Difference between revisions of "Half-Life: Blue Shift"
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|developers = | |developers = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Gearbox Software}} | {{Infobox game/row/developer|Gearbox Software}} | ||
− | |||
|publishers = | |publishers = | ||
− | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra Entertainment}} | + | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Sierra Entertainment|2001-2005}} |
− | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Valve Corporation}} | + | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Valve Corporation|2005-present}} |
+ | {{Infobox game/row/publisher|Buka Entertainment|Russia (Half-Life 1 Anthology)|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117111733/http://buka.ru/cgi-bin/show.pl?id=205|title=|date=2023-03-22}}</ref>}} | ||
|engines = | |engines = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/engine|GoldSrc}} | {{Infobox game/row/engine|GoldSrc}} | ||
|release dates= | |release dates= | ||
− | {{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|June 12, 2001}} | + | {{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|June 12, 2001|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011006134748/http://www.sierra.com/corp/mr/release/0,2760,547,00.html|title=SIERRA ON-LINE ANNOUNCES HALF-LIFE®: BLUE SHIFT IS SHIPPING (retrieved)|date=2023-10-29}}</ref>}} |
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|March 30, 2013}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|March 30, 2013}} | ||
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|March 30, 2013}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|March 30, 2013}} | ||
+ | |reception = | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|half-life-blue-shift|71}} | ||
+ | |taxonomy = | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization | One-time game purchase }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes | Singleplayer }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing | Real-time }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives | First-person }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls | Direct control }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres | FPS }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles | }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles | Realistic }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes | Sci-fi, North America }} | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | Half-Life }} | ||
|steam appid = 130 | |steam appid = 130 | ||
|gogcom id = | |gogcom id = | ||
+ | |official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20020530041136/http://blueshift.sierra.com/ | ||
+ | |igdb = half-life-blue-shift | ||
+ | |hltb = 4254 | ||
+ | |lutris = half-life-blue-shift | ||
+ | |mobygames = 4376 | ||
|strategywiki = Half-Life: Blue Shift | |strategywiki = Half-Life: Blue Shift | ||
|wikipedia = Half-Life: Blue Shift | |wikipedia = Half-Life: Blue Shift | ||
− | |winehq = | + | |winehq = 8 |
+ | |license = commercial | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Introduction | ||
+ | |introduction = | ||
+ | |||
+ | |release history = | ||
+ | |||
+ | |current state = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | |||
'''Key points''' | '''Key points''' | ||
Line 25: | Line 53: | ||
'''General information''' | '''General information''' | ||
− | |||
{{mm}} [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues?labels=&page=1&state=open GitHub Issue Tracker for Half-Life: Blue Shift] and other GoldSrc-based games | {{mm}} [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues?labels=&page=1&state=open GitHub Issue Tracker for Half-Life: Blue Shift] and other GoldSrc-based games | ||
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/130/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions] | {{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/130/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions] | ||
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==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
{{Availability| | {{Availability| | ||
− | {{Availability/row| Retail | | disc, key | {{DRM|SecuROM}}. | + | {{Availability/row| Retail | | disc, key | {{DRM|SecuROM|4}}. | Steam | Windows }} |
+ | {{Availability/row| Retail | | Steam | Half-Life 1 Anthology. | | Windows }} | ||
{{Availability/row| Steam | 130 | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux}} | {{Availability/row| Steam | 130 | Steam | | | Windows, OS X, Linux}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | {{ii}} All non-Steam releases can be redeemed on Steam. | ||
==Essential improvements== | ==Essential improvements== | ||
− | === | + | ===Official retail patches=== |
− | {{ii}} | + | {{ii}} These are not needed for the steam version as that already contains the latest version. |
− | + | An archive of all official patches for Half-Life and its expansions can be found [https://www.moddb.com/games/counter-strike/downloads/half-life-updates-pre-post-1100 here] | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
