Half-Life (series)

{{Short description|Video game series}}  {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox video game series |title = Half-Life |image = Orange lambda250px|alt=The text "Half-Life" |caption = The series' logo, an orange lambda, is a prominent symbol throughout the series. |developer = {{ubl|Valve|Gearbox Software (1999–2001)}} |publisher = {{ubl|Sierra On-Line (1998–2003)|Valve (2004–present)}} |platforms = {{ubl|Windows|macOS|Linux|Xbox|Xbox 360|PlayStation 2|PlayStation 3|Shield Portable}} |first release version = ''Half-Life'' |first release date = November 19, 1998 |latest release version = ''Half-Life: Alyx'' |latest release date = March 23, 2020 }}

'''''Half-Life''''' is a series of first-person shooter games created by Valve. The games combine shooting combat, puzzles and storytelling, and are played entirely from the first-person perspective.

The original ''Half-Life,'' Valve's first product, was released in 1998 for Windows. Players control silent protagonist Gordon Freeman, a scientist working at the Black Mesa Research Facility who must survive an alien invasion caused by the facility. The use of innovative scripted sequences instead of cutscenes was influential on the first-person shooter genre, and the game inspired numerous community-developed mods, leading to the release of the multiplayer games ''Counter-Strike'' and ''Day of Defeat''. ''Half-Life'' was followed by the expansions ''Opposing Force'' (1999), ''Blue Shift'' (2001) and ''Decay'' (2001), developed by Gearbox Software.

In 2004, Valve released ''Half-Life 2'', developed using their game engine Source. It features a more dystopian setting, stronger focus on characters and physics-based gameplay. Set twenty years after ''Half-Life'', players control Freeman in joining a resistance to liberate humanity from an alien force known as the Combine. It was followed by the episodic sequels ''Episode One'' (2006) and ''Episode Two'' (2007). Also set in the same universe as ''Half-Life'' is the ''Portal'' series; the first game was released in 2007 followed by a sequel in 2011. Both games focus on first-person puzzle-platform gameplay using wormholes created by a portal gun.

Over the following decade, numerous ''Half-Life'' games were canceled, including ''Episode Three'', a version of ''Half-Life 3'', Borealis, a Source 2 VR spin-off, and games developed by Junction Point Studios and Arkane Studios''.'' In 2020, after years of speculation, Valve released ''Half-Life: Alyx'', which was developed exclusively for virtual reality headsets. It is a prequel set five years before ''Half-Life 2'', where players control Freeman's eventual ally Alyx Vance in her quest to rescue her father from Combine forces and uncover their mysterious "super-weapon".

The ''Half-Life'' series is recognized by critics and industry experts for producing some of the most influential first-person shooter games for the genre, both of which have been highlighted for their advancements towards immersive and varied gameplay, level design, storytelling, visuals and sound. ''Half-Life'' and ''Half-Life 2'', as well as ''Portal'' and ''Portal 2'', have in particular been cited by numerous publications in being considered among the greatest video games ever made.

==Games== {{Timeline of release years | range1 = 1998 | range1_color = #fb7e14 #A6540D  | 1998 = '''''Half-Life''''' | 1999 = ''Half-Life: Uplink'' | 2001a = ''Half-Life: Blue Shift'' | 2001b = ''Half-Life: Decay'' | 2004a = ''Half-Life: Source'' | 2004b = '''''Half-Life 2''''' | 2004c = ''Half-Life 2: Deathmatch'' | 2005 = ''Half-Life 2: Lost Coast'' | 2006a = ''Half-Life Deathmatch: Source'' | 2006b = '''''Half-Life 2: Episode One''''' | 2007 = '''''Half-Life 2: Episode Two''''' | 2020 = '''''Half-Life: Alyx''''' | 1999b=''Half-Life: Opposing Force''}}

===''Half-Life''=== {{main|Half-Life (video game){{!}}''Half-Life'' (video game)}} Valve's first product, ''Half-Life'', was released on November 19, 1998, and published by Sierra On-Line for Windows.<ref name="flhalflife222">{{cite web|title=The Final Hours of Half-Life|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/part22.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223141855/http://uk.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/part22.html|archive-date=February 23, 2011|access-date=September 12, 2006|website=GameSpot}}</ref> Players control Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist at the Black Mesa Research Facility, where an experiment accidentally causes a dimensional rift and triggers an alien invasion.<ref name="ignreview">{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/objects/015/015631.html |title=''Half-Life'' |website=IGN |access-date=October 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203014748/http://ps2.ign.com/objects/015/015631.html |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unlike many other games at the time, the player has almost uninterrupted control of Freeman, and the story is told mostly through scripted sequences.<ref name="flhalflife222"/> ''Half-Life'' received acclaim for its graphics, gameplay and seamless narrative. It won over 50 "Game of the Year" awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Awards and Honors |url=http://www.valvesoftware.com/awards.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120002723/http://www.valvesoftware.com/awards.html |archive-date=November 20, 2012 |access-date=November 14, 2005 |publisher=Valve}}</ref> and is considered one of the most influential FPS games and one of the best video games ever made.<ref name="quantum">{{cite web|last=Cifaldi|first=Frank|date=September 1, 2006|title=The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: First-Person Shooters|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060901/quantum_01.shtml|access-date=February 16, 2009|publisher=Gamasutra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511073515/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/130249/the_gamasutra_quantum_leap_awards_.php?print=1|archive-date=May 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=July 25, 2005|title=IGN's Top 100 Games|url=http://top100.ign.com/2005/061-070.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009135800/http://top100.ign.com/2005/061-070.html|archive-date=October 9, 2014|access-date=February 19, 2009|website=IGN}}</ref>

