Rare Find: Beta Build of Original Half-Life Unearthed by Veteran Developer

A veteran game developer, Chad Jessup, recently made an exciting discovery when cleaning out his old storage shed. Among a treasure trove of '90s gaming memorabilia, he stumbled upon a CD-ROM labeled 'Half-Life, Beta 2, Net Test 2' dating back to October 20, 1998. Thanks to his industry experience and insider knowledge as an external tester on the original Half-Life, Jessup's find is a significant contribution to videogame preservation. The beta build contains unfinished levels, script and texture changes, and surprising differences compared to the official release.
Unearthing Gaming History
Jessup shared his discovery on social media platform X, generating buzz among gaming enthusiasts. The beta build, uploaded by archivist Reagan to the Internet Archive, showcases subtle differences in scripting, AI, models, and textures from the final game. One notable change is the inclusion of the Communications Center in the level Forget About Freeman, offering a glimpse into the game's development process.
A Win for Videogame Preservation
Reagan's initial findings from the beta build hint at more secrets waiting to be uncovered. Despite the challenges of installing and running the beta version due to outdated features, the release of this rare find is a significant win for the preservation of gaming history. With Jessup's unexpected discovery, the gaming community is hopeful for more serendipitous finds in the future, further enriching our understanding of classic video game development. Who knows what other hidden treasures may still be waiting to be unearthed?