Difference between revisions of "Half-Life"
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{{Disambig|the original game|the Source engine port|[[Half-Life: Source]]|the unofficial remake|[[Black Mesa]]}} | {{Disambig|the original game|the Source engine port|[[Half-Life: Source]]|the unofficial remake|[[Black Mesa]]}} | ||
− | |||
{{Infobox game | {{Infobox game | ||
|cover = Half-Life cover.jpg | |cover = Half-Life cover.jpg | ||
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{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc, key | The original release of the game uses a simple disc check and key authentication. | Steam | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Retail | | disc, key | The original release of the game uses a simple disc check and key authentication. | Steam | Windows }} | ||
{{Availability/row| Retail | | DRM-free* |The "Game of the Year" edition and later patches remove the authentication and disc check. The disc is only required for the Redbook-based soundtrack. | Steam | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Retail | | DRM-free* |The "Game of the Year" edition and later patches remove the authentication and disc check. The disc is only required for the Redbook-based soundtrack. | Steam | Windows }} | ||
− | {{Availability/row| Retail | | Steam | Half-Life 1 Anthology, and 2005 Jewel-case. | | Windows }} | + | {{Availability/row| Retail | | Steam, key | Half-Life 1 Anthology, and 2005 Jewel-case. Game data is stored inside GCF files on the disc. If extracted, it is possible to play offline without Steam, by following [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Half-Life#Play_Half-Life_1_Anthology_.2F_2005_Jewel-case_release_offline_without_Steam this guide]. | | Windows }} |
{{Availability/row| Steam | 70 | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux }} | {{Availability/row| Steam | 70 | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
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===Demos=== | ===Demos=== | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
====Half-Life: Day One==== | ====Half-Life: Day One==== | ||
{{ii}} A pre-release demo exclusive to OEMs. It contains the first five chapters from the full release and the training level. It can be downloaded [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/287-half-life-day-one-demo/ here]. | {{ii}} A pre-release demo exclusive to OEMs. It contains the first five chapters from the full release and the training level. It can be downloaded [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/287-half-life-day-one-demo/ here]. | ||
Line 78: | Line 73: | ||
===Version differences=== | ===Version differences=== | ||
{{ii}} '''Half-Life: Game of the Year Edition''' comes with both the base game and [[Team Fortress Classic]]. | {{ii}} '''Half-Life: Game of the Year Edition''' comes with both the base game and [[Team Fortress Classic]]. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
{{ii}} The version of the game before the 25th Anniversary Update is available as a beta in Steam titled ''steam_legacy - Pre-25th Anniversary Build''. This version has the best mod compatibility since the 25th anniversary made big changes that some mods may not be compatible with.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://half-life.com/en/halflife25/|title=Half-Life: 25th Anniversary Update|date=2023-11-18}}</ref> | {{ii}} The version of the game before the 25th Anniversary Update is available as a beta in Steam titled ''steam_legacy - Pre-25th Anniversary Build''. This version has the best mod compatibility since the 25th anniversary made big changes that some mods may not be compatible with.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://half-life.com/en/halflife25/|title=Half-Life: 25th Anniversary Update|date=2023-11-18}}</ref> | ||
Line 184: | Line 177: | ||
{{ii}} For a list of console commands, see [http://gamegate2k.com/half-life/guides/basic-console-commands here]. | {{ii}} For a list of console commands, see [http://gamegate2k.com/half-life/guides/basic-console-commands here]. | ||
− | ===[[Glossary:4K Ultra HD|4K Ultra HD]]=== | + | ===[[Glossary:4K Ultra HD|4K Ultra HD (Retail/pre-25th Anniversary Update)]]=== |