==== ''Uplink'' ==== On February 12, 1999 a demo version of Half-life featuring a chapter not found in the full game was released as Half-Life Uplink. In the game set in an alternate timeline to the base game Gordon Freeman reconfigures a transmitter in order to enter the Lambda Reactor Complex. However upon entering the complex he is trapped with a large Gargantua in a room and cannot escape.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zak |first=Robert |date=2023-11-20 |title=Half-Life's 'Uplink' Mini-Campaign Is A Wild Glimpse Into What The Game Could've Been |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/half-life-25th-anniversary-update-uplink-demo/ |access-date=2026-03-30 |website=DualShockers |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323003600/https://www.dualshockers.com/half-life-25th-anniversary-update-uplink-demo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''Opposing Force'' ==== {{Main|Half-Life: Opposing Force{{!}}''Half-Life: Opposing Force''}}

''Half-Life'' was followed by an expansion pack, ''Opposing Force'', on November 1, 1999,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/50/ |title=''Half-Life: Opposing Force'' |work=Steam |publisher=Valve |access-date=November 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120050959/http://store.steampowered.com/app/50 |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> developed by Gearbox Software.<ref name="ignof" /> Players control US Marine corporal Adrian Shephard, who fights a new group of aliens and black operations units.

''Opposing Force'' was received favorably by critics,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/149551.asp?q=Opposing%20Force |title=''Half-Life: Opposing Force'' Reviews |website=GameRankings |access-date=November 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229155434/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/149551.asp?q=Opposing%20Force |archive-date=December 29, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> many citing the game as being as influential on setting expansion pack standards as the original game had been in influencing the overall genre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/half-life-opposing-force-review/1900-2543541/ |title=''Half-Life: Opposing Force'' for PC Review |website=GameSpot |first=Erik |last=Wolpaw |date=November 24, 1999 |access-date=November 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317093836/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/half-life-opposing-force-review/1900-2543541/ |archive-date=March 17, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=8519 |title=PC Review: ''Half-Life: Opposing Force'' |work=Computer and Video Games |first=Kim |last=Randell |date=August 15, 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326144234/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=8519&skip=yes |archive-date=March 26, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://eforall.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3231/half-life-opposing-force/ |title=Review: ''Half-Life: Opposing Force'' |magazine=GamePro |date=November 24, 2000 |access-date=November 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229182520/http://eforall.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3231/half-life-opposing-force/ |archive-date=December 29, 2008}}</ref> The game won the Computer Game of the Year Interactive Achievement Award of 2000 from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/annual_awards.asp?idAward=2000 |title=AIAS Annual Awards: 3rd Annual Awards |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |year=2000 |access-date=November 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220004549/http://www.interactive.org/awards/annual_awards.asp?idAward=2000 |archive-date=February 20, 2009}}</ref>

==== ''Blue Shift'' ==== {{Main|Half-Life: Blue Shift{{!}}''Half-Life: Blue Shift''}}

Gearbox went on to develop ''Blue Shift'', ''Half-Life''{{'}}s second expansion pack. Like ''Opposing Force'', ''Blue Shift'' was published by Sierra Entertainment. Announced in 2000, the game was initially developed as a bonus campaign for the Dreamcast port of ''Half-Life'';<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-preview/1100-2606931/ |title=''Half-Life'' Preview |website=GameSpot |first=Chris |last=Kirchgasler |date=July 24, 2000 |access-date=March 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826154009/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-preview/1100-2606931/ |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> however, the port was cancelled and ''Blue Shift'' was instead released for Windows on June 12, 2001.<ref name="Satterfield">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-for-the-dreamcast-officially-cancelled/1100-2776155/ |title=''Half-Life'' for the Dreamcast officially cancelled |website=GameSpot |first=Shane |last=Satterfield |date=June 16, 2001 |access-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916025446/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-for-the-dreamcast-officially-cancelled/1100-2776155/ |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="release">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/objects/016/016257.html |title=''Half-Life: Blue Shift'' |website=IGN |access-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613054330/http://pc.ign.com/objects/016/016257.html |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Blue Shift'' puts the player in the position of Barney Calhoun, a security guard working at Black Mesa. The game takes place within the early parts of ''Half-Life'', with Calhoun attempting to escape the facility with a small group of scientists. ''Blue Shift'' also includes a High Definition pack, which upgrades the quality of the models and textures in ''Blue Shift'' as well as ''Half-Life'', ''Opposing Force'', and ''Team Fortress''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-blue-shift-qanda/1100-2716373/&mode=all |title=''Half-Life: Blue Shift'' Q&A |website=GameSpot |date=May 3, 2001 |access-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827043219/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-blue-shift-qanda/1100-2716373/%26mode%3Dall/ |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Critics praised the atmosphere and new graphics, but noticed the lack of new content and short length.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/166/166257p1.html |title=''Half-Life: Blue Shift'' Review |website=IGN |first=Tal |last=Blevins |date=June 12, 2001 |access-date=October 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013024342/http://pc.ign.com/articles/166/166257p1.html |archive-date=October 13, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/June01/blueshift/index.shtm |title=Reviews: ''Half-Life: Blue Shift'' |website=GameSpy |first=Jamie |last=Madigan |access-date=October 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912164913/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/June01/blueshift/index.shtm |archive-date=September 12, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflifeblueshift/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=''Half-Life: Blue Shift'' for PC Review |website=GameSpot |first=Greg |last=Kasavin |date=June 8, 2001 |access-date=October 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629002034/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflifeblueshift/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''Decay'' ==== {{Main|Half-Life: Decay{{!}}''Half-Life: Decay''}}

The third expansion for ''Half-Life'' was ''Decay''. The game was again developed by Gearbox and published by Sierra. However, unlike previous games, ''Decay'' was released exclusively with the PlayStation 2 version of ''Half-Life''.<ref name="ignreview" /> ''Decay'' is unique within the ''Half-Life'' series as the only cooperative game—two players must work together to progress through the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2001-hands-onhalf-life/1100-2761914/ |title=E3 2001 Hands-on ''Half-Life'' |website=GameSpot |first=Joe |last=Fielder |date=May 17, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921094835/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2001-hands-onhalf-life/1100-2761914/ |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Decay'' focuses on two of Freeman's colleagues, Gina Cross and Colette Green, as the two work with other scientists to counter the effects of the dimensional rift and ultimately attempt to close it.

