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Difference between revisions of "Half-Life: Alyx"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(corrected vsync and key rebinding)
(→‎Middleware: Panorama UI is used in all Source 2-powered games)
 
(34 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
−
|cover        = Half Life Alyx.jpg
+
|cover        = Half-Life Alyx cover.png
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Valve Corporation}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Valve Corporation}}
Line 7: Line 7:
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Source 2}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Source 2}}
 
|release dates=
 
|release dates=
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|March 23, 2020}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|March 23, 2020|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/546560/view/1818831582752497162|title=Half-Life: Alyx - Half-Life: Alyx is Now Available - Steam News|date=2023-09-18}}</ref>}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|May 15, 2020|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/546560/view/3758762298552654077|title=Steam News: Half-Life: Alyx - Workshop is now open|date=2020-12-27}}</ref>}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|May 15, 2020|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/546560/view/3758762298552654077|title=Half-Life: Alyx - The Half-Life: Alyx Workshop is now open - Steam News|date=2020-12-27}}</ref>}}
 
|reception    =  
 
|reception    =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|half-life-alyx|93}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|half-life-alyx|93}}
Line 14: Line 14:
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|half-life-alyx|93}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|half-life-alyx|93}}
 
|taxonomy    =  
 
|taxonomy    =  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes|Singleplayer}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes|Singleplayer}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing|Real-time}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing|Real-time}}
Line 27: Line 28:
 
|official site= https://www.half-life.com/en/alyx/
 
|official site= https://www.half-life.com/en/alyx/
 
|hltb        = 72067
 
|hltb        = 72067
 +
|lutris      = half-life-alyx
 
|strategywiki = Half-Life: Alyx
 
|strategywiki = Half-Life: Alyx
−
|mobygames    = half-life-alyx
+
|mobygames    = 143668
 
|wikipedia    = Half-Life: Alyx
 
|wikipedia    = Half-Life: Alyx
 
|winehq      =  
 
|winehq      =  
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      = '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a {{Glossary:singleplayer}} {{Glossary:first-person}} {{Glossary:shooter}} game developed and published by [[Company:Valve|Valve]]. It is part of the ''[[Series:Half-Life|Half-Life]]'' series.
 +
 +
|release history  = The game was released on Steam on March 23, 2020.
 +
 +
|current state    =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 51: Line 61:
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\cfg\|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\SAVE\S*\personal.cfg}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\cfg\|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\SAVE\S*\personal.cfg|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\SAVE\s*\personal.cfg}}
 +
{{Game data/config|Linux|}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\SAVE\S*\}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\SAVE\S*\|{{P|game}}\game\hlvr\SAVE\s*\}}
 +
{{Game data/saves|Linux|}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
{{Save game cloud syncing  
 
{{Save game cloud syncing  
−
|discord               =  
+
|discord                   =  
−
|discord notes         =  
+
|discord notes             =  
−
|epic games store       =  
+
|epic games launcher       =  
−
|epic games store notes =  
+
|epic games launcher notes =  
−
|gog galaxy             =  
+
|gog galaxy               =  
−
|gog galaxy notes       =  
+
|gog galaxy notes         =  
−
|origin                 =  
+
|origin                   =  
−
|origin notes           =  
+
|origin notes             =  
−
|steam cloud           = true
+
|steam cloud               = true
−
|steam cloud notes     =  
+
|steam cloud notes         = Saves and some settings.
−
|uplay                  =  
+
|ubisoft connect          =  
−
|uplay notes           =  
+
|ubisoft connect notes     =  
−
|xbox cloud             =  
+
|xbox cloud               =  
−
|xbox cloud notes       =  
+
|xbox cloud notes         =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
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|antialiasing              = always on
 
|antialiasing              = always on
 
|antialiasing notes        = No in-game options, and always enabled by default. See [[#Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]].
 
|antialiasing notes        = No in-game options, and always enabled by default. See [[#Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]].
−
|vsync                      = true
+
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 +
|vsync                      = always on
 
|vsync notes                = Forced on, cannot be toggled.
 
