.Half-Life 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter computer game and the sequel to the highly acclaimed Half-Life.^ First Half-Life: Source screenshot!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.It was developed by Valve Corporation and was released on November 16, 2004, following a protracted five-year,^[4] $40 million^[5] development cycle during which the game’s source code was leaked to the Internet.^ Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Well firstly, TheInquirer.net is reporting in a short article that VU Games have purchased 35 Radeon 9800 Pro graphics cards in order to extensively test the RC1 of HL2 that VALVe sent them, and that could mean a November 2004 release date, but let's hope not.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Others believe that release is imminent because Valve is happy for the game software to be downloaded.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[6] .The game uses the Source game engine, which includes a heavily modified version of the Havok physics engine and was also the first video game to require online product activation.^ Graphics - Source's shader-based renderer, like the one used at Pixar to create movies such as Toy Story and Monster's, Inc., creates the most beautiful and realistic environments ever seen in a video game.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Even more good performance indications for what you'll get in HL2 and other Source Engine based games like Vampire: Bloodlines.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ It's a very nice read for those who want to know how these cards perform head to head in Source Engine games and etc, so check it out!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[7][8] .Originally available only for Windows-based personal computers, the game has since been ported to the Xbox, and was a part of The Orange Box compilation for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game consoles.^ Xbox 360 Games .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Xbox 360 Games On Demand (26) .

• DailyGamesNews.com: Video - Half-Life 2 Short Film - Escape From City 17 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC dailygamesnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Originally Posted by joinmeindeath417 Thats because anyone who was voting hasn't played games since genesis on gamespot, there all about the Playstation/Nintendo Era, and Sonic was the most bad ass when he was on the Genesis.

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[9]

.Half-Life 2 takes place in a dystopian world in which the events of Half-Life have fully come to bear on human society, which has been enslaved by a multidimensional empire known as the Combine.^ These take place immediately after the end of Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.The game takes place in and around the fictional City 17 and follows the adventures of scientist Gordon Freeman who must fight against increasingly unfavorable odds in order to survive.^ The only company who ever got first person platforming right was DICE, and they had to design their entire game around it with Mirrors Edge .

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ Throughout half-life 2 Gordon Freeman will have no crappy one-liners unless you, the player, shouts them out while being immersed in the game.

• Amazon.com: Half Life 2: Xbox: Video Games 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.amazon.com [Source type: General]

^ Though the game's hero, Gordon Freeman, will again be the strong and completely silent type, the supporting roles will be read by a solid lineup of talent.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.The game garnered near-unanimous positive reviews and received critical acclaim,^[10][11] receiving praise for its advances in computer animation, sound, narration, computer graphics, artificial intelligence (AI), and physics simulation.^ Source provides major enhancements in: Characters - Advanced facial animation system delivers the most sophisticated in-game characters ever seen.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The graphics on the whole look good, with the nicest elements being the character models that have near-perfect dimensions and are some of the most realistic looking characters we've seen in any game.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Source provides major enhancements in the advanced facial animation system, physics, graphics and AI. Half-Life 2 will be available for the PC. About Vivendi Universal Games Headquartered in Los Angeles, VU Games is a leading global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.The game won over 40 PC Game of the Year awards for 2004,^[12] and several publications have since named it as game of the decade.^ Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ In addition to being named “Best PC Game” by 1up.com (Ziff Davis) and Gamespy.com, the title also received a “Technological Excellence on PC” award from IGN.com.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ This game is definitely in contention for the Xbox Game of the Year award.

• Amazon.com: Half Life 2: Xbox: Video Games 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.amazon.com [Source type: General]

^{[13][14][15][16]} .As of December 3, 2008, over 6.5 million copies of Half-Life 2 have been sold at retail.^ Valve’s debut title was named “Best PC Game Ever” by PC Gamer and launched a franchise with more than eight million retails units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Reply pissedASfuck says: March 19, 2007 at 4:31 am **** STEAM and **** GODDAMN VALVE. In a world where I can illegally download anything I want – I went to my retail store and LEGALLY purchased my copy of Half Life 2.

• Half Life 2 Steam Installation Too Slow! — Video Games 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC video-games.elliottback.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ That's right, Half-Life2.nl is reporting that PC Gameplay will be reviewing Half-Life 2, the full final copy in their next issue with over 50 new screenshots!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[17] .Although Steam sales figures are unknown, their rate surpassed retail in mid-2008^[18] and are significantly more profitable per-unit.^ Valve’s debut title was named “Best PC Game Ever” by PC Gamer and launched a franchise with more than eight million retails units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[17]

.Half-Life 2 plays similarly to its predecessor.^ We'll all be abducted by Steam one way or another, or forget playing Half-Life.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Halo 2 sucked a big donkey's nuts that I didn't even finish it and opted to play better games such as Half Life 2.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Once you have successfully completed play of Half-Life 2, we recommend playing the sequels: Half-Life 2 Episode One and Half-Life 2 Episode Two .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

.The player navigates through a set of levels that advance in the story, fighting off transhuman troops known as the Combine as well as hostile alien creatures.^ Wait there for Combine troops to come through.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Before this patch, only the Alien player model had a set of LODs.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ Use it to fend off the oncoming Manhacks and Combine troops.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

.Puzzles and sequences involving vehicles are interspersed throughout the game, taking its world to a new level of realism.^ We are attempting to include two new DM levels as well as making reincarnations of some current levels for the Deathmatch and Team-Deathmatch game modes.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ By that I mean we did A LOT of level design work, created a lot of ideas, worked with a lot of game modes, weren't really sure what weapons we wanted.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ Rest assured, it doesn't look like a new game; it looks like a really pretty version of Counter-Strike.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[19]

.As Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter, the gameworld is always presented from Gordon Freeman's perspective.^ First Half-Life: Source screenshot!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Auto detection is also good for those who don’t have the patience to tweak the plethora of visual settings present within Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

A heads-up display at the bottom of the screen shows the player's health, energy, and ammunition status, while a toggle screen shows available weapons at the top. .Health and energy can be replenished by picking up medical supplies and energy cells respectively, or by using wall-mounted charging devices.^ Also charge your suit a bit by using the device on the wall.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Not only do you have to use the physic gun to lift up stuff, but you can use your hands to pick up different things like trash cans, luggage, cans, etc.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ You can take up to 4 with you, and they'll aid you by shooting enemies, and giving you health (the medics will do this, obviously).

