- 5) Multiplayer        

Thankfully, one of the key replay values of Half-Life is a free multiplayer
feature. Thanks to WON.net, you are able to play the game for free against
other players as long as you have an internet connection, and no conflicting
problems. There has also been a new program called STEAM which allows you to
play online by universally combining all mods and internet play into one. WON
will eventually be shutting down during the Summer of 2004, so everyone will
have to convert to STEAM eventually. Anyhow, this section will describe some
of the necessary basics on how to enhance your multiplayer experience.
  ________________
/Deathmatch Mode/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This is the primary method of facing opponents during multiplayer games.
Players spawn into a random location on the level where there's a free-for-all
fight between pitting players. Along the way, weapons will spawn in pre-set
locations, which means players will battle over getting more supreme weaponry.
Some levels have special devices that can be used to make the gameplay
experience more fun. Deathmatch is the main gameplay mode that most servers
run, however, it can get stale after awhile.

                                      ____
                                  >>=/TIPS\\=<<

- Get use to using the Gauss Cannon as it is one of the most effective weapons
during a DM game. You can literally take out numerous opponents in a row by
shooting through walls, charging, and simply re-aiming. Not even the Gluon Gun
can compare to its greatness.

- If you want to change your player model, enter Half-Life, and click on the
Multi-player tab. Go to the Customize button, and you may change your model to
one of about ten different pictures. The two bars at the bottom adjust some of
the color ratings on the uniforms to make them look different. To get custom
skins, check out the Common Questions section.

- MP5 Grenades, the Crossbow, and Gauss Cannon are highly sought after
weapons. Expect to see lots of enemy resistance around these weapon spawning
locations. Someone with a crossbow is a dangerous foe as they can nearly one-
shot kill you with a zoomed-in bolt.

- Camping is a great tactic, especially at weapon chokehold points. However,
be careful on your back flanks as someone is always bound to be near.

- The Gauss Cannon can be used as a jumping boost. Simply charge up a shot,
then angle it at the ground and fire. If you fire it diagonally at the ground,
you will be recoiled back diagonally in the air.

 _________________
/HL Teamplay Mode/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
One of the more contrary and enjoyable methods of playing is the HL Teamplay
mode. This basically is a team-deathmatch game where players are separated in
teams based on their selection, and battle it out against each other.
Sometimes Friendly Fire is turned on, which means you can damage your own
teammates. The battles are typically more conservative, and strategically
focused.

                                      ____
                                  >>=/TIPS\\=<<

- In TDM games, try to control one of the larger rooms on the map, and keep a
threshold on it. Holding one area in the level will give you a higher chance
of cutting off the other teams from their other teammates.

- You can have as many teams as you desire based upon the server settings.
Some servers separate teams based on the player's selected model skin. Others
have pre-set teams that may be selected manually.

- Some truly fun maps for TDM include subtransit and crossfire. Crossfire
takes place at a military base with a concentrated center, and numerous
amounts of action. On the far side of the base are two useable cannons, along
with a special timed nuke that can be detonated. The entire safe zone of the
base is locked down, which means it becomes a frantic rush to see who can get
into the bomb shelter before the nuke goes off. Subtransit actually has a
moving vehicle on it better known as a train cart. Players can be crushed by
the moving cart, and it's speed/direction can be adjusted by using the use key
on the vehicle. This map becomes intensely fun when you're blasting away
people and crushing players on the tracks.

                                _________________
                               /Expansions & Mods\\
                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  One of the premiere features of any game is the amount of software-developed
modifications or expansions the game adds to it. A modification is a special
program that alters the pre-set items in the original game, and usually adds
an entirely new gameplay experience with a different system, variables, and
scripts. For example, the all so popular Counter-Strike was originally
developed as a modification to Half-Life. They basically stripped HL of its
skins, weapons, and levels. Then, they remodeled everything according to how
they wanted it to be. Someone made the weapon and player models, and they re-
designed how the gameplay worked thanks to the Half-Life console. That's
basically what a modification is, except it changes everything for you.

- Mods can easily be loaded or unloaded via the Mod Viewer at the main screen
of HL. If you download and install one off the internet, you can switch
between them there. The following list will be of most of the "popular" mods
available that are out there.