Released on November 14, 2001, ''Decay'' received a weak but overall positive reception from critics, many reviewers stating that it was fun to play through with a friend, but that the game's more puzzle-oriented gameplay detracted from the overall experience.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/halflifeps2/index.shtm |title=Reviews: ''Half-Life'' (PS2) |website=GameSpy |first=David |last=Hodgson |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709015543/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/halflifeps2/index.shtm |archive-date=July 9, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elecplay.com/reviews/view/?article=7478&full=1 |title=Review: ''Half-Life'' |work=The Electric Playground |first=Steve |last=Smith |access-date=October 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003012624/http://www.elecplay.com/reviews/view/?article=7478&full=1 |archive-date=October 3, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/half-life-review/1900-2824623/ |title=''Half-Life'' for PlayStation 2 Review |website=GameSpot |first=Doug |last=Radcliffe |date=October 15, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123021523/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/half-life-review/1900-2824623/ |archive-date=November 23, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> An unofficial Windows port was released in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/09/28/half-life-the-lost-chapter/ |title=''Half-Life'': The Lost Chapter |first=Alec |last=Meer |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |date=September 28, 2008 |access-date=October 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031202214/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/09/28/half-life-the-lost-chapter/ |archive-date=October 31, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Half-Life 2''=== {{main|Half-Life 2{{!}}''Half-Life 2''}}

On November 16, 2004, Valve released ''Half-Life 2''. The game had a six-year development cycle, which saw several delays and the leak of the game's source code in October, 2003. ''Half-Life 2'' returns the player to the role of Gordon Freeman. Set twenty years after the original game,<ref name="storysofar">{{cite web|url=http://ep1.half-life2.com/story.php|title=''Half-Life'': The Story so Far|publisher=Valve|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725080723/http://ep1.half-life2.com/story.php|archive-date=July 25, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=March 24, 2008}}</ref> Earth has been occupied by the Combine, a transdimensional race that exploited the events of the first game to invade. The G-Man inserts Freeman into City 17 in Eastern Europe to combat the Combine occupation. Considered one of the greatest video games of all time, ''Half-Life 2'' was praised for its advances in computer animation, sound, narration, computer graphics, artificial intelligence and physics, and won more than 35 Game of the Year awards. ''Half-Life 2'' was the first game to use Valve's Steam content delivery system, a system that eventually led to Valve falling out with publisher Sierra Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Valve vs. Vivendi Universal dogfight heats up in US District Court |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-vs-vivendi-universal-dogfight-heats-up-in-us-district-court/1100-6107712/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510013229/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-vs-vivendi-universal-dogfight-heats-up-in-us-district-court/1100-6107712/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''Lost Coast'' ==== {{Main|Half-Life 2: Lost Coast{{!}}''Half-Life 2: Lost Coast''}}

On October 27, 2005, Valve released ''Lost Coast'', an additional level demonstrating high-dynamic-range rendering (HDR).<ref name="1UP analysis">{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Garnett|date=August 29, 2005|title=''Half-Life 2'': ''Aftermath'' and ''Lost Coast''|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3143168|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522180428/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3143168|archive-date=May 22, 2011|access-date=November 20, 2008|website=1UP.com}}</ref> Consisting of a single map, ''Lost Coast'' is based on a cut segment of ''Half-Life 2.''<ref>{{cite web|last=Accrado|first=Sal|date=October 28, 2005|title=''Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast'' (PC)|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2-lost-coast/662640p1.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011062613/http://pc.gamespy.com//pc//half-life-2-lost-coast//662640p1.html|archive-date=October 11, 2012|access-date=October 17, 2008|website=GameSpy}}</ref> The player, as Freeman, climbs a cliff to destroy a Combine artillery launcher in a monastery.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Half-Life 2: Lost Coast'' Allies|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HL2GameInfo.Detail&id=18&game=3|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426040009/http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HL2GameInfo.Detail&id=18&game=3|archive-date=April 26, 2013|access-date=November 21, 2008|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=GameSpy}}</ref>

====''Episode One''==== {{Main|Half-Life 2: Episode One{{!}}''Half-Life 2: Episode One''}}

In May 2006, Valve announced a trilogy of episodic games that would continue the ''Half-Life 2'' story, with the final episode planned for release by Christmas 2007.<ref name="GameSpot">{{cite news |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-2-episode-one-gold-two-dated-three-announced/1100-6151796/ |title=Half-Life 2: Episode One gold, Two dated, Three announced |date=May 24, 2006 |access-date=May 18, 2007 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125150657/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-2-episode-one-gold-two-dated-three-announced/1100-6151796/ |archive-date=November 25, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Valve's president, Gabe Newell, said the approach would allow Valve to release products more quickly after the six-year ''Half-Life 2'' development, and that he considered the trilogy the equivalent of ''Half-Life 3''.<ref name="Bramwell-2006">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_valve_060606 |title=Opening the Valve |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |date=June 6, 2006 |access-date=August 28, 2017 |work=Eurogamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215131947/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_valve_060606 |archive-date=February 15, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Newell, where ''Half-Life'' saw the G-Man transform Freeman into his tool, and ''Half-Life 2'' saw Freeman being used by G-Man, the episodes would see G-Man lose control.<ref name="Bramwell-2006"/>

''Episode One'' was released on June 1, 2006. The player controls Freeman as he and Alyx escape City 17 before a dark energy reactor core destroys it. It introduced several graphical effects, including new lighting features and more advanced facial animation. The story focuses on Alyx. ''Episode One'' received a generally positive critical reaction, although the short length was a common point of criticism.<ref>{{cite web |title=Half-Life 2: Episode One |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/half-life-2-episode-one/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |website=Metacritic |access-date=5 December 2022 |language=en |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024113750/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/half-life-2-episode-one |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''Episode Two'' ==== {{Main|Half-Life 2: Episode Two{{!}}''Half-Life 2: Episode Two''}}

