Half-Life
Half-Life, often abbreviated HL, is a science fiction first-person shooter computer game developed by Valve Software and published by Sierra Studios. Released on November 19, 1998 for PCs running Microsoft Windows, the game was based on a heavily modified version of the Quake game engine. With eight million copies sold since release, Half-Life is the best selling PC first-person shooter to date. The game was later released for PlayStation 2 on November 15, 2001, and a Sega Dreamcast port was planned, but cancelled as the machine's popularity waned.
In Half-Life, players assume the role of Dr. Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist, who must fight his way out of a research facility overrun by aliens and soldiers. The game was the first first-person shooter to feature a story told entirely in-game and in real time, without the use of cutscenes. Heralded by critics for its presentation and numerous scripted sequences, Half-Life won over 50 Game of the Year awards, and was named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer in its November 1999, October 2001, and April 2005 issues. The game influenced the development of first-person shooters in the years following its release, and is often cited as being revolutionary in its genre.
Half-Life's success continued for years with expansions such as Half-Life: Opposing Force and the standalone Half-Life: Blue Shift, mods such as Counter-Strike, Team Fortress Classic, Deathmatch Classic, Ricochet and Day of Defeat, and its sequel Half-Life 2. The Half-Life franchise, including Counter-Strike and Day of Defeat, has seen over 15 million sales.
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