   ***If you have any mods you would like added to this list, send me a
      website link, and I'll check it out. If I give it a thumbs up, I'll add
      it to this list, and possibly to my own website.***

   =======================================================
   --[ Action HL ]-->>Website: http://ahl.telefragged.com/
   =======================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Action HL is basically an online multiplayer game where
                players take the roles of action heroes using various
                action movie techniques. You'll use a plethora of strange
                and loud weapons, plus stunt moves, special abilities, and
                cool player models. The mod use to be extremely popular
                until the arrival of the Specialists.
   RATING: ***

   ========================================================================
   --[ Azure Sheep ]-->>Website: http://halflife.multiplayer.it/azuresheep/
   ========================================================================
          MODE: Single Player
   DESCRIPTION: This is a special mod developed by a small team that puts you
                in the role of a Black Mesa security guard caught in the middle
                of the Xen invasion. Your true goal is to escape alive rather
                than giving a free care for stopping the aliens. Lasts fairly
                long and is a decent one-time playthrough.
   RATING: ***

   =====================================================
   --[ Battlegrounds ]-->>Website: http://www.bgmod.com/
   =====================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: This is one of the more unique mods available for all of HL.
                The setting takes place during the American Revolution back in
                the 1770s. Players can side on either the British or American
                sides and duke it out via selected classes. Muskets are fairly
                inaccurate weapons, which turns this game into a hybrid mix of
                melee and ranged combat. You'll also get that Patriot feeling
                as you charge together with your men.
   RATING: ****

   =====================================================================
   --[ Blue Shift ]-->>Website: http://www.planethalflife.com/blueshift/
   =====================================================================
          MODE: Single/Multi Player
   DESCRIPTION: Blue Shift is an officially licensed product from Valve Studios
                themselves. This expansion pack costs money, and places you in
                the role of a Black Mesa security guard. It introduces only a
                few new features, and is regarded as the worst expansion pack
                out of all of the HL bunch.
   RATING: **

   ===============================================================
   --[ Counter-Strike ]-->>Website: http://www.counter-strike.net/
   ===============================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Counter-Strike is the mod that started the online HL gaming
                craze. Not only is it the most popular online action game of
                all-time, but it is still one of the most played to this day.
                Its simplistic design of counter-terrorists versus terrorists
                pits strategy versus action game etiquette. You can buy various
                weapons with money, and play with the largest amount of
                competition out there.
   RATING: *****

   ===========================================================
   --[ Day of Defeat ]-->>Website: http://www.dayofdefeat.com/
   ===========================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: This WWII mod takes you through as either the Axis forces or
                Allied Forces. You can take the role of several different
                classes on each team, and it has an extremely high realism
                rating. Probably the second most popular mod for HL, and well
                worthy of the title.
   RATING: *****

   =======================================================
   --[ Desert Crisis ]-->>Website: n/a
   =======================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: This game takes place in a wastelandish future with two
                organizations battling out for economic control. It use to be
                a truly cool mod with various abilities, weapons, and close
                range techniques. However, as time has passed, the game has
                lost any official contact from the dev team, and has declined
                greatly in popularity. You can still find a download lying
                around, and it's great to play with a group of friends.
   RATING: **

   =======================================================
   --[ Earth's Special Forces ]-->>Website: n/a
   =======================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Another unique mod that pits you in the role of super heroes
                that each have special abilities. You'll also be able to play
                as DBZ characters and use damaging fireballs, energy attacks,
                and kung fu. This mod is popular to the anime fans out there.
   RATING: ***

   =========================================================
   --[ Existence ]-->>Website: http://www.existence-mod.com/
   =========================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: This is one of the first mods to actually mimic after the
                Matrix movie. You'll be able to join either the Rebels or
                Agents teams and battle it out on a Zynon-like map with
                the office building, Zynon mainframes, and large urban
                landscape. Unfortunately, the mod has imbalances and could
                use improvement.
   RATING: *

   ======================================================
   --[ Firearms ]-->>Website: http://www.firearmsmod.com/
   ======================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Firearms is a realistic-like mod that pits you on two different
                teams (red versus blue), and players battle it out on capture-
                the-flag maps. The great thing about it is that the game
                features a unique customization feature of over 30 weapons to
                choose from. You'll basically turn yourself into a gunmaster
                from playing this game alone. Has a popular fanbase.
   RATING: ****

   =============================================================
   --[ Front Line Force ]-->>Website: http://www.frontline2.com/
   =============================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Another mod that pits players on two teams. You will battle
                it out with a unique class system and various weapons to
                equip to each character. Unfortunately, it lacks any new
                items to make it different from the other mods. However, it
                is a high-quality mod with decent levels.
   RATING: ***

   ============================================================================
   --[ Global Warfare ]-->>Website: http://www.planethalflife.com/globalwarfare
   ============================================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Global Warfare is a special team-based mod that pits NATO
                versus Arab forces. This was actually developed before the
                entire Middle East conflict. It features a unique reinforcement
                method where players are dropped in via a helicopter. If your
                helo is shot down by a Stinger, then you must wait for another
                chopper to respawn. Has some interesting gameplay methods, but
                suffers from a lack of popularity.
   RATING: **

