Half-Life (1998–2002) Patch History

From hl1006.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Update 1.0.0.6 addresses:

1. Disabled the music track check in CD Authentication. One problem that some people faced was that they have CD-ROM drives that either can't play the music tracks or they have disabled CD audio on that device.  We've disabled the portion of the CD authentication that checked for the music tracks since it was tripping up legitimate customers.  Of course they still won't hear the music until they get their CD audio fixed, but they would have that with any game that uses CD music.  

2. Adjusted the default configuration for multiplayer to be more appropriate for people with lower speed modems or with high ping/bad packet loss.  

3. The default rate for LAN games is now set to 9999. Previously the LAN rate was being set to the be the same as the Internet rate.

4. Removed the WON authentication attempts for LAN games.  LAN games are limited to a single Class B address range.

5. Fixed an uninstall issue that may affect custom locations.

6. Fixed an A3D underwater sound bug.

From 10061008.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Update 1.0.0.8 addresses:


1. Improved multiplayer performance through bandwidth optimizations and better prediction.  Modem users will see less apparent lag as a result.

2. Added support for IPX based LANs.

3. Added teamplay option for multiplayer games.

4. Added option to limit total number of decals you can see in multiplayer.  Try setting ‘r_decals 500’ if you’re experiencing slowdowns after long periods of game play.

5. Joysticks can now be used to move at the same time a mouse is used to look.

6. The server ping can now be shown as a numeric value instead of green dots.  Use the "-numericping" command line option when launching hl.exe.

7. Improved ladder performance in multiplayer.

8. Added EAX 4 speaker support.

9. Fixed bug that allowed bypassing of ammo reloading.

10. Fixed bug where train sounds and rocket sounds would play repeatedly in multiplayer games.

11. Increased number of regional multiplayer servers. 

12. Increased accuracy of ping calculations in the Internet Games menu.

13. More accurate latency score in game for other players.

14. Fixed bug preventing climbing ladders when playing with a joystick.

15. Added 3 new player models (Security guard, military robot, zombie) and 2 multiplay maps (frenzy.bsp, crossfire.bsp).

From 10081009.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Verison 1.0.0.9
Update Readme
3/20/99

New Features Added to the Update:

- This Update will install Team Fortress Classic.  Launch Half-Life as normal and click on the 'Custom Game' button.  Click on the 'Activate' button to load Team Fortress Classic as the currently selected game.

- Launcher now supports downloading of custom modifications for Half-Life.  Clicking on the custom game button will bring up a list of the current games on the Half-Life modification sever.

- Launcher now shows if a server is a dedicated, listen, or Linux server.

- Launcher detects if servers are running the same version of Half-Life as you.

- Support for pinging multiple master servers added.

- Sorting options are now more robust in the launcher.

- Server passwords are checked before game engine is started.

- Dedicated server logging added.

- Dedicated server will now echo all client talking to the dedicated server console.

- OpenGL multitexturing optimized.

- OpenGL decal usage optimized.

Fixes in this Update:

- Single player game will no longer open up a Dial-Up connection box for Internet Explorer 4.0 users.

- Fixed 'Used Decal # without a name problem.

- Decal downloading streamlined.

- Fixed timedemo/demo playback problems.

From 10091010.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.0.1.0
Update Readme
4/28/99

New Features Added in this Update:

- Dedicated server is now a console application, making remote administration easier.

- Server browser downloads server information based on bandwidth.

- Reduced data sent on server updates, making updates faster.

- Dedicated server optimized.

- Team Fortress game code optimized.

Fixes in this Update:

- Invalid authentication after attempting to join a full server bug fixed.

- Empty sever list on low-bandwidth connection fixed.

- Water prediction code optimized.

- DNS lookup on LAN servers fixed.

- Latency values are more accurate in launcher.

From 10091013.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.0.1.3
Update Readme
8/2/99


Feature Additions:

- Mod browser now supports .zip file compression.

- TF Stats included with this update.  This will take server log files and create a webpage with the results of the match.  Refer to \halflife\tfc\TFStats.htm for instructions.

- Server now allows banning by userid.  Refer to TFCServer.htm located in your \halflife\tfc\manual folder.

- Updated TFC manual with information on running a TFC server.

Fixes in this Update:

- Fixed problem where too many packets were being sent at signon that was causing problems for cable modem users.

- Team 4 can now score on 4 player TFC maps.

- Fixed soldier's nail grenades in TFC.

- Demo Playback fixed.

- Userinfo overrun fixed.

- Spies feigning in doorways will no longer drop all clients on server.

- Grenades will no longer detonate if you change teams.

