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From the outset, Half-Life, launched in 1998, was seen as a game poised for greatness. Yet, beyond the palpable excitement, some members of Valve were uncertain about meeting the high expectations set for them.
During the 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC), former marketing chief Monica Harrington shared insights on the game’s development. Despite the game earning a ‘Best Action Game’ accolade at its E3 1998 demo, confidence was not universal. “Afterwards,” Harrington shared, “one of the core developers expressed concerns that Gabe Newell had committed to delivering features that seemed unreachable.”
The game’s E3 presentation boasted a variety of ambitious scenarios, now available in archives, that were groundbreaking at the time. It’s understandable why some developers felt apprehensive. Yet, Harrington remembered, “Ultimately, that developer was mistaken. The magic Gabe promised was achievable, though they hadn’t realized it yet.”
The final result was a resounding success, with Half-Life capturing numerous game of the year awards. Given the competition that year, including titles like Metal Gear Solid and Ocarina of Time, Valve’s achievement was monumental.
In a surprising twist, Harrington also mentioned threatening Sierra, saying Valve wouldn’t develop another game post-Half-Life unless contract terms were revised. This behind-the-scenes drama only adds to the legend of the iconic FPS.
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