VNN provides extensive Half-Life VR info gained from data mining

Tyler McVicker of Valve News Network has been able to piece together a lot of information regarding Half-Life VR. The game will be based within the 20-year gap between Half-Life 1 and 2 with better graphics and mechanics, exclusively built for VR.

Through extensive research and digging over the course of four years, McVivker has been able to datamine a wealth of information and has compiled it in a game design document. Since Valve has games that are built in the same engine share the same code, HLVR strings have appeared in the patches of other games built-in Source 2. These games are Dota 2, Destinations, Steam VR Home, Artifact and Dota Underlords.

Here is a brief list of some of the things he claims will be in HLVR when it launches:

• Simulated thermal dynamics.

• Procedural glass shattering.

• Detailed in-game screens.

• Detailed night and day cycles based on the phases of the moon.

• VR cover and stealth.

• Smaller weapons set with add-ons that can be found around the world and taken off enemies.

• Weapons include pistols, shotguns, rapid-fire smgs, energy guns, grenades and melee.

• Melee weapons will be a crowbar and other items found in the game world. 

• 3 or more types of grenades will be available, which includes xen grenades, trip mines and hg grenades.

• Weapon add-ons include speed loaders, speed shooters and grenade launchers (which use grenades the players find as ammo).

• Enemies include Antlions, Vortigaunt and the Combine. 

• There will be two Headcrab variations, Smoke and Spit Crabs.

• Zombies could be blind, relying on smell to find players.

• A reviver that will raise previously defeated enemies.

• The game will take 12-16 hours to complete.

• Designed to encourage replays. 

• Players will visit the alien world of Xen.

McVicker predicts the game will be announced a few months before release to promote the sale of Valve Index devices before its launch. Considering Valve games benefit immensely from user-generated content, HLVR will also support modding and quite possibly serve as a toolbox for indie developers to create their own games. By so doing, HLVR will be able to saturate the market with both Valve hardware and software.

Listening to him speak, McVicker is clearly a hardcore fan, but one that is known to dig deep in search of tasty information such as this. How much of his hard work and speculation will eventually be proven true is anyone’s guess, but his video will definitely rekindle the Half-Life fire that burns in all fans. As always, take leaks with a grain of salt.