- Dedicated server no longer requires hw.dll for authentication.

- Dedicated server will heartbeat with +map in the command line.

From e10051015.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.0.1.5
Update Readme
11/2/99

New Features Added to the Update:

- This Update will install Team Fortress Classic.  Launch Half-Life as normal and click on the 'Custom Game' button.  Click on the 'Activate' button to load Team Fortress Classic as the currently selected game.

- Launcher now supports downloading of custom modifications for Half-Life.  Clicking on the custom game button will bring up a list of the current games on the Half-Life modification sever.

- Launcher now shows if a server is a dedicated, listen, or Linux server.

- Launcher detects if servers are running the same version of Half-Life as you.

- Support for pinging multiple master servers added.

- Sorting options are now more robust in the launcher.

- Server passwords are checked before game engine is started.

- Dedicated server logging added.

- Dedicated server will now echo all client talking to the dedicated server console.

- Dedicated server is now a console application, making remote administration easier.

- Server browser downloads server information based on bandwidth.

- Reduced data sent on server updates, making updates faster.

- Dedicated server optimized.

- Team Fortress game code optimized.


Fixes in this Update:

- Demo Playback fixed.

- Userinfo overrun fixed.

- Spies feigning in doorways will no longer drop all clients on server.

- Grenades will no longer detonate if you change teams.

- Dedicated server no longer requires hw.dll for authentication.

- Dedicated server will heartbeat with +map in the command line.

- Invalid authentication after attempting to join a full server bug fixed.

- Empty sever list on low-bandwidth connection fixed.

- Water prediction code optimized.

- DNS lookup on LAN servers fixed.

- Latency values are more accurate in launcher.

- OpenGL multitexturing optimized.

- OpenGL decal usage optimized.

- Single player game will no longer open up a Dial-Up connection box for Internet Explorer 4.0 users.

- Fixed 'Used Decal # without a name problem.

- Decal downloading streamlined.

- Fixed timedemo/demo playback problems.

- Disabled the music track check in CD Authentication. One problem that some people faced was that they have CD-ROM drives that either can't play the music tracks or they have disabled CD audio on that device.  We've disabled the portion of the CD authentication that checked for the music tracks since it was tripping up legitimate customers.  Of course they still won't hear the music until they get their CD audio fixed, but they would have that with any game that uses CD music.  

- Adjusted the default configuration for multiplayer to be more appropriate for people with lower speed modems or with high ping/bad packet loss.  

- The default rate for LAN games is now set to 9999. Previously the LAN rate was being set to the be the same as the Internet rate.

- Clients LAN Games on TCP/IP are limited to addresses with the same netid as the server or non-routeable IP address.

- Fixed an uninstall issue that may affect custom locations.

- Fixed an A3D underwater sound bug.

- Improved multiplayer performance through bandwidth optimizations and better prediction.  Modem users will see less apparent lag as a result.

- Added support for IPX based LANs.

- Added teamplay option for multiplayer games.

- Added option to limit total number of decals you can see in multiplayer.  Try setting 'r_decals 500' if you're experiencing slowdowns after long periods of game play.

- Joysticks can now be used to move at the same time a mouse is used to look.

- The server ping can now be shown as a numeric value instead of green dots.  Use the "-numericping" command line option when launching hl.exe.

- Improved ladder performance in multiplayer.

- Added EAX 4 speaker support.

- Fixed bug that allowed bypassing of ammo reloading.

- Fixed bug where train and rocket sounds would play repeatedly in multiplayer games.

- Increased number of regional multiplayer servers. 

- Increased accuracy of ping calculations in the Internet Games menu.

- Increased accuracy of latency values in the scoring screen.

- Fixed bug preventing climbing ladders when playing with a joystick.

- Added 3 new player models (Security guard, military robot, zombie) and 2 multiplay maps (frenzy.bsp, crossfire.bsp).

From 10131016.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.0.1.6
Update Readme
2/3/00


Feature Additions:
- Two new Team Fotress Classic maps included in this update: Badlands and Crossover2. 
- TF Stats Version 2.0 included with this update.  This will take server log files and create a wepage with the results of the match.  Refer to \halflife\tfc\TFStats.htm for instructions.

Fixes in this Update:

- Limiting MIRV grenades to 2 per player in Team Fortress Classic.
- Fixed chat room issues.
- gl_zmax setting is now dictated by the game server.
- Improved load balancing on Master server backend.
- Rolled setinfo bug fix into client release.
- Rolled in trigger_changelevel fix to client release.
- Fixed cheat where players could run around after they were dead in Team Fotress Classic.
- Fixed corrupting server list files bug.
- Improved server stability.
- Fixed problem where engine was not switching back to launcher when running in 640*480 OpenGL.
- Split packet signon bug.

