Half-Life (multiplayer)
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This article describes the game modes in the multiplayer portion of Half-Life (typically abbreviated as HLDM), also including the modes from the ports of the game and the expansion packs.
Contents
Overview[edit]
Half-Life[edit]
Half-Life features a deathmatch mode, and a team deathmatch mode, and it supports up to 32 players. The players are given the ability to customize the appearance of their characters, and can change their character model and its skin color from the options. The players can also select a "spraypaint image" from a list, or import a custom image, and apply it to any surface in a level. Some of the weapons have a different behavior in the multiplayer.
Half-Life and other GoldSrc-based games used World Opponent Network, an online gaming service, created by Sierra, until it was shut down on July 31, 2004, and replaced with Steam.[1] The multiplayer portion of Half-Life was included in the retail version of Counter-Strike as a mod. It was later ported to the Source engine, and released as a standalone game, under the title Half-Life Deathmatch: Source, which is barely functional, and has many game-breaking bugs. The maps were updated for this version.
On November 17, 2023, the game's 25th Anniversary Update added four new maps, two new multiplayer models, and several gameplay balancing changes, along with incorporating an additional three maps, two models, and sprays from Further Data.[2]
Half-Life (PlayStation 2 port)[edit]
The PlayStation 2 version features Head-to-Head, a two-player offline multiplayer game mode played via split-screen. There are six playable characters and ten maps. Due to performance issues, the weapon viewmodels are not visible to the players, instead represented by a weapon icon in the bottom left corner in each player's viewing area. No on-line capabilities are present as the development materials for Sony's planned internet features were not ready at the time and couldn't be implemented before the release of the game. There is also Half-Life: Decay, an exclusive multiplayer cooperative mode where the players take on the roles of Gina Cross and Colette Green. They must work together with the assistance of the science team to seal the rift between Earth and the borderworld Xen.
Half-Life: Opposing Force[edit]
Opposing Force features a set of new multiplayer maps under the title "All-Star Deathmatch", created by a group of externally contracted industry veterans. In addition to new maps, player models, and returning game modes from Half-Life, Opposing Force features Capture The Flag, a team based multiplayer game mode that was introduced in the version 1.1.0.0, which was released on June 8, 2000.[3] The multiplayer portion of Opposing Force was included in the retail version of Counter-Strike as a mod.
Behind the scenes[edit]
Half-Life Alpha[edit]
Although not supported, the multiplayer functionality works, but is barely functional in this version.[4] The multiplayer menu appears to be same as the one in Quake. There is no map or model selection. The only available map is warez_dm, which appears to be an early version of Stalkyard. The default player model is Ivan the Space Biker. Like in the singleplayer mode, the players have unlimited ammo, and they never need to reload their weapons.
Half-Life[edit]
Valve originally intended to include several multiplayer modes in Half-Life. One concept they initially announced was a mode featuring aliens against humans. The player would have been able to select a Xen creature from the singleplayer game as their character, each class possessing its own unique strengths and weaknesses.[5] Gearbox also had a similar concept in mind for the multiplayer component of Opposing Force, planning to have a capture the flag game mode featuring aliens battling the HECU soldiers. This concept was dropped early in development so they could focus on the singleplayer portion of the game. According to Randy Pitchford, it didn't make sense to invest time into it as, between Team Fortress Classic and other existing multiplayer modifications, the multiplayer aspect of Half-Life was well covered.[6][7]
Dario Casali stated that the map Boot Camp was originally designed for a multiplayer game mode called Loot which was ultimately cut from the game. The mode required a large map with varied areas to fight in and explore. Each round began with teams of two people each who shared items and damage, and they had to hunt around the level for a bag of loot as well as weapons. Players could only carry one weapon at a time. When the loot is found, the players had to bring it back to the flag pole area to win the round. Dead players had to wait for the next round to spawn again. Since the developers didn't have enough time to code additional multiplayer game modes, the level was converted to a regular deathmatch level.[8]
There was to be a cooperative mode that was planned to use its own separate set of individual maps.[9] These maps were to be larger than the regular maps used for the singleplayer mode, the developers wanting coop to feel distinct with self-contained scenarios.[10] This mode was eventually cut due to time constraints.[11] The map Subtransit was possibly meant to be used as a coop mode level. There are navigation nodes scattered around the map, likely used by the soldiers seen in the early screenshots. Cooperative-specific starting points for players (info_player_coop) are also present.