|vsync notes                = Forced on, cannot be toggled.
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
−
|60 fps notes              = Frame rate is capped at headset's refresh rate. <ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-23|comment=Tested using Windows Mixed Reality headset.}}</ref>
+
|60 fps notes              = Frame rate is capped at headset's refresh rate.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-23|comment=Tested using Windows Mixed Reality headset.}}</ref>
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps notes              = <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/03/23/half-life-alyx-vr-performance/|title=Half-Life: Alyx VR performance: How to get the best settings and the smoothest experience|date=2020-03-23}}</ref>
 
|120 fps notes              = <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/03/23/half-life-alyx-vr-performance/|title=Half-Life: Alyx VR performance: How to get the best settings and the smoothest experience|date=2020-03-23}}</ref>
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 +
|ray tracing                = unknown
 +
|ray tracing notes          =
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
Line 116: Line 133:
  
 
===[[Glossary:Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]]===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use launch parameters to adjust anti-aliasing setting.|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsMR/comments/fqxi4b/half_life_alyx_blurriness/flv5vtw/|title=r/WindowsMR: Half-Life Alyx Blurriness|date=2020-03-29}}</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use launch parameters to adjust anti-aliasing setting.|ref=<ref name="reddit.com">{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsMR/comments/fqxi4b/half_life_alyx_blurriness/flv5vtw/|title=r/WindowsMR: Half-Life Alyx Blurriness|date=2020-03-29}}</ref>|fix=
 
# See [[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]].
 
# See [[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]].
 
# Add <code>-console -vconsole +vr_msaa x</code>, while replacing "x" with the desired MSAA sample count (or "0" to disable MSAA entirely).
 
# Add <code>-console -vconsole +vr_msaa x</code>, while replacing "x" with the desired MSAA sample count (or "0" to disable MSAA entirely).
Line 125: Line 142:
  
 
===Disable volumetric fog===
 
===Disable volumetric fog===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use launch parameters to adjust volumetric fog setting.|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsMR/comments/fqxi4b/half_life_alyx_blurriness/flv5vtw/|title=r/WindowsMR: Half-Life Alyx Blurriness|date=2020-03-29}}</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use launch parameters to adjust volumetric fog setting.|ref=<ref name="reddit.com">{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsMR/comments/fqxi4b/half_life_alyx_blurriness/flv5vtw/|title=r/WindowsMR: Half-Life Alyx Blurriness|date=2020-03-29}}</ref>|fix=
 
# See [[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]].
 
# See [[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]].
 
# Add <code>-console -vconsole +volume_fog_disable 1</code> to disable volumetric fog.
 
# Add <code>-console -vconsole +volume_fog_disable 1</code> to disable volumetric fog.
Line 145: Line 162:
 
{{ii}} This does not affect the internal game resolution, and will crop/scale the in-game view based on the width and height of the window<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-30|comment=Spectator window appears more cropped on a 2560x1080 monitor than gameplay videos with 16:9 aspect ratio.}}</ref>
 
{{ii}} This does not affect the internal game resolution, and will crop/scale the in-game view based on the width and height of the window<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-30|comment=Spectator window appears more cropped on a 2560x1080 monitor than gameplay videos with 16:9 aspect ratio.}}</ref>
 
{{ii}} <code>-window</code> can be used alongside this to force the spectator window into windowed mode.
 
{{ii}} <code>-window</code> can be used alongside this to force the spectator window into windowed mode.
 +
{{ii}}<code>-fullscreen</code> can be used to force the spectator window into fullscreen mode.
 