''Episode Two'' was released for Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 10, 2007, as part of the compilation ''The Orange Box.'' It was distributed digitally on Steam and at retail by Electronic Arts. ''Episode Two'' focuses on expansive environments, travel and less linear play. As Freeman, the player travels with Alyx into the surrounding countryside, pursued by Combine forces. ''Episode Two''{{'}}s new technologies and gameplay features were praised by reviewers; however, though it was significantly longer than ''Episode 1'', the length was again a point of criticism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=2007-10-10 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/half-life-2-episode-two-review |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Eurogamer |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926020930/https://www.eurogamer.net/half-life-2-episode-two-review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Dan |date=October 9, 2007 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two Review |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/826/826067p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012013811/http://pc.ign.com/articles/826/826067p1.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |website=IGN}}</ref>

=== ''Half-Life: Alyx'' === {{main|Half-Life: Alyx{{!}}''Half-Life: Alyx''}}

Valve released ''Half-Life: Alyx,'' a virtual reality (VR) game, on March 23, 2020, for Windows.<ref name="PCGamer">{{Cite magazine |last1=Kelly |first1=Andy |last2=Livingston |first2=Christopher |date=November 21, 2019 |title=12 big things we learned about Half-Life: Alyx |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/half-life-alyx-release-date-trailer-everything-we-know/ |url-status=live |magazine=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123125928/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/half-life-alyx-release-date-trailer-everything-we-know/ |archive-date=November 23, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref> In this prequel to ''Half-Life 2'', players control Alyx as she and her father Eli establish the resistance against the Combine in City 17. Described by Valve as its "flagship" VR game, it was developed using the Source 2 engine and supports all PC-compatible VR headsets. Players use VR to interact with the environment and fight enemies, using gravity gloves to manipulate objects, similarly to the gravity gun from ''Half-Life 2''. ''Alyx'' was released to acclaim.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/half-life-alyx/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Half-Life: Alyx for PC Reviews - Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=March 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216062815/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/half-life-alyx|archive-date=February 16, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Reviewers at publications such as ''VG247'', ''Tom's Hardware'' and ''Video Games Chronicle'' described it as VR's "killer app".<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKeand |first1=Kirk |title=Half-Life: Alyx review - VR's killer app is a key component in the Half-Life story |url=https://www.vg247.com/2020/03/23/half-life-alyx-review/ |website=VG247 |access-date=March 24, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324152049/https://www.vg247.com/2020/03/23/half-life-alyx-review/ |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Carbotte |first1=Kevin |title=Half-Life: Alyx Gameplay Review: (Almost) Every VR Headset Tested |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/reviews/half-life-alyx-gameplay-vr-headset |website=Tom's Hardware |date=March 23, 2020 |access-date=March 24, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409025551/https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/half-life-alyx-gameplay-vr-headset |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Andrew |title=Review: Half-Life Alyx is VR's stunning killer app |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/reviews/half-life-alyx |website=VGC |access-date=March 24, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324213220/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/reviews/half-life-alyx |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Unreleased games=== {{Main|Unreleased Half-Life games{{!}}Unreleased ''Half-Life'' games}}

Several ''Half-Life'' games have been canceled, including ''Half-Life 2: Episode Three'',<ref name="ign ep3 2020">{{cite web|last=Marks|first=Tom|date=March 23, 2020|title=Valve Explains Why Half-Life 2: Episode 3 Was Never Made|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/valve-explains-why-half-life-2-episode-3-was-never-made|access-date=March 23, 2020|work=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323171744/https://www.ign.com/articles/valve-explains-why-half-life-2-episode-3-was-never-made|archive-date=March 23, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> a version of ''Half-Life 3'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=July 9, 2020|title=At least 5 Half-Life projects were cancelled before Alyx, including Half-Life 3|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/at-least-5-half-life-projects-were-cancelled-before-alyx-including-half-life-3/|access-date=July 9, 2020|work=PC Gamer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711074843/https://www.pcgamer.com/at-least-5-half-life-projects-were-cancelled-before-alyx-including-half-life-3/|archive-date=July 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and games developed by Junction Point Studios<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Turi|first=Tim|date=April 24, 2015|title=Abandoned Half-Life Episode Featured Magnet Gun, Warren Spector Says|magazine=Game Informer|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/04/24/half-life-abandoned-lost-episode-magnet-gun-valve-warren-spector.aspx|access-date=May 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813045505/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/04/24/half-life-abandoned-lost-episode-magnet-gun-valve-warren-spector.aspx|archive-date=August 13, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and Arkane Studios''.<ref name="noclip arkane doc">{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4kdqwdbZZ8|title=The Untold History of Arkane: Dishonored / Prey / Ravenholm / LMNO / The Crossing|date=May 26, 2020|publisher=Noclip|time=33:00|access-date=May 26, 2020|via=YouTube|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527035500/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4kdqwdbZZ8|archive-date=May 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>''

===Related games===

====''Portal'' series==== {{main|Portal (series){{!}}''Portal'' (series)}}

The ''Portal'' series is a series of puzzle games developed by Valve which takes place in the same universe as the ''Half-Life'' games. The first game, ''Portal'', was released on October 10, 2007, followed by ''Portal 2'' on April 19, 2011.<ref>{{Citation |title=Portal 2 (Video Game 2011) - Release info - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1648163/releaseinfo/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109093000/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1648163/releaseinfo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Portal 2 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/620/Portal_2/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428193605/https://store.steampowered.com/app/620/Portal_2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Half-Life'' writer, Marc Laidlaw, opposed the crossover with ''Portal,'' feeling it "made both universes smaller", and said later: "I just had to react as gracefully as I could to the fact that it was going there without me. It didn't make any sense except from a resource-restricted point of view."<ref name="Peel2023">{{Cite news |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=March 1, 2023 |title='The narrative had to be baked into the corridors': Marc Laidlaw on writing ''Half-Life'' |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-narrative-had-to-be-baked-into-the-corridors-marc-laidlaw-on-writing-half-life |access-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302232014/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-narrative-had-to-be-baked-into-the-corridors-marc-laidlaw-on-writing-half-life |archive-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>

