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 | Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Half-Life 2? What??
A: Whoa there, looks like you're after the basics. Half-Life 2 is the much anticipated first person shooter in development by Valve Software. Head over to our overview page to see what it's all about.
Q: When will HL2 be released?
A: Half-Life 2 will be released world-wide on November 16, 2004. Check out our overview page for full details on the release date shenanigans.
Q: Valve what? Gabe who?
A: Valve Software are the developers of Half-Life and its sequel. You'll find a number of their employees mentioned frequently around the site, the most important being Gabe Newell, Valve's managing director and all-round boss-guy. Other names you might see are Doug Lombardi, Valve's marketing director, and Erik Johnson, Valve's project manager (who often makes Steam-related announcements). Marc Laidlaw is Valve's resident writer, responsible for HL2's story. Rick Ellis is the Engineering Lead and heads up much of the game's techincal side. You can find out more about Valve's employees on their staff page.
Q: What are the minimum system requirements?
A: According to a Gabe Newell forum post, HL2 requires a semi-recent PC. These requirements also apply to CS: Source and the other Source conversions.
Minimum Requirements
- 1.2 GHz Processor
- 256MB RAM
- DirectX 7 level graphics card
- Windows 2000/XP/ME/98
- Mouse
- Keyboard
Preferred System
- 2.4 GHz Processor
- 512MB RAM
- DirectX 9 level graphics card
- Windows 2000/XP
- Mouse
- Keyboard
Q: Is HL2 coming to consoles as well?
A: While few specifics have been revealed, Valve does have an Xbox-port of the game in the works but this isn't expected until well after the PC version is out. There were rumours of a PS2 version as well but this has since been denied.
Q: How long has HL2 been in development?
A: For over 5 years now - basically since Valve finished with the original Half-Life. The first few years were primarily spent coding the Source Engine - whereas almost all the actual game content has been created in the last 2 or so years. According to Gabe Newell. the project (including Source development) has cost over $40 million so far.
Q: How can I buy HL2?
A: Half-Life 2 is available in a number of packages over Steam and at retail. Check out our purchase options page for more details.
Q: So, what's gonna be new?
A: Pretty much everything has been rewritten from scratch for the sequel. HL2 runs on the entirely new Source engine complete with new graphics, physics, AI and mapping systems. The story is set 10 years after the conclusion of events in Black Mesa with a new narrative from the original's script writer, Marc Laidlaw.
A number of characters and enemies make their return including our favourite HEV-suited hero, Gordon Freeman. Back also is the sinister G-Man, Barney Calhoun the security guard and scientist Dr. Kleiner. And once again ready to get in Gordon's way are plenty of headcrabs, zombies and barnacles. HL2 also sees the inclusion of many new allies and foes including Dr. Eli Vance and his daughter Alyx, a new alien race and allied soldiers. Likewise, favourites like the crowbar and rocket launcher make their return complemented by a whole new arsenal of destructive weapons.
Appearing for the first time also are drivable vehicles including armed buggies and water craft. For full details on the new engine, story, characters, enemies and weapons take a look at the pages in our Game Info section.
Q: How long will the single-player be?
A: From what we know, HL2 will be made up of 12 separate chapters each taking 3-4 hours to complete adding to upwards of 36 hours of gameplay time. In a recent interview, Gabe Newell explained,
My dad, who plays and tests all of our games, took some 60 hours to complete it. [and in another question he elaborates that his dad isn't very good, but you should get at least 40 hours out of it, and more depending on your style of play]
Q: How will the weapons/inventory system work?
A: For a while, Valve was playing round with the player carrying only one primary weapon at a time (as seen in the coastline video). However, Rick Ellis has recently confirmed that you can (like in the original game) carry unlimited weapons. For the full story, head over to our weapons page.
Q: Will the HL2 version for countries like Germany be very different?
A: While some minor changes have to be made (blood decals, for example) to satisfy the content restrictions in countries like Germany, the good news is that this won't be anything major (no robotic "marines" like in the original). Check out Gabe's post on our forums for the full story.
Q: Is an internet connection required for HL2 single-player?
A: Yes, every user will need to log on to Steam over the Internet to "authenticate" for the first time after installation. Once this is done, the game can be played in "offline mode" without need for any internet connection in the future. However, you will need to connect to Steam to receive patches and updates.