{{ii}} Alternatively, the spectator window can be disabled entirely using <code>-nowindow</code>.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://medium.com/@petrakeas/half-life-alyx-performance-analysis-or-why-low-graphic-settings-produce-a-sharper-image-4d17fb8c19bb|title=Half-Life: Alyx performance analysis (or: why low graphic settings produce a sharper image)|date=2020-06-06}}</ref>
 
{{ii}} Alternatively, the spectator window can be disabled entirely using <code>-nowindow</code>.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://medium.com/@petrakeas/half-life-alyx-performance-analysis-or-why-low-graphic-settings-produce-a-sharper-image-4d17fb8c19bb|title=Half-Life: Alyx performance analysis (or: why low graphic settings produce a sharper image)|date=2020-06-06}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
Line 151: Line 169:
 
{{Input
 
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
−
|key remap notes          = Uses SteamVR Input 2.0, allowing for specific actions to be bound to buttons. Must be configured in SteamVR, there are no in-game remapping options.
+
|key remap notes          = Uses SteamVR Input 2.0, which allows specific actions to be bound to buttons. Must be configured in SteamVR - there are no in-game remapping options.
 
|acceleration option      = n/a
 
|acceleration option      = n/a
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
Line 229: Line 247:
 
|mute on focus lost notes = Only when SteamVR dashboard is opened.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-23|comment=Tested by opening the SteamVR dashboard in-game.}}</ref>
 
|mute on focus lost notes = Only when SteamVR dashboard is opened.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-23|comment=Tested by opening the SteamVR dashboard in-game.}}</ref>
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
−
|eax support notes       = Uses SteamAudio HRTF, DSP, and audio occlusion.<ref>[https://old.reddit.com/r/HalfLife/comments/esen9b/were_developers_from_the_halflife_alyx_team_ask/ff9ma0h/ HalfLifeAlyxTeam comments on We're developers from the Half-Life: Alyx team. Ask us anything!]</ref>
+
|eax support notes         = Uses SteamAudio HRTF, DSP, and audio occlusion.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/HalfLife/comments/esen9b/were_developers_from_the_halflife_alyx_team_ask/ff9ma0h/|title=HalfLifeAlyxTeam comments on We're developers from the Half-Life: Alyx team. Ask us anything!|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|royalty free audio        = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =
 
}}
 
}}
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Line 348: Line 368:
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = hackable
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation, by [https://www.gamesvoice.ru/alyx GamesVoice].
 +
|fan      = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
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{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Latin American Spanish
 
  |language  = Latin American Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Turkish
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = false
 
  |audio    = false
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|vr only                    = true
 
|vr only                    = true
 
|htc vive                    = true
 
|htc vive                    = true
−
|htc vive notes              = Also native [[Glossary:Valve Index|Valve Index]] support.
+
|htc vive notes              =  
−
|oculus rift                = true
+
|oculus rift                = false
−
|oculus rift notes          = Through SteamVR, no native Oculus SDK support.
+
|oculus rift notes          =  
 
|osvr                        = unknown
 
|osvr                        = unknown
 
|osvr notes                  =  
 
|osvr notes                  =  
−
|windows mixed reality      = true
+
|windows mixed reality      = false
−
|windows mixed reality notes = Through SteamVR.
+
|windows mixed reality notes =  
 
|keyboard-mouse              = false
 
|keyboard-mouse              = false
 
|keyboard-mouse notes        =  
 
|keyboard-mouse notes        =  
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|windows 32-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
 
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
 
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
 
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
−
|linux powerpc app      =  
+
|linux powerpc app      = unknown
 
|linux 32-bit executable= false
 
|linux 32-bit executable= false
 
|linux 64-bit executable= true
 
|linux 64-bit executable= true
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 473: Line 512:
 
===Middleware===
 
===Middleware===
 
{{Middleware
 
{{Middleware
−
|physics         =  
+
|physics           =  
−
|physics notes   =  
+
|physics notes     =  
−
|audio           =  
+
|audio             = Steam Audio
−
|audio notes     =  
+
|audio notes       =  
−
|interface       =  
+
|interface         = Panorama
−
|interface notes =  
+
|interface notes   =  
−
|input           =  
+
|input             = SDL
−
|input notes     =  
+
|input notes       =  
−
|cutscenes       =  
+
|cutscenes         = WebM
−
|cutscenes notes =  
+
|cutscenes notes   = Used in video calls, TV spots and the Breencast
−
|multiplayer     =  
+
|multiplayer       =  
−
|multiplayer notes=  
+
|multiplayer notes =
 +
|physics          = Rubrikon
 +
|physics notes    = Valve's in-house physics engine
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Enabling the console===
 
===Enabling the console===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Command line|ref=<ref>[https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1367-QDNM-8600 Streaming and Spectating Guide]</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Command line|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1367-QDNM-8600|title=Streaming and Spectating Guide|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 
# See [[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]].
 