====''Counter-Strike'' series==== {{main|Counter-Strike{{!}}''Counter-Strike''}}

In April 2000, Valve acquired the rights to the fan-made modification ''Counter-Strike''. After some cooperation between the original team and Valve's developers,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1010199179645672708|title = Counter-Strike 1.6 Beta released|date = January 28, 2013|access-date = March 16, 2014|publisher = Steam|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130214014350/http://steamcommunity.com/games/10/announcements/detail/1010199179645672708|archive-date = February 14, 2013|url-status = live}}</ref> Valve sold the game in retail, retitled ''Half-Life: Counter-Strike''.<ref name="Remo-2008" /> Set in various locations around the world with little connection to the events of the main ''Half-Life'' story, the game is a multiplayer shooter in which players assume the roles of members of combating teams of the governmental counter-terrorist forces and various terrorist militants opposing them. Due to originally being a mod of ''Half-Life'', the game shared several assets with the 1998 game, including Black Mesa containers, vehicles and scientists, with the Black Mesa logos visible in several maps in the retail version implicitly setting them in the same universe. It was bundled with ''Half-Life'' in many subsequent packages, including ''Half-Life: Platinum Pack'' and ''Half-Life: Platinum''.<ref>[http://sierrachest.com/index.php?a=games&id=279&fld=general Half-Life Platinum Collection.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044435/http://sierrachest.com/index.php?a=games&id=279&fld=general |date=March 6, 2019 }} sierrachest.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.</ref>

When ''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' was remade as ''Counter-Strike: Source'', it was bundled in all retail versions of ''Half-Life 2'', as well as all of the initial digital versions. Some game journalists referred to it as "''Half-Life 2'''s multiplayer version."<ref>Thorsen, Tor. [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-readying-half-life-2-bundles-counter-strike-source-available-next-week/1100-6109232/ "Valve readying Half-Life 2 bundles; Counter-Strike: Source available next week."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412193025/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/valve-readying-half-life-2-bundles-counter-strike-source-available-next-week/1100-6109232/ |date=April 12, 2019 }} Gamespot. September 29, 2004</ref> Both the standard retail edition and the Bronze digital edition of ''Half-Life 2'' came with ''Counter-Strike: Source'', while the retail Collector's Edition and the digital Gold edition also included ''Day of Defeat: Source'' and ''Half-Life: Source''.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=October 3, 2008 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2/554654p1.html |title=Blow Off Some Steam and Pre-Order Half-Life 2 (PC) |website=GameSpy |date=October 6, 2004 |author=Autrijve, Rainier Van |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006131105/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2/554654p1.html |archive-date=October 6, 2008 }}</ref> ''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' spawned its own series which gradually became separate from the main ''Half-Life'' games, bar occasional references (such as an Easter egg referencing ''Portal'' present in ''Counter-Strike: Global Offensive'').<ref>Nathan Grayson. [https://kotaku.com/portal-easter-egg-in-counter-strike-isnt-teasing-a-new-1830998382 "Portal Easter Egg In Counter-Strike Isn't Teasing A New Game, Valve Says."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044114/https://kotaku.com/portal-easter-egg-in-counter-strike-isnt-teasing-a-new-1830998382 |date=March 6, 2019 }} Kotaku. December 12, 2018.</ref>

==== ''Black Mesa'' ==== {{Main|Black Mesa (video game){{!}}''Black Mesa'' (video game)}}

''Black Mesa'' is a third-party remake of the original ''Half-Life,'' developed and published by Crowbar Collective and made in the Source engine. Originally published as a free mod in September 2012, it was approved by Valve for a commercial release.<ref>{{cite web|author=Senior, Tom|date=September 3, 2012|title=Black Mesa Source release date revealed, high-res headcrabs due in 11 days|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/03/black-mesa-source-release-date-revealed-high-res-headcrabs-due-in-11-days/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922020144/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/03/black-mesa-source-release-date-revealed-high-res-headcrabs-due-in-11-days/|archive-date=September 22, 2012|access-date=September 22, 2012|work=PC Gamer|publisher=Future Publishing Limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Cobbett, Richard|date=September 14, 2012|title=Black Mesa Source released – download it now!|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/14/black-mesa-source-finally-released-download-it-now/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925011202/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/14/black-mesa-source-finally-released-download-it-now/|archive-date=September 25, 2012|access-date=September 22, 2012|work=PC Gamer|publisher=Future Publishing Limited}}</ref> It was fully released on March 6, 2020, for Windows and Linux. It was praised by reviewers, who likened it to an official Valve game. On the review aggregator ''OpenCritic'', ''Black Mesa'' had an average 87/100 review score with 100% approval rating based on 14 reviews.<ref name="oc 2020">{{cite web|title=Black Mesa|date=March 5, 2020 |url=https://opencritic.com/game/9106/black-mesa/reviews|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812181133/https://opencritic.com/game/9106/black-mesa/reviews|archive-date=August 12, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2021|publisher=OpenCritic}}</ref>

====Third-party games==== {{See also|List of GoldSrc mods|List of Source mods}} The success of the ''Half-Life'' series has spurred the creation of several spin-off games for ''Half-Life 2''. ''Codename Gordon'' (sometimes called ''Codename: Gordon'') is a two-dimensional Flash sidescroller shooter developed by NuclearVision, and was released over Valve's Steam online delivery system on May 18, 2004, as a promotional game for the then-upcoming ''Half-Life 2''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/265/ |title=CODENAME GORDON RELEASED |first=Jess |last=Cliffe |date=May 18, 2004 |website=Steam |access-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026185943/https://store.steampowered.com/news/265/ |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Characters from ''Half-Life'' have appeared in other games. ''Peggle Extreme'', a special edition of ''Peggle'' bundled with the PC version of ''The Orange Box'' features levels based on ''Half-Life 2'', ''Team Fortress 2'' and ''Portal''. The headcrab is also an unlockable character in ''Super Meat Boy'' when bought on Steam. The Headcrab also appeared in an April Fools event in the MMO ''Vindictus'' as an event item along with the Crowbar, possibly due to the game being created on the Source Engine as well. In the game ''Magicka'' there is a playable character (after the addition of a DLC), which closely resembles the original zombie from the Half-Life universe, equipped with a crowbar. Gordon also appears in ''Renegade Ops'' and the headcrab is available as a pet in ''Torchlight 2''.