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^[20]

The player defeats enemies with an assortment of weapons. .The game's available arsenal consists of modern-day projectile weapons, including a ubiquitous pistol, shotgun, and submachine gun, though more elaborate, fictional weapons are available, such as a crossbow that shoots hot metal rods, a pheromone pod that guides certain previously hostile alien creatures, once acquired, and pulse rifle that shoots glowing pulses and a secondary "Dark energy ball," which disintegrates enemies on contact.^ Defeat them with the pulse rifle or shotgun.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ They carry submachine guns, shotguns, magnums and pulse rifles.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Defeat them with the shotgun or pulse rifle.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

The Source engine's physics capabilities extend into combat via a special device called the Zero-Point Energy Field Manipulator, or "gravity gun." Using this device, the player can pick up objects and either hurl them at enemies or hold them in place to create a makeshift shield.^[21] .The gravity gun can also perform a variety of non-combat functions, such as grabbing out-of-reach supplies and forming bridges across gaps.^ Grab a wooden crate with the Gravity Gun .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Grab your Gravity Gun back.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Grab them with the Gravity Gun and blast them over the cliff.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^[22]

.Many puzzles use the game's physics engine.^ Certainly Halo has it's place amongst top games in the FPS genre, and certainly many games made use of the features and ideas it brought to the playing field...

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ We were one of the very first games on this engine to make use of vehicles in Multiplayer.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ Like the original game, Half-Life 2's engine is expected to be used in a number of other games.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.For example, one puzzle requires the player to either turn a seesaw-like lever into a ramp by placing cinder blocks at one end, or to stack wooden crates to form a crude stairway.^ When you place a few blue barrels in the crate, under the structure, the thing will move, and it'll suddenly become a ramp.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ It is only sometimes that I feel a little like a piece of furniture, only chairs can't walk into rooms.” She ended with a girlish laugh.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ Head down the ramp and into the tunnel at the far end.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^[23] Puzzles are frequently solved with the gravity gun. .One puzzle has the player clear a highway by using the gravity gun to push numerous abandoned vehicles out of the way.^ Use the Gravity Gun to pull them.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Use grenades to clear them out.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Use grenades to clear the CPs out.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^[24]

.Another major development from the original Half-Life is the introduction of vehicular sections; while the original featured several sections on trains, the sequel features sections where the player makes use of fully functional vehicles such as cars or boats.^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Original Half-Life characters and allies sections are up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Original Half-Life weapons section is up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Half-Life 2 was released without a multiplayer component, and was instead packaged with Counter-Strike: Source.^ As many of you know, Half Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source are basically done.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ First Half-Life: Source screenshot!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Chuck Osborn: Counter-Strike Source is the multiplayer.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[22] .A few weeks later, Valve released Half-Life 2: Deathmatch on Steam.^ We're told Half-Life 2 will be finished in the next few weeks, and that Counter-Strike: Source will begin beta testing soon.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 will be added to the program for active subscribers in the Valve Cyber Cafe Program.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ We'll all be abducted by Steam one way or another, or forget playing Half-Life.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[25] .The goal of the game is to kill as many other players as possible, using a variety of means, in either free-for-all or team-based matches.^ And this means all the Zombies that are on the trail, will get killed.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Not many other games can claim that.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Even more good performance indications for what you'll get in HL2 and other Source Engine based games like Vampire: Bloodlines.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[26] .A subsequent update to the game added an additional map and three new weapons.^ In addition to the new games, Valve is also readying a Cybercafe License Server.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ KB) Version 1.0 (12/07/04) - Finished the walkthrough, updated weapons, added allies chapter.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Additionally, Valve recently revealed a series of new games and features being added to the Valve Cyber Café Program over the coming months.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[27] .The Xbox release of Half-Life 2 contains no multiplayer component,^[28] however the re-release of Half-Life 2, packaged as The Orange Box for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, includes the multiplayer game Team Fortress 2.^ Xbox 360 Games .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ PC Gameplay to review Half-Life 2!!!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[29][30]

.The original Half-Life takes place at a remote civilian and military laboratory called the Black Mesa Research Facility.^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ These take place immediately after the end of Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.During an experiment, researchers at Black Mesa accidentally cause a "resonance cascade" which rips open a portal to an alien world, Xen.^ Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]
• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Hostile creatures from Xen flood into Black Mesa via the portal and start killing everyone in sight.^ Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]
• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The dog started up at sight of James, but he motioned him down, and went softly out into the hall.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ Think about it, Gordon prior to things going on, things start to go wrong in black mesa, going around finding the scientist to figure out what's wrong, going to the core, going to planet xen, fighting the aliens, and then there are the entire G-man subplot.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.The player takes on the role of Gordon Freeman, one of the research scientists who had been involved in the accident and who now must escape the facility.^ NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist, Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted and its population dwindling.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Though the game's hero, Gordon Freeman, will again be the strong and completely silent type, the supporting roles will be read by a solid lineup of talent.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

Gordon manages to terminate the creature holding the portal open.

.At the end of the game, a mysterious figure colloquially known as the G-Man extracts Gordon from Black Mesa and "offers" him employment.^ Gordon, peeping around his curtain, knew the dark figure as he would have known his own shadow.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ He realized that the watching man might easily have mistaken him for Gordon himself, going away with his man to make a call upon some patient.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ The G-man is an enigma, he's a character who is mysterious throughout the first two games (films).

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Gordon is subsequently put into stasis.^[31]

.In Half-Life 2, the story resumes an indeterminate number of years after the Black Mesa incident, with the G-Man taking Freeman out of stasis and inserting him into a train en route to City 17.^ Half-Life Story page is up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]
• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ "Almost a year and a half into the lawsuit," Lombardi continued, "Vivendi responded by making a number of claims in an attempt to invalidate our agreement and be awarded the ownership of the Half-Life intellectual property.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Official sources differ on the actual length of the intermission; a story fragment written by author Marc Laidlaw for the development team puts the intermission at ten years,^[32] while Half-Life 2: Episode One's website puts this intermission as "nearly two decades".^[33] One of the characters Freeman encounters, Alyx Vance, is seen in a picture as a child at Black Mesa, but appears as a young adult by the time Gordon reappears.^ Put in the team,” said Gordon.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ Half-Life Story page is up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ MSG series and Half-Life for one.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

This information is not directly relayed to the player. .The friendly characters that Freeman encounters appear unaware of the stasis he was put in and assumes that he has full knowledge of everything that has happened since the end of Half-Life.^ Original Half-Life characters and allies sections are up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ That's right, Half-Life2.nl is reporting that PC Gameplay will be reviewing Half-Life 2, the full final copy in their next issue with over 50 new screenshots!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ They used to be slaves that attacked you in the first Half-Life, but they are friendly now.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

The game is set on Earth, which has been conquered by the extraterrestrial civilization known as the Combine.

.The environments in Half-Life 2, in accordance with the game's story, all have a distinct post-apocalyptic theme, yet in design they are varied, and include the Eastern European-styled City 17, the zombie-infested Ravenholm; the coastal Nova Prospekt prison and the massive Combine Citadel.^ Half-Life Story page is up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ There are various of these Combines, ranging from the city version, to the prison version.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The Purchase Brothers have made a short film titled, "Escape from City 17" based on Half-Life 2 and it's live action awesomeness, being a total Half-Life 2 fan, this is win of the week.