# See [[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]].
 
# Add <code>-console -vconsole</code>.
 
# Add <code>-console -vconsole</code>.
Line 501: Line 542:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===Increase movement speed===
+
===Change FOV (zoom) of spectator window===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use the <code>+hlvr_continuous_normal_speed 200 +hlvr_continuous_combat_speed 200</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]]|ref=<ref>[https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2034658445 Steam Community :: Guide :: Increase movement speed]</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use the <code>+vr_companion_window_zoom_level xx</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]], replacing <code>xx</code> with the desired value.|fix=
 +
{{ii}} By default, this value is set to either <code>1.2</code> or <code>1.4</code> depending on the "Zoom" value in Spectator menu. However if higher FOV is desired, this can be further decreased. Setting value too low may result in artifacts at the edges of the screen. Thus the recommended value would be between 1.05 and 1.2.
 +
{{ii}} Changing this value below <code>1.4</code> may result in spectator smoothing being disabled, because it works via post-processing using that extra frame data to stabilize roll.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Change movement speed===
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Increase or decrease continuous movement speed. For example, to increase, use the <code>+hlvr_continuous_normal_speed 200 +hlvr_continuous_combat_speed 200</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]]|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2034658445|title=Steam Community :: Guide :: Increase movement speed|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
  
 
'''Notes'''
 
'''Notes'''
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{{Fixbox|description=Use the <code>+muzzleflash_light 0 +r_muzzleflashbrightness 0</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-04-01|comment=Found by playing around with console commands.}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use the <code>+muzzleflash_light 0 +r_muzzleflashbrightness 0</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-04-01|comment=Found by playing around with console commands.}}</ref>|fix=
 
{{ii}}This may be useful when the flickering light option is disabled and when the light sensitivity option is enabled, to further reduce the amount of flashing/flickering lights.
 
{{ii}}This may be useful when the flickering light option is disabled and when the light sensitivity option is enabled, to further reduce the amount of flashing/flickering lights.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Running without VR===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use the [https://www.moddb.com/mods/half-life-alyx-novr NoVR mod]|fix=
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 518: Line 570:
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
−
|minOS    = 7
+
|minOS    = 10
 
|minCPU  = Intel Core i5-7500
 
|minCPU  = Intel Core i5-7500
 
|minCPU2  = AMD Ryzen 5 1600
 
|minCPU2  = AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Line 526: Line 578:
 
|minGPU2  = AMD Radeon RX 580
 
|minGPU2  = AMD Radeon RX 580
 
|minVRAM  = 6 GB
 
|minVRAM  = 6 GB
−
|notes    = {{ii}} A 64-bit operating system is required. {{ii}} Total size after installation on March 23, 2020 was 68 GB.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-23|comment=No official storage requirements, but the Steam installation size for "Half-Life: Alyx" is approximately '''68''' GB.}}</ref>
+
|notes    = {{ii}} A 64-bit operating system is required. {{ii}} Official system requirements require Windows 10 and later, however, the game can be played on Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1, with some minor performance issues (caused by outdated graphics stack [WDDM]) and vary by PCs. {{ii}} Total size after installation was nearly 71 GB since June 2022.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=KingKrouch|date=2020-03-23|comment=No official storage requirements, but the Steam installation size for "Half-Life: Alyx" is approximately '''60''' GB.}}</ref><ref>{{Refcheck|user=kr0tchet|date=2023-04-01|comment=As of today, "Half-Life: Alyx" since the May 2022 patch (1.5.4) is approximately '''70.3''' GB <br>(Content ('''67.01GiB''') + Windows binaries ('''901.39MiB''') according to SteamDB).}}</ref>
  
