Half-Life Legacy News

[p]In 2020, we launched Half-Life Legacy 1.0 for the first time. And now, five years later, it's coming to Steam on December 12th, 2025 (exact times will be announced soon); alongside the mega 1.5 update - the BIGGEST update Half-Life Legacy has ever seen.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h2]🧩 Steam Integration[/h2]

• [p]Like Cross Product, Legacy now takes advantage of the Steam Input API for enhanced controller support - with vibration (+ Impulse Triggers on Xbox controllers) and PlayStation 4&5 Lightbar feedback.[/p]
• [p]With a shoutout to Wuffesan's open-source works, we've implemented Steam Workshop support. Using the Half-Life Legacy Mod Tools, create and share maps / custom campaigns, models, sounds, and more, whether you made it yourself, or you're sharing a community HLDM classic.[/p]
  • [p]Half-Life Legacy Mod Tools will be available in your Steam Library as a Tool upon downloading the main game.[/p]

[h2]🌐 Brand New Codebase & VGUI2 + New Server Browser[/h2][p]When we launched the 1.4 update last year, the codebase for Half-Life Legacy had received a complete rewrite from scratch in order to support the latest features the updated engine had to offer. With 1.5 we've carried this movement forward and created what we call the Foundation codebase.[/p][p]In 2026, Foundation (effectively the source code to Legacy) will be publicly available to all modders, and open-source. Foundation offers many implementation of technologies new to Half-Life mods such as Steam Integration, Discord RPC, an adaptive music system supporting WAV, OGG, and MP3, and more to come in the future.[/p][p]It of course shares similarities with Cross Product's new features. Not only with Workshop & Achievements, but also the Server Browser due to wibbly wobbly Steam HL stuff.[/p][p]We're excited to open Foundation next year and see what you will do with it![/p][p]Oops, I meant to type BUG fixes.[/p][p]Anyway, 1.5 of Legacy features an absolute PLETHORA of bug fixes. Seriously, I mean it. We've not only addressed issues that appeared in last year's 1.4 update, but we've also scouted the entire HL campaign once again and found many issues to fix that had been lingering in fan wishlists for years. Here's a sneak peek of the bug-fixes section of the changelog:[/p]

• [p]Fixed music cutting off at changelevels if the game directory is not "valve."[/p]
• [p]Fixed the game playing an inserted Audio CD instead of the in-game soundtrack.[/p]
• [p]Fixed many cases of "z-fighting," missing geometry, broken scripts, and potential softlocks throughout the campaign.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue in Lambda Core where an arrangement of HEV Suits would not appear.[/p]
• [p]Fixed Nihilanth lines not playing throughout the Xen chapters.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where the bunnyhop speedcap would sometimes return.[/p]
• [p]Fixed two misplaced rechargers in Apprehension.[/p]
• [p]Fixed overlapping text in the Hazard Course.[/p]
• [p]Fixed the blue sprites in the Nihilanth chapter not being transparent.[/p]

[p]Some of these may be subtle, but nonetheless, we have no doubt it will refine and enhance your Half-Life 1 experience.[/p][p][/p][p]We can't help but make Legacy more and more friendly for speedrunners; therefore, we've made autojump optional (for once!).[/p][p]Autojump has been a part of Legacy since 1.0 in 2020, but rather cynically I had it "forced," but now I've got my act together and made it a command for you all; and to not interrupt core HL gameplay, it's off by default.[/p][p]Furthermore, a new speedometer is available. It displays your approximate speed in units per second among the bottom of the screen; not only that, but a graph too! Isn't that cool?[/p][p][/p][p]There's so much in this update we can't dedicate a special section to it all, so here's some of what you can expect in the 1.5 release update![/p]

• [p]Added a German censorship mode (sv_german ). Enabling mimics the 1998 German release, removing all blood effects, death animations, and other unbelievably gory details.[/p]
• [p]Added Steam Achievements, Enhanced Controller Support, and Rich Presence.[/p]
• [p]Added Discord Rich Presence.[/p]
• [p]You can now re-enable the "Steam"/"Quake" style viewbob.[/p]
• [p]The HD pack is now included with the game; use the toggle in Content Settings.[/p]
• [p]Added a Field of View option to Advanced Options.[/p]
• [p]Added a command to toggle dynamic weapon muzzleflash lighting, which was introduced in 1.3 (r_muzzleflash).[/p]
• [p]Added the original pre-VGUI scoreboard to multiplayer.[/p]
• [p]Added extra HL: Further Data content.[/p]
• [p]Added an option to restore the original Satchel Charge controls and hand grenade physics.[/p]
• [p]Restored the Gluon Gun Flare (a.k.a. "energy cloud").[/p]
• [p]Restored random pitch modulation for the Crowbar swing sound.[/p]

[p]As aforementioned, you'll be able to experience this for yourself on Dec 12th which is in ~3 weeks. Exact times of the release will be announced soon![/p][p][/p][p]Stay tuned for another announcement of a release party game night to take place on Dec 12th! Play with developers of the mod and have fun in deathmatch, team deathmatch, and, of course, busters![/p][p][/p][p]As we always say - be there or be square...[/p][p][/p][p]Sabian Roberts[/p][p]Co-founder of The Phoenix Project Software[/p][p]2025-11-20[/p][p]p.s. Happy Phoenix Day![/p]

[p]Hello everyone![/p][p]This article is to let you know that on November 20th (Phoenix Day), there will be a big announcement relating to Half-Life Legacy, such as what to expect from its massive 1.5 update, and the Steam release date. We will also be addressing this via a new trailer, which is premiering on YouTube this Thursday.[/p][p]So, mark your calendar, and tune in![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Sabian Roberts[/p][p]Co-founder of The Phoenix Project Software[/p][p]2025-11-18[/p]

[p]We are excited to announce the Closed Beta for Half-Life Legacy on Steam.[/p][p]This beta is essential for Legacy's Steam release. Selected players who apply will be granted access via a Beta CD Key, which can be redeemed and activated via Steam; testing spaces are limited, so join early if you'd like to be involved.[/p][p][/p][p]To apply for access, join our official Discord server and follow the instructions in the channel named "closedbeta-apply".[/p][p][/p][p]We've put an abundantly heavy focus on Steamworks features in Half-Life Legacy 1.5. Our closed beta allows a large volume of players to test that all the achievements, stats, and other features work properly, before we release.[/p]

• [p]Steam Achievements[/p]
• [p]Steam Workshop[/p]
• [p]Mod Tools (from Aura SDK)[/p]
• [p]VGUI2 implementation + a new Server Browser[/p]
• [p]Steam Rich Presence[/p]
• [p]"German mode"[/p]
• [p]Fixed Z-fighting issues etc in the campaign levels[/p]
• [p]Autojump is no longer forced on, with a new command to toggle it[/p]
• [p]Higher-res textures from HL: Day One[/p]

[p][/p][p]To keep testing focused, all participants agree to a short set of testing terms which are nothing heavy or complicated, but just a few rules to ensure fair play, respectful feedback, and a consistent experience across testers. These also help prevent unfinished content from being shared or misinterpreted ahead of our full release. Before diving in you'll be given a moment to review these terms.[/p][p][/p][p]Once you're in, you'll see dedicated channels on the Discord Server which are available for bug reports, suggestions, and gameplay discussion. We're looking for all kinds of feedback, big or small, so don't feel you have to hold back.[/p][p]So, what are you waiting for? Apply NOW! Join The Phoenix Project Community[/p][p][/p][p]Until next time...[/p][p]Sabian[/p][p]Lead developer @ TPPS[/p][p]2025-10-21[/p]