Half Life Backstory == Valid?

Half-Life Series
#1

I just stumbled across this piece of work as being redirected from the combine overwiki. Sure, I know that the overwiki has issues with anything involving conjecture and cannon beta vs non-cannon beta material, but could I get any consensus on whether there’s any supporting evidence that this backstory for Gordon Freeman wasn’t pulled out of some reviewers ass?

https://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HLGameInfo.Detail&id=5&game=4

The main thing that rubs me raw with this is that the article mentions that the Half Life story was written by Marc Laidlaw, but fails to mention if this particular article was also written by him, or if any of it is even still considered cannon, as many initial storyline plans have been struck from “canon” since changes to backstory may need to be made depending on what the storyline requirements of future games are.
On a personal level, I was surprised that this backstory is claiming that Freeman never even touched a real firearm in his entire life, but the training section in HL has you using firearms, and the combat requirements of the game(being able to, for numerous different weapons, shoot accurately and reload efficiently, and do it better than trained military) are such that I can’t even imagine how someone without ANY experience with ANY firearms would be able to adjust at that speed, genius level intelligence or not. Even if it was just target or skeet shooting, you’d think he’d at least have had SOME experience.

At the very least it should make for interesting discussion point.

#2

G-Man is Gordon’s long-lost adopted refrigerator.

#3

Hazard Course was created as a tutorial, and therefore needs to teach you the basics of using weapons. I consider it non-canon, as there are a lot of stuff that has no sense. Why would a high-tech hologram teach you how to climb ladders, rotate valves and push boxes? Although there are several references to Hazard Course in-game, I believe it would be made a lot different if it was to be considered canon.

As for his great accuracy considering this is his first encounter with a weapon, keep in mind that the HEV suit is a remarkable piece of technology. It can display an HUD with a crosshair in front of Gordon’s eyes so it makes it a lot easier to aim. :smiley:

#4

If the Hazard Course was non-canon, then why was it mentioned in the tram ride at the beginning of the game?

Also, I’m pretty sure that at least some of the content from the article posted was in the HL1 manual &/or strategy guide. Some of it got retconed like “Professor Alex Kleiner” It’s also worth mentioning that Eli brought up the work he did at Innsbruck, which is what edged him out over Mossman.

#5

It wasn’t mentioned in the tram ride. What is mentioned in the tram ride is “Hazard Course Decathlon”. That’s a difference.

#6

He meant the Canonicity of the Hazard course. Where can you have a “Hazard Course Decathlon” if not in the Hazard Course?

#7

Answer me this.

What company gives a scientist meant to push buttons, carts, and boxes an SMG with attachable grenade launcher?

#8

Black Mesa

#9

hmm considering that gordon doesn’t wear the helmet how can he see the crosshair ?

#10

With imagination

#11

Butane powered tennis ball cannon? And there’s still a debate possible as to whether he had any sources?

Yeah, this is ass-pull material.

#12

The basic idea of Hazard Course IS canon, but the level design of it isn’t. There is way too much nonsense. The primary objective of HC in Half-Life is to teach you the gameplay, not to be a part of the story in the way it was designed. So, the HC you hear of in the main game is probably much different than the one you use as a tutorial.

The same way he is able to zoom in HL2?
It remains a mystery.

#13

Thank you, omega. The setup he gave for that line was so blatant that if anyone had given any other response or comment after his post, I think my head would have imploded.

And really, we’re talking about a company that has a giant vat of toxic waste leaking into a giant glowing pool right underneath you just as the tram ride mentions the radiation hazard warnings and contacting a superior if you think you’ve been exposed. It’s obvious that this company has gotten a little lax on enforcing certain safety conditions and expects the employees to take their safety in to their own hands.
The idea that you’re handling an SMG with grenade launcher as part of an optional training course seems fairly normal by comparison.

#14

Seems like a very similar policy to that applied by Aperture Science.

#15

Why would he not be wearing a helmet? You can never see yourself in a mirror in the game, and no one tells you “hey Gordon, where’s your helmet?”, so there’s no way for us players to figure out whether he’s wearing a helmet or not.

#16

ok firstly there was no helmet when you saw the suit for the first time in its pod or what the hell was it secondly Gordon is always depicted without a helmet and thirdly in Half-Life 2 you see the suit AGAIN no helmet :lambda::bms::freeman:

#17

Let’s not start this again.

#18

So how does he survive hazardous environments - exposure to toxic waste, extreme temperatures, lethal radiation levels, not to mention bullets, alien poison and shrapnels - without his helmet on?

How does he see a HUD without his helmet on?

How can he zoom with the Mark V, without his helmet on?

Could it be an extendable helmet (like Go’auld Serpent Guard Helmets) ?

Too late, it has started all over again :wink:

#19

Any time you see a picture of Gordon, he has his helmet off. He puts it right back on as fast as he can afterwords.

#20

:fffuuu:

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.