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[December 6, 2000]
Hankerin' for a Half-Life Contest?

Future Games Network is giving you the chance to take home Half-Life: Platinum Edition, the brand-new Half-Life compilation, for free! To enter, visit FGN's Half-Life contest page and drop them an email. Contest ends January 5th, 2001.

[November 14, 2000]
Half-Life: Counter-Strike Arrives in Stores

Half-Life: Counter-Strike, the number one played online action game, is now available in North America. In Counter-Strike, opposing teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists must must complete specific goals to move through each mission. Half-Life: Counter-Strike also includes other Half-Life engine multiplayer experiences -- Half-Life Multiplayer, Half-Life: Opposing Force Multiplayer, and Team Fortress 1.5 -- in addition to three top Half-Life mods. Pick up your copy of Half-Life: Counter-Strike at the Sierra Store or wherever software is sold.

[November 14, 2000]
Half-Life: Platinum Edition Hits North America

Bring home the entire Half-Life universe in one box with Half-Life: Platinum Edition. Half-Life: Platinum Edition includes Half-Life, Half-Life: Opposing Force, Team Fortress 1.5, Half-Life: Counter-Strike, and several of the best Half-Life modifications (Mods) ever produced. This is the must-have collection for those who haven't yet experienced the thrill of Half-Life.

[October 25, 2000]
Half-Life 1.1.0.4 Update Released October 25th

Sierra is pleased to announce Half-Life 1.1.0.4, the latest update to the award-winning first-person shooter from Valve. This required update contains three new Team Fortress 1.5 scenarios, adjustments on two TF classes, and many other new fixes and features.

Visit the Half-Life website to download the update.

[August 31, 2000]
Counter Strike Coming to Stores this Fall

Half-Life: Counter Strike, a compendium of the entire Half-Life online experience, will arrive in stores everywhere this fall.

Headlining the collection is Counter Strike, the Internet's #1 online action game (Source: Gamespy). Developed by the Counter Strike team in conjunction with Valve, Counter-Strike casts players as a member of either a terrorist or counter-terrorist team. The game is played in a variety of scenarios with varying objectives, including rescue missions, assassination, bomb diffusion, and more.

Also included are Half-Life multiplayer, Team Fortress Classic, Half-Life: Opposing Force multiplayer, and three new new MODs created by several of the top level designers within the Half-Life community.

[August 30, 2000]
Half-Life Platinum Coming this Holiday Season

Half-Life: Platinum, a collector's edition that includes each of the single and multiplayer games in the Half-Life franchise, is headed to a software retailer near you this holiday season. Available on PC CD-ROM, Half-Life: Platinum contains the original Half-Life: Team Fortress Classic, Half-Life: Opposing Force®, the number one online action game -- Half-Life: Counter-Strike, and a collection of top MODs (game modifications) created by members of the Half-Life community.

[June 28, 2000]
Half-Life Version 1.1.0.1 Released

Valve has released Half-Life version 1.1.0.1 today, a minor update to Half-Life that addresses several unforeseen issues introduced in version 1.1, including the fakelag exploit and long jump problem. For a complete list of issues, please see the readme.txt file.

The update is available in two different versions. Users of Half-Life 1.1 can update to today's version by downloading a small (approx. 1.5 MB) 1.1.0.1 update file. Users of all other versions, including out-of-the-box versions of Half-Life: Game of the Year and Half-Life: Adrenaline Pack must download the larger 1.1.0.1 update, which includes the full version of Team Fortress 1.5 in addition to the newer fixes introduced in today's version.

For a list of files and download locations, please visit the Half-Life support page.

[June 9, 2000]
Half-Life Update 1.1 Released

The long-awaited Half-Life 1.1.0.0. Update was released today, adding updated versions of popular Half-Life modifications (MODs), new networking code, and Team Fortress 1.5 (and update of Team Fortress Classic) to the original Half-Life.

"The Half-Life Internet 'viewership' already exceeds many TV shows in size," says Gabe Newell, managing director of Valve, L.L.C. "The new games, MODs, tools, and networking systems will continue the Half-Life community's growth, and assist the MOD makers as they develop their next generation games."

Worldcraft 3.3 and the Half-Life SDK 2.0, updated versions of software that allows users to create their own Half-Life mods, were also released to the development community today.

[June 2, 2000]
Valve's Robin Walker on Planet Fortress

Robin Walker gives Planet Fortress "resident spy" NextWish an impromptu interview after a "chance" meeting on IRC. Read the transcript, covering topics such as the new Team Fortress 1.5, Team Fortress 2, and the Half-Life SDK on Planetfortress.com.

[May 5, 2000]
Valve Announces Team Fortress 1.5

Valve, L.L.C. today announced a new version of its popular team-based action game, Team Fortress (TF), is currently in the final phases of production. To be released free of charge in the next Half-Life update, Team Fortress 1.5 features new scenarios, an advanced user-interface system (VGUI), new networking and server technologies, and more.

