I vaguely remember buying the game shortly after launch (not checking the box properly) and being a bit annoyed when I couldn't play the game - didn't have an internet connection back then. Luckily the store allowed it to be returned.

Bought it again in mid 2006 and had to let it patch overnight... on dial-up :<

Its actually Steam DRM ground zero.

I'm pretty sure HL2 needs to be registered with Steam at least once even if you have it on the original DVD IIRC. I have it on disk around here somewhere and had to make an early Steam account way back when. Not a big issue if you have/use Steam or don't have reservations against it though.
One of the awesome things about Valve's Halflife and other games, is that even today this many years later they are still updating the games with patches a few times a year. Who does that? Valve, yay! ;)

Oh, be sure to check this free MOD out too:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/290930/

Patient zero surely. Unless you're calling Steam a terrorist attack rather than a virulent virus.


Actually, either description works for me.

HL2 is a great game, I bought 'The Orange box' for £3 odd in the steam sale.

On re-thinking patient zero is indeed a closer comparison than ground zero (with which I was thinking more of the traditional ground zero and not its WTC spin off).

and this thread has made me want to go back to my Marathon playthrough. Not sure how those two wires got tangled in my brain but oh well...

because of hal...oh

Well, they essentially gave up on H-L. Fuck them and their Steam forever.

Well, to be honest, i have faith in amateur remakes and work. Streets of Rage Remake for example was a very polished project, 7 solid years of work, it ended up being a better game than all of the previous, original ones combined!

Amateur people only can pull it off, a game pumped up with talent and inspiration, only AMATEUR people who aren't tainted by logistics and profit rates have a slim chance to craft a masterpiece akin to those of the old days. It doesn't need to be a triple A or a high budget, flashy cr@p.

Honestly, i would never touch ANYTHING made off from the filthy, greedy, pig-hands of Valve. But an amateur Half-Life 3, that is another story, hell, even *I* would be tempted to get, even if it was tied down to that stupid steam exclusively.