In the standard deathmatch mode, there was to be a multiplayer map with a table that could be used to call in air strikes on a marked area on the map, a concept similar to the Tactical Map featured in the singleplayer mode. There was also a king-of-the-hill type of map where the players had to fight each other to reach the top of the hill, and press a button to blast everyone else in the map. The same concept is used in the map Crossfire.[9]
Originally, Half-Life was slated to only include a male (Gordon Freeman) and female (Gina) player model. However, it was planned for players to be able to import a scanned photo of their own faces to apply to these models.[12] It was also mentioned that the Crossbow could fire arrows with the player's name written on them, and these arrows would pierce and stick in enemy players and remain in corpses.[13] This was later removed as it was too difficult to read the names on the arrows, deeming the feature pointless.[14]
Aaron Stackpole created an internal translation of all of the original Quake deathmatch maps to Half-Life that were never released initially due to rights issues.[15]
Half-Life (Dreamcast port)[edit]
The Dreamcast version was announced to have on-line multiplayer support.[16] However, this portion of the game was to be released as a separate product at a later date.[17] This second multiplayer-focused title was planned to have ports of Half-Life deathmatch, Opposing Force deathmatch (including its Capture the Flag mode), Team Fortress Classic, Counter-Strike, and one or more of the popular multiplayer modifications.[17][18] While the leaked version does not feature any multiplayer modes, unused multiplayer content can be found in the game files, including a player model and an exclusive map called Office. This map was later included in the PlayStation 2 version. Two other models, hgrunt.mdl and scientist.mdl can be found in the player model folder, but these are non-functional as they appear to be identical to the models used in the singleplayer mode. The textures for Datacore and Frenzy can be also found in the game files.
Gallery[edit]
Pre-release[edit]
Deathmatch on an early version of Stalkyard.
Ditto.
Ditto, featuring an early lambda spray.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Deathmatch on an early version of Subtransit.
Player model color variants.
Half-Life[edit]
Early Internet games menu.[i]
Multiplayer menu.
Customize menu.
Create game menu.
Multiplayer menu, Steam version.
Reloading Pistol.[i]
Reloading SMG.[i]
Reloading Shotgun.[i]
Reloading Crossbow.[i]
Reloading RPG.[i]
Half-Life for PlayStation 2[edit]
The character selection menu for the Head-to-Head game mode.
The map selection menu.
The mission selection menu for Decay.
Splitscreen view.
Maps[edit]
Half-Life[edit]
Half-Life updates and add-ons[edit]
Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update[edit]
Half-Life for PlayStation 2[edit]
Half-Life: Opposing Force[edit]
Half-Life: Opposing Force updates[edit]
Half-Life: Opposing Force Capture The Flag[edit]
Other[edit]
Office in Half-Life for Dreamcast.
Player models[edit]
Half-Life[edit]
Default player model.[i]
With helmet.[i]
Gina.
Low quality version.
Preview image.
Low quality version.
Preview image.
Helmet.[i]
Low quality version.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Low quality version.
Preview image.
Half-Life updates and add-ons[edit]
Low quality version.
Preview image.
Cannibal by Chuck Jones.[20]
Preview image.
Preview image.
Pumpkin.
Preview image.
Skeleton by Steve Theodore and Chuck Jones.[20]
Preview image.
G-Man by Ted Backman.[20]
Preview image.
Too Much Coffee Man by Steve Theodore.[22]
Preview image.
Robo, also known as the Military Robot.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Ken.
Preview image.
Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update[edit]
Preview image.
Bbbbarney, also referred to as Proto-Barney.[2]
Preview image.
Skeleton.
Preview image.
Too Much Coffee Man, preview image.
Promotional image from the 25th Anniversary Update showing Ivan and Proto-Barney.
Ditto, for the Skeleton and Too Much Coffee Man.
Half-Life for PlayStation 2[edit]
Security Guard, identified as Barney Calhoun.[23]
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
With helmet.
Preview image.
Scientist, identified as Dr. Walter.[23]
Preview image.
Soldier, identified as Adrian Shephard.[23]
Preview image.
Half-Life: Opposing Force[edit]
Default player model.[i]
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Fassn.[i]
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Otis.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Helmet.[i]
Low quality version.
Preview image.
Half-Life: Opposing Force Capture The Flag[edit]
Half-Life: Opposing Force Capture The Flag, German version[edit]
Preview image.
Preview image.
Gina.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Otis.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image
Preview image.
Preview image.
Preview image.
Pre-release[edit]
Ivan the Space Biker in the Alpha version.
Unused red version.
Unused green version.
Unused blue version.