===Higher definition models=== | ===Higher definition models=== | ||
− | The High Definition Pack<ref> | + | The High Definition Pack<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3157-QDVN-1426|title=Enabling the Half-Life Hi-Def Model Pack|date=May 2023}}</ref> was created by Gearbox and first released alongside with Blue Shift on June 12, 2001. It was released for free on Steam on August 30, 2005, with a fixed version released a year later. This pack replaces most weapon and player/enemy models with higher polygon versions, substantially altering the style of some of them in the process. The option to enable the pack in-game is in the options menu, and the game must be restarted for it to take effect. |
+ | |||
+ | For the retail version of Half-Life and its expansions, the Official HD Pack can be found on [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2730-half-life-official-hd-texture-pack-retail-only PcGamingWiki]. | ||
For other options follow [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205151023/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1445333 this guide]. | For other options follow [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205151023/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1445333 this guide]. | ||
===Remade WON Menu=== | ===Remade WON Menu=== | ||
− | Blue Shift's main menu, among other parts, was heavily changed with the game's transition from the WON (World Opponent Network) system to Steam. [https://www.reddit.com/r/HalfLife/comments/3oeou5/i_kinda_remade_the_old_won_menu_on_the_steam/ A mod was released] by Reddit user HowardHeyman. It restores the look of the original Blue Shift menus, but without text subtitles, animated backgrounds, nor various options windows to keep within the | + | Blue Shift's main menu, among other parts, was heavily changed with the game's transition from the WON (World Opponent Network) system to Steam. [https://www.reddit.com/r/HalfLife/comments/3oeou5/i_kinda_remade_the_old_won_menu_on_the_steam/ A mod was released] by Reddit user HowardHeyman. It restores the look of the original Blue Shift menus, but without text subtitles, animated backgrounds, nor various options windows to keep within the GoldSrc's assumed limits. The mod also adds main menu music from Blue Shift's (in-turn, Opposing Force's) own soundtrack. [https://gamebanana.com/guis/32336 An alternate download link can be found here, on GameBanana]. |
The menu also adds the "Custom Game" feature that was present in the WON version, where the player could select from an in-game menu to switch mods in-game. This feature is disabled by default in the Steam release, as Half-Life doesn't have true native support to allow run time switching, and, according to Alfred, the engineering effort to fix the function is better spent elsewhere.<ref>[https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/430 Alfred, Source Code Manager, GoldSource Engine GitHub,] - Accessed 1/29/18.</ref> | The menu also adds the "Custom Game" feature that was present in the WON version, where the player could select from an in-game menu to switch mods in-game. This feature is disabled by default in the Steam release, as Half-Life doesn't have true native support to allow run time switching, and, according to Alfred, the engineering effort to fix the function is better spent elsewhere.<ref>[https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/430 Alfred, Source Code Manager, GoldSource Engine GitHub,] - Accessed 1/29/18.</ref> | ||
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===[[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 | ||
− | |origin | + | |discord = |
− | |origin notes | + | |discord notes = |
− | |steam cloud | + | |epic games launcher = |
− | |steam cloud notes = | + | |epic games launcher notes = |
− | | | + | |gog galaxy = |
− | | | + | |gog galaxy notes = |
+ | |origin = | ||
+ | |origin notes = | ||
+ | |steam cloud = true | ||
+ | |steam cloud notes = | ||
+ | |ubisoft connect = | ||
+ | |ubisoft connect notes = | ||
+ | |xbox cloud = | ||
+ | |xbox cloud notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Video | + | ==Video== |
− | {{Image| | + | {{Image|Half_Life_Video.png|Video settings}} |
− | {{Video | + | {{Video |
|wsgf link = | |wsgf link = | ||
|widescreen wsgf award = | |widescreen wsgf award = | ||
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|4k ultra hd wsgf award = | |4k ultra hd wsgf award = | ||
|widescreen resolution = true | |widescreen resolution = true | ||
− | |widescreen resolution notes= | + | |widescreen resolution notes= Retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update Steam versions are {{term|Vert-}}; see [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]] for a workaround.<br>The 25th Anniversary Update version is {{term|Hor+}}. |
|multimonitor = false | |multimonitor = false | ||
|multimonitor notes = | |multimonitor notes = | ||
− | |ultrawidescreen = | + | |ultrawidescreen = limited |