• DailyGamesNews.com: Video - Half-Life 2 Short Film - Escape From City 17 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC dailygamesnews.com [Source type: General]

.Viktor Antonov, the art director of Half-Life 2, who spent his childhood in Bulgaria, wrote that the developers consciously modeled Half-Life 2's setting on Eastern Europe because they were fascinated by the region's combination of both new and old architecture and desired to infuse City 17 and its environs with the same sense of history.^ A: Yes, they will be set up the same way as Half-Life 1.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Auto detection is also good for those who don’t have the patience to tweak the plethora of visual settings present within Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.At the start of the game, the G-Man speaks to Gordon Freeman in a hallucination-like vision as he pulls Gordon out of stasis and places him on a train going to City 17. When the train arrives, Gordon gets off and proceeds through the Combine's security checkpoints where he is detained by a civil protection officer.^ Rescue them, like Gordon Freeman would do!

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Where are you going?” Gordon called out.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

Once in an interrogation room, the officer reveals himself to be Freeman's former co-worker and colleague, Barney Calhoun, and helps Freeman to get to Dr. Isaac Kleiner's laboratory. After meeting Alyx Vance, Freeman is instructed by Kleiner to step into a makeshift teleporter so that he can be safely extracted to the anti-Combine resistance base Black Mesa East along with Alyx, headed by her father, Dr. Eli Vance. .However, Kleiner's pet headcrab Lamarr disrupts the machine, and Freeman finds himself — after briefly appearing in several different locations — just outside Kleiner's lab.^ Loading* You'll be in Dr. Kleiner's lab again, and when he finds you (yes, Lamarr is there too), he'll say you've been gone for a week.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Kleiner is too busy finding Lamarr again, and Alyx doesn't want to leave him behind.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Lamarr - The pet of Dr. Kleiner.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.With the Combine now alerted to his presence, Freeman works his way through the drained canal system,^[34] avoiding enemy forces and using the help of human resistance fighters ^[35] to safely arrive at Black Mesa East.^ Work your way through the apartment.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Work your way through the building.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]
• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

Dr. Vance and Dr. Judith Mossman debrief Freeman on events since the incident at Black Mesa. As Alyx is introducing Freeman to DOG, her pet robot, and showing him how to use the new Zero-Point Energy Field Manipulator ("gravity gun"), the lab is attacked and Dr. Vance is captured. .Freeman is separated from Alyx, but she explains that he must travel to Nova Prospekt, a former prison, in order to save her father.^ Warden Freeman 10 Survive the second turret standoff in Nova Prospekt.

• The Sorted Achievement Guide for Half-Life 2 - Xbox360Achievements.org 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.xbox360achievements.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[36] .Along the way, Freeman encounters other allies, including Father Grigori in the zombie-infested town of Ravenholm,^[37] and Colonel Odessa Cubbage and his forces.^ Loading* Keep going, and you'll see Grigori on the other side again, and he'll be shooting Zombies and Headcrabs.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Father Grigori will be standing at the other side of the gate, and he'll send a cart, so you can go there.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ You'll have various fights with Zombies and Leapers, but with Father Grigori on your side, it's not a problem.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

After making his way across an Antlion-infested beach, Freeman reaches Nova Prospekt and begins to search for Dr. Vance.^[38] Alyx eventually reaches him and joins in his search. Together, they discover that Dr. Mossman is a spy for the Combine, but before they can stop her, she teleports herself and Dr. Vance back to the Combine headquarters known as the Citadel using the Combine teleporter.

Freeman and Alyx follow, and the facility is destroyed by a teleporter malfunction. .They materialize in Kleiner's lab one week later, discovering that their actions in Nova Prospekt have inspired the human resistance to mount a full-scale rebellion, turning City 17 into a battlefield.^ The Purchase Brothers have made a short film titled, "Escape from City 17" based on Half-Life 2 and it's live action awesomeness, being a total Half-Life 2 fan, this is win of the week.

• DailyGamesNews.com: Video - Half-Life 2 Short Film - Escape From City 17 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC dailygamesnews.com [Source type: General]

^ Wallace Breen, mysterious and evil leader of the humans collaborating with City 17's alien invaders, will be played by Robert Culp of I Spy fame.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Loading* You'll be in Dr. Kleiner's lab again, and when he finds you (yes, Lamarr is there too), he'll say you've been gone for a week.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^[39] Alyx helps to assist Dr. Kleiner and civilians to escape the city, while Freeman joins with the human resistance to dispatch the Combine forces. As the resistance gains the upper hand, Alyx is captured by the Combine and taken to the Citadel.^[40] Freeman enters the Citadel to rescue Alyx. After fighting through many Combine soldiers with only an upgraded Gravity gun, Freeman eventually reaches Dr. Breen's office, where Dr. Mossman is also waiting. As Alyx and Eli Vance are brought in, Dr. Breen attempts to threaten them and convince Freeman to work for him, but Judith Mossman has a change of heart, and releases the three prisoners. Dr. Breen flees to the Dark Energy Reactor at the top of the Citadel and attempts to teleport away from Earth. Freeman pursues him and attacks the reactor.^[41] .As the reactor explodes a few yards away from Freeman and Alyx, time stops and the G-Man appears.^ G-man will stop time, and you'll see how the generator explodes.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.He comments on Gordon's successful endeavors and then places him back into stasis.^ James was heartily glad when dinner was over, and, at Doctor Gordon's request, he followed him into his office.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ Doctor Gordon left James there, saying that he would make another call and be back for him directly.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ One evening Georgie K. made a motion to James behind Gordon's back when he took leave, and James made an excuse to follow him out.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

.Throughout the entirety of Half-Life 2, Gordon never speaks, and the player views the action through his eyes only.^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ It was only because I never saw such a woman in all my life before,” said James.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

.There are no cut scenes, nor are there any discontinuities or jumps in time from the player's point of view.^ I dare say there was no danger this time, only he came up behind like a cat, and —” .

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ Again there was no answer, this time not even any motion.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

.Some critics have criticized these design decisions as narrative holdovers from Half-Life,^[42] that effectively limit how much of the back-story is explained.^ Half-Life Story page is up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Crowbar Ammo: N/A Hotkey: 1 Description: This is the famous Half-Life weapon, although you won't use it all that much.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Half-Life 2 Preloading pushed back to Monday by Wester .

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

Due to the lack of cut scenes, the player never directly sees what happens in Gordon's absence.

.The ending of Half-Life 2 is also very similar to that of the original: after completing a difficult task against seemingly overwhelming odds, Gordon is extracted by the G-Man, who congratulates him and informs him that further assignments should follow.^ Congratulations, you have completed Half-Life 2 !

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.The fates of many of the major characters, such as Alyx, Eli, and Judith, go unexplained.^ From here, you should be teleported to Eli's Lab, but first Alyx will go.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Eli is captured, and Alyx will ask you go help her, so she can free Eli from Nova Prospekt, a prison.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.Very few of the questions raised by Half-Life are answered, and several new ones are presented.^ MSG series and Half-Life for one.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Auto detection is also good for those who don’t have the patience to tweak the plethora of visual settings present within Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ We're told Half-Life 2 will be finished in the next few weeks, and that Counter-Strike: Source will begin beta testing soon.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.The identity and nature of the G-Man still remains a mystery.^ He began considering the nature of the man whose dark figure remained motionless on the driveway.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

.A number of these issues are addressed, however, in the sequel games, Episode One and Episode Two.^ Once you have successfully completed play of Half-Life 2, we recommend playing the sequels: Half-Life 2 Episode One and Half-Life 2 Episode Two .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ BGamer is Portugal's number one gaming magazine (basically our PCGamer).

