Cult Half-Life 2 turned 20 years old, and in Valve They decided to note this event on a grand scale. The company not only began to give the full version of the shooter in Steam, but also released a major update for it. In addition, a documentary was released in which there are shots of an unexplored third episode. And this is not all!
The developers dedicated a separate page on the site round date of the project Half-Life. Let’s go through the main points.
Distribution and discounts
If for some reason there is still no Steam account on your Steam account Half-Life 2, Run to the store for a free copy! The action of unprecedented generosity will last until November 18, 21:00 Moscow.
Besides, Valve Selling the entire series Half-Life, Therefore, for funny money, you can snatch the first part (25 rubles instead of 250 rubles) or VR-Zabava Half-Life: Alyx (646 rubles instead of 1,900 rubles).
Half-Life 2 update
Firstly, the additions of Episode One and Episode Two are now included in a single set with the second part. “They are available in the main menu, and after passing the first addition, you will immediately move on to the second”, – explained in Valve. Meanwhile, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast can now be found in the menu of additional materials.
Secondly, the game acquired a decent update who added a number of pleasant buns to it. The main innovations were listed below:
Mode with comments from developers, for which Valve I collected the original team in front of microphones. Total added 3.5 hours remark.
Support for Steam Workshop to find and https://gamblingdata.net/casinos/uptown-aces-casino/ install user content without leaving the game.
Integration with the function of recording gameplay from Steam itself. "On the time scale of the recording of games in overlay, you will find marks with all the important and unexpected moments of your passage.", – the developers specified.
Updated graphics settings. There was an option with bicubicly smoothed shadows when choosing a very high detailing of shaders. The quality of the models was reached to the highest level, and also allowed to switch between original or supplemented effects of blood and fire.
Updated game content. Specialists climbed all cards HL2, to remove holes in the geometry and suddenly appearing and endangered objects. They adjusted the lighting, cleaned the horizon due to the renewal of the radial fog, removed the green glow of the G-Man and returned the reflected splendor of his eyes and so on. From funny – birds will be less likely to get stuck in the world.
Improved work with input devices. The settings of gamepads were changed in the same way as in the update in honor of the anniversary of the first Half-Life : screwed a separate settings menu, allowed to choose the style of the weapon selection interface when using a gamepad and so on.
Redesigned and improved auto -priority, which was equipped with fresh settings. Now gamers are free to separately regulate autocracy for gamepads and "clavomas". The power of autonuting can now be adjusted, and it is no longer tied to the level of complexity.
Documentary
Valve Together with the Secret Tare team, she prepared a two -hour film about the creation of a sequel Half-Life.
Our documentary in honor of the 25th anniversary Half-Life 1 It was so successful that we again invited Secret Tare to visit, so that they would help us tell about Half-Life 2. But this time we will talk not only about creating the game: ending money, hacking and “draining” of early assembly, litigation with our publisher, attempts to create Steam – all this in the new film!
From the message of the team Valve
For example, the video announces the reason why the third episode never saw the light. Team Valve I did not figure out how to sufficiently promote the game design so that the creation of another addition was justified. “I think at that time we studied a lot of what made sense in the universe Half-Life 2 and her setting", – said the designer of levels for the second part David Riller (David Riller).
Demo that first showed Half-Life 2 And the Source engine to the whole world.
Previously, only a version with a manual shaking shooting from our booth on a ride was available, but now a direct video capture has appeared.
We collected this demo for display on the previous E3, but at the last minute we decided that we were not ready to demonstrate the game. 20 years later we thought that the moment finally came.
This is a demo, also known as "Free TVs!", Was shown on Siggraph (conferences on computer graphics) shortly after the release of the first part Half-Life. Higher quality video from that era of development Half-Life 2 Just do not find.
Returning HL2: Raising the Bar
In 2025, an expanded edition of Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar. In it, the authors will tell the full story of the creation of a sequel – both the game itself and its additions. In the version of the book from 2004, the development of subsequent episodes did not affect.
The new edition will complete the story of the history of development Half-Life 2: You are waiting for the previously published concept arts of the first and second episode, as well as ideas and experiments for the third episode, which has not seen the light.
From the message of the team Valve