− | |ultrawidescreen notes = | + | |ultrawidescreen notes = Retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update Steam versions are {{term|Vert-}}. Increase FOV to compensate. See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]].<br>The 25th Anniversary Update version is {{term|Hor+}}. |
|4k ultra hd = true | |4k ultra hd = true | ||
− | |4k ultra hd notes = | + | |4k ultra hd notes = Both in-game and menu UI may become too small on displays with a high pixel density, see [[#4K Ultra HD|4K Ultra HD]] for various fixes. |
|fov = hackable | |fov = hackable | ||
|fov notes = See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]] | |fov notes = See [[#Field of view (FOV)|Field of view (FOV)]] | ||
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|anisotropic notes = Steam version comes with anisotropic filtering turned on by default. Default is set to 16 samples. Lower-end systems might have it set lower by default. Can be customized with <code>gl_ansio</code> command (i.e. <code>gl_ansio 16</code> means 16 samples anisotropic filtering). | |anisotropic notes = Steam version comes with anisotropic filtering turned on by default. Default is set to 16 samples. Lower-end systems might have it set lower by default. Can be customized with <code>gl_ansio</code> command (i.e. <code>gl_ansio 16</code> means 16 samples anisotropic filtering). | ||
|antialiasing = true | |antialiasing = true | ||
− | |antialiasing notes = Steam version comes with 4x MSAA turned on by default. Lower-end system might have it turned off by default. Can be overridden from graphics card control panel. You can use <code>-nomsaa</code> command line argument to force anti-aliasing off. | + | |antialiasing notes = Steam version comes with 4x MSAA turned on by default. Lower-end system might have it turned off by default. Can be overridden from graphics card control panel. You can use <code>-nomsaa</code> command line argument to force anti-aliasing off. Enhanceable to [[SGSSAA]] on Nvidia systems. |
+ | |upscaling = unknown | ||
+ | |upscaling tech = | ||
+ | |upscaling notes = | ||
|vsync = true | |vsync = true | ||
− | |vsync notes = | + | |vsync notes = Triple Buffering.<br> Always on for the retail version. |
|60 fps = true | |60 fps = true | ||
|60 fps notes = | |60 fps notes = | ||
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|color blind = false | |color blind = false | ||
|color blind notes = | |color blind notes = | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===[[Glossary:4K Ultra HD|4K Ultra HD]]=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Assets are designed for 640x480, and UI may be too small at higher resolutions. | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Increase font sizes|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.moddb.com/games/half-life/addons/increased-fonts-for-hl1|title=Increased Fonts For HL1 addon - Half-Life - Mod DB|date=May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Refcheck|user=SirYodaJedi|date=2020-03-04|comment=Figured out more vanilla-esque settings}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | <ol> | ||
+ | <li>Open {{file|{{p|game}}\platform\resource\TrackerScheme.res}} in a text editor. | ||
+ | <li>Under {{code|"Legacy_CreditsFont"}}, change {{code|"tall"}} as desired to change the size of the in-game credits font, used for the opening credits, level titles, and tutorial prompts.<br/>Recommended settings for a similar font size to that used in 640x480 are: | ||
+ | <ul> | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"30"}} for 720p or 768p | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"40"}} for 960p, 1024p, or 1080p | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"50"}} for 1200p | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"60"}} for 1440p | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"70"}} for 1600p | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"80"}} for 2160p ("4K") | ||
+ | <!--Additional resolutions for early adopters and iMac owners--> | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"120"}} for 2880p ("5K") | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"135"}} for 3240p ("6K") | ||
+ | <li>{{code|"180"}} for 4320p ("8K") | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
+ | </ol> | ||
}} | }} | ||
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5. Disable Vsync in-game. | 5. Disable Vsync in-game. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ii}} Disabling the cap may reduce the speed at which you move objects.<ref name="highfps">[https://steamcommunity.com/app/70/discussions/0/864973577972636754/#c412449508277202160 How to get 144hz/fps?]</ref> NPC turn rate bug was fixed.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/70/announcements/detail/1586880891220596672|title=Steam Community :: Half-Life :: Events|date=May 2023}}</ref> | ||
+ | {{--}} May cause game over in the elevator with scientists.}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===OpenGL overbright lighting (Retail/pre-25th Anniversary Update)<span id="OpenGL_overbright_lighting"><!--old name, to not break links from outside PCGW--></span>=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Overbright lighting increases the rendering [[Glossary:High dynamic range (HDR)|dynamic range]], resulting brighter and more colorful visuals. | ||