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ In Episode Two, find the Gnome in the communications shack in the begining of the game.

• The Sorted Achievement Guide for Half-Life 2 - Xbox360Achievements.org 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.xbox360achievements.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^{[31][43][44][45]}

.For Half-Life 2, Valve Corporation developed a new game engine called the Source engine, which handles the game's visual, audio, and artificial intelligence elements.^ First Half-Life: Source screenshot!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ This will feature many new elements to the game.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.The Source engine comes packaged with a heavily modified version of the Havok physics engine that allows for an extra dimension of interactivity in both single-player and online environments.^ Halo had a vehicle focus in both single player and mainly multiplayer.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ The results were: Do you think including a source engine version of CS was a good idea for HL2 mutiplayer?

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ CS Nation had a few words with Jess Cliffe of VALVe Software regarding the upcoming Source Engine powered version of Counter-Strike .

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[46] The engine can be easily upgraded because it is separated in modules. .When coupled with Steam, it becomes easy to roll out new features.^ Over at the steam powered site, a news announcement had arrived saying later this summer that the WON NET authentication system would be wiped out in place of Steam, completely.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ You can check out the news post over at Steam's News page.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.One such example is high dynamic range rendering, which Valve first demonstrated in a free downloadable level called Lost Coast for owners of Half-Life 2.^ First Half-Life: Source screenshot!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The beta will first be open to subscribers of the Valve Cyber Cafe Program, and then extended to owners of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 will be added to the program for active subscribers in the Valve Cyber Cafe Program.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[47] .HDR is now part of all Valve games.^ On Wednesday, this first phase of the beta will open and the game will be playable at all cyber cafés that subscribe to the Valve Cyber Café Program .

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Several other games use the Source engine, including Day of Defeat: Source and Counter-Strike: Source, both of which were also developed by Valve.^ Here's a clipping: "Counter-Strike: Source is essentially the Counter-Strike you know and love ported over to Valve's Source Engine, the engine that Half-Life 2 was built on, as well as the engine that will be used in many games that will be released in the coming months, including Vampire - The Masquerade.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Active Valve Cybercafe Program subscribers receive access and a commercial license to use Valve games in their café (including Counter-Strike, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, Day of Defeat and Half-Life), access to upcoming new releases in the program such as Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source, free tournament licenses, promotional materials and priority customer service and support.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The beta will first be open to subscribers of the Valve Cyber Cafe Program, and then extended to owners of Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[48] Also using Source is Dark Messiah, and the upcoming game The Crossing, both developed by Arkane Studios.^[49]

.Integral to Half-Life 2 on the Windows platform is the Steam content delivery system developed by Valve Corporation.^ Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 will be added to the program for active subscribers in the Valve Cyber Cafe Program.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ We'll all be abducted by Steam one way or another, or forget playing Half-Life.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Even though I don't trust Valve, I'm still excited for Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.All Half-Life 2 players on PC are required to have Steam installed and a valid account in order to play.^ Crowbar Ammo: N/A Hotkey: 1 Description: This is the famous Half-Life weapon, although you won't use it all that much.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Halo 2 sucked a big donkey's nuts that I didn't even finish it and opted to play better games such as Half Life 2.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ To celebrate Gamespot's "All Time Greatest Game Hero" award to Half-Life's Dr. Gordon Freeman we are offering all Half-Life games at 55.8% off!

• Steam News 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC store.steampowered.com [Source type: General]

^[50] Steam allows customers to purchase games and other software straight from the developer and have them downloaded directly to their computer as well as receiving "micro updates." These updates also make hacking the game harder to do and has thus far been somewhat successful in staving off cheats and playability for users with unauthorized copies.^[51] .Steam can also be used for finding and playing multiplayer games through an integrated server browser and friends list, and game data can be backed up with a standard CD or DVD burner.^ I dont see any servers in the Find Servers browser?

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ Go further to the back of town, and you'll find a way up.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ I've played the Halo games through many times, and not once has the experience been the same.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Steam and a customer’s purchased content can be downloaded onto any computer, as long as that account is only logged in at one location at a given time.^ For balance reasons, only one higher tier weapon (such as the flamethrower) can be taken at a time.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ Yeah, this time we've not only got one but two new polls up!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

The usage of Steam has not gone without controversy.^[52] Some users have reported numerous problems with Steam, sometimes being serious enough to prevent a reviewer from recommending a given title available on the service. In other cases, review scores have been lowered.^[53] .Long download times, seemingly unnecessary updates, and verification checks are criticisms leveled by critics of the system’s use for single-player games such as Half-Life 2.^ Using a grenade in a game like Half Life 2 is such a chore.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Crowbar Ammo: N/A Hotkey: 1 Description: This is the famous Half-Life weapon, although you won't use it all that much.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^[54][55] .Regardless of whether or not a customer intends to use any multiplayer features, the computer on which the game was installed must have Steam and an Internet connection to verify the transaction.^ Certainly Halo has it's place amongst top games in the FPS genre, and certainly many games made use of the features and ideas it brought to the playing field...

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ As for the multiplayer aspect of Halo, I agree -- it is probably the most commonly used part of the game.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ We were one of the very first games on this engine to make use of vehicles in Multiplayer.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

.The book, Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, revealed many of the game’s original settings and action that were cut down or removed from the game.^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.Half-Life 2 was originally intended to be a darker game with grittier artwork, where the Combine were more obviously draining the oceans for minerals and replacing the atmosphere with noxious, murky gases.^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Nova Prospekt was originally intended to be a small Combine rail depot built on an old prison in the wasteland.^ Eli is captured, and Alyx will ask you go help her, so she can free Eli from Nova Prospekt, a prison.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Chapter 9: Nova Prospekt [HL.06.10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Continue, and you'll see you're in a prison.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