{{ii}} Assets for retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update versions are designed for 640x480, and UI may be too small at higher resolutions. | {{ii}} Assets for retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update versions are designed for 640x480, and UI may be too small at higher resolutions. | ||
{{ii}} 25th Anniversary Update updates the GUI to adaptively scale from 480p (640x480) to 4K resolutions. | {{ii}} 25th Anniversary Update updates the GUI to adaptively scale from 480p (640x480) to 4K resolutions. | ||
Line 757: | Line 750: | ||
* Fixes tripmine beam duplication. | * Fixes tripmine beam duplication. | ||
{{ii}} Read the changelog on the GitHub page for more fixes. | {{ii}} Read the changelog on the GitHub page for more fixes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====[https://www.moddb.com/mods/half-life-dreamcast Half-Life: Dreamcast]==== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Port of the Dreamcast version's original and modified content. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====[https://www.moddb.com/mods/yet-another-ps2-half-life-pc-port Yet another PS2 Half-Life PC port]==== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Port of the PlayStation 2 version's content. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Does not include [[Half-Life:_Decay|Half-Life: Decay]]. | ||
====[https://github.com/sultim-t/xash-rt/releases Half-Life 1: Ray Traced]==== | ====[https://github.com/sultim-t/xash-rt/releases Half-Life 1: Ray Traced]==== | ||
Line 809: | Line 809: | ||
{{ii}} Games running on the GoldSrc engine can utilize [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Console_Command_List these commands] for various tasks. | {{ii}} Games running on the GoldSrc engine can utilize [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Console_Command_List these commands] for various tasks. | ||
{{ii}} Console is enabled by default in GoldSrc games, press {{key|~}} to open it. | {{ii}} Console is enabled by default in GoldSrc games, press {{key|~}} to open it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Play Half-Life 1 Anthology / 2005 Jewel-case release offline without Steam=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Older version of the game which runs better on slower machines | ||
+ | {{ii}} Supports more advanced mods than the WON version | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|fix= | ||
+ | # Use [https://github.com/activescott/lessmsi/releases lessmsi] to extract {{file|platform.gcf}} from the on-disc {{file|steam.msi}}. | ||
+ | # Install the game from {{file|hl.msi}} on the CD. | ||
+ | # Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\SteamApps}} folder. | ||
+ | # Move the aforementioned {{file|platform.gcf}} into here. | ||
+ | # Using [https://web.archive.org/web/20200131172739/http://nemesis.thewavelength.net:80/index.php?p=26 GCFScape] extract the {{folder|root}} folder of each {{file|.gcf}} file into a desired folder, except {{file|platform.gcf}} | ||
+ | # Open {{file|platform.gcf}} in '''GCFScape'''. | ||
+ | # Highlight all the folders on the right and extract them to a new folder on the desktop. | ||
+ | # Rename this new folder to {{folder|platform}} and move into the folder containing the rest of the extracted game data. | ||
+ | # The game requires a {{file|Steam.dll}} to run. It can be acquired from '''any complete version of Steam''' (standard modern Steam, 2004 Steam, etc.), or '''a 2004 retail copy of [[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero]]'''. | ||
+ | # Place the {{file|Steam.dll}} into the folder containing the extracted game files. | ||
+ | # The game also requires a {{file|FileSystem_Stdio.dll}} to run. This can be acquired from '''a digital Steam copy of any Half-Life based game''' ('''steam_legacy''' beta) or '''a 2004 retail copy of [[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero]]'''. | ||
+ | # Place the {{file|FileSystem_Stdio.dll}} into the folder containing the extracted game files. | ||
+ | # Run {{file|hl.exe}} to start the game. | ||
+ | # Input the CD-key to play the game if asked. | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | {{ii}} The game can now be uninstalled from the control panel without losing the extracted files. | ||
+ | }} | ||
==System requirements== | ==System requirements== |
Revision as of 17:13, 25 April 2024
This page is for the original game. For the Source engine port, see Half-Life: Source. For the unofficial remake, see Black Mesa.