+ | {{--}} Overbright lighting normally only works on the Direct3D and software renderers.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=47313|title=VOGONS • View topic - Half-Life overbright compatibility|date=9 June 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/230 gl_overbright & OpenGL · Issue #230 · ValveSoftware/halflife]</ref> | ||
+ | {{ii}} The 25th Anniversary Update fixed the overbright lighting, at the cost of breaking underwater fog,<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/3545|title=Hall of Mirrors effect at the bottom of the water pit in c2a3b · Issue #3545 · ValveSoftware/halflife|date=2023-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/3424#issuecomment-1822924828|title=25th Anniversary Update: Overbright not working (Comment) · Issue #3424 · ValveSoftware/halflife|date=2023-11-22}}</ref> and deprecates {{code|gl_overbright}} in favor of {{code|gl_use_shaders}}.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/halflife/issues/3424|title=25th Anniversary Update: Overbright not working · Issue #3424 · ValveSoftware/halflife|date=2023-11-18}}</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <!-- NOTE FOR EDITORS: The profile name doesn't have any hyphen; don't change that! --> | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Nvidia cards: Enable the GL extension limiter|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/HalfLife/comments/8uitxw/halflife_with_openal_efx_surround_sound_and_hrtf/|title=Half-Life with OpenAL (EFX, Surround Sound, and HRTF!) : HalfLife|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | # Download and run [[Nvidia Profile Inspector]]. | ||
+ | # On the '''Half Life''' profile, set {{code|Extension limit}} to {{code|On}}. Apply changes. | ||
+ | # Go to {{code|{{P|game}}}}. | ||
+ | # Create a file called {{file|autoexec.cfg}}. | ||
+ | # Add new line {{code|gl_overbright "1"}}. | ||
+ | # Save the file. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Notes''' | ||
+ | {{--}} Doing this will disable multi-texturing, which has the side-effect of disabling detail textures, which may effect the appearance of other games and mods that share {{code|hl1.exe}}, including [[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero]] and [[Day of Defeat]]. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Doing this disables the Steam version's built-in [[MSAA]]. On the '''Half Life''' profile, change {{code|Antialiasing - Mode}} to {{code|Override any application setting}} and {{code|Antialiasing - Setting}} to the desired level of antialiasing (such as {{code|4x [4x Multisampling]}} for a vanilla look, or {{code|32xS [Combined: 2x2 SS + 8x MS]}} for maximum antialiasing). | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | ==Input | + | ==Input== |
− | {{Image|Half Life | + | {{Image|Half Life Remapping.png|Key map settings (Steam version)}} |
− | {{Image|Half Life | + | {{Image|Half Life Mouse Joystick.png|Mouse/joystick settings (Steam version)}} |
− | {{Input | + | {{Input |
|key remap = true | |key remap = true | ||
|key remap notes = | |key remap notes = | ||
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}} | }} | ||
− | ==Audio | + | ==Audio== |
− | {{Image|Half Life | + | {{Image|Half Life Audio.png|Audio settings (Steam version)}} |
− | {{Audio | + | |
+ | {{Audio | ||
|separate volume = true | |separate volume = true | ||
|separate volume notes = | |separate volume notes = | ||
|surround sound = true | |surround sound = true | ||
− | |surround sound notes = | + | |surround sound notes = Use [https://github.com/LAGonauta/MetaAudio MetaAudio] plugin with Steam version. |
|subtitles = false | |subtitles = false | ||
|subtitles notes = | |subtitles notes = | ||
Line 253: | Line 330: | ||
|eax support = | |eax support = | ||
|eax support notes = | |eax support notes = | ||
+ | |royalty free audio = always on | ||
+ | |royalty free audio notes = | ||
+ | |red book cd audio = limited | ||
+ | |red book cd audio notes = Replaced with MP3 playback in the transition to SteamPipe. | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 260: | Line 341: | ||
|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = true | |audio = true | ||
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = n/a |
|notes = | |notes = | ||
|fan = | |fan = | ||
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|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = true | |audio = true | ||
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = n/a |
|notes = | |notes = | ||
|fan = | |fan = | ||
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|interface = true | |interface = true | ||
|audio = true | |audio = true | ||
− | |subtitles = | + | |subtitles = n/a |
|notes = | |notes = | ||
|fan = | |fan = | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{L10n/switch | ||
+ | |language = Brazilian Portuguese | ||
+ | |interface = hackable | ||
+ | |audio = hackable | ||
+ | |subtitles = n/a | ||
+ | |notes = [https://www.moddb.com/mods/half-life-blue-shift-dublado-pt-br Mod DB (Mesa Preta Dubs).] | ||