Eventually, Nova Prospekt grew from a stopping-off point along the way to the destination itself.^[32] .Half-Life 2 was also originally intended to be more diverse in settings.^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Auto detection is also good for those who don’t have the patience to tweak the plethora of visual settings present within Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.The book mentions how originally, the player was to follow a different journey from what is in the final release.^ Halo 2 score had to do with multiplayer", when I mentioned how overrated the single player was.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Half-Life 2 was merely a rumor until a strong impression at E3 in May 2003 launched it into high levels of hype where it won several awards for best in show.^ Crowbar Ammo: N/A Hotkey: 1 Description: This is the famous Half-Life weapon, although you won't use it all that much.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ "Almost a year and a half into the lawsuit," Lombardi continued, "Vivendi responded by making a number of claims in an attempt to invalidate our agreement and be awarded the ownership of the Half-Life intellectual property.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.It had a release date of September 2003, but was delayed.^ There's no word from VALVe on this, and they still are claiming that the release date is "September 2004", so let's wait for a release date confirmation from VALVe.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ To begin with, Australia's PC PowerPlay recently stated that Half-Life 2 was just finished and was scheduled for a September 22nd release date.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Half-Life 2's release date on September 1st, 2004.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.This pushing back of HL2’s release date came in the wake of the cracking of Valve's internal network^[56] through a null session connection to Tangis which was hosted in Valve's network and a subsequent upload of an ASP shell, resulting in the leak of the game's source code and many other files including maps, models and a playable early version of Half-Life Source and Counter-Strike Source in early September 2003.^[57] On October 2, 2003, Valve CEO Gabe Newell publicly explained in the HalfLife2.net forums the events that Valve experienced around the time of the leak, and requested users to track down the perpetrators if possible.^ Not many other games can claim that.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Halo 2 and Half life came out around the same time.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.In June 2004, Valve Software announced in a press release that the FBI had arrested several people suspected of involvement in the source code leak.^ Here's the details: Online Community Tracks Down Hackers : June, 10 2004 - Arrests have been made in several countries related to the break-in to Valve's network, theft of the Half-Life 2 source code, and release of the source code on the Internet.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Others believe that release is imminent because Valve is happy for the game software to be downloaded.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Voodoo Extreme had a few words with Doug Lombardi of VALVe Software regarding things like HL2's release canditate in an extremely short interview .

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[58] .Valve claimed the game had been leaked by a German black-hat hacker named Axel Gembe.^ Valve’s debut title was named “Best PC Game Ever” by PC Gamer and launched a franchise with more than eight million retails units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Gembe later contacted Newell through e-mail (also providing an unreleased document planning the E3 events).^ The plot outline operates on a system of planned encounters and scripted events, so the story will be identical each time you play through.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

Gembe was led into believing that Valve wanted to employ him as an in-house security auditor. .He was to be offered a flight to the USA and was to be arrested on arrival by the FBI. When the German government became aware of the plan, Gembe was arrested in Germany instead, and put on trial for the leak as well as other computer crimes in November 2006, such as the creation of Agobot, a highly successful trojan which harvested users' data.^ I guess it was just sort of a defense to how much work we were attributing or to at least get awareness that we were doing other things as well.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^[59][60][61]

.At the trial in November 2006 in Germany, Gembe was sentenced to two years' probation.^ If he doesn't sign in the next day and a half, she's got a two-year sentence in the foster care system with leering foster brothers and even more leering foster dads.

• Life Unexpected - Pilot - Yahoo! TV 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC tv.yahoo.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.In imposing the sentence, the judge took into account such factors as Gembe's difficult childhood and the fact that he was taking steps to improve his situation.^ He was, in fact, considering quite naïvely that he was not a bad match, taking into consideration his prospects, and Clemency evidently needed all the protection she could get.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^[62]

.On September 20, 2004, the gaming public learned through GameSpot that Sierra's parent company, Vivendi Universal Games, was in a legal battle with Valve Software over the distribution of Half-Life 2 to cyber cafés.^ Half-Life 2's release date on September 1st, 2004.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ COME ON GORDON! Now time for the half life movie me thinks, but every single film based from a game, has sucked so far IMO __________________ .

• Gordon Freeman needs your help! - Page 3 - techPowerUp! Forums 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC forums.techpowerup.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

This is important for the Asian PC gaming market where PC and broadband penetration per capita are much lower (except Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan). .Therefore, cyber cafés are extremely popular for playing online games for large numbers of people.^ I realize it's the same as the achievement guide, but could be useful for many people that want to play through the game with the achievements ordered this way.

• The Sorted Achievement Guide for Half-Life 2 - Xbox360Achievements.org 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.xbox360achievements.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[63]

.According to Vivendi Universal Games, the distribution contract they signed with Valve included cyber cafés.^ Valve licensed cyber cafe operators also receive the benefits of Steam, an online network that insures licensed cybercafe operators have the most up to date versions of Valve games for their customers.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ [Doug Lombardi]: Yes, this began with Valve suing Vivendi for copyright infringement back in 2002 over their unauthorized distribution of our products to cybercafé's for commercial use.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ These new games will be included as part of the regular monthly fee as soon as they are released.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.This would mean that only Vivendi Universal Games could distribute Half-Life 2 to cyber cafés — not Valve through the Steam system.^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ First, to put some of the reported rumors to rest, Valve is indeed close to submitting the finished product to Vivendi Universal.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.On November 29, 2004, Judge Thomas S. Zilly, of U.S. Federal District Court in Seattle, WA, ruled that Vivendi Universal Games and its affiliates, are not authorized to distribute (directly or indirectly) Valve games through cyber cafés to end users for pay-to-play activities pursuant to the parties' current publishing agreement.^ Namco is currently the only authorized cyber cafe reseller in Japan for Valve games.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ First, to put some of the reported rumors to rest, Valve is indeed close to submitting the finished product to Vivendi Universal.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ I've played the Halo games through many times, and not once has the experience been the same.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.In addition, Judge Zilly ruled in favor of the Valve motion regarding the contractual limitation of liability, allowing Valve to recover copyright damages for any infringement as allowed by law without regard to the publishing agreement’s limitation of liability clause.^ [Doug Lombardi]: Yes, this began with Valve suing Vivendi for copyright infringement back in 2002 over their unauthorized distribution of our products to cybercafé's for commercial use.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[64]

On April 29, 2005, the two parties announced a settlement agreement. .Under the agreement, Vivendi Universal Games would cease distributing all retail packaged versions of Valve games by August 31, 2005. Vivendi Universal Games also was to notify distributors and cyber cafés that had been licensed by Vivendi Universal Games that only Valve had the authority to distribute cyber café licenses, and hence their licenses were revoked and switched to Valve's.^ Valve licensed cyber cafe operators also receive the benefits of Steam, an online network that insures licensed cybercafe operators have the most up to date versions of Valve games for their customers.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ In addition to the new games, Valve is also readying a Cybercafe License Server.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Valve’s debut title was named “Best PC Game Ever” by PC Gamer and launched a franchise with more than eight million retails units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[65]

All listed tracks were composed by Kelly Bailey.^[66] .Purchasers of the Gold Package of the game were given (among other things) a CD soundtrack containing nearly all the music from the game, along with three bonus tracks.^ Gold packages purchased).

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The interview also unveils that HL2 package will have 4 CDs, and the special edition DVD package will have just 1 DVD. Anyway, here's a slice from the interview : "SG.com: Some people think that Valve is putting all their effort into making HL2 a great game, and therefore the other games are left almost untouched.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Then the publisher tests out the game and if all goes well, then the game goes Gold.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.This CD is available for separate purchase via the Valve online store.^ The moment the game is made available, those who have pre-loaded and purchased the game via Steam will be ready to start playing."