''Half-Life'' has also inspired a number of fan-made mods, some which have gained recognition on their own. ''Garry's Mod'' started as a sandbox mode using ''Half-Life 2'' assets but since has become a commercial product and given users the ability to incorporate other assets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2016/01/03/at-10-million-sales-garrys-mod-is-still-going-strong/ |title=At 10 million sales, Garry's Mod is still going strong |first=Brenna |last=Hillier |date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |work=VG247 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104170021/http://www.vg247.com/2016/01/03/at-10-million-sales-garrys-mod-is-still-going-strong/ |archive-date=January 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Among notable fan-made campaigns is ''Minerva'', which was designed to extend the story from ''Half-Life 2''.<ref name="silent_cartog">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2007/10/19/interview-mister-minerva/|title=Minerva|work=Idle Thumbs|date=November 16, 2006|access-date=April 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726035502/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2007/10/19/interview-mister-minerva/|archive-date=July 26, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Setting== {{See also|Characters of Half-Life}} The ''Half-Life'' franchise has received critical praise for its in-depth fictional universe, including numerous characters who would go on to become well known in the gaming sphere. The original ''Half-Life'' introduces Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist working at the Black Mesa Research Facility who serves as the main silent playable protagonist for the franchise. Freeman is hired and put into stasis by the G-Man, an enigmatic and questionable businessman with capabilities and powers beyond any ordinary human being. The expansion packs to the original game introduce other protagonists and characters, such as Corporal Adrian Shephard in ''Half-Life: Opposing Force'' and Black Mesa security guard Barney Calhoun in ''Half-Life: Blue Shift'' (who reappears in the ''Half-Life 2'' games). ''Half-Life 2'' and the games following it introduce a new, more focused cast of characters fighting the oppressive Combine Empire. This includes Alyx Vance, a prominent member of the Resistance and the daughter of former Black Mesa scientist Eli Vance. Alyx is the protagonist of ''Half-Life: Alyx.''

The games have depicted numerous alien races and creatures, many from the Xen border world. Some of the most notable include the Vortigaunts, a highly intelligent alien race that often assists Freeman after he saves them from oppression, and headcrabs, parasitic aliens who latch on to heads and convert humans into mindless zombies, sometimes used as biological weapons. Other alien species depicted include antlions, human-sized burrowing insectoids; bullsquids, acid-shooting tentacled predators; and barnacles, ceiling-dwelling amorphous creatures who capture others with their sticky tongue.

The series' main recurring symbol is the Greek lambda. It first appears in ''Half-Life'' on Freeman's HEV suit and as the namesake of the Lambda Complex responsible for teleporting Freeman to Xen to shut the portal. It reappears in ''Half-Life 2'' as the symbol of the anti-Combine resistance.

The developer of the ''Half-Life'' series, Valve, was founded in 1996 in Kirkland, Washington by the former Microsoft employees Mike Harrington and Gabe Newell. Valve began working on the first ''Half-Life'' soon after formation, and settled on a concept for a horror-themed 3D action game, using the ''Quake'' engine as licensed by id Software. The game was a hit at the 1997 E3 convention, where its animation system and artificial intelligence were demonstrated.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=December 17, 2008 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990116234907/http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/index.html |archive-date=January 16, 1999 |title=The Final Hours of Half-Life |website=GameSpot |author=Keighley, Geoffrey}}</ref>

