Summary
Over the weekend, a new branch was added toHalf-Life 2’sbackend onSteamcalled “test”, which might be for a 20th anniversary update in November.
The firstHalf-Lifegot a similar branch last year ahead of its 25th anniversary update, also in November, which came with updated graphics settings, widescreen field of view, controller support,Steam Deck verification, Uplink content, four new multiplayer maps, restored content, and myriad bug fixes.
It seems likely then, given that Half-Life 2’s branch is also called “test”, that we’ll see a similar update to mark the occasion later this year. The only question is what such an update would look like. Half-Life 2 is already Steam Deck verified and has controller support, and many of its bugs have already been ironed out—that being said, I wouldn’t say no to a Deathmatch revival with some new maps.
More Than Just Half-Life 2?
One theory is that, while this update will improve some aspects of Half-Life 2, the key focus will be on improving the quality ofallSource games, much as Half-Life’s anniversary update bolsteredCounter-Strike 1.6.
This could mean tweaks for Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 2’s episodes and Lost Coast, the twoPortals,Team Fortress 2, and bothLeft 4 Deadgames.
Of course, this is entirely speculation—the “test” branch in question might not be related to an anniversary update at all. But with how similar the entire situation is to the original Half-Life, it’s a hopeful sign of some kind of celebration for Valve’s defining FPS.
Half-Life 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Half-Life 2 is a critically acclaimed FPS from Valve. It continues the story of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist formerly with Black Mesa. This time, he must fight the alien Combine empire.