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The moment the game is made available, those who have pre-loaded and purchased Half-Life 2 via Steam will be ready to start playing right away."

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

Tracks 16, 18 and 42 are bonus tracks that are exclusive to the CD soundtrack. .Tracks 44 to 51 are tracks from the game that did not appear on the soundtrack CD. Many of the tracks were retitled and carried over from the Half-Life soundtrack; The names in parentheses are the original titles.^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

Tracks 34, 41, and 42 are remixes.

.A 1GB portion of Half-Life 2 became available for pre-load through Steam on August 26, 2004. This meant that customers could begin to download encrypted game files to their computer before the game was released.^ No purchase is required to pre-load Half-Life 2, but is required to activate the game.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ This will allow users to download the Half-Life 2 maps in encrypted form.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Half-Life 2 Pre-loading Phase 6 begins by Wester .

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.When the game’s release date arrived, customers were able to pay for the game through Steam, unlock the files on their hard drives and play the game immediately, without having to wait for the whole game to download.^ By the thrid arbiter Mission, I said," Wait a minute, games are supposed to be so good, that I WANT to keep playing.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Others believe that release is imminent because Valve is happy for the game software to be downloaded.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ I've played the Halo games through many times, and not once has the experience been the same.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.The pre-load period lasted for several weeks, with several subsequent portions of the game being made available, to ensure all customers had a chance to download the content before the game was released.^ Halo related content and Incoming Source not really being a game of it's own.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^ Others believe that release is imminent because Valve is happy for the game software to be downloaded.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ We want to let you know the patch IS heavily under way, the server crash HAS been fixed as of yesterday and we are doing last minute map fixes and game tweaks before we release.

• Orion ~ Half Life 2 Total Modification 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC www.orion-project.net [Source type: General]

^[67]

.Half-Life 2 was simultaneously released through Steam, CD, and on DVD in several editions.^ We'll all be abducted by Steam one way or another, or forget playing Half-Life.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The new poll is titled: "When do you think Half-Life 3 will be released?".

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ "Half-Life 2 on track for a 2004 release date"....says Doug Lombardi by Wester .

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Through Steam, Half-Life 2 had three packages that a customer could order.^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ We'll all be abducted by Steam one way or another, or forget playing Half-Life.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Also, I have played through Half Life 2 and both of its episodes.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

.The basic version ("Bronze") includes only Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source, whereas the "Silver" and "Gold" (collector’s edition) versions also include Half-Life: Source and Day of Defeat: Source (ports of the original Half-Life and Day of Defeat mod to the new engine) as well as the right to download all previous games by Valve through Steam.^ This is good news for all you Counter-Strike fans.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 will be added to the program for active subscribers in the Valve Cyber Cafe Program.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.The collector’s edition/Gold version additionally includes merchandise such as a t-shirt, a strategy guide, and a CD containing the soundtrack used in Half-Life 2.^ Using a grenade in a game like Half Life 2 is such a chore.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ Collector's Edition — includes Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 1: Source, a Half-Life 2 T-shirt and a Prima book sampler.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Gold — HL2*, Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 1: Source*, Day of Defeat: Source*, Valve's back catalog currently available on Steam, Complete Strategy Guide from Prima Games, 3 different Half-Life 2 posters, Half-Life 2 hat, Half-Life 2 postcard, Half-Life 2 stickers, Half-Life 2 Soundtrack CD, Chance to win a trip to Valve!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

Both the disc and Steam version require Steam to be installed and active for play.^[68]

.A demo version with the file size of a single CD was later made available in December 2004 at the web site of graphics card manufacturer ATI Technologies, who teamed up with Valve for the game.^ Well firstly, TheInquirer.net is reporting in a short article that VU Games have purchased 35 Radeon 9800 Pro graphics cards in order to extensively test the RC1 of HL2 that VALVe sent them, and that could mean a November 2004 release date, but let's hope not.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Effective immediately, subscribers of the Valve Cybercafe Program will receive a free license to use Xbox versions of Valve's games in their cafés, up to the number of active cybercafe subscriptions held in the Valve Cybercafe Program.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ I made up my mind I would keep still until I heard a team pass.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

.The demo contains part of the opening level of the game, and also part of the chapter "We Don't Go To Ravenholm."^ YouTube: Half Life 2 Walkthrough: We Don't Go To Ravenholm Part 1 (Time: 9:59) Go straight ahead.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ We Don't go to Ravenholm...

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ YouTube: Half Life 2 Walkthrough: We Don't Go To Ravenholm Part 2 (Time: 8:37) Featured Video .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

.In September 2005, Electronic Arts distributed the Game of the Year edition of Half-Life 2.^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Computer Games Online had an interview with Doug Lombardi covering a wide variety of topics including the Half-Life 2 SDK, Team Fortress 2 and etc.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Compared to the original CD-release of Half-Life 2, the GOTY edition adds Half-Life: Source.^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ First Half-Life: Source screenshot!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ But the only issue is that VU Games(the publisher of Half-Life 2) is claiming that Half-Life 2 may miss the summer targeted release date and possibly even this christmas.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[69]

.On December 22, 2005, Valve released a 64-bit version of the Source game engine that theoretically takes advantage of AMD64 or EM64T processor-based systems running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64, Windows Vista x64, or Windows Server 2008 x64.^ Source provides major enhancements in: Characters - Advanced facial animation system delivers the most sophisticated in-game characters ever seen.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Maybe taking lousy games is the right way and soon there will be a decent film based on a shit game?

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ The 2nd movie follows the 2nd game, the third film would take follow all the "Aftermath" expansions, which valve has already said it "half-life 3" .

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.This update, delivered via Steam, enabled Half-Life 2 and other Source-based games to run natively on 64 bit processors, bypassing the 32-bit compatibility layer.^ First Half-Life: Source screenshot!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Source provides major enhancements in: Characters - Advanced facial animation system delivers the most sophisticated in-game characters ever seen.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.Gabe Newell, one of the founders of Valve, stated that this is "an important step in the evolution of our game content and tools," and that the game benefits greatly from the update.^ Gabe Newell stated this was done yesterday on 9/15.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ "We are delighted by the success we've experienced working with Namco," said Gabe Newell, president and founder of Valve, "And we look forward to extending that relationship as we work to meet the growing demand for action games in Japan."

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Valve licensed cyber cafe operators also receive the benefits of Steam, an online network that insures licensed cybercafe operators have the most up to date versions of Valve games for their customers.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[70] .The response to the release varied: some users reported huge performance boosts, while technology site Techgage found several stability issues and no notable frame rate improvement.^ Here's a quick slice from it : "Even now no fixed date has been given for its release and some gamers speculate that it may not appear until November.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ You'll be able to do some initial performance analysis using this test and report the data back to a central server.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[71] .64-bit users have widely reported bizarre in-game errors including characters dropping dead, game script files not being pre-cached (i.e., loaded when first requested instead), map rules being bent by AI, and other glitches.^ CZ/ATI users pre-load.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ No purchase is required to pre-load Half-Life 2, but is required to activate the game.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Well since people requested it (including me) and it hasn't been done yet, I decided to separate the Half-Life achievements by game myself using Pyroman's guide.