Developers | |
---|---|
Valve Corporation | |
Publishers | |
1998-2005 | Sierra On-Line |
2005-present | Valve Corporation |
Russia (Half-Life 1 Anthology) | Buka Entertainment[1] |
Retail (Brazil) | Brasoft |
Engines | |
GoldSrc | |
Release dates | |
Windows | November 19, 1998[2] |
macOS (OS X) | January 25, 2013 |
Linux | January 25, 2013 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 96 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase |
Microtransactions | None |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | First-person |
Controls | Direct control |
Genres | Action, FPS, Shooter |
Art styles | Realistic |
Themes | Contemporary, North America, Sci-fi |
Series | Half-Life |
⤏ Go to series page | |
Half-Life mods and fangames (series) | |
Half-Life | 1998 |
Half-Life: Opposing Force | 1999 |
Half-Life: Blue Shift | 2001 |
Codename: Gordon | 2004 |
Half-Life: Source | 2004 |
Half-Life 2 | 2004 |
Half-Life 2: Deathmatch | 2004 |
Half-Life 2: Lost Coast | 2005 |
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source | 2006 |
Half-Life 2: Episode One | 2006 |
Half-Life 2: Episode Two | 2007 |
Portal (series) | |
Half-Life: Decay (unofficial port) | 2008 |
Half-Life: Alyx | 2020 |
Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
Half-Life is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person action, FPS and shooter game in the Half-Life series.
The retail release was published by Sierra Entertainment up until the publisher lost all publishing rights to Valve's titles in 2005. The macOS X and Linux versions were released in 2013. On November 17, 2023, to celebrate the game's 25th anniversary, an update was released which added new and previously exclusive content, as well as improving Steam Deck support. The update initially broke compatibility with many mods (including other GoldSrc-based Valve games), but mod compatibility was fixed in the days following the release of the update.
Like most of Valve's library, the game still receives bug fixes and general maintenance updates. It also enjoys a large community base, and various mods are released regularly.
General information
- GitHub Issue Tracker for Half-Life and other GoldSrc-based games
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | The original release of the game uses a simple disc check and key authentication. | |||
Retail | The "Game of the Year" edition and later patches remove the authentication and disc check. The disc is only required for the Redbook-based soundtrack. | |||
Retail | Half-Life 1 Anthology, and 2005 Jewel-case. Game data is stored inside GCF files on the disc. If extracted, it is possible to play offline without Steam, by following this guide. | |||
Steam |
- All non-Steam releases can be redeemed on Steam.
- Soundtrack is available for free here. FLAC files are also available if "Download high-quality audio files" is checked in Steam's music settings.
Demos
Half-Life: Day One
- A pre-release demo exclusive to OEMs. It contains the first five chapters from the full release and the training level. It can be downloaded here.
- Note that the demo uses an older version of GoldSrc, which may have compatibility issues with modern systems.
Version differences
- Half-Life: Game of the Year Edition comes with both the base game and Team Fortress Classic.
- The version of the game before the 25th Anniversary Update is available as a beta in Steam titled steam_legacy - Pre-25th Anniversary Build. This version has the best mod compatibility since the 25th anniversary made big changes that some mods may not be compatible with.[3]
Essential improvements
Official retail patches
- These are not needed for the Steam version as that already contains the latest version. The Steam version is even more up to date than the Retail version.
An archive of all official patches for Half-Life and its expansions can be found on ModDB.
Skip intro videos
- Retail version.
Use the -console command-line argument[4]
|
---|
- Steam version.
Use the -novid command-line argument
|
---|
Running in 24-bit or 32-bit color depth (retail version)
- The retail version of the game defaults to 16-bit color depth, with no option to adjust in-game.
Run game with -32bpp argument[5]
|
---|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Half-Life\ |
Steam | <path-to-game>/valve/*.cfg |
-
config.cfg
is the main configuration file.
- This game does not follow the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\valve\SAVE\[Note 1] |
macOS (OS X) | <path-to-game>/valve/SAVE |
Linux | <path-to-game>/valve/SAVE/ |
The file names follow the pattern:
autosave.sav
half-life-000.sav
half-life-001.sav
- ...
The magic number (the file signature at the beginning of the file, consisting of two or more hexadecimal values) is JSAV
in ISO 8859-1 encoding (4A53 4156
in hexadecimal).