From 1016fix.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life 1016 Fix
Update Readme
2.15.00

- This executeable will move the skybox for Crossover2 and Badlands into the correct location.

From hl1100.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.0.0
Update Readme
5/28/00

New Feature Additions:
- This update includes a complete rewrite of Half-Life's networking system.
- VGUI in-game interface included.  Use Configuration screen in launcher to bind a key to it.
- Three new maps included (Dustbowl, Epicenter, and Warpath).
- Engineer upgrades sentry gun immediately.
- Dispensers can be used by touching them.
- Spectator mode added.
- Number pad keys are now bindable independent.
- Support for mouse buttons 4 and 5.
- You will get a point in TFC for destroying an enemy sentry gun.
- Engineer can view other Engineer's sentry gun stats via HUD.
- Tell command added to TFC.
- The class of everyone on your team is available via the scoreboard.
- Grenade timer added to TFC.
- Updated netgraph, use net_graph 3
- TFC Manual updated with all information pertaining to this update.
- Console and in-game chat uses a True Type font.
- Player names are colored according to team in TFC when talking.
- MOTD length increased for server operators.


Bug Fixes in this update:
- Team-only backpacks in Badlands fixed.
- Ground underneath platform in Rock2 fixed.
- Det packs will hurt demoman underwater.
- Firing through walls as demoman/soldier bug fixed.
- Sentry guns will not fire at allied teams.
- Hallucination effect for gas grenade is all client side now.
- Grenade packs in 2fort fixed.
- Level one sentry gun will point at enemies correctly.
- Scoreboard accuracy problems fixed.
- Grenades will not be removed by goal items or doors now.
- Laser sight for .357 in HLDM fixed when zooming for the first time.
- No build brush added to upper resupply in 2fort.
- Clip brushes added to battlement in 2fort.
- Demoman can no longer instantly detonate pipebombs.
- Concussion jumping as Scout/Medic in TFC reduced.
- Removed GL renderer cvars that were being used for cheating.
- If no maps are in the mod's \maps directory, the \valve\maps will be shown.

From 11001101.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.0.1
Update Readme
6/19/00

- Fixed performance problem on ATI Rage video cards.
- Fixed 'Unassigned' in scoreboard bug.
- Fixed death messages being delayed when downloading a custom decal.
- Fixed 'Out of Handles' crash on dedicated server.
- Fixed bug where player models would be drawn incorrectly in Team Fortress 1.5
- Fixed fakelag exploit.
- Fixed mmx optimization.
- Restart command fixed on dedicated server.
- Fixed two flags in Dustbowl bug.
- Fixed longjump in Half-Life DM.
- Fixed spectator grenade exploit.
- Fixed changeteam grenade exploit.

From 11011104.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.0.4
Update Readme
10/1/00

Feature Additions in this Update:
- This update contains three new TF maps: Avanti, Flagrun, and Casbah.
- Pyro's burn damage increased in Team Fortress.
- Heavy Weapons Guy's chaingun damage reduced.
- All map resources can be downloaded from the game server now.  Refer to readme.txt for details.
- Anti-grenade triggers added to 2Fort spawn rooms.
- Team selection also available from class selection screen in Team Fortress.
- In-Game text upgraded.
- Last weapon used key persists over a player death now.

Bug Fixes in this update:
- Counter-Strike proxy cheat fixed.
- High framerate connection problem fixed.
- Cockroaches can now be killed in single player.
- 'Tell' command crash fixed in Team Fortress.
- Rcon buffer overflow fixed.

From 11041106.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.0.6
Update Readme
3/14/01

Feature Additions in this Update:
- New player models for Team Fortress.
- New Half-Life deathmatch map included (Rapidcore).
- New 'stat' command that shows the same information as the 'status' command, but is formatted for the screen and log file.
- We've added a new variable, hpk_maxsize, that will allow servers and clients to set the maxsize of the "custom.hpk" file.  Once that size has been exceded the file is automatically deleted.  The cvar is set for size in megabytes.  hpk_maxsize 0, is no maxsize.  hpk_maxsize 1.5 is a file maxsize of 1.5 megabytes.
- Added a new server variable for TFC, tfc_spectchat, that will allow the server to regulate whether or not spectators can chat with players in the game.  When set to 0, spectators can only chat with other spectators.  When set to anything but 0, spectators can chat with everyone in the game.