• The Sorted Achievement Guide for Half-Life 2 - Xbox360Achievements.org 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.xbox360achievements.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[72]

.An Xbox port published by Electronic Arts was released on November 15, 2005. While subject to positive reception, critics cited its lack of multiplayer and frame-rate issues as problems, and the game received somewhat lower scores than its PC counterpart.^ We should have a full, final score rating of HL2 from PC GAMER and other details soon, and it'll be kick-ass, so stay tuned!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ In addition to being named “Best PC Game” by 1up.com (Ziff Davis) and Gamespy.com, the title also received a “Technological Excellence on PC” award from IGN.com.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The above score is what Half-Life 2 scored in the world exclusive first December 2004 issue of PC GAMER and the November 2004 issue of PC GAMER UK! So be prepared for one kick ass review!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[73]

.During Electronic Arts’s summer press event on July 13, 2006, Gabe Newell, cofounder of Valve Corporation, announced that Half-Life 2 would ship on next-generation consoles (specifically, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) along with episodes One and Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal^[9] in a package called The Orange Box.^ VALVe also remains utterly sure that Half-Life 2 will ship this summer.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ MSG series and Half-Life for one.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ We're told Half-Life 2 will be finished in the next few weeks, and that Counter-Strike: Source will begin beta testing soon.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.The Windows version was released on October 10, 2007 as both a retail boxed copy, and as a download available through Valve’s Steam service.^ Others believe that release is imminent because Valve is happy for the game software to be downloaded.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Valve licensed cyber cafe operators also receive the benefits of Steam, an online network that insures licensed cybercafe operators have the most up to date versions of Valve games for their customers.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ These will be released prior to HL2 and will be in publications at first, then will be available for download.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

The Xbox 360 version was also released on October 10, 2007. A PlayStation 3 version was released on December 11, 2007.^[74]

.The popularity of Half-Life 2 and the Half-Life series has led way to an array of side products and collectibles.^ MSG series and Half-Life for one.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ We'll all be abducted by Steam one way or another, or forget playing Half-Life.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ But for me, when it comes down to the best shooter franchise - it's the Half-Life games all the way.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Valve offers Half-Life-related products such as a plush vortigaunt, plush headcrab,^[75] posters, clothing and mousepads.^ Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 will be added to the program for active subscribers in the Valve Cyber Cafe Program.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Halo 2 sucked a big donkey's nuts that I didn't even finish it and opted to play better games such as Half Life 2.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ Even though I don't trust Valve, I'm still excited for Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[76]

.Half-Life 2’s public reception was overwhelmingly positive in terms of reviews, acclaim and sales.^ PC Gameplay to review Half-Life 2!!!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ That's right, Half-Life2.nl is reporting that PC Gameplay will be reviewing Half-Life 2, the full final copy in their next issue with over 50 new screenshots!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Over at Half-Life Radio , they have up a Counter-Strike: Source review , but really a beta playtest review regarding Counter-Strike: Source.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.As of 2008, 6.5 million retail copies have been sold, but this does not include Steam purchases, which would most likely put the game at an estimated 8.3 – 8.6 million copies sold.^ Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ You might have heard of it, it sold 8 million copies.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ HL2 is the core of most of the games I've played for a bunch of years now, so prob DAOC aside (being my fav game) I'd like to thank HL2 for being created.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^[86] .The game became one of the most critically acclaimed video games in history.^ Graphics - Source's shader-based renderer, like the one used at Pixar to create movies such as Toy Story and Monster's, Inc., creates the most beautiful and realistic environments ever seen in a video game.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ It's full of armchair critics who can state "Halo = Most Overrated Game Ever"/"Peter Jackson got lucky"/"This film will be awful" without a sence of humour or irony.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ That was an awesome game that was totally underrated but had some of the most memorable characters in video games today.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

It received an aggregated score of 96% on both GameRankings and Metacritic.^[10][77] .Sources such as GameSpy,^[80] The Cincinnati Enquirer,^[84] and The New York Times^[85] have given perfect reviewing scores, and others such as PC Gamer^[83] and IGN^[81] gave near-perfect scores, while the game became the fifth title to receive Edge magazine’s ten-out-of-ten score.^ Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ While living under other than his rightful name, he must have gone to New York in person to supply himself with cash.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ The latest PC gamer german magazine have an exclusive, new source video covering Counter-Strike in action!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[78] .Critics who applauded the game cited the advanced graphics and physics^[85] along with the relatively low system requirements.^ Source provides major enhancements in: Characters - Advanced facial animation system delivers the most sophisticated in-game characters ever seen.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Source provides major enhancements in the advanced facial animation system, physics, graphics and AI. Half-Life 2 will be available for the PC. About Vivendi Universal Games Headquartered in Los Angeles, VU Games is a leading global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The new game will let you do this, if you so choose, and it will feature scalable graphics options that should even allow it to be played on lower-end systems.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[79] Maximum PC awarded Half-Life 2 an unprecedented 11 on their rating scale which normally peaks at 10, and named it the "best game ever made".^[82]

.Several critics, including some that had given positive reviews, complained about the required usage of the program Steam, the requirement to create an account, register the products, and permanently lock them to the account before being allowed to play, along with complications making it difficult to install and lack of support.^ The portrait had been painted, he knew instinctively, before some great change had come into the woman's heart, which had given her another aspect of beauty.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ I think Uncle Tom must have given her some medicine to make her sleep.

• "Doc." Gordon 2 February 2010 14:49 UTC home.comcast.net [Source type: Original source]

^ Excuse me for being excited for this movie before it comes out but it just doesnt make any sense why people are already talking shit.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^[85]

.Half-Life 2 earned over 40 Game of the Year awards,^[12] including Overall Game of the Year at IGN, GameSpot’s Award for Best Shooter, GameSpot’s Reader’s Choice — PC Game of the Year Award, Game of the Year from The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, and "Best Game" with the Game Developers Choice Awards, where it was also given various awards for technology, characters, and writing.^ PC Gameplay to review Half-Life 2!!!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Half-Life 2 has surpassed our expectations in every sense – its high-quality graphics, ground-breaking physics and immersive first-person shooter gameplay set a new standard for PC action games,” said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.Edge magazine awarded Half Life 2 with its top honor of the year with the award for Best Game, as well as awards for Innovation and Visual Design.^ Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Auto detection is also good for those who don’t have the patience to tweak the plethora of visual settings present within Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

The game also had a strong showing at the 2004 British Academy Video Games Awards, picking up six awards, more than any other game that night, with awards including "Best Game" and "Best Online and Multiplayer."^[87]

Guinness World Records awarded Half-Life 2 the world record for "Highest Rated Shooter by PC Gamer Magazine" in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008. Other records awarded the game in the book include, "Largest Digital Distribution Channel" for Valve's Steam service, "First Game to Feature a Gravity Gun", and "First PC Game to Feature Developer Commentary".^[88] In 2009, Game Informer put Half-Life 2 5th on their list of "The Top 200 Games of All Time", saying that "With Half-Life 2, Valve redefined the way first-person shooters were created".^[89]

.Half-Life 2 was selected by readers of The Guardian as the best game of the decade, with praise given especially to the environment design throughout the game.^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Computer Games Online had an interview with Doug Lombardi covering a wide variety of topics including the Half-Life 2 SDK, Team Fortress 2 and etc.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

According to the newspaper, it "pushed the envelope for the genre, and set a new high watermark for FPS narrative". One author commented: "Half Life 2 always felt like the European arthouse answer to the Hollywood bluster of Halo and Call of Duty".^[13]

.Half-Life 2 won CrispyGamer's 'Game of the Decade'^[14] tournament style poll.^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ Crowbar Ammo: N/A Hotkey: 1 Description: This is the famous Half-Life weapon, although you won't use it all that much.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games’ Sierra Entertainment publishing label.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

It also won Reviews on the Run's^[15] and IGN's^[16] best game of the decade.