+ | |fan = true | ||
+ | |ref = | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{L10n/switch | ||
+ | |language = Russian | ||
+ | |interface = hackable | ||
+ | |audio = hackable | ||
+ | |subtitles = n/a | ||
+ | |fan = true | ||
+ | |notes = For 25th Anniversary Update version use [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3098896402 this localisation]. For pre-25th Anniversary update use [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=318743226 its older version]. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{L10n/switch | ||
+ | |language = Spanish | ||
+ | |interface = true | ||
+ | |audio = true | ||
+ | |subtitles = n/a | ||
+ | |notes = Retail only. Patch for digital release [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=270031459 here]. | ||
+ | |fan = | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{L10n/switch | ||
+ | |language = Ukrainian | ||
+ | |interface = hackable | ||
+ | |audio = hackable | ||
+ | |subtitles = n/a | ||
+ | |notes = Fan translation by [https://tsfukraine.wixsite.com/main/blue-shift?lang=en TSF], [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i630RMlKdGdJcyxf5T14p2MgGsYCnj7F/view?usp=sharing download]. | ||
+ | |fan = true | ||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
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===[[Glossary:HTC Vive|VR]]=== | ===[[Glossary:HTC Vive|VR]]=== | ||
− | {{Fixbox|description=Install Half-Life-VR Mod|ref=<ref> | + | {{Fixbox|description=Install Half-Life-VR Mod|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Vive/comments/74r3h7/half_life_dlcs_blue_shift_opposing_force_works_in/|title=Half Life DLC's Blue Shift & Opposing Force works in VR as well, here is how you get it to work with the updated VR Mod|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix= |
# Install [https://github.com/rorincloud/Half-Life-VR/releases Half-Life VR Mod] into Half-Life's root. | # Install [https://github.com/rorincloud/Half-Life-VR/releases Half-Life VR Mod] into Half-Life's root. | ||
# Take <code>client.dll</code> from the mod and put it in Half-Life: Blue Shift's <code>\Half-Life\bshift\cl_dlls</code> folder. | # Take <code>client.dll</code> from the mod and put it in Half-Life: Blue Shift's <code>\Half-Life\bshift\cl_dlls</code> folder. | ||
Line 322: | Line 436: | ||
==Issues fixed== | ==Issues fixed== | ||
+ | ===Run the game at screen refresh rate (Retail version)=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} The retail version of the game defaults to 60 Hz when running with Direct3D renderer in full-screen mode. | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use the <code>-freq <rate></code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Command_Line_Options#Source_Games|title=Command Line Options - Valve Developer Community|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Example: <code>-freq 120</code> forces a 120 Hz refresh rate. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Input Lag in Direct3D (Retail version)=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} On certain graphics cards, using the D3D renderer can result in severe input lag, even with disabled VSync. | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Set {{code|gl_d3dflip 1}} in the console|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://valvearchive.com/web_archive/sierrastudios.com/games/half-life/issues.html|title=valvearchive.com|date=9 June 2023}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===No music playback (Retail version)=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Switch from CD playback to MP3|ref=<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/app/70/discussions/0/527274088387899010/ Half-Life WON (CD) does not have music :: Half-Life General Discussions</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | # Make sure you have updated Half-Life to v1.1.1.0 (see [https://www.moddb.com/games/half-life/downloads/half-life-1-won-1110-patch patch]), adding MP3 playback support. | ||
+ | # (This action requires a Steam account and Steam platform installed to access the content) | ||
+ | Put the MP3 soundtrack of Half-Life Steam version (see [https://store.steampowered.com/app/323130/ here]) into {{folder|{{P|game}}\valve\media}}. | ||
+ | |||
+ | # Add ID3v1 tags to the MP3 files (see instruction [https://steamcommunity.com/linkfilter/?url=https://community.mp3tag.de/t/convert-id3v2-to-id3v1/6871 here]) | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Burn the soundtrack on a separate CD|fix= | ||
+ | # Open up your favorite CD burner utility program | ||
+ | # Create a new audio project | ||
+ | # Place a dummy file as track 1; since track 1 is data, the game skips it and moves straight to track 2. | ||
+ | # (This action requires a Steam account and Steam platform installed to access the content) Download the Half-Life soundtrack through steam (see [https://store.steampowered.com/app/323130/ here]) And begin placing the soundtrack from 01 to 27 | ||