Bug Fixes in this update:
- Load balancing on master server improved.
- Changelevel2 crash on Linux server fixed.
- Rcon say quote problem fixed.
- Demo playback fixed.
- Disguise5 will no longer crash a Team Fortress server.
- Tf_ceasefire fixed.
- Class limits at -1 crash fix.
- Medic gets proper credit for a suicide/changeteam of infected player.
- Launcher text in filter screen on Win98 machines not cut off.
- Put client's IP address back into the 'status' command
- Added code to support the server variable 'sv_allowupload'
- Increased number of entries for banned IPs and banned WON IDs to 32768 (each).
- Changed what types of map resource files can be downloaded using .res files (to help mod authors).  We've changed from what types of files ARE allowed to what types of files AREN'T allowed.
- Fixed a TFC bug where players could teamkill by shooting a rocket/grenade at a teammate and switching to specator mode.
- Fixed the "adm_deal", "adm_next", and "next" TFC commands to properly cycle through the players in the server.

From leak_upgrade.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.0.6
Update Readme
3/14/01

This update is only for users that downloaded a pre-release version of the Half-Life update and are having trouble authenticating.

From 11061107.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.0.7
Update Readme
7/02/01

Feature Additions in this Update:
- Deathmatch Classic included in this update.
- New Automatic update system.

Bug Fixes in this update:
- Fixed GL texture binding problem (white skin bug).
- Optimized model drawing.

From 11071108.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.0.8
Update Readme
9/12/01

Feature Additions in this Update:

- Multicast spectator added.
- Voice communication added.
- Hardware survey in installer.
- Added server chat to logging.
- Redesigned multiplayer scoreboard.
- CapsLock key is now bindable.
- HLDM weapons now use client side prediction.

Bug Fixes in this Update:

- Bunny hopping removed from HLDM, Counter-Strike, TFC, and DMC.
- Fixed banned.cfg problem with more than 1024 entries.
- Fixed screenshots overwriting each other.
- Buffer overflow exploit fixed.
- "condump", "cmdlist", and "cvarlist" only write out to the game directory.
- Fixed spy crouching bug in TFC.
- Fixed team switching grenade bug.
- Feigned spies do not show a weapon model.
- Sentry guns, Dispensers, and Detpacks cannot block doorways.
- Fixed "detstart"command
- Caltrops are being logged in TFC.
- Sentry gun and Dispensers are logged in TFC correctly.
- Switching to Spectator is now logged in TFC.
- "Tell" command is logged in TFC.
- Fixed Heavy Weapons Guy firing bug.
- Fixed medkit kill bug.
- Fixed Spy showing as a Scout in TFC.
- Fixed sounds looping in TFC when a player died.
- Fixed Quickstart crashing in the launcher.

From 11081109.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

v1.1.0.9
--------
[4.24.02]

Changes/Additions:
------------------
- Added Anti-Cheat protection.
- User Interface redone for HLTV.
- Added cheering to HLTV.
- Muting a player in the scoreboard will also mute their text messages.
- Steam beta clients and non-Steam clients can play together on the same server now.
- Voice communication uses DirectSound by default now.
- Added player ID to Half-Life DM.
- Added chat flood protection to HLDM.
- Added logging of fatal Sys_Error server shutdowns.
- Dedicated servers (Win32 + Linux) now default to 32MB heapsize.
- Improved dedicated server FPS (sys_ticrate) accuracy in Windows NT/2K/XP and Linux.

New CVARS:
----------
"sv_send_logos"
when "sv_allowdownloads" is set to 1, this cvar will control whether custom logos are propagated to clients
default: 1

"sv_send_resources"
when "sv_allowdownloads" is set to 1, this cvar will control whether resources are propagated to clients
default: 1

Bug Fixes:
----------
- Fixed bogus \Save directory being created when you ran Half-Life.
- Fixed filter logic in the launcher.
- Fixed bug where clients couldn't connect to server side only MODs.
- Fixed bug where you could "kill" the HLTV entity in Half-Life DM.
- Fixed AddIP command.
- Fixed crash when a func_breakable triggers a trigger_counter.
- Fixed Egon gun beam problem in Half-Life DM.
- Fixed Tau cannon prediction problem.
- Fixed fog messing Additive sprites.
- Fixed Alien Grunts not making any attack sounds.
- Fixed Egon's beam looking yellow in sofware mode.
- Removed "friends" connectionless packet query.
- Fixed "bad address type" fatal server error (caused by clients with long names).
- Fixed "condump" so the output won't overwrite previous files.
- Fixed "cvarlist" so the output won't overwrite previous files.
- Fixed rcon_port and rcon_address so they can be set manually by the player to rcon a server.
- Fixed server shutdowns related to using bots.