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Steam Cloud |
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | Retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update Steam versions are Vert-; see Field of view (FOV) for a workaround. Use Half-Life WON Resolution FOV MP3 Patch for non-Steam versions The 25th Anniversary Update version has a setting for Hor+ called "Allow widescreen Field of View". |
||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | Retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update Steam versions are Vert-. Increase FOV to compensate. See Field of view (FOV). The 25th Anniversary Update version has a setting for Hor+ called "Allow widescreen Field of View". |
||
4K Ultra HD | Both in-game and menu UI may become too small on displays with a high pixel density, see 4K Ultra HD for various fixes. The 25th Anniversary Update version provides native in-game and UI scaling for up to 4K. |
||
Field of view (FOV) | 90º by default. See Field of view (FOV). | ||
Windowed | |||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | Use -window -noborder . |
||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | 16 samples by default in Steam version. Use gl_ansio X [sic] in the console, with X as number of samples. See OpenGL texture filtering to disable texture filtering altogether.The 25th Anniversary Update version provides to activate or deactivate it. |
||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | 4x MSAA by default in Steam version. Use -nomsaa to force off. Enhanceable to HSAA on Nvidia systems.[Note 2] |
||
High-fidelity upscaling | DLSS 3.1, FSR 2.1 See Half-Life 1: Ray Traced. |
||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | Triple Buffering. Lower input latency forces a Double Buffering Vsync. Always on for the retail version. |
||
60 FPS | |||
120+ FPS | Capped at 100 FPS (72 FPS in retail version) by default. See High frame rate. | ||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | See OpenGL overbright lighting to increase the rendering dynamic range. | ||
Ray tracing (RT) | See Half-Life 1: Ray Traced. |
- For a list of console commands, see here.
4K Ultra HD (Retail/pre-25th Anniversary Update)
- Assets for retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update versions are designed for 640x480, and UI may be too small at higher resolutions.
- 25th Anniversary Update updates the GUI to adaptively scale from 480p (640x480) to 4K resolutions.
Increase font sizes[6][7] |
---|
|
Field of view (FOV)
- FOV adjustment may be necessary at widescreen resolutions on non-25th Anniversary Update versions.
Field of view[8] |
---|
Notes
|
High frame rate
Use +developer 1 +fps_override 1 +fps_max ### [9]
|
---|
|
OpenGL texture filtering (Retail/pre-25th Anniversary Update)
- By default the filtering is enabled (except in Software rendering mode).
- Skyboxes are always bilinear filtered, regardless of texture filtering settings.[12]
Disable OpenGL texture filtering[13] |
---|
Notes
|
OpenGL overbright lighting (Retail/pre-25th Anniversary Update)
- Overbright lighting increases the rendering dynamic range, resulting brighter and more colorful visuals. This also fixes chromatic aberration on brightly lit lightmaps.[14]
- The 25th Anniversary Update fixed the overbright lighting and deprecates
gl_overbright
in favor ofgl_use_shaders
.[15] - Overbright lighting normally only works on the Direct3D and software renderers.[16][17]
Nvidia GPUs: Enable the GL extension limiter[18] |
---|
Notes
|
Intel/AMD GPUs: Use this GLIntercept config[20] |
---|
Notes
|
Use this Python script[21] |
---|
Notes
|
Mesa drivers on Linux: Disable GL_ARB_multitexture extension with environment variable[22]
|
---|
Notes
|
Proprietary Nvidia drivers on Linux: On the retail version, write __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=mesa before everything else[23]
|
---|
Notes
|
Other drivers on Linux: Use Zink and disable GL_ARB_multitexture extension[24]
|
---|
Notes
|
Use HLFixes[25] |
---|
Notes
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse, touch | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | ||
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Touchscreen optimised | See Xash3D. | |
Controller | ||
Controller support | Only Analog Movement and Joystick Camera are supported.[26] The Pre-25th Anniversary Update versions only support single sticks like a Flight Stick. |
|
Full controller support | ||
Controller remapping | Can be rebinded via Steam Input config.[Note 3] Alternatively: Game Actions can be manually assigned via controller.cfg file.[27] |
|
Controller sensitivity | ||
Controller Y-axis inversion |
Controller types |
---|
XInput-compatible controllers | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. |
---|
PlayStation controllers | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. |
---|
Tracked motion controllers | Supports Razer Hydra. | |