+ | # Burn the CD | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Main menu issues (Retail Version)=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} In modern versions of windows the menu is usually not seen in full screen in addition to crashing when loading the game | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Run the game in [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]] for Windows XP (Service Pack 2)|ref=}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Fatal Error - Available memory less than 15MB (Retail version)=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Run the game in compatibility mode for <code>Windows XP</code>|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Black screen on startup (Steam version)=== | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Disable FBO rendering|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/70/discussions/0/864959809942784569/|title=Steam Community|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | # Add <code>-nofbo</code> in the game's launch options. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Windows 7/Vista Performance Fix=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} In Windows 7 or Vista with modern hardware, some users may experience extremely low frame rates during gameplay. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Set HL.exe to high priority|ref={{cn|date=August 2015}}|fix= | ||
+ | # Open Half-Life. | ||
+ | # Press {{key|Ctrl|Shift|Esc}} in order to open the Task Manager. | ||
+ | # Under the {{code|Processes}} tab, find {{file|HL.exe}} and right click it. | ||
+ | # Set its priority to high. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Performance issues with dynamic lights on Intel graphics (OpenGL)=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} Dynamic light sources being present, such as the flashlight or flickering lights, causes significant frame rate drops and lag spikes on Intel graphics. | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use [https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=63930 this GLIntercept config]|ref=<ref>{{cn}}</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | '''Note''' | ||
+ | {{--}} As this method uses a custom {{file|OpenGL32.dll}}, it should not be used in VAC-protected servers. | ||
+ | {{++}} Doing this also fixes [[#OpenGL overbright lighting|overbright lighting]]. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
===Game crashes before entering main menu (Windows)=== | ===Game crashes before entering main menu (Windows)=== | ||
{{Fixbox|description=Fix Data Execution Prevention setting|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Fix Data Execution Prevention setting|ref={{cn|date=October 2016}}|fix= | ||
Line 348: | Line 520: | ||
|shader model versions = | |shader model versions = | ||
|shader model notes = | |shader model notes = | ||
− | |64-bit | + | |windows 32-bit exe = true |
− | |64-bit | + | |windows 64-bit exe = false |
+ | |windows arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |windows exe notes = | ||
+ | |mac os x powerpc app = unknown | ||
+ | |macos intel 32-bit app = true | ||
+ | |macos intel 64-bit app = false | ||
+ | |macos arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |macos app notes = {{CN|date=August 2015}} | ||
+ | |linux 32-bit executable= true | ||
+ | |linux 64-bit executable= false | ||
+ | |linux arm app = unknown | ||
+ | |linux executable notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 360: | Line 543: | ||
|interface = | |interface = | ||
|interface notes = | |interface notes = | ||
+ | |input = SDL | ||
+ | |input notes = | ||
|cutscenes = | |cutscenes = | ||
|cutscenes notes = | |cutscenes notes = | ||
Line 389: | Line 574: | ||
|minOS = Snow Leopard 10.6.3 | |minOS = Snow Leopard 10.6.3 | ||
− | |||
|minRAM = 1 GB | |minRAM = 1 GB | ||
|minHD = 4 GB | |minHD = 4 GB |
Latest revision as of 19:37, 14 March 2024
![]() |
|
Developers | |
---|---|
Gearbox Software | |
Publishers | |
2001-2005 | Sierra Entertainment |
2005-present | Valve Corporation |
Russia (Half-Life 1 Anthology) | Buka Entertainment[1] |
Engines | |
GoldSrc | |
Release dates | |
Windows | June 12, 2001[2] |
macOS (OS X) | March 30, 2013 |
Linux | March 30, 2013 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 71 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase |
Modes | Singleplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | First-person |
Controls | Direct control |
Genres | FPS |
Art styles | Realistic |
Themes | Sci-fi, North America |
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: Blue Shift is a singleplayer first-person FPS game in the Half-Life series.
Key points
- As of July 2013, among other fixes, Blue Shift was updated with SteamPipe integration, with its original soundtrack added back in-game.[3]
General information
- GitHub Issue Tracker for Half-Life: Blue Shift and other GoldSrc-based games
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
- All non-Steam releases can be redeemed on Steam.
Essential improvements
Official retail patches
- These are not needed for the steam version as that already contains the latest version.
