In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the iconic first-person shooter game, Half-Life, Valve has released a major update. The update includes a variety of enhancements such as bug fixes, gamepad configurations, online play, and updated graphics settings. The game now supports widescreen and controller play, making it more accessible to a wider range of players.
One of the key features of the update is the inclusion of Half-Life Uplink, a demo version of the game that was originally released in 1999. This allows a new generation of gamers to experience a piece of gaming history. In addition to this, four new multiplayer maps have been added, providing fresh content for players to explore.
Various under-the-hood updates and UI tweaks have also been implemented, improving the overall gameplay experience. The game has also been verified for Steam Deck, Valve's handheld gaming device, expanding the platforms on which players can enjoy the game.
In addition to the game updates, Valve has released a one-hour documentary on the creation of Half-Life. The documentary features developers and Valve co-founders discussing the company's early days and their memories of working on Half-Life, providing fans with a deeper insight into the game's development process.
As part of the anniversary celebration, Half-Life is free to download and keep on Steam until November 20. This offer provides an opportunity for those who have not yet experienced the game to do so at no cost.
In a unique gesture, an author from Phoronix has offered to gift unused Steam keys from the WB bundle on Humble and a Capcom bundle to interested readers. The games available include Mad Max, Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor, Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster, Resident Evil HD Remaster, Resident Evil Revelations, and Strider.