---|---|---|
Button/gesture prompts |
Generic/other controllers | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. |
---|
Additional information | ||
---|---|---|
Controller hotplugging | ||
Haptic feedback | See Xash3D. | |
Digital movement supported | ||
Simultaneous controller+KB/M |
Steam Input | ||
---|---|---|
Steam Input API support | ||
Hook input (legacy mode) | ||
Official controller preset(s) | Steam Deck, Steam Controller, DualShock 4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch. Gyro Aim versions of the same preset is also provided. |
|
Steam Controller button prompts | ||
Cursor detection |
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | Lost with Linux update.[28] Can be restored in retail version with DirectSound 3D restoration software (Creative Alchemy or dsoal). | |
Subtitles | Use Half-Life: Subtitles mod. | |
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
EAX support | A3D 2.0[29][30] and EAX were supported. Both have been removed with the January 30, 2013 update.[31] See MetaAudio for Steam version. |
|
Royalty free audio | ||
Red Book CD audio | Deprecated with MP3 playback since 1.1.0.9. Current release still supports reading from CD when available. |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | Subtitles mod. | |||
Croatian | Fan translation, Download. Please note: this is only for the main game, expansions/DLCs are not yet translated. | |||
Simplified Chinese | ||||
Traditional Chinese | ||||
French | ||||
German | Originally altered (enemy soldiers replaced with robots, gore removed). An uncut DLC was released after BPjM cleared the game, but it has since been delisted and in 2017, with model overrides being removed.[32] Players can still play in English, edit their registry, or ask the Steam Support to remove all Low-Violence tags from their GoldSource games.[33][34] | |||
Italian | ||||
Korean | ||||
Polish | Fan translation, download. | |||
Hungarian | Fan translation, [2] [3] [4]. | |||
Brazilian Portuguese | Fan translation, download. | |||
Russian | The official localisation for 25th Anniversary Update is not complete, due to lacking translation for new lines of the user interface Anniversary update comes with. | |||
Russian | For 25th Anniversary Update version use this localisation. For pre-25th Anniversary update use its older version. | |||
Spanish | ||||
Turkish | Fan translation, download. | |||
Ukrainian | Fan translation by TSF, download. |
Network
- For more information, see the "Half-Life Dedicated Server" section of our GoldSrc article.
- Steam version is actively supported via Steamworks with a small but dedicated community.
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local play | Versus, Co-op Use Universal Split Screen. |
|||
LAN play | 32 | Versus, Co-op Use Sven Co-op for co-op (see the FAQ). |
||
Online play | 32 | Versus, Co-op Use Sven Co-op for co-op (see the FAQ). |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | Servers are hosted using a separate "hlds.exe," which can be downloaded with SteamCMD. | |
Self-hosting | Only LAN, by default. Use sv_lan 0 in the main menu and, if port forwarding is set up, others can connect with the connect "ip address" command. |
|
Direct IP | Open the console (~) and use connect followed by the IP and port. |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
---|---|
UDP | 6003, 7002, 27010, 27015, 27025 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
VR support
3D modes | State | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
vorpX | G3D User created game profile, (openGL) see vorpx forum profile introduction. Note The profile also works with Half Life Opposing Force, Half Life Blueshift, Half Life Counterstrike (taken from Half Life - Generations). |
Headsets | |||
---|---|---|---|
SteamVR | See Half-Life: VR. | ||
Oculus VR (LibOVR) | See Half-Life: VR. | ||
Windows Mixed Reality | See Half-Life: VR. | ||
OSVR | |||
Forte VFX1 |
Devices | |||
---|---|---|---|
Tracked motion controllers | Supports Razer Hydra. See Input for details. |
||
Traditional controller | See Input for details. | ||
Keyboard/Mouse | |||
Novint Falcon | The official game-specific 3D Touch Add On is required. |
Play area | |||
---|---|---|---|
Seated | |||
Standing | |||
Room-scale |
Issues fixed
InstallShield progress bar hangs and does not load main setup window (Retail version)
- The InstallShield used for the early releases can lock up waiting for a resource held by another process.
Find the offending process and terminate it[35] |
---|
|
Run the game at screen refresh rate (Retail version)
- The retail version of the game defaults to 60 Hz when running with Direct3D renderer in fullscreen mode.
Use the -freq <rate> command line argument[36]
|
---|
|
Input Lag in Direct3D (Retail version)
- On certain graphics cards, using the D3D renderer can result in severe input lag, even with disabled VSync.