"As new tools and technologies come online in the development of Team Fortress 2, there will be opportunities to roll them out to players and the MOD community," said Gabe Newell, managing director at Valve. "Team Fortress 1.5 marks a significant point in this process."

Key Features

  • New Networking System
    This release includes the TF2 networking system and is compatible with all Half-Life games and MODs. The new networking system improves play for all players regardless of their connection.

  • VGUI Interface
    The Valve GUI (VGUI) is a set of general purpose, extensible user interface APIs for displaying and manipulating user interface elements in-game. Available to mod authors in Half-Life SDK 2.0, the VGUI is exploited in this release via new in-game menus that allow players to change class, communicate with teammates and more by simply clicking through this customizable menu system-and subsequently eliminating the need to move your fingers off critical keys during the heat of battle. The new menu system is also designed to help new players get into the game, removing the need to know any extra keys beyond moving and firing.

  • New Scenarios
    • Dustbowl is a game of staged attack and defend played against the clock. The offense must advance their flag into the enemy base before the clock expires. The other team's objective is simply to play good defense. The map carries the teams through three successive bouts, each in new map locations.
    • Warpath places teams in a battle for control of five command centers, located in team bases as well as neutral ground. Victory requires simultaneous control of all five command centers, requiring teams to divide into defensive squads that hold captured territory and offensive squads attempting to take control of the next command point.
    • Epicenter is a new capture the flag style of play that requires each team to advance its flag from base to an APC in enemy territory. Loaded with strategic positions for snipers and sentry guns, Epicenter is very much a fast-paced scenario in which defensive and offensive maneuvers are somewhat interchangeable.

  • Spectator Mode
    Featuring two chase cam modes and one free roaming mode, TF 1.5's spectator mode brings a new dynamic to TF and the ability to implement spectator mode into all HL games and MODs.

[May 4, 2000]
Valve Unveils Worldcraft 3

Valve, L.L.C. today announced a new version of its popular action game editor, Worldcraft, is being prepared for a worldwide release. Worldcraft 3, which will launch simultaneously with the Half-Life SDK 2.0, includes a wealth of new features that allow for greater ease-of-use and faster creation times.

"The new version of Worldcraft features a tremendous amount of new functionality requested by both our internal designers as well as those in the community making new content for Half-Life and Team Fortress," said Gabe Newell, managing director of Valve L.L.C.

An OpenGL renderer, new texture application features, and automatic previewing tools are among the many new features in Worldcraft 3. Available free of charge via gaming Web sites and CDs, Worldcraft 3 will support all Half-Life games and game modifications (MODs), which currently account for over 60% of all action games being played online.

[May 2, 2000]
Valve to Release Half-Life SDK 2.0

Valve, L.L.C. today announced the upcoming release of the Half-Life SDK 2.0, an updated suite of authoring tools for its award-winning game, Half-Life. The release is part of an ongoing effort to support those creating Half-Life game modifications (MODs) and keep them current with the code base Valve is using to author its latest creations.

"The new SDK allows MOD authors to create a much wider variety of games, such as isometric RPGs, fighting games, and real-time strategy games, in addition to new styles of action games," said Gabe Newell, managing director of Valve L.L.C. "Half-Life is currently generating over 350 million player-minutes per month on the Internet and is the most popular multiplayer game played online, and part of that success was made possible by the amazing content created by the MOD community. We have every intention of continuing our support for that community."

"MODs such as Counter-Strike will benefit enormously from the new SDK," said Counter-Strike co-developer Minh Le. "Half-Life is far and away the best development environment for MOD authors, in addition to having the largest on-line community. With Half-Life, you can build a better MOD and have it played by a lot more people."

This release of the Half-Life SDK includes all the assets available in the "ProSDK," previously only available under NDA, plus many new features, including access to Valve's new networking system, and new user interface toolkit (V-GUI). Half-Life SDK 2.0 will be made available free of charge on gaming Web sites and CDs everywhere in the coming weeks.

[January 2, 2000]
WON.net Upgrades Scheduled

Beginning Monday, January 3, WON.net will begin a series of upgrades to their online multiplayer gaming service. These upgrades will increase the overall speed and reliability of multiplayer sessions and offer better connectivity for users located outside of North America.

As a result, some WON.net services, including multiplayer support for Homeworld, Half-Life, and Tribes, may be unavailable for short periods. Every effort will be made to schedule server outages during low usage periods. All work will be complete Monday, January 17.

Learn more about the changes happening at WON.net in the WON.net Info Center

[December 9, 1999]
Build It, and They Will Come

The Half-Life Programming Planet is a new online resource for Half-Life level and mod designers. The site includes a developers forum, useful links to Half-Life sites, and nearly 30 tutorials on every aspect of programming and design.