The success led to its first expansion pack, ''Half-Life: Opposing Force'', which was developed by Gearbox Software, a new company based in Plano, Texas, and announced on April 15, 1999.<ref name="ignof">{{cite web |access-date=December 17, 2008 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/067/067720p1.html |title=Half-Life Expands |website=IGN |date=April 15, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109050607/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/16/half-life-expands |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Gearbox founder, Randy Pitchford, said Valve gave them the project to allow Valve to focus on future games.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=December 17, 2008 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=11174 |title=Half-Life: Opposing Force interview |work=Computer and Video Games |date=August 15, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070122082115/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=11174 |archive-date=January 22, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Opposing Force'' was demonstrated at the 1999 E3 convention, where new locations, characters and the story were revealed.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=December 18, 2008 |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/131/131667p1.html |title=Half-Life: Opposing Force |website=IGN |date=May 25, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229203510/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/131/131667p1.html |archive-date=December 29, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The second ''Half-Life'' expansion pack, ''Half-Life: Blue Shift'', was again developed by Gearbox Software and announced by its publisher, Sierra Entertainment, on August 30, 2000.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=December 18, 2008 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dc-half-life-includes-blue-shift/1100-2621501/ |title=DC Half-Life Includes Blue Shift |website=GameSpot |date=August 29, 2000 |last=Trueman |first=Doug |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921095203/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dc-half-life-includes-blue-shift/1100-2621501/ |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sierra intended to release ''Blue Shift'' for the Dreamcast, and it was set to include higher detail models and textures<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ectshalf-life-dreamcast-hands-on/1100-2624258/ |title=ECTS ''Half-Life'' Dreamcast Hands-On |website=GameSpot |first=Ben |last=Stahl |date=September 5, 2000 |access-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921095128/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ectshalf-life-dreamcast-hands-on/1100-2624258/ |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> that were double the polygon count of the models from ''Half-Life''.<ref name="IGNDCrelease">{{cite web |url=http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/084/084495p1.html |title=ECTS 2000: Hands-On With ''Half-Life'' |website=IGN |date=August 1, 2000 |access-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301211028/http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/084/084495p1.html |archive-date=March 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, after several months of delays, Sierra terminated the Dreamcast version of ''Blue Shift'' on June 16, 2001,<ref name="Satterfield"/> and instead released it for Windows on June 12.<ref name="release"/> Afterward, Gearbox began working on a ''Half-Life'' game for the PlayStation 2. The game, ''Decay'', was showcased at E3 2001, where Gearbox demonstrated the game's use of new model sets,<ref name="graphics">{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/135/135631p1.html |title=''Half-Life'' Preview |website=IGN |date=September 19, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108181451/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/19/half-life-3 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> which were around twice as detailed as those in ''Blue Shift''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2811529&mode=all&page=1 |title=''Half-Life'' Updated preview |website=GameSpot |first=Amer |last=Ajami |date=September 11, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103031204/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2811529&mode=all&page=1 |archive-date=January 3, 2013 }}</ref> {{external media|float=right|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbZ3HzvFEto Half-Life: 25th Anniversary Documentary by Valve]|video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCjNT9qGjh4 Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary by Valve]}} For several years, Valve secretly worked on ''Half-Life 2''. Valve developed a new game engine, Source. It 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.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=September 23, 2008 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/501/501838p1.html |title=Havok's Half-Life 2 Marketing Campaign |website=GameSpy |date=March 25, 2004 |author=Fudge, James |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820060908/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/501/501838p1.html |archive-date=August 20, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the episodic games that followed ''Half-Life 2'', Valve made minor tweaks to the game's engine. In ''Episode One'', Valve modified Alyx's AI to allow her to react to player actions.<ref name="dvd">{{cite video |title=Half-Life 2: Episode One, Chapter V: Exit 17, Developers commentary |date=2006 |medium=DVD}}</ref> The game runs on an upgraded version of Valve's proprietary Source engine, and features both the engine's advanced lighting effects, and a new version of its facial animation/expression technology.<ref name="opening the valve">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=65345 |date=June 6, 2006 |author=Bramwell, Tom |title=Opening the Valve |website=Eurogamer |access-date=April 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408134834/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=65345 |archive-date=April 8, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The designer Robin Walker said Valve used ''Half-Life'' games to "solve some interesting collision of technology and art that had reared itself".<ref name="Grayson2020">{{Cite news |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=23 March 2020 |title=Why Valve Gave Up On 'Multiple' Half-Life 3s |language=en-us |website=Kotaku |url=https://kotaku.com/why-valve-gave-up-on-multiple-half-life-3s-1842450268 |access-date=2021-03-13 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326020244/https://kotaku.com/why-valve-gave-up-on-multiple-half-life-3s-1842450268 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the original ''Half-Life'', they expanded the role of narrative in FPS games; for ''Half-Life 2'', they explored characters and physics systems, and refined these ideas in the ''Half-Life 2'' episodes.<ref name="Grayson2020" /> Valve made several attempts to develop further ''Half-Life'' games, but could not settle on a direction and its flat management structure made it difficult for projects to gain momentum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Says |first=Germinalconsequence |date=July 10, 2020 |title=Half-Life: Alyx Helped Change Valve's Approach To Development |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/07/half-life-alyx-helped-change-valves-approach-to-development/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719161845/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/07/half-life-alyx-helped-change-valves-approach-to-development/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |access-date=July 19, 2020 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> Walker said Valve failed to find a unifying idea that provided a sense of "wonderment, or opening, or expansion".<ref name="Grayson2020" /> In January 2016, Laidlaw left Valve.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=January 8, 2016 |title=Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw leaves Valve after 18 years |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/263256/HalfLife_writer_Marc_Laidlaw_leaves_Valve_after_18_years.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520214948/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/263256/HalfLife_writer_Marc_Laidlaw_leaves_Valve_after_18_years.php |archive-date=20 May 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2016 |work=Gamasutra}}</ref> He said he had tired of the FPS genre and that he had "always hoped that we'd stumble into a more expansive vocabulary or grammar for storytelling within the FPS medium, one that would let you do more than shoot or push buttons, or push crates".<ref name="Peel2023" />

In the mid-2010s, Valve began experimenting with virtual reality (VR). They built prototypes using their various intellectual properties such as ''Portal'', and found that ''Half-Life'' best suited VR.<ref name="The Final Hours Interview">{{Cite web |last=Keighley |first=Geoff |author-link=Geoff Keighley |date=November 21, 2019 |title=The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx - Behind Closed Doors at Valve Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9K0eJEmMEw |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121191644/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9K0eJEmMEw |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |access-date=November 21, 2019 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Their flagship VR game, ''Half-Life: Alyx'', entered production using Valve's new Source 2 engine in 2016,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilde |first=Thomas |date=April 4, 2020 |title=Behind the scenes of 'Half Life: Alyx': How Valve revived a classic franchise for the VR era |work=GeekWire |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2020/behind-scenes-half-life-alyx-valve-revived-classic-franchise-vr-era/ |access-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406214415/https://www.geekwire.com/2020/behind-scenes-half-life-alyx-valve-revived-classic-franchise-vr-era/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the largest team in Valve's history, including members of Campo Santo, a studio Valve acquired in 2018.<ref name="PCGamer" /><ref name="The Final Hours Interview" />

