Half-Life. How Valve Created the Iconic First-Person Shooter

Half-Life is an iconic game known to millions of players. It brought about a true revolution and forever changed the first-person shooter genre. The action takes place entirely within the game world without the use of cutscenes, and the character... cannot be seen from the outside, creating a seamless unity between gameplay and story.
This book will tell you how the games in the Half-Life series were created, what innovative methods they brought to the industry, and what challenges the company Valve faced during development. And, of course, the author will not overlook another creation of Valve - the online platform Steam.

Dive into the history of Half-Life and Valve, and you will learn:
• What works inspired the creators of Half-Life?
• Why does the main character Gordon Freeman not say a word?
• What helped Valve find its unique style?
• How did the online platform Steam forever change the video game market?

«What is the phenomenon of Half-Life? What has captivated fans who are still longing for a continuation? In search of answers, the author explores the development and legacy of the series, its narrative and gameplay, sources of inspiration, and internal philosophy. This book is for those who did not witness the age of Gordon Freeman - and for those who want to experience it again. Because is there anything more timeless than a crowbar in the hands of a hero?» - Anton Bersenyev, translator of Half-Life: Alyx and other Valve projects