Set gl_d3dflip 1 in the console[37]
|
---|
Missing Decals in Direct3D (Retail version)
Use gl_polyoffset -0.01 in the console[citation needed]
|
---|
Logo Movies At Startup Play Inconsistently (Retail version)
Run with administrator privileges[38] |
---|
|
No music playback (retail version)
Switch from CD playback to MP3[39] |
---|
Notes
|
Burn the soundtrack on a separate CD |
---|
|
- In modern versions of windows the menu is usually not seen in full screen in addition to crashing when loading the game.
Run the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 2) |
---|
Fatal Error - Available memory less than 15MB (Retail version)
Run the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP [citation needed]
|
---|
Missing Blood & Gore (Steam version)
- There is an issue with the current Steam release of Half-Life, it can end up downloading a few of the cut content from the German version regardless of the player's location.
Download this file to restore the lost gore[citation needed] |
---|
Black screen on startup (Steam version)
Disable FBO rendering[40] |
---|
|
Windows 7/Vista Performance Fix
- In Windows 7 or Vista with modern hardware, some users may experience extremely low frame rates during gameplay.
Set HL.exe to high priority[citation needed] |
---|
|
Missing Voice and Multiplayer Tabs under Options
Replace the liblist.gam file[41] |
---|
|
Performance issues with dynamic lights on Intel graphics (OpenGL)
- Dynamic light sources being present, such as the flashlight or flickering lights, causes significant frame rate drops and lag spikes on Intel graphics.
Use this GLIntercept config[42] |
---|
Notes
|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 6 | Removed in the January 30, 2013 update.[31] |
OpenGL | 2.1 | 3DFX MiniGL included in retail version. |
Software renderer |
Executable | PPC | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | [43] Xash3D has a 64-bit build. Refer to this file for instructions on how to use it.[44] | |||
macOS (OS X) | [45]. PowerPC requires Xash3D.[46] | |||
Linux | [45] |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Audio | Miles Sound System | |
Input | SDL | |
Cutscenes | WebM | Used in post 25th anniversary version of the game. |
Multiplayer | World Opponent Network, Steamworks | WON for retail, Steamworks for Steam. The WON servers were shut down on July 31, 2004; fans have since recreated the network as WON2.[47] |
Mods
Xash3D
- Xash3D FWGS is a custom open-source Half-Life-compatible engine, made to overcome the limit of the GoldSrc engine, fixing compatibility issues for the original non-Steam versions too[48]
- It also includes quality of life options fit for modern systems, including HUD scaling.
Quality Of Life Fixes (Steam & Retail)
- These fix certain small things without significantly altering the experience. Compiled from FWGS hlsdk-portable.
- Fixes some viewmodel animations.
- Fixes "rapid fire" crowbar when hitting certain corpses.
- Fixes tripmine beam duplication.
- Read the changelog on the GitHub page for more fixes.
Half-Life: Dreamcast
- Port of the Dreamcast version's original and modified content.
Yet another PS2 Half-Life PC port
- Port of the PlayStation 2 version's content.
- Does not include Half-Life: Decay.
Half-Life 1: Ray Traced
- Half-Life 1: Ray Traced uses Xash3D: Ray Traced engine which is a variation of the Xash3D FWGS engine, with a custom path traced renderer.
MetaAudio
- Alternative audio pipeline for GoldSrc. Re-implements 3D audio without replacing entire rendering pipeline. Combines A3D’s HRTF and Occlusion with EAX’s reverb.[49]
- Not compatible with software renderer.[50]
- Currently incompatible with the latest 25th Anniversary update[51]. A workaround for 25th anniversary update is to use MetaHookSv and load MetaAudio with it, see the instructions here.
- Do not use on VAC secured server.
Higher definition models
- Included in the Steam release. For the retail version of Half-Life and its expansions, the Official HD Pack can be found on PcGamingWiki.
- The High Definition Pack replaces most weapon and player/enemy models with higher polygon versions that resemble the PS2 models. For other options follow this guide.
- The option to enable the pack in-game is in the options menu, and the game must be restarted for it to take effect.
