Tech Desk 
Nov 17, 2024
Valve Corporation is updating Half-Life 2, celebrating the classic title’s 20th anniversary. The update introduces Steam Workshop integration, numerous bug fixes, restored content, and other graphical enhancements.
Launched in 2004, the Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter (FPS) game. The renowned classic's updated version will be available for free on Steam starting from November 18. Later on, the game will cost $9.99.
What’s new in Half-Life 2’s 20th-anniversary update?
In Half-Life 2’s updated version, Valve has added Episode One and Episode Two expansions accessible from the game’s menu.
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The company has also fixed various bugs found in the game's maps, improving several features such as the lightmap resolution and fog.
Moreover, gamers can access the Steam Workshop within the Extras menu, without having to leave the game to enable modes.
Similar to the 25th anniversary celebration for the original Half-Life, Valve has also released a free documentary about its sequel, available for free on YouTube.
Furthermore, as a part of the 20th anniversary celebration, Valve will also release an expanded second edition of “Raising the Bar”, a book about Half-Life 2’s development, slated for publication in 2025.
However, to access the pre-anniversary version of Half-Life 2, players can opt for the "steam_legacy" beta branch and select the "Pre-20th Anniversary Build."