 
|recOS    =  
 
|recOS    =  

Latest revision as of 01:09, 20 April 2024

Half-Life: Alyx
Half-Life: Alyx cover
Developers
Valve Corporation
Engines
Source 2
Release dates
Windows March 23, 2020[1]
Linux May 15, 2020[2]
Reception
Metacritic 93
OpenCritic 92
IGDB 93
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Gestures, Point and select
Genres Shooter
Art styles Realistic
Themes Eastern Europe, Horror, Post-apocalyptic, Sci-fi
Series Half-Life
Icon overlay.png
Half-Life: Alyx on HowLongToBeat
Half-Life: Alyx on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Half-Life: Alyx guide on StrategyWiki
Half-Life: Alyx on MobyGames
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Half-Life: Alyx 2020

Warnings

This game requires a virtual reality headset (see VR support for details).

Half-Life: Alyx is a singleplayer first-person shooter game developed and published by Valve. It is part of the Half-Life series.

The game was released on Steam on March 23, 2020.

General information

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Linux
All versions require Steam DRM.
The game is also bundled with Valve Index (headset only, full set, or just controllers) units indefinitely.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Use -novid command line argument

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\game\hlvr\cfg\[Note 1]
<path-to-game>\game\hlvr\SAVE\S*\personal.cfg[Note 1]
<path-to-game>\game\hlvr\SAVE\s*\personal.cfg[Note 1]
Linux

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\game\hlvr\SAVE\S*\[Note 1]
<path-to-game>\game\hlvr\SAVE\s*\[Note 1]
Linux

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud
Saves and some settings.

Video

Performance Options
Performance Options

This game requires a virtual reality headset (see VR support for details).
Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
4K Ultra HD
Windowed
See Spectator window resolution.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Configuration files suggest texture filtering is being used. However, there is no in-game option that allows adjusting this setting.[3]
Anti-aliasing (AA)
No in-game options, and always enabled by default. See Anti-aliasing (AA).
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Forced on, cannot be toggled.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Frame rate is capped at headset's refresh rate.[4]
[5]

Anti-aliasing (AA)

Use launch parameters to adjust anti-aliasing setting.[6]
  1. See Command line arguments.
  2. Add -console -vconsole +vr_msaa x, while replacing "x" with the desired MSAA sample count (or "0" to disable MSAA entirely).
By default, the game uses 4X MSAA.
As an alternative, "+vr_fxaa 1" can be used to enable FXAA (Alongside "+vr_msaa 0") if a cheaper anti-aliasing solution is desired.
If the -console and -vconsole launch parameters are already being used, there is no need to add those launch parameters again.

Disable volumetric fog

Use launch parameters to adjust volumetric fog setting.[6]
  1. See Command line arguments.
  2. Add -console -vconsole +volume_fog_disable 1 to disable volumetric fog.
By default, volumetric fog is enabled, but this tweak can be used to disable it, for the possibility of increased performance.
If the -console and -vconsole launch parameters are already being used, there is no need to add those launch parameters again.

Disable dynamic resolution scaling

Use launch parameters to adjust resolution settings.[7]
  1. See Command line arguments.
  2. Add -console -vconsole +vr_fidelity_level_auto 0 +vr_fidelity_level 3 to disable dynamic resolution scaling, and set the rendering resolution to the headset's native screen resolution.
If the -console and -vconsole launch parameters are already being used, there is no need to add those launch parameters again.