.Since the release of Half-Life 2, Valve Corporation has released an additional level and two additional "expansion" sequels.^ Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 will be added to the program for active subscribers in the Valve Cyber Cafe Program.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Even though I don't trust Valve, I'm still excited for Half-Life 2.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ The new poll is titled: "When do you think Half-Life 3 will be released?".

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

.The level, "Lost Coast," takes place between the levels "Highway 17" and "Sandtraps" and is primarily a showcase for high dynamic range rendering (HDR) technology.^ YouTube: Half Life 2 Highway 17 Part 4 (Time: 9:58) Sandtraps .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

.The first "expansion" sequel, Half-Life 2: Episode One, takes place immediately after the events of Half-Life 2, with the player taking on the role of Gordon Freeman once again and with Alyx Vance playing a more prominent role.^ Also, I have played through Half Life 2 and both of its episodes.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ Once you have successfully completed play of Half-Life 2, we recommend playing the sequels: Half-Life 2 Episode One and Half-Life 2 Episode Two .

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ MSG series and Half-Life for one.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Half-Life 2: Episode Two continues directly from the ending of Episode One, with Alyx and Gordon making their way to White Forest Missile base, the latest hideout of the resistance.^ MSG series and Half-Life for one.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ "Almost a year and a half into the lawsuit," Lombardi continued, "Vivendi responded by making a number of claims in an attempt to invalidate our agreement and be awarded the ownership of the Half-Life intellectual property.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ We'll all be abducted by Steam one way or another, or forget playing Half-Life.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

A further "episode" is set to be released in the future, dubbed Episode Three; being the last expansion, "in a trilogy."^[90] .In an interview with Eurogamer, Gabe Newell revealed that the Half-Life 2 "episodes" are essentially Half-Life 3.^ Computer Games Online had an interview with Doug Lombardi covering a wide variety of topics including the Half-Life 2 SDK, Team Fortress 2 and etc.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Well, to begin with the load of updates, HomeLanFED have an interview on with Gabe Newell about the 2D Half-Life side scrolling free game named 'Codename: Gordon', a good read to say the least, confirming at the end that Half-Life 2 will go GOLD in August, and should be released this September!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Here's an interesting snippet of the interview : Computer Games Romania: "Do you expect Half-Life 2 to start a new era of modding?"

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[91] .He reasons that rather than force fans to wait another six years for a full sequel, Valve Corporation would release the game in episodic installments.^ Others believe that release is imminent because Valve is happy for the game software to be downloaded.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ That's one of the reasons why I think fans who are more critical of Valve's release schedule may be interested in this book.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ At this year's E3, Valve reported the game should be complete this summer, and we can certainly hope.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[91] .Newell admits that a more correct title for these episodes should have been "Half-Life 3: Episode One" and so forth, having referred to the episodes as Half-Life 3 repeatedly through the interview.^ Also, I have played through Half Life 2 and both of its episodes.

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ MSG series and Half-Life for one.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^[91]

.Since the release of the Source engine SDK, a large number of modifications (mods) have been developed by the Half-Life 2 community.^ You do realize that Half Life has been on consoles since Half Life 1, right?

• HL2 - best game of the decade. - General Gaming - General Discussion - MMORPG.com Forums 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mmorpg.com [Source type: General]

^ The intense, real-time gameplay of Half-Life 2 is made possible only by Source, Valve's new proprietary engine technology.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

^ KB) ============================================================================== Introduction [HL.02.01] ============================================================================== Half-Life 2 is the game I waited for ever since I played the original Half-Life.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.Mods vary in scale, from fan-created levels and weapons, to partial conversions such as Rock 24, Half-Life 2 Substance and Smod (which modify the storyline and gameplay of the pre-existing game), SourceForts and Garry's Mod (which allow the player to experiment with the physics system in a sandbox mode), to total conversions such as Dystopia, Zombie Master or Iron Grip: The Oppression, the latter of which transforms the game from a first-person shooter into a real-time strategy game.^ Does this work for the first Half Life 2 game list???

• The Sorted Achievement Guide for Half-Life 2 - Xbox360Achievements.org 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.xbox360achievements.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ It's the one game franchise I'm really into.

• Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. 31 January 2010 12:55 UTC www.aintitcool.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^ The most favourite Half-Life weapon.

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough - IGN FAQs 2 February 2010 7:58 UTC faqs.ign.com [Source type: General]

.Some mods take place in the Half-Life universe; others in completely original settings; while some are tributes to other games, such as GoldenEye: Source, a recreation of GoldenEye 007, and Resident Evil: Twilight, based on the Resident Evil series.^ Congratulations, you have completed Half-Life 2 !

• Half-Life 2 Walkthrough 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.mahalo.com [Source type: General]

^ Original Half-Life section moved and done with!

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Like the original game, Half-Life 2's engine is expected to be used in a number of other games.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

Many more mods are still in development, including Lift, The Myriad, Operation Black Mesa, and the episodic single-player mod MINERVA. .Several multiplayer mods, such as Pirates, Vikings and Knights II, a predominately sword-fighting game, Insurgency: Modern Infantry Combat, which focuses on realistic modern infantry combat and Jailbreak Source have been opened to the public as a beta.^ On Wednesday, this first phase of the beta will open and the game will be playable at all cyber cafés that subscribe to the Valve Cyber Café Program .

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[92][93] .As part of its community support, Valve announced in September 2008 that several mods, with more planned in the future, were being integrated into the Steamworks program, allowing the mods to make full use of Steam's distribution and update capabilities.^ Here's the press release: "Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 2, and More Coming Soon Valve Corporation today revealed a series of new games and features being added to the Valve Cybercafé Program over the coming months.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ More specifically; are there any plans for a part three now?"

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^ Once this is done, everyone will need to use Steam to play Half-Life and its mods/related games.

• Half-Life Portal - an extensive Half-Life fansite - News Archive #2 14 January 2010 7:20 UTC www.halflifeportal.com [Source type: General]

^[94]