Gus
| |
| Gus | |
|---|---|
| Biographical information | |
| Homeworld | |
| Function(s) / Belongings | |
| Rank / Occupation |
Forklift Operator |
| Equipment |
Hard hat |
| Vehicles |
Forklift |
| Physical description | |
| Species |
Human |
| Gender |
Male |
| Hair color |
Brown |
| Eye color |
Gray |
| Chronological and political information | |
| Era(s) | |
| Faction | |
| Designer(s) | |
| Entity |
|
- “I wasn't aware his name was Gus, that's how little backstory he has.”
- — Marc Laidlaw[2]
Gus[3] is the nickname of the forklift driver model seen throughout the Black Mesa Research Facility.
Contents
Overview[edit]
Gus's name can be gleaned from the name tag seen on his uniform. The model represents a portly individual wearing a green jumpsuit, brown boots, and a yellow hard hat. On his forklift, the text "HAIHAN" and "2.2 LITER" is visible written on both sides of the vehicle.
On May 16, 200-, multiple forklift drivers can be seen by Gordon Freeman and Barney Calhoun during their tram rides in Half-Life and Blue Shift, respectively. Two drivers are witnessed working in the tunnel underneath Gordon's initial tram pick-up location. A third is seen working near a rocket, eventually attempting to lift a pile of crates at the end of his route. The model also appears at the beginning of Decay featured on a safety poster.
Behind the scenes[edit]
The Gus model along with his forklift was designed, modeled, textured, and animated by Valve artist Steve Theodore.[1] Theodore named Gus after a janitor in his college dormitory who was said to be famously cranky and sport the same amount of facial hair stubble. The name was also chosen because it was the type that would typically be seen in round name labels, although not so much in real life. The entirety of the forklift mechanism on the vehicle was designed to work properly, but this functionality is barely visible in the game itself.[1]
The final model possesses a couple of unused animations. Since the only forklifts seen moving all follow scripted paths, the model never plays its drive or drive2 animations. In these sequences, the vehicle's wheels, steering wheel, and Gus's arms are fully animated.
Series writer Marc Laidlaw has stated that he was not even aware the character was named Gus.[2]
Gallery[edit]
Gus idling inside a tunnel.
Gus at work near a rocket.
Gus preparing to lift some crates.
Safety advertisement featuring Gus giving a thumbs up.
The texture for the poster.
Model.
Gus's torso texture with the name tag revealing his name.
List of appearances[edit]
Main games[edit]
Other[edit]
- Half-Life: Day One (First appearance)
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Steve Theodore on Gus and the Loader (February 2, 2014)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Marc Laidlaw on Gus (December 26, 2011)
- ↑ Half-Life texture files
