Unlike a certain few other publishers, Valve seem completely open - and encouraging - to the idea of fans doing what they won't. Those fans are almost done recreating Half-Life in its entirety. And they're dishing out a quick sneak-peek.
Releasing their first prototype back in 2012, a group of independent developers known as the Crowbar Collective brought a whole new generation of players to the Half-Life universe. In a year where going back to Valve's 1998 cult classic is somewhat of a culture shock to the eyes, the best way to introduce newcomers - and veterans - back to the troubling scenarios of Gordon Freeman were to simply make it anew.
Of course, this feat isn't a simple undertaking. The build released in 2012 only gave us the game's opening chapter to explore; the labs of the famous Black Mesa Research Facility. Heading into Early Access to dish out the rest of the game's progress going forward, we're finally heading for the home stretch - with the release of the final 'Xen' chapters.
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Targeting a Summer 2017 release for the conclusion that'll bring Half-Life to the modern era, the developers are out on full force through Facebook to tease use with screenshots of the upcoming closing chapters. Going on to reassure the stuff before their image is far more alien that what we're given, we're left to trust Crowbar Collective in their ability to wrap up this project and help cement Half-Life as a legendary title for many more years to come.
And while you can't expect these people to toil away for years without any hope of payment, it's strange to hear a company like Valve allowing users to make money from a recreation of their own title. It's a breath of fresh air, really; but one that'll set you back £5.99 - or £14.99 once the sale ends.