   =====================================================================
   --[ Natural Selection ]-->>Website: http://www.natural-selection.org/
   =====================================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: By far one of the best mods HL has to offer, Natural Selection
                combines elements seen in Starcraft with those of a first-
                person shooter. The game takes place in the future, where space
                colonization is a rampart industry. Suddenly, a new alien life
                force is discovered, and it's two teams against each other
                (space marines versus aliens). Each team has different styles
                of gameplay. A head commander builds structures on the marines
                while the soldiers do all of the hands-on building. Aliens are
                designed for close-combat and can evolve into different
                classes. Each team must fight for resource nodes in order to
                perform special actions. Don't miss out on this popular game.
   RATING: *****

   ============================================================================
   --[ Opposing Force ]-->>Website: http://www.planethalflife.com/opposingforce
   ============================================================================
          MODE: Single/Multi Player
   DESCRIPTION: Opposing Force is yet another official HL expansion pack
                released by Valve Studios. The game places you in the role of
                one of the government pawn soldiers who is sent out to the
                complex to investigate the scenario at Black Mesa. Not before
                long, you're caught up in a barrage between Gordon, the Xen
                aliens, and the desire to escape this barren place. One of the
                best expansion packs out there.
   RATING: ****

   =======================================================
   --[ Ricochet ]-->>Website: n/a
   =======================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Ricochet is a special mod that comes with the download of CS.
                The game pits you in a futuristic ring where players duke it
                out by tossing lethal sharpened discs at each other. With the
                use of jumping pads and low gravity, see who can get the most
                kills in a free-for-all. This mod is not as great as one would
                expect, and does have a low fanbase.
   RATING: *

   ========================================================================
   --[ Science and Industry ]-->>Website: http://www.planethalflife.com/si/
   ========================================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Again, this is one of those mods that makes you cringe at the
                amount of peculiarity you will encounter. To start off, this
                game pits two rival corporations against each other. Their
                ultimate goal is to exceed each other's profits. So, each
                corporation kidnaps some of the most brilliant scientists to
                develop new technologies, and each team must fight out to
                hold a greater control of scientists to increase your cash
                flow. Teams vote on which technology they want to upgrade
                next, which adds an interactive flavor to the mix. This game
                has a decent fanbase as well.
   RATING: ****

   ======================================================================
   --[ Team Fortress Classic ]-->>Website: http://www.planetfortress.com/
   ======================================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: Team Fortress Classic is one of the mods that comes with
                the update patch for HL. This is one of the better games
                that allows player to join the red or blue factions. From
                there, you can select 1 of 8 different classes, and play
                with different weapons or abilities for each class. The
                game has a large fanbase, and is easy to learn from.
   RATING: ****

   ================================================================
   --[ The Specialists ]-->>Website: http://www.specialistsmod.net/
   ================================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: The Specialists is basically like a souped-up version of Action
                HL. Players duke it out in DM-style gameplay, and attempt to
                to score the highest amount of frags. However, the game has
                over 30 base weapons to choose from, and implements truly COOL
                abilities such as slow-motion bullet time, kung fu attacks,
                stunt dives, and powerups. One of the best action-style mods
                out there.
   RATING: *****

   =======================================================
   --[ They Hunger ]-->>Website: n/a
   =======================================================
          MODE: Single Player
   DESCRIPTION: They Hunger takes place in the early 20s with a car crash
                survivor learning that a nearby town is infested with freakish
                zombies. The game takes place across 3 episodes, which each
                further develop the story as the player attempts to escape from
                the infested town. It's a great one-time playthrough, but seems
                a tad dull in certain spots.
   RATING: **

   ============================================================
   --[ Tour of Duty ]-->>Website: http://www.tourofdutymod.com/
   ============================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: One of the few Vietnam mods actually available out there, Tour
                of Duty is well-designed for one. Players can choose from the
                NVA or American forces, and battle it out across jungle maps,
                There are a few different classes for each team, and the game
                is starting to draw attention.
   RATING: ***

   =======================================================================
   --[ Vampire Slayer ]-->>Website: http://www.planethalflife.com/vampire/
   =======================================================================
          MODE: Multiplayer
   DESCRIPTION: This is another fun mod that allows you to take the role
                of either a Vampire or a Vampire Slayer. Slayers used ranged
                weapons and guns to bring down the vampires. From there, they
                must stake them to kill them, otherwise the vampire will be
                revived back to minimal health. Vampires can only use special
                claw attacks, but have heightened jumping and special senses.
                This mod is fairly popular, but can seem a tad unfair at times
                on certain maps.
   RATING: ***

