Reverse Design: Half-Life

By: Patrick Holleman

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Synopsis: The Reverse Design series looks at all of the design decisions that went into classic video games. This is the fourth installment in the Reverse Design series, looking at Half Life. Written in a readable format, it is broken down into six sections examining some of the most important topics to the game:
How Half-Life is a key step in the evolution from the composite style of videogame design to the set piece style of design.
How Half-Life defined almost all of the core concepts of the cover-based shooter, and redefined the level architecture of the FPS genre
The small tricks and flourishes that Half-Life used to tell a story through its mechanics, AI and environments
Key Features
Comprehensive definitions of key concepts and terms, introducing the reader to the basic knowledge about the study of FPS design
Summary of historical context of Half-Life, how it emerged from arena shooters like Doom and Quake, and how it influenced other games
Extensive collections of data and data visualizations explaining how systems like enemy movement, cover design and platformer physics work