Long-in-the-works Half-Life 2 VR mod finally launches on Steam today Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Long-in-the-works Half-Life 2 VR mod finally launches on Steam today Initially as a public beta. News by Matt Wales Reporter Published on 16 Sep 2022 3 comments After nearly eight years in development, an ambitious VR mod for Valve's seminal shooter Half-Life 2 finally launches on Steam today as a public beta. Created by a group of modders going by the name of Source VR Mod Team, Half-Life 2: VR Mod has had a bit of a bumpy journey to release. Eurogamer first reported on the project back in 2017, but that version was actually an extension of an earlier mod released for Razer Hydra in 2013. Some time after, it disappeared into what the team recently called "its own kind of development hell", almost being abandoned, but eventually re-emerged in 2021. The wait continued until last month, when Source VR Mod Team announced that, thanks to a "new influx of team members [that] revitalised" development, the Half-Life 2: VR project was poised to release, and that day is now here. Watch on YouTube Eurogamer's Ian Higton playing Half-Life 2: VR Mod earlier this year. Half-Life 2: VR Mod - one of several attempts to bring the shooter sequel to VR headsets - brings a range of features, including room scale VR with tracked motion controls, giving players the ability to manipulate items and weapons, and climb ladders directly with their hands. There's also full locomotion, a weapon selection menu inspired by Valve's Half-Life: Alyx (over-the-shoulder ammo storage, functional iron-sights, two-handed weapons, and manual reloading are also in), plus various comfort features including motion vignette and a third-person camera for vehicle sections. Additional options include full left-handed support, a laser sight, and arcade-style "quick reload". Half-Life 2: VR is free and playable by anyone that owns Valve's original game, but, importantly, is not yet finished. While the team says the game can "be fully completed from start to finish" and is "very enjoyable to do so", there's still work to be done, as detailed on its roadmap. As such, it's initially being released on Steam as a public beta, so its developers can "make it the best VR experience we possibly can". If you're curious to see Half-Life 2: VR Mod in action before jumping straight in, Eurogamer's Ian Higton took it for a spin earlier this year. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 2 Sonic Frontiers will receive free Monster Hunter DLC Get ready to roast. 1 2K confirms some personal data obtained in recent data breach "No indication" financial information compromised. Square Enix Montréal is now Studio Onoma following Embracer acquisition "Onoma is Greek for name and names offer endless possibilities". 17 Latest Articles Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 2 Sonic Frontiers will receive free Monster Hunter DLC Get ready to roast. 1 2K confirms some personal data obtained in recent data breach "No indication" financial information compromised. Jelly Deals Samsung's premium PRO 980 1TB SSD is under £80 during Prime's Early Access sale A great PC or PS5 upgrade. 1 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store