Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar

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Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar
Author Valve
Language English
Subject(s) game design
Publisher Prima Games
Pages 288
ISBN ISBN 0-7615-4364-3

Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar - A Behind the Scenes Look: Prima's Official Insider's Guide is a coffee-table book published by Prima Games in November 2004, comprising a collection of images chronicling the development of, but not limited to: Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike and Half-Life, developed by software company Valve Corporation. It also includes notes on the design of the game and information relating to voice actors, and other areas. It was written by David Hodgson. The name likely refers to both the ground-breaking graphics and physics system in Half-Life 2, and Gordon Freeman's trademark crowbar.

Due to its rarity and quality, it is one of the most sought after items relating to Half Life 2.

[edit] Contents

The book is divided up into two main sections with a foreword by Valve Corporation founder Gabe Newell.

The two sections, titled: Investigation 1: Anomalous Materials and Investigation 2: Unexpected Interference are references to the opening levels of the Half-Life video game. The first section chronicles the evolution of the first Half-Life, containing much concept art and character designs: the various iterations of Gordon Freeman for example. It also contains information relating to the mod scene that developed in the game's wake and the subsequent retail release of iconic mods, Counter-Strike being the most famous. The second section deals with the long development of Half-Life 2 containing much concept art. It also contains chapters dealing with the creation and design of the main characters, and their real life counterparts.

http://www.halflife2.com

[edit] References