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Half Life 1998 Beta Build Uncovered in Storage Unit

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Half Life 1998 Beta Build Uncovered in Storage Unit

A former game developer, Chad Jessup, has made a groundbreaking discovery while cleaning out an old storage unit – an ultra-rare beta version of the original Half-Life from 1998. This find comes just a couple of months before the game’s 26th anniversary on November 19.

A Rare Gaming Artifact

Jessup, who previously worked on Destiny 2 expansions and the Xbox 360 version of Shadowrun, found a CD-ROM labeled “Half-Life, Beta 2, Net Test 2” among other 90s gaming memorabilia. The CD dates back to just weeks before the game’s official 1998 release, with the date on the disc reading “10.20.98”. Jessup was shocked to find that the CD didn’t have any damage or rot after sitting unprotected in storage for nearly 15 years.

Preserving Gaming History

Jessup has shared the beta disc image with the world, and preservation enthusiasts quickly worked to upload it to the Internet Archive. The beta contains “unfinished levels, script, and texture changes” that are different from the final retail version. Some of the notable discoveries include:

  • The level “Forget About Freeman” which completely diverges partway through into the never-before-seen “Communications Center” area.
  • Unused weapon textures, like a crossbow with an alternate bolt mechanism.
  • A 3D model for a scrapped alien enemy called Stukabat.
  • Getting the Beta to Run

    The beta build requires some work to get running, including removing certain files and dealing with a time-bomb code that prevents the game from being activated after a certain date. However, enthusiasts have been able to work around these issues and are continuing to explore the beta for more surprises.

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