To get started developing your own Half-Life material, the first step is getting your hands on the Half-Life Standard Software Developer's Kit (SDK). The downloadable SDK contains 12 MB of zipped source code to get you started down the road of online fame and glory.

[October 25, 1999]
TFC Strategies on the Oxygen Tank

Check out The Oxygen Tank's Team Fortress Classic Strategy Guide for tips on how to get the most from all nine of TFC's unique characters. This tutorial is a lifesaver for beginners and intermediate players, outlining each character's strengths, weaknesses, and special tactics.

[October 25, 1999]
Current, Upcoming Titles are "Future of Teamplay"

Gamepro identified a long list of Sierra Studios titles in their "Future of Teamplay" feature Monday, identifying Team Fortress Classic, Tribes, Tribes 2, SWAT 3, and Team Fortress 2 as games that are pushing the limits of the first-person shooter genre. Catch the rest the article, including comments from Valve founder Gabe Newell on PC Gamepro.

[October 13, 1999]
Valve's Gabe Newell On Mods

Gamespy has scored yet another interview with Valve's Managing Director and Co-founder, Gabe Newell. This time around Gabe discusses the Half-Life Mod Community and how Valve plans on supporting Mod makers in the future.
Read it here.

[October 1, 1999]
Team Fortress Classic Map Motherload

Looking for some new Team Fortress Classic maps to entertain yourself with this weekend? Well then, head on over to I.am TFC and feast your eyes on one of the largest collections of maps in the known universe. These crazy TF™ junkies have just added a whopping 40 TF™ maps to their already mammoth collection. Enjoy.

[June 4, 1999]
Team Fortress Classic Game Guide

Looking for that special edge that will put you and your team atop the TF™ leader board? Then look no further than the new TF™ game guide on Gamespot. One quick read through this informative guide and you will be on your way to TF™ greatness in no time at all.

[April 19, 1999]
All New Team Fortress Classic Maps

The community support for Team Fortress Classic has been amazing. There are already tons of user made maps available on the Internet. Check out I.AM TF™ to download a collection of 18 new TF™ maps.

[April 13, 1999]
Gabe Newell On TF™

Gabe Newell, founder of Valve Software, was recently interviewed about the success of Team Fortress Classic. In the Next Generation Online interview Newell discusses the free Half-Life mod and describes how making TF™ helped reinforce many of Valve's decisions regarding the forthcoming Team Fortress 2.

[April 8, 1999]
USA Today Gives TF™ Perfect Score

We hope everyone is enjoying Team Fortress Classic. The folks at USA Today sure were. In a recent review, the national newspaper gave TF™ a perfect 4 out of 4 score saying, "Coupled with brilliant level design, sound effects and gameplay, Classic rocks." Also, if you need some help setting up and playing TF™ check out the TF™ Game Guide on Modcentral.

[April 7, 1999]
Download Team Fortress Classic

The wait is over! Many a frenzied Half-Life fan will be downloading the free multiplayer mod Team Fortress Classic today. Don't be left out! Head over to the Media section to find out where to download.

[March 31, 1999]
Team Fortress Classic Countdown

As part of the Team Fortress Classic for Half-Life launch preparations, Sierra Studios and Valve recently hosted a TF™ party in San Francisco. Journalists from all over came to wine, dine, and frag the night away. After they recovered from their night of fun, many of the journalists wrote about their experience. Check out the articles on Gamecenter and Gamespot.

[March 16, 1999]
TF™ 2 Models You Won't Believe

Valve has announced that Team Fortress 2 will use Intel's Multiresolution Mesh Technology (MRM). The MRM technology will allow Valve to create a "scaleable" game with highly detailed, realistic looking models that automatically adjust performance to the gamer's PC. Check out the official release to learn more about this exciting technology and what it will bring to Team Fortress 2.

[March 8, 1999]
Team Fortress Classic Previewed

The much-anticipated release of Team Fortress Classic for Half-Life is just around the corner. Recently the folks from Valve paid some magazines a visit with TF™ in hand. Read what the mags had to say about the free mod for Half-Life at IGN PC, CNET Gamecenter, and Gamespot.

[January 19, 1999]
Team Fortress Classic Q&A

The folks over at PlanetFortress have posted a Q&A with Valve's Robin Walker. Check out the interview to get more details about the highly anticipated Half-Life mod, Team Fortress Classic.

[January 15, 1999]
Team Fortress™ Classic to be released for Half-Life™

In a recent press release Sierra Studios and Valve announced the development fo Team Fortress™ Classic for Half-Life. Team Fortress™ Classic is a port of the original Team Fortress™, an extremely popular multiplayer mod that features unparalled team play. Valve's Robin Walker said, "Team Fortress™ Classic players can now enjoy Half-Life's superior graphics and audio, ease of use, and advanced animation technology while we focus on making Team Fortress™ 2 the best multiplayer game possible.

 

 

 

 

TF Classic

TF Classic

TF Classic

TF Classic