Valve Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Half-Life with Major Update
Valve has just released a special 25th-anniversary update for the classic video game Half-Life. The update includes an array of new content, quality-of-life improvements, and even added support for the new Steam Deck, the company announced on the Half-Life website. To mark the occasion, the game is also available for free for a limited time.
One of the major highlights of the update is the addition of Half-Life Uplink, a “mini-campaign” that was previously only available on CDs distributed with magazines and hardware. Additionally, the update brings four new multiplayer maps that Valve claims “push the limits of what’s possible in the Half-Life engine.” Furthermore, the game now features maps and multiplayer character models from a CD called Half-Life: Further Data.
In addition to the new content, Valve has introduced several new settings, including the ability to play with a widescreen field of view and support for a proper gamepad configuration. The game’s user interface has also been updated for larger screens, addressing the fact that it was originally designed for 640×480 CRT monitors. Notably, Half-Life is now “Steam Deck Verified,” ensuring a smooth gameplay experience on Valve’s newly released handheld gaming device.
Players are encouraged to explore the extensive list of patch notes to fully grasp the magnitude of the update. Valve has stated that the anniversary edition is now considered the definitive version of Half-Life, although the previous version of the game is still accessible through a “steam_legacy” beta branch. Additionally, the visibility of Half-Life: Source will be reduced in light of the new update.
Fans of the iconic game are advised to take advantage of the limited-time offer to download the anniversary edition for free and experience the nostalgia of Half-Life with a refreshing update.