs and aims to replicate their unpredictability. Bodegård is exploring ideas for his next project, potentially a first-person game, and shares his current gaming habits, including extensive play of Paradox Interactive's grand strategy titles like Victoria 3 and Europa Universalis IV.
Doom dev Id is now "about the same size we were when making Doom 2016" after layoffs
Id Software has addressed recent layoffs, stating that the studio remains adequately staffed to continue developing games and technology. Despite significant job cuts impacting over half the team, the developer confirmed its current size is comparable to when it was developing Doom 2016. The studio emphasized its commitment to its core philosophy and supporting affected employees, while looking forward to future projects and QuakeCon.
id Tech is Still Part of Xbox’s Future Despite Layoffs – Rumor
Despite recent layoffs at id Software, the id Tech game engine remains a part of Xbox's future plans, according to a report. Many employees working on the engine's development were affected by the cuts. The engine is expected to be used in future projects at id Software and by MachineGames for their Wolfenstein titles.
Valve's Gabe Newell continues spending his billions on an undersea armada, adding an $800 million deep sea vessel to the one he already had in the works
Valve co-founder Gabe Newell is significantly expanding his investment in ocean exploration by commissioning a second, larger deep-sea vessel, the RV11000, for nearly $800 million. This follows his initial investment in the 100-meter RV6000, which is currently under construction. Both vessels are being built by Vard and Oceanco, with the RV6000 expected in 2028 and the RV11000 in 2030.