An archive of all official patches for Half-Life and its expansions can be found here
Higher definition models
The High Definition Pack[4] was created by Gearbox and first released alongside with Blue Shift on June 12, 2001. It was released for free on Steam on August 30, 2005, with a fixed version released a year later. This pack replaces most weapon and player/enemy models with higher polygon versions, substantially altering the style of some of them in the process. The option to enable the pack in-game is in the options menu, and the game must be restarted for it to take effect.
For the retail version of Half-Life and its expansions, the Official HD Pack can be found on PcGamingWiki.
For other options follow this guide.
Remade WON Menu
Blue Shift's main menu, among other parts, was heavily changed with the game's transition from the WON (World Opponent Network) system to Steam. A mod was released by Reddit user HowardHeyman. It restores the look of the original Blue Shift menus, but without text subtitles, animated backgrounds, nor various options windows to keep within the GoldSrc's assumed limits. The mod also adds main menu music from Blue Shift's (in-turn, Opposing Force's) own soundtrack. An alternate download link can be found here, on GameBanana.
The menu also adds the "Custom Game" feature that was present in the WON version, where the player could select from an in-game menu to switch mods in-game. This feature is disabled by default in the Steam release, as Half-Life doesn't have true native support to allow run time switching, and, according to Alfred, the engineering effort to fix the function is better spent elsewhere.[5]
- Menus are 4:3 by default and cannot be stretched to fullscreen. In-game is untouched.
Enabling developer mode
- Enabling developer mode will allow use of in-game cheats and various console commands.
Turn on developer mode[citation needed] |
---|
Use the Notes
|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\Half-Life\bshift\[Note 1] |
macOS (OS X) | <path-to-game>/Half-Life/bshift/ |
Linux | <path-to-game>/Half-Life/bshift/ |
-
*.cfg
store the configuration.
- This game does not follow the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\Half-Life\bshift\SAVE\[Note 1] |
macOS (OS X) | <path-to-game>/Half-Life/bshift/SAVE |
Linux | <path-to-game>/Half-Life/bshift/SAVE/ |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Steam Cloud |
Video
Graphics feature | State | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | Retail and pre-25th Anniversary Update Steam versions are Vert-; see Field of view (FOV) for a workaround. The 25th Anniversary Update version is Hor+. |
||
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 is Hor+. |
||
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. | ||
Field of view (FOV) | See Field of view (FOV) | ||
Windowed | |||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | See Borderless fullscreen windowed. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | Steam version comes with anisotropic filtering turned on by default. Default is set to 16 samples. Lower-end systems might have it set lower by default. Can be customized with gl_ansio command (i.e. gl_ansio 16 means 16 samples anisotropic filtering). |
||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | Steam version comes with 4x MSAA turned on by default. Lower-end system might have it turned off by default. Can be overridden from graphics card control panel. You can use -nomsaa command line argument to force anti-aliasing off. Enhanceable to SGSSAA on Nvidia systems. |
||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | Triple Buffering. Always on for the retail version. |
||
60 FPS | |||
120+ FPS | See High frame rate. | ||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. |
4K Ultra HD
- Assets are designed for 640x480, and UI may be too small at higher resolutions.
Increase font sizes[6][7] |
---|
|
Field of view (FOV)
- When running at widescreen-resolutions adjusting the FOV is probably necessary.
Field of view[citation needed] |
---|
|
Borderless fullscreen windowed
-window -noborder[citation needed] |
---|
|
High frame rate
- Game is capped at 72 FPS (without Vsync) by default.
Set FPS limit[citation needed] |
---|
fps_max "<desired FPS value>" fps_override 1
4. Save the file and launch the game. 5. Disable Vsync in-game. |
OpenGL overbright lighting (Retail/pre-25th Anniversary Update)
- Overbright lighting increases the rendering dynamic range, resulting brighter and more colorful visuals.
