In a remarkable twist of fate, former game developer Chad Jessup recently stumbled upon a hidden gem while clearing out his storage shed. Among a collection of nostalgic '90s gaming memorabilia, he discovered a beta version of the iconic game Half-Life, a find that has since been shared with the world through the Internet Archive by dedicated videogame preservationist Reagan.
The Discovery
Jessup, whose impressive resume includes contributions to Destiny 2's expansions and the Xbox 360 title Shadowrun, has a personal connection to Half-Life as a former external tester. Despite the somewhat casual crediting practices of the '90s, which often left QA testers acknowledged only in a vague "special thanks" section, Jessup's credentials and the physical evidence he uncovered affirm his role in the game's development.
On September 12, while sifting through his old storage, Jessup unearthed a CD-ROM labeled "Half-Life, Beta 2, Net Test 2," dated October 20, 1998. Just days later, he took to social media to share his excitement, noting that this version predates the official release and contains a variety of unfinished levels, script alterations, and texture changes that offer a glimpse into the game's developmental journey.
Challenges of Installation
Reagan, the archivist behind the upload, has made the disc image available for download on the Internet Archive. However, installing the beta version is not for the faint-hearted. Users have reported needing to delete certain files to get the game to run, and its multiplayer features attempt to connect to an obsolete online service. To assist fellow enthusiasts, Reagan has documented initial findings from their brief exploration of the beta build on their personal blog.
Notable Changes and Future Discoveries
The alterations identified thus far are primarily subtle, encompassing variations in scripting, AI behavior, models, and textures. However, one significant change stands out: the level "Forget About Freeman" diverges dramatically midway through, leading to the Communications Center, a map that serves as the foundation for Half-Life's Uplink demo level. This original version is considered one of the oldest maps in the game, according to Reagan.
With only 15 hours spent with the beta build, Reagan hints at the possibility of further discoveries. Jessup's reference to "unfinished levels" raises intriguing questions about what else might lie within this treasure trove of gaming history. The excitement surrounding this find underscores the importance of videogame preservation and fuels hopes for future serendipitous discoveries in the gaming world.
