The Immortal: Half-Life
Half-Life will never die. Yes, Half-Life 3 has been shrouded in mystery for 16 years. But the FPS game series that brought us Gordon Freeman, Black Mesa, Alyx Vance, and more will never be forgotten - and now there is concrete evidence. As part of a major community event, Half-Life Opposing Force has set an impressive new record for concurrent players on Steam, proving - in the 19 years since Half-Life 2 and with the wonderful addition of Half-Life Alyx - that the fanbase is as strong as ever.
The Plan: A New Record
On Sunday, August 13, Half-Life players gathered as part of Opposing the Bar, a community event with the simple goal of setting a new record for concurrent Steam players in the Half-Life expansion Opposing Force. The previous record stood at a relatively low 620 players. By encouraging as many people as possible to open the shooter on Steam for at least one hour, Opposing the Bar aimed to surpass this record.
The Result: A Massive Success
To set a new record, only 621 players were needed. Now, after the conclusion of Opposing the Bar, the record for simultaneous players in Half-Life Opposing Force stands at a massive 5,639 players - far surpassing the previous maximum and even exceeding Opposing the Bar's goal. "We did it," writes co-organizer NoClick on Twitter.
Community Spirit in Action
Many people often ask us, "Why do we do this?" explains co-organizer Radiation Hazard before the event. "It's quite simple. Noclick and I organize these events to bring the community together and celebrate our favorite games with our beloved viewers. Valve may no longer pay attention to this franchise, but we do."
A Glimpse into the Future
"Great job, everyone," writes Lambda Generation. Until next time, maybe Shifting The Bar? The anticipation and love for the series remain strong. I hope Valve is still working on a new Half-Life. Who knows? Perhaps there will soon be another impressive feat that shows how much we all miss Gordon Freeman.
Final Thoughts
This event was an amazing testament to the fact that the love for Half-Life is still strong. It is also a testament to how powerful a dedicated community can be. So grab your crowbar, put on your HEV suit, and join us! Who knows? Maybe we'll all help reach new heights! And if you don't have a key yet or want to expand your collection, check out our Steam Keys page!