From 11091110.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life Version 1.1.1.0
Readme File

v1.1.1.0
--------
[6.12.02]

Changes/Additions:
------------------
- Ricochet included in this release.
- Added logging of the anti-cheat system catching and kicking detected cheats.
- Added logging of "kick" commands.
- Added logging of "banid" commands.
- Changed error message if clients try to download missing resources to be more helpful.
- Changed 'exec' command now only works on .cfg and .rc files.
- Changed 'exec' command no longer allows ".." or "\\" or ":" in the filename.
- Added new debug message for mod makers if a packet couldn't be parsed correctly.
- Linux: hlds_run now does auto-restart by default (to disable: define "-norestart" on the command line)
- Linux: hlds_run uses "exec" when you define the "-norestart" option.
- Linux: Added -pingboost command line parameter.  Currently supports three different methods ('-pingboost 1', '-pingboost 2', and 'pingboost 3').  These may not work well (or at all) on some OS environments.
- Linux: Added "-debug" flag to hlds_run to automatically run gdb and pull out useful info.

New CVARS:
----------
- Added "serverversion", can be set to '1108' to view/re-record old demos.
- Added "sv_logbans" to turn the logging of player bans on and off.  Default is 0 (off).

Bug Fixes:
----------
- Fixed incorrect WonID logging.
- Fixed sv_allowdownload being required to be set to 1 for clients to connect to secure servers.
- Fixed 'bad address type' fatal error on servers that attempt to run in secure mode but have no DNS resolution.
- Fixed DropClient messages for Steam clients who were banned or have a duplicate Steam ID to properly show the SteamID of the client.
- Fixed HLTV reporting wrong spectator numbers if connection to server was pending.
- Fixed "multicast 1" not working if it was issued before HLTV connected to game server.
- Fixed relay proxies reporting wrong spectator/slots numbers in multiplayer/LAN menu.
- Fixed DMC powerup bug where the invisibility ring would make people glow red.
- Fixed rcon bug in HLTV.
- Fixed delay being reset to default value during changelevel.
- Fixed a problem with propagating HLTV banners.
- Fixed client freeze on exit.
- Fixed framerate problem on some ATI video cards.
- Fixed MaxPing filter not being saved correctly.
- Fixed sky box bug.
- Fixed TFC spy disguise menu bug.
- Fixed DMC view model animation bug.
- Fixed bug using "exec <filename>" on large files (e.g. banned.cfg).
- Linux: Fixed server using 64 MB more memory than it needed to.
- Linux: Fixed 'undefined symbol: __strtouq_internal' on some Linux systems.
- Linux: Fixed segmentation fault on some Linux systems when attempting to run in secure mode.

From of1104.exe. Read the complete bundled readme.

Half-Life: Opposing Force Version 1.1.0.4
Update Readme
10/25/2000

Notes about 1.1.0.1:

The ability to save the statistics from the end of
a CTF game has been added.  Statistics will be saved
in the gearbox directory in a file named
"ofctfstats.log".  Any time the stats are saved they
will be appended to the end of this file with the date
and time the game ended printed to the file first.

A new directory called "stats" has been added to the
game.  Do not modify any of the files in this directory
since changes in the formatting could result in the game
crashing when the stats screen displays.

Additions to 1.1.0.4:

- Added new CTF map (op4ctf_dam).

Additions to 1.1.0.3:

- Added 2 new CTF maps.

- Added some CTF messages to the logging file.

Additions to 1.1.0.1:

- Added end-game statistics screen.

- Added mp_ctf_autoteam flag to enable automatic team
  selection

Fixes in 1.1.0.1:

- Fixed a bug in pathfinding that would make it
  difficult to get a squad member through a door that
  had been opened by the Torch Grunt.

- Fixed various bugs involving spectators using items
  in the world during a CTF game.

- Fixed bug where, on hard difficulty, the Displacer,
  Shock Rifle, and Spore Launcher would only shoot in
  one direction.

- Fixed the fact that, if a client abnormally
  disconnected from the game while carrying the flag or
  a powerup, that flag or powerup was unusable for the
  rest of that map.

- A change in the Half-Life physics required replacing
  ofboot3.bsp in order to accomodate getting on the ladder
  to get out of the pool under the balance beams.

Additions to 1.1.0.0:

- Added a blood stream for sniper rifle hits.

- Added CTF gameplay to multiplayer (see CTF Manual
  directory for more information on this modification).

- Added a new targeting cursor for the barnacle grapple
  that is easier to see over