Unused player.mdl in the Alpha.[i]
Gina from Day One.
Early Gordon model, found in Net Test 2 and the Half-Life SDK.
Low quality version.
Ditto, Helmet.
Low quality version.
Ditto, Gina.
Low quality version.
Early Hgrunt model found in Net Test 2.
Unreleased[edit]
Screenshot of the unreleased Mr. T player model.
Ditto.
Early version of the Too Much Coffee Man model.
Default player model in the Dreamcast version.
With helmet.
Spray images[edit]
Half-Life[edit]
8-ball.
No camping.
Chicken target.
Devil.
Gun.
Lambda.
Skull and crossbones.
Ditto.
Smiley face.
Splat.
Tiki.
V.
PLDECAL, unused spray found in
spraypaint.wad.
Half-Life: Further Data[edit]
Ace High.
Ankh.
Alien.
United States flag.
Ditto.
Anchor.
Atom.
Australia flag.
Battle axe.
Biohazard symbol.
Crane.
United Kingdom flag.
Buffalo.
Bull.
Ditto.
Canada flag.
Ditto, inside a maple leaf.
Celtic Dara knot.
Checkered flag.
Clover.
Club.
Cobra.
Cow skull.
Diamond.
Dice.
Dragon.
Ditto.
Eagle.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Elephant.
Exclamation mark.
Explosive warning.
Eye of Horus.
Flower.
Ditto.
Fleur-de-lis.
Fly
Foo Dog
Fox
Germany flag.
Griffon.
Heart
HPB (High ping bastard).
Horseshoe.
Jackass.
Japan flag
Ditto, rising sun version.
Kabuki face.
Leo lion zodiac sign.
Linux rules.
LPB (Low ping bastard).
Medieval dog.
Ditto.
No symbol.
Orca.
Owl.
Pay your dues.
Peace hand sign.
Peace symbol.
Poison warning.
Ribbon.
Rooster.
Ditto.
Horse.
Ditto.
Spade.
Spider.
Arched back cat.
Stop sign.
Target.
Texas flag.
Tick.
Tiger.
Toxic warning.
Unicorn.
Ditto.
Ditto.
X.
Crossed hammers.
Yin Yang taijitu.
Other[edit]
The 8-ball spray remade in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Ditto, dripping.
The CS:GO remade lambda spray.
Ditto, dripping.
The CS:GO remade smiley spray, known as "Still Happy".
Ditto, dripping.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ WON Shutdown Timing on Steam (July 15, 2004)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Valve invites you to experience the Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update on Official Half-Life website (November 17, 2023)
- ↑ Opposing Force 1.1 Released on Blue's News (June 8, 2000)
- ↑
Half-Life Alpha v 0.52 - Deathmatch Gameplay on YouTube
- ↑ PC Gamer (UK), July 1997 (Issue 45)
- ↑ Half-Life: Opposing Force Interview on FiringSquad (August 26, 1999) (archived)
- ↑ Interview with Randy Pitchford on Voodoo Extreme (November 22, 1999) (archived)
- ↑ Interview with Dario Casali on Voltron's Map Workshop (May 1, 2000) (archived)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Half-Life preview on Gamer's Reality (1998) (archived)
- ↑ IRC (#3dgaming) chat log on 3DGaming (1998) (archived)
- ↑ Interview with Valve (by eXponential Half-Life) on Fragile Mortality (March 14, 1998) (archived)
- ↑ Interview with Lisa Mennet on Dogg Pound Gangstas (1998) (archived)
- ↑ Half-Life Interview on Online Gaming Review (archived)
- ↑ Half-Life Preview on Voodoo Extreme (1998) (archived)
- ↑ Aaron Stackpole on his video game work (September 1, 2016)
- ↑ Half-Life Interview on Daily Radar (February 2000) (archived)
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Half-Life Dreamcast Multiplayer on Eurogamer (September 26, 2000)
- ↑ Half-Life Dreamcast Preview on GameSpot (November 15, 2000) (archived)
- ↑ barney.exe on Blue's News (November 25, 1998)
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 hlmulti1-28-99.zip on Blue's News (January 28, 1999)
- ↑ Santa Half-Life Model on Blue's News (December 23, 1998)
- ↑ tmcm.zip on FilePlanet (May 4, 1999)
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Players can become any of several classic Half-Life characters, including Gordon Freeman, Gina Cross, Colette Green, Barney Calhoun, Dr. Walter or soldier Adrian Shephard." Randy Pitchford discusses the PS2 port on ComputerAndVideoGames (November 19, 2001)