Q: Who voices the characters in the game?
A: According to Gabe Newell's post on our forums, the characters are voiced as follows...
- Dr. Eli Vance: Robert Guillaume
- Dr. Wallace Breen: Robert Culp
- Vortigaunt: Lou Gossett, Jr.
- Dr. Judith Mossman: Michelle Forbes
- Alyx Vance: Merle Dandridge
- Barney Calhoun: Mike Shapiro
- G-Man: Mike Shapiro
- Dr. Isaac Kleiner: Harry S. Robins
- Father Grigori: Jim French
- Citizens/Misc. characters: John Patrick Lowrie, Mary Kae Irvin
- Overwatch voice: Ellen McLane
Vortigaunts being individually voiced suggests they might play a significant role in the game's storyline.
Q: What do we know about HL2's multiplayer component? |  |
A: The answer right now is "not very much". While a number of the Source conversions will provide some of the online fun, there will also be a separate multiplayer mode. It seems likely Valve is going to keep this under wraps for the game's release.
Q: What's all this "Steam" business?
A: Steam is the name of Valve's new gaming platform. Valve letting off steam, get it? Neither. It's required software to play any Valve games including Half-Life and its mods and of course Half-Life 2. Steam integrates a number of useful features into one easy-access interface such as:
- Automatic updates/caching
- Instant messaging
- Server browser
Its release in mid-2003 was plagued by a number of bugs and was met with limited enthusiasm by the community but Valve's continuing commitment to updating the platform seems to be paying off. We'll leave Valve to do the marketing: check out the official site.
The Source engine supports massive outdoor areas. |
Q: What kind of techincal limitations can we expect?
A: While much of this information is yet to be announced, we do know that server sizes will be limited to 32 players. In addition, map dimensions can be made up to +/- 16384 units (equating to 16 times the playing area of the original).
Q: Where can I get more information on modding/editing HL2?
A: A great resource for all these type of questions is the VERC Collective Half-Life 2 / Source Mod FAQ. The FAQ answers a whole pile of questions relating to mapping, modelling and the technical aspects of the Source engine.
Q: What are Source Conversions?
A: "Source" is the engine Half-Life 2 is built on. More information on Source from the official site. At E3 2004, Valve surprised just about everyone with their plan to convert the original Half-Life and a number of its expansions and mods to the Source engine. So far these are said to include:
- Original Half-Life (single-player)
- Opposing Force (expansion)
- Blue Shift (expansion)
- Counter-Strike (mod)
- Day of Defeat (mod)
Counter-Strike: Source was first seen in action at E3 in May, 2004. Here are some stills from the original footage:
Keep an eye on the latest media in our CS: Source gallery. CS:S has obviously received a complete graphical revamp including new geometry, textures and models. However, it seems likely this total-conversion treatment won't be applied to all the Source-ports. For example,
Regarding HL1 Source, there are subtle changes throughout the game. You'll see new features such as physics and the shader system being used. In additon, the lighting on the world and characters will look better, with shadows and more.
-Doug Lombardi, May 19, 2004
Q: When will they be released?
A: According to a Eurogamer news article, CS:Source should be released concurrently with HL2. Lombardi elaborated on this in an interview with IGN/Gamespy Livewire at E3 2004, saying all the ports should be released alongside HL2. Gabe has confirmed this on our very own forums.
Q: Is CS: Source CS2?
No. As Gabe let us know, "Counter-Strike: Source isn't Counter-Strike 2, at least if you're trying to be consistent with our nomenclature."
Q: Will they be free?
A: In a recent video, Valve intimated that CS: Source will be free for all owners of HL2 (and not just for those who buy the CE as originally thought). At this point, it seems likely the other conversions will not be free. Reportedly they will sell at regular budget-game prices via Steam or come packaged with the aforementioned collector's edition. Of course, this may all change before HL2's release.
Q: Tell me more about CS: Source!
A: Hey that's not even a question. But there's still an answer: we've teamed up CS-Nation to give you the best HL2 and CS:Source coverage possible. Check out CS-Nation's CS:Source pages for a pile of extra information and media not covered here.
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