== Film == On February 6, 2013, while speaking at the 2013 DICE conference about storytelling in games and film, J. J. Abrams and Gabe Newell announced that they had plans for a game and a film collaboration. Abrams said, "There's an idea we have for a game that we'd like to work with Valve on," while Newell said, "We're going to figure out if we can make a ''Portal'' movie or ''Half-Life'' movie together".<ref>{{cite web|title=Valve working with J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot on game and movie collaborations|date=February 6, 2013 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/02/06/valve-bad-robot-games-film/|access-date=August 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921045931/https://www.engadget.com/2013/02/06/valve-bad-robot-games-film/|archive-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=February 6, 2013|title=Portal, the Movie: Valve, J.J. Abrams Team Up for Future Games, Films|url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/02/valve-bad-robot-dice/|magazine=Wired|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326211645/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/02/valve-bad-robot-dice/|archive-date=March 26, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview in March 2016, Abrams stated that while he has been working on many other projects since, he still has plans to direct these films in the future, with both films in the writing stage.<ref>{{cite web|last=Strom|first=Steven|date=March 12, 2016|title=J.J. ABRAMS: PORTAL, HALF-LIFE MOVIES STILL HAPPENING|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/12/jj-abrams-portal-half-life-movies-still-happening|access-date=March 12, 2016|work=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312012459/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/12/jj-abrams-portal-half-life-movies-still-happening|archive-date=March 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Half-Life: Uplink''=== A short film, ''Half-Life: Uplink'', (which is unrelated to the demo of the same name) was developed by Cruise Control, a British marketing agency, and released on March 15, 1999. However, Sierra withdrew it from circulation after Sierra and Valve had failed to resolve licensing issues with Cruise Control over the film. The critical reception of the film was very poor. The film's plot was that of a journalist attempting to infiltrate the Black Mesa Research Facility and discover what was happening there.<ref name="bluesnews">{{cite web |title=Half-Life: Uplink Movie |publisher=Blue's News |date=February 17, 1999 |url=http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=postmessage&boardid=1&id=0&threadid=115 |access-date=December 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302031729/http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=postmessage&boardid=1&id=0&threadid=115 |archive-date=March 2, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Half-Life: Uplink — Page 1 |publisher=Planet Half-Life |date=March 15, 1999 |url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Reviews.Detail&id=1 |access-date=December 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925101315/http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Reviews.Detail&id=1 |archive-date=September 25, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Editors Note: Uplink Movie |publisher=Planet Half-Life |date=March 15, 1999 |url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=86718 |access-date=December 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504193130/http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=86718 |archive-date=May 4, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Michael |title=Half-Life: The Movie |publisher=CNET |date=February 17, 1999 |url=http://gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2502,00.html |access-date=December 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000531231607/http://gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-2502,00.html |archive-date=May 31, 2000}}</ref>

===''Half-Life: Escape from City 17''=== {{Main|Half-Life: Escape from City 17}}

In early 2009, the Purchase Brothers, a Toronto-based film company, released a five-minute film based on ''Half-Life 2: Episode One,'' ''Half-Life: Escape from City 17''. The film combines live-action footage with 3D animation created using the Source SDK.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=February 17, 2009 |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/02/13/escape-from-city-17-part-one/ |title=Escape From City 17: Part One |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |date=February 13, 2009 |author=Walker, John |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217172129/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/02/13/escape-from-city-17-part-one/ |archive-date=February 17, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was well received by Valve.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=May 15, 2010 |url=http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/message/2236/ |title=Escape From City 17: Part One |publisher=Valve |date=February 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705081213/http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/message/2236/ |archive-date=July 5, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 25, 2010, they released a nearly 15-minute-long sequel.

===''Beyond Black Mesa''===

In late 2010, a trailer for a ''Half-Life'' inspired independent short film, ''Beyond Black Mesa,'' was released. Directed by Brian Curtin, it follows the character Adrian Shephard.<ref name="hlwired">{{cite magazine |last=Wallace |first=Lewis |title=Trailer: Indie Sci-Fi Short Beyond Black Mesa Channels Half-Life |url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/11/beyond-black-mesa/ |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast Publications |access-date=November 17, 2010 |date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115035215/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/11/beyond-black-mesa |archive-date=November 15, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The full short film was released online on January 21, 2011.

==Sales== {{More citations needed|section|date=October 2021}} In late 2008, Valve released lifetime retail sales figures as part of a company profile in Game Informer magazine.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gi magazine |url=http://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-187-november-2008 |title=Game Informer Issue 187 ( November 2008) |date=2024-08-06}}</ref> The two main Half-Life games had sold 15.8 million units at retail (9.3 million for the first, 6.5 million for the second), while the Half-Life expansions had sold 1.9 million (Opposing Force: 1.1 million, Blue Shift: 800,000) and Half-Life 2 expansions 1.4 million units (all for Episode One) by the end of November 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Analysis: Valve's Lifetime Retail Sales For Half-Life, Counter-Strike Franchises |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/analysis-valve-s-lifetime-retail-sales-for-i-half-life-counter-strike-i-franchises |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250525032904/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/analysis-valve-s-lifetime-retail-sales-for-i-half-life-counter-strike-i-franchises |archive-date=May 25, 2025 |access-date=2025-12-23 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Additionally, ''The Orange Box'', which included ''Half-Life 2'' and both of its episodic expansions, sold 3 million units at retail by November 2008. This put franchise sales at around 18.8 million full games (''Half-Life'': 9.3m, ''Half-Life 2:'' 6.5m) and approximately 6.3 million expansions (''Opposing Force:'' 1.1m, ''Blue Shift'': 0.8m, ''Episode One:'' 1.4m, ''Episode 2:'' 3.0m) at the same month.<ref name="Remo-2008">{{Cite web |last=Remo |first=Chris |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Analysis: Valve's Lifetime Retail Sales For Half-Life, Counter-Strike Franchises |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21319 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013124733/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21319 |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Gamasutra |language=en}}</ref>

These figures did not account for digital sales. ''Half-Life: Counter-Strike'' sold 4.2 million units standalone by the same time, while its remake, ''Counter-Strike: Source'' was bundled with every sold retail copy of ''Half-Life 2''.<ref name="Remo-2008" /> ''Forbes'' reported that, including digital sales, ''Half-Life 2'' had sold over 12 million copies by February 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiang |first=Oliver |date=February 9, 2011 |title=The Master of Online Mayhem |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0228/technology-gabe-newell-videogames-valve-online-mayhem.html#231276b3ac0b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915162100/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0228/technology-gabe-newell-videogames-valve-online-mayhem.html#231276b3ac0b |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} {{notelist}}

==External links== * {{Official website}} * {{moby game|id=-group/half-life-universe|name=''Half-Life'' series}} * [http://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/ Combine OverWiki, an external wiki]

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