- Overbright lighting normally only works on the Direct3D and software renderers.[10][11]
- The 25th Anniversary Update fixed the overbright lighting, at the cost of breaking underwater fog,[12][13] and deprecates
gl_overbright
in favor ofgl_use_shaders
.[14]
Nvidia cards: Enable the GL extension limiter[15] |
---|
Notes
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | ||
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support | ||
Full controller support | ||
Controller remapping | ||
Controller sensitivity | ||
Controller Y-axis inversion |
Controller types |
---|
XInput-compatible controllers |
---|
PlayStation controllers |
---|
Tracked motion controllers | Supports Razer Hydra. | |
---|---|---|
Button/gesture prompts |
Generic/other controllers |
---|
Additional information | ||
---|---|---|
Button prompts | ||
Controller hotplugging | ||
Haptic feedback | ||
Digital movement supported | ||
Simultaneous controller+KB/M |
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | Use MetaAudio plugin with Steam version. | |
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
Royalty free audio | ||
Red Book CD audio | Replaced with MP3 playback in the transition to SteamPipe. |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
French | ||||
German | ||||
Brazilian Portuguese | Mod DB (Mesa Preta Dubs). | |||
Russian | For 25th Anniversary Update version use this localisation. For pre-25th Anniversary update use its older version. | |||
Spanish | Retail only. Patch for digital release here. | |||
Ukrainian | Fan translation by TSF, download. |
VR support
Headsets | State | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
SteamVR | See VR. | ||
Oculus VR (LibOVR) | See VR. | ||
Windows Mixed Reality | See VR. | ||
OSVR |
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 |
VR
Install Half-Life-VR Mod[16] |
---|
|
Issues fixed
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 full-screen mode.
Use the -freq <rate> command line argument[17]
|
---|
|
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[18]
|
---|
No music playback (Retail version)
Switch from CD playback to MP3[19] |
---|
Put the MP3 soundtrack of Half-Life Steam version (see here) into
|
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]
|
---|
Black screen on startup (Steam version)
Disable FBO rendering[20] |
---|
|
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] |
---|
|
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[21] |
---|
Note
|
Fix Data Execution Prevention setting[citation needed] |
---|
Ensure Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is set to the default (Windows programs and services only). |
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 7 | Lost with Linux update.[22] |
OpenGL | 2.1 | |
Software renderer |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows | |||
macOS (OS X) | [citation needed] | ||
Linux |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Audio | Miles Sound System | |
Input | SDL |
Console commands
- Games running on the GoldSrc engine can utilize GoldSrc Engine Console Commands for various tasks.
- The console is enabled by default in GoldSrc games, press ~ to open it.
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | XP | |
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 |
macOS (OS X) | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | Snow Leopard 10.6.3 | |
Processor (CPU) | ||
System memory (RAM) | 1 GB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 4 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 8 ATI Radeon X1600 Intel HD 3000 |
Linux | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | Ubuntu 12.04 | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Dual Core 2.8 GHz AMD Dual Core 2.8 GHz |
|
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 Sound Card | |
Other | (Graphic Drivers: Nvidia 310, AMD 12.11) |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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] - last accessed on 2023-03-22
- ↑ SIERRA ON-LINE ANNOUNCES HALF-LIFE®: BLUE SHIFT IS SHIPPING (retrieved) - last accessed on 2023-10-29
- ↑ Blue Shift Hub (Steam) - Half-Life: Blue Shift update released - last accessed on July 30, 2013
- ↑ Enabling the Half-Life Hi-Def Model Pack - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Alfred, Source Code Manager, GoldSource Engine GitHub, - Accessed 1/29/18.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ How to get 144hz/fps?
- ↑ Steam Community :: Half-Life :: Events - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ VOGONS • View topic - Half-Life overbright compatibility - last accessed on 9 June 2023
- ↑ gl_overbright & OpenGL · Issue #230 · ValveSoftware/halflife
- ↑ Hall of Mirrors effect at the bottom of the water pit in c2a3b · Issue #3545 · ValveSoftware/halflife - last accessed on 2023-11-22
- ↑ 25th Anniversary Update: Overbright not working (Comment) · Issue #3424 · ValveSoftware/halflife - last accessed on 2023-11-22
- ↑ 25th Anniversary Update: Overbright not working · Issue #3424 · ValveSoftware/halflife - last accessed on 2023-11-18
- ↑ Half-Life with OpenAL (EFX, Surround Sound, and HRTF!) : HalfLife - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Half Life DLC's Blue Shift & Opposing Force works in VR as well, here is how you get it to work with the updated VR Mod - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Command Line Options - Valve Developer Community - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ valvearchive.com - last accessed on 9 June 2023
- ↑ 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
- ↑ [citation needed]
- ↑ Steam HL1 5.1 sound - Steam discussions forums.