- The effect changes the art style dramatically, and whether or not it's desirable is up to personal preference.
Full Audio Remaster
- Makes all of the bit-crushed sounds & voices much more clear.
- Requires Xash3D or MetaAudio.
Restored logo playback via ffplay (Steam & Retail)
- This is an alternative way to get the logo movies playing like they should, but without using the engine itself. This uses a series of VBS, BAT, and PS1 scripts which will make the logos play with FFplay then launch the game. This allows higher quality videos to play and other formats that otherwise would not work in normal Gold Source.
- Because this uses an external method not tied to the engine, works on all PC versions of Half-Life including the Pre-25th Anniversary version.
Higher quality Valve logo
- This will replace the existing Valve logo with a higher quality and newer version of the classic Valve logo (Open your eyes from 2004). Found within the files of the Source SDK Base 2013 Singleplayer. Available for Retail and latest Steam 25th Anniversary update.
- Recommended to use with Sierra Studios splash mod.
Crosshair
- See Half-Life Crosshair Changer to customize the crosshairs.
HD Half-Life Crosshairs
- Upscales crosshairs to make them more visible when using Full HD or 4K resolutions.
- Optionally changes color of the crosshairs for Blue Shift to better match add-on aesthetics.
- This modifies the main and pause menu text for Half-Life and expansions to look more like the WON version of the menus and fixes inconsistencies with Blue Shift's and Opposing Force's menus. This simply changes the text and does not change the menu colors, looks, or add/modify menu functions.
Enabling developer mode
- Enabling developer mode will allow use of in-game cheats and various console commands.
Use the developer 1 in console[52]
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Notes
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Console commands
- Games running on the GoldSrc engine can utilize these commands for various tasks.
- Console is enabled by default in GoldSrc games, press ~ to open it.
Play Half-Life 1 Anthology / 2005 Jewel-case release offline without Steam
- Older version of the game which runs better on slower machines
- Supports more advanced mods than the WON version
Instructions |
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System requirements
Retail ("WON") version
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 95, 98, NT 4.0 | 98, NT |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 133 MHz | Intel Pentium 166 MHz |
System memory (RAM) | 24 MB | 32 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 400 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | SVGA, high color (16-bit) compatible display (software mode) | OpenGL or Direct3D compatible 3D accelerator (OpenGL/Direct3D 7 mode) |
Steam version
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 7 | |
Processor (CPU) | 500 MHz | 800 MHz |
System memory (RAM) | 96 MB | 128 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 4 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | 16 MB of VRAM | 32 MB of VRAM |
- Windows XP (and possibly Vista) are no longer supported since the 25th anniversary update.[53]
macOS (OS X) | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | 10.6.3 | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Core 2 Duo | |
System memory (RAM) | 1 GB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 4 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 8xxx series ATI Radeon X1600 Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
Linux | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | Ubuntu 12.04 | |
Processor (CPU) | 2.8 GHz Dual Core | |
System memory (RAM) | 1 GB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 4 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 8600/9600 GT ATI/AMD Radeon HD 2600/3600 OpenGL 2.1 compatible |
|
Sound (audio device) | OpenAL compatible | |
Other | Graphic Drivers: Nvidia 310, AMD 12.11 |
Notes
- ↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details). - ↑ SGSSAA is also technically possible, but a GPU driver bug results in affine textures becoming extremely blurry in OpenGL games such as this title, especially noticable when texture filtering is disabled.
- ↑ However, the default config provided by Valve heavily relies on Keyboard/Mouse bindings.
References
- ↑ [1] - last accessed on 2023-03-22
- ↑ Half-Life Released (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-06-17
- ↑ Half-Life: 25th Anniversary Update - last accessed on 2023-11-18
- ↑ Verified by User:Tecc on 2021-04-10
- Intro files will be skipped by using this command-line argument. (only for the retail version)
- ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2024-01-28
- ↑ Increased Fonts For HL1 addon - Half-Life - Mod DB - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Verified by User:SirYodaJedi on 2020-03-04
- Figured out more vanilla-esque settings
- ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/70/discussions/0/620713633859376599/ Is there anyway to change the default F.O.V.? :: Half Life General Discussions
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 How to get 144hz/fps?
