Half-Life celebrates 25th anniversary with controversies
Valve has released a series of new materials, including an updated version of the original game, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the classic shooter "Half-Life". However, amidst the celebrations, a decision has caused quite a stir: a specific version of Half-Life, namely "Half-Life Source", has been permanently removed from Steam.
"Half-Life Source": A controversial re-release
"Half-Life Source" was released in June 2004, just a few months before the groundbreaking sequel "Half-Life 2". At the time, everyone expected a complete redesign with the new, revolutionary, physics-based Source Engine. However, the expectations were not met. It simply didn't live up to the hype and felt more like an unnecessary re-release with minimal effort rather than a true showcase of Source itself.
Valve removes "Half-Life Source" from the list
Now, on the 25th anniversary of Half-Life, Valve makes a statement about Half-Life Source: although the game will remain on Steam, it will be removed from the list and practically impossible to find through search. The updated version of Half-Life released for the anniversary is now considered "definitive".
The definitive version of Half-Life
"We now consider this anniversary edition of Half-Life to be the definitive version and the one we will continue to support," says Valve. "Therefore, we will reduce the visibility of Half-Life Source in the Steam store."
Searching for "Half-Life Source"
If you visit Steam and search for Half-Life or Half-Life Source, you will not find the game in your results. Instead, a Google search will lead you to the Steam page of the game, now renamed as 'Half-Life 1 Source', which does not include any Steam ratings or user reviews.
Back into the world of Half-Life
So, if you feel like replaying Half-Life, the revamped version for the 25th anniversary is likely your go-to choice. Alternatively, you can satisfy your classic shooter nostalgia from the 90s with some of the other best old games. And if you're looking for a new adventure, why not check out our Steam Key page - who knows what treasure you might discover there!
