To mark the 25th anniversary of Half-Life, Valve has launched a free distribution window on Steam. The company announced that players in Canada and the United States could claim the game from November 17 to November 20, 2023, expanding access for longtime fans and inviting newcomers to experience a landmark in PC gaming. The move aligns with Valve’s long history of leveraging Steam to celebrate milestones and reintroduce classic titles to new audiences.
In conjunction with the free giveaway, Valve rolled out an update to Half-Life designed to improve compatibility with modern hardware. The update ensures the classic game runs smoothly on widescreen monitors and on Valve’s portable Steam Deck. Prior to this update, Half-Life ran but with some limitations on newer systems, which could detract from the experience for players using contemporary displays and portable devices.
Alongside technical improvements, Valve announced a promotional discount on several Half-Life releases. The deals included Half-Life 2 at a reduced price of 38 rubles, Half-Life: Alyx for 646 rubles, and the Half-Life Complete collection for 355 rubles. In addition, Valve shared a new hour-long documentary titled Half-Life: 25th Anniversary Documentary, which chronicles the history and development of the series from its inception to the present day, offering fans a closer look at the creative process and the team behind the games.
The company suggested that this marks Valve’s second outreach to players to celebrate the franchise. A first distribution began the day before, on November 16, but technical issues prevented some users from successfully adding the title to their libraries. The episode underscored Valve’s commitment to making classic titles accessible again and listening to the community when problems arose during promotions.
Half-Life originally released on November 19, 1998. Since its debut, it has been widely cited by critics, designers, and players as a pivotal moment in first-person shooter and narrative-driven game design. Many publications and industry analysts regard it as one of the most influential games in the history of the medium. The game’s score on Metacritic has remained a strong signal of its enduring critical appeal, reflecting broad consensus on its gameplay, atmosphere, and storytelling. This enduring reputation has helped sustain ongoing discussions around its impact on subsequent titles and the evolution of digital distribution strategies for classic games.
Meanwhile, Sony recently introduced a Remastered edition of The Last of Us Part II for PlayStation 5, highlighting how major publishers continue to revisit enduring franchises with updated hardware support and enhanced presentation. This broader trend mirrors Valve’s efforts with Half-Life, illustrating how iconic games often receive renewed attention through updated platforms, bundled collections, and supplementary media that deepen the overall lore and fan engagement. The convergence of classic titles with modern hardware demonstrates the lasting appeal of well-crafted worlds, characters, and gameplay mechanics that resonate across generations.