Spectator window resolution

Use launch parameters to adjust the spectator window resolution.[8]
  1. See Command line arguments.
  2. Add -w <width> -h <height> to adjust the spectator window resolution, replacing <width> with the horizontal resolution, and <height> with the vertical resolution.
This does not affect the internal game resolution, and will crop/scale the in-game view based on the width and height of the window[9]
-window can be used alongside this to force the spectator window into windowed mode.
-fullscreen can be used to force the spectator window into fullscreen mode.
Alternatively, the spectator window can be disabled entirely using -nowindow.[10]

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Uses SteamVR Input 2.0, which allows specific actions to be bound to buttons. Must be configured in SteamVR - there are no in-game remapping options.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types
Tracked motion controllers
Button/gesture prompts
In-game prompts (such as tutorials) will change based on motion controller type, and the controller binding settings in SteamVR.
Additional information
Haptic feedback

  • Accessibility Options

  • Spectator Options

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
"Master Volume", "Game", "Combat Music", and "Character Voice".[11]
Surround sound
Subtitles
Includes options for font size, subtitle width, and subtitle speed.[11]
Closed captions
"Subtitles & Closed Captions" under the Subtitles options menu.[11]
Mute on focus lost
Only when SteamVR dashboard is opened.[12]
EAX support
Uses SteamAudio HRTF, DSP, and audio occlusion.[13]
Royalty free audio

  • Volume Options

  • Subtitles Options

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Czech
French
German
Hungarian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Portuguese
Brazilian Portuguese
Russian
Russian
Fan translation, by GamesVoice.
Spanish
Latin American Spanish
Turkish
Ukrainian
Vietnamese

VR support

This game requires a virtual reality headset.
Headsets State Notes
SteamVR
Oculus VR (LibOVR)
This game might be playable with the SteamVR.
Windows Mixed Reality
This game might be playable with the Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR.
Devices
Tracked motion controllers
See Input for details.
Traditional controller
Keyboard/Mouse
Play area
Seated
Standing
Room-scale

Issues fixed

Subtitles and closed captions not working

Subtitles and closed captions will not be displayed when the selected Steam client language is not supported by the game.
Change Steam language to a supported one[14]
  • Change Steam client's language to one supported by the game, e.g. English.
Copy subtitle file and rename it to match the Steam client's selected language[15]
  1. Navigate to <path-to-game>\game\hlvr\resource\subtitles\
  2. Copy desired language for subtitles e.g. closecaption_english.dat, copy it into same folder and rename it into the Steam client language, e.g. closecaption_finnish.dat if the Steam client language is in Finnish.
  3. Navigate to <path-to-game>\game\hlvr\webui\localization\
  4. Repeat the process, copy e.g. hlvr_english.json and rename copy to e.g. hlvr_finnish.json

Right eye rendering problems on wide FOV headsets such as Pimax

Disable culling and multiview instancing through launch options[16]
  1. See Command line arguments.
  2. Add -console -vconsole +sc_no_cull 1 +vr_multiview_instancing 0 +vr_shadow_map_culling 0 +volume_fog_enable_stereo 0.
If shadow culling still occurs with the right eye, it may be necessary to pause the game, open the console (by pressing the tilde (~) key), and enter the vr_shadow_map_culling 0 command every time a new map starts or when a save slot is loaded.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Vulkan
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Linux

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Rubrikon Valve's in-house physics engine
Audio Steam Audio
Interface Panorama
Input SDL
Cutscenes WebM Used in video calls, TV spots and the Breencast

Enabling the console

Command line[17]
  1. See Command line arguments.
  2. Add -console -vconsole.
  3. Open the console by pressing ~.
Using -vconsole will enable Valve's VConsole as opposed to the command console present in Source Engine games. To enable the older command console, just use -console.[18]

Change size of spectator window HUD

Use the +hlvr_spectator_hud_size xx command line argument, replacing xx with the desired value.[19]
By default, this value is set to 100. The scale can be set anywhere between 50 and 150
Setting the value to 0 disables the spectator HUD.

Change FOV (zoom) of spectator window

Use the +vr_companion_window_zoom_level xx command line argument, replacing xx with the desired value.
By default, this value is set to either 1.2 or 1.4 depending on the "Zoom" value in Spectator menu. However if higher FOV is desired, this can be further decreased. Setting value too low may result in artifacts at the edges of the screen. Thus the recommended value would be between 1.05 and 1.2.
Changing this value below 1.4 may result in spectator smoothing being disabled, because it works via post-processing using that extra frame data to stabilize roll.