-<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>-

============================
- 6) Common Questions     -
============================

)) Gameplay ((
----------------------------

<< Where's the cheapest place to find this game? >>

- To be honest with you, the best place to get this game is at any nearby
store. Valve recently bundled up the entire HL series (with Blue Shift, TFC,
and Opposing Force) in a special Platinum Pack. For $20, you can get all of
the HL expansions, along with a CD, and CD-key which SHOULD work on the new
upcoming STEAM. You can download HL for free from Steam, but you will not have
a true "valid" CD KEY, nor any CDs to back up the download should it be lost.
I would not recommend eBay as cd keys have probably been tampered with.

<< How do I add custom skins to my game? >>

- First of all, there are truly three kinds of custom skins. You can customize
player models, weapon models, and sprays. Player models are what other players
see you as when playing a game. Weapon skins are the appearances of the
weapons that show up on the screen near the bottom. To add custom skins,
download the .zip file for the skin you want. Now, let's say you want to
change Gordon into John McClane from Die Hard. Open up the .zip, and extract
SELECT files into the specific directory. For example, highlight the .mdl
(model files), and then extract them into the C:/sierra/half-
life/models/player directory. Same goes with player models. Extract the weapon
sounds into the /sound/weapons/gunname directory, and the actual model into
the model/weapons directory. You can select specific files in the zip file by
holding down CTRL. You may want to back up the files you replace before doing
this, in case you get an error, or it messes up.

<< What's a WON ID or CD KEY? >>

- Before Steam came in to play, WON ID's are basically the way you are
identified on the internet. Each CD KEY has a set WON ID to it which is
suppose to be your unique validation on the WON network. When a WON ID is
banned from the WON network, you will not be able to play on their free
servers. Same goes with STEAM. Your CD KEY can be banned from playing on the
internet if you're caught cheating in specific servers.

<< What's the situation with Half-Life 2? >>

- Sad as it is, Half-Life 2 has been having its ups and downs. Originally, the
game was slated for a December 2003 release. However, for some odd reason, a
beta test version of the game was hacked off of the Valve networks during a
test run. It was then publicly launched on hacker sites who claimed to have a
script of the actual programming language. Because of the pre-release of the
game's engine, the developers decided to redo the entire thing, otherwise,
their hard work would have been done for nothing. As far as I know, HL 2 is
slated for a later release during 2004, and early 2005. It'll probably be Q1
in 2005, by my estimates.

)) Troubleshooting ((
----------------------------

<< How do I increase my graphics/framerate? >>

- First of all, there are a few methods of displaying the graphics during HL.
The best way is to use OpenGL, which sort of smoothes all of the rough polygon
edges out for an enjoyable experience. The player "glides" along the level
with pristine ease. Unfortunately, you'll need an OpenGL card. Hardware such
as the Rivia TNT2 or ATI Radeon cards would delightfully accompany HL.
Remember that this game was created back in 1998, so you really don't even
need the most advanced hardware available.
  Secondly, you'll want to lower your resolution if you want a quicker
framerate. My preferred resolution is 640 x 480 as it does just enough detail
to accompany the user. Other players will probably prefer those outrageous
1000+ pixel modes. You can also try not using high quality sound, as it will
speed up the gameplay.

-<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>-
============================
- 8) Proper Credit        -
============================
I'd like to thank the following people for their help in making this FAQ
possible:

)) CJayC (( for constantly updating GameFAQs, and dedicating his entire life
to it. Takes a lot of effort to keep a site going this long.

)) Rootsecure.net (( for providing an ASCII generator that allowed me to
create the Half-Life title.

)) Valve Studios (( for creating one of the greatest first-person-shooters of
all time that has graced my computer for over 6 years. Not only did I grab
enjoyment out of HL, but the mods for this game are amazing and have truly
saved my hundreds of dollars as opposed to buying more computer games.

)) Fellow Gamers (( for providing an entertaining experience that I have
thoroughly enjoyed over the years. Had it not been for fellow gamers like
myself who dedicated their free time to playing online games, maybe we would
not have had as much fun as we did. Thanks a lot for the childhood years of
fun.

  "Some people make sacrifices to make other people happy." - Chris Zawada
  "Freeeeeeddooommmmmmmmm!" - William Wallace (Braveheart)

 Kevin Johnston's Blog - http://www.300bucks.ca