- ↑ Steam Community :: Half-Life :: Events - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Half life bugs - last accessed on 2024
- ↑ [HL1] Skybox texture is always filtered in OpenGL mode · Issue #2606 · ValveSoftware/halflife - last accessed on 2023-06-05
- ↑ How to remove texture filtering in OpenGL - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ gl_overbright — Landy on YouTube - last accessed on 2023-08-07
- ↑ 25th Anniversary Update: Overbright not working · Issue #3424 · ValveSoftware/halflife - last accessed on 2023-11-18
- ↑ VOGONS • View topic - Half-Life overbright compatibility - last accessed on 9 June 2023
- ↑ gl_overbright & OpenGL · Issue #230 · ValveSoftware/halflife - last accessed on 9 June 2023
- ↑ Half-Life with OpenAL (EFX, Surround Sound, and HRTF!) : HalfLife - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Verified by User:SirYodaJedi on 2023-08-11
- This is prominent when texture filtering is disabled (as it should be). If texture filtering is enabled, this will result in textures with transparent sections having smaller transparent sections.
- ↑ [citation needed]
- ↑ [citation needed]
- ↑ Mesa3D Documentation: Enviroment Variables - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ How to use mesa while Nvidia module is loaded ? - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Mesa3D Documentation: Enviroment Variables - last accessed on November 2023
- ↑ [citation needed]
- ↑ Verified by User:Al2009man on 2023-11-17
- Tested by disabling Steam Input completely and use DualShock 4, DualSense and Xbox Controllers on both Wired and Bluetooth. Seems to rely on SDL2 to handle overall Controller support.
- ↑ Verified by User:Al2009man on 2023-11-20
- Tested by adding
bind "Joy1" [InsertGameActionHere]
on the file. For reference: Joy1 is the "Gamepad A" Button.
- Tested by adding
- ↑ Steam HL1 5.1 sound - Steam discussions forums.
- ↑ Tech help: Half-Life - Vortex of Sound (retrieved)
- ↑ Half Life Aureal A3D Fix - Aureal A3D Central - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Half-Life - Half-Life 1 and Counter-Strike 1.6 updated - Steam News - last accessed on 2023-06-24
- ↑ Half-Life German (Depot 74) - History - Change #M:4270101312314046852 - SteamDB - last accessed on 2023-02-20
- ↑ Half-Life goes uncensored in Germany, two decades after original release - Polygon - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ German version uncensored now? :: Steam Community Discussions - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Half-Life GOTY (non-Steam version) on Windows 7 64-bit - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Command Line Options - Valve Developer Community - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ valvearchive.com - last accessed on 9 June 2023
- ↑ Verified by User:Scottvordem on 2023-1-1
- Tested this several times by starting the game over and over again and the movies played every time.
- ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/70/discussions/0/527274088387899010/ Half-Life WON (CD) does not have music :: Half-Life General Discussions
- ↑ Steam Community - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ "IF you are Missing Voice and Multiplayer Tabs under Options" Steam Users' Forum Thread (retrieved)
- ↑ [citation needed]
- ↑ Verified by User:Vetle on 2016-10-22
- ↑ Xash3D FWGS engine - last accessed on 2023-08-04
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 Verified by User:Faalagorn on 2019-11-09
- ↑ Half-Life running on PPC Mac for the first time - last accessed on 24 March 2023
- ↑ WON2 Server Network - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ twitter.com - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Half-Life w/ EAX and 3D spatial sound in MetaAudio (OpenAL Soft HRTF) - YouTube - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Half-Life - 3D spatial sound comparison: Stereo, CMSS-3D, DSOAL, MetaAudio HRTF - YouTube - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Stops working with the recent Half-Life 25th Anniversary update - GitHub - last accessed on Nov 2023
- ↑ Verified by User:AlphaYellow on 2024-01-28
- ↑ Steam CS1.6 on Windows XP in 2024 - last accessed on 2022-03-25
- "Half-Life binaries are no longer compatible with Windows XP after the 25th anniversary update. To play Half-Life and its mods, you'll have to roll back the 25th anniversary version to steam_legacy."