Change movement speed

Increase or decrease continuous movement speed. For example, to increase, use the +hlvr_continuous_normal_speed 200 +hlvr_continuous_combat_speed 200 command line arguments[20]

Notes

hlvr_continuous_normal_speed is the standard movement speed when using continuous movement.
hlvr_continuous_combat_speed is the movement speed during combat when using continuous movement.

Disable weapon muzzle flashes

Use the +muzzleflash_light 0 +r_muzzleflashbrightness 0 command line arguments[21]
This may be useful when the flickering light option is disabled and when the light sensitivity option is enabled, to further reduce the amount of flashing/flickering lights.

Running without VR

Use the NoVR mod

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10
Processor (CPU) Intel Core i5-7500
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
System memory (RAM) 12 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
AMD Radeon RX 580
6 GB of VRAM
A 64-bit operating system is required.
Official system requirements require Windows 10 and later, however, the game can be played on Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1, with some minor performance issues (caused by outdated graphics stack [WDDM]) and vary by PCs.
Total size after installation was nearly 71 GB since June 2022.[22][23]


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 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).

References

  1. ↑ Half-Life: Alyx - Half-Life: Alyx is Now Available - Steam News - last accessed on 2023-09-18
  2. ↑ Half-Life: Alyx - The Half-Life: Alyx Workshop is now open - Steam News - last accessed on 2020-12-27
  3. ↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-03-25
    Looked through config files, and found a variable called "r_texturefilteringquality" in "video.txt".
  4. ↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-03-23
    Tested using Windows Mixed Reality headset.
  5. ↑ Half-Life: Alyx VR performance: How to get the best settings and the smoothest experience - last accessed on 2020-03-23
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 r/WindowsMR: Half-Life Alyx Blurriness - last accessed on 2020-03-29
  7. ↑ r/WindowsMR: Half-Life Alyx Blurriness - last accessed on 2020-03-29
  8. ↑ [[missing url] Why Fullscreen? I need Windowed! :: Half-Life: Alyx General Discussions] - last accessed on 2020-03-27
  9. ↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-03-30
    Spectator window appears more cropped on a 2560x1080 monitor than gameplay videos with 16:9 aspect ratio.
  10. ↑ Half-Life: Alyx performance analysis (or: why low graphic settings produce a sharper image) - last accessed on 2020-06-06
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-03-23
  12. ↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-03-23
    Tested by opening the SteamVR dashboard in-game.
  13. ↑ HalfLifeAlyxTeam comments on We're developers from the Half-Life: Alyx team. Ask us anything! - last accessed on May 2023
  14. ↑ are subtitles working? [FIXED] :: Half-Life: Alyx General Discussion - last accessed on 2020-03-27
  15. ↑ Half-Life Alyx: How to Fix Subtitles not working - SteamA - last accessed on 2020-03-27
  16. ↑ How to get Rid of Rendering Issues in Half Life Alyx WITHOUT Parallel Projection! - last accessed on 2020-07-01
  17. ↑ Streaming and Spectating Guide - last accessed on May 2023
  18. ↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-04-01
    Checked by playing around with launch parameters.
  19. ↑ Streaming and Spectating Guide - last accessed on [unknown]
  20. ↑ Steam Community :: Guide :: Increase movement speed - last accessed on May 2023
  21. ↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-04-01
    Found by playing around with console commands.
  22. ↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-03-23
    No official storage requirements, but the Steam installation size for "Half-Life: Alyx" is approximately 60 GB.
  23. ↑ Verified by User:kr0tchet on 2023-04-01
    As of today, "Half-Life: Alyx" since the May 2022 patch (1.5.4) is approximately 70.3 GB
    (Content (67.01GiB) + Windows binaries (901.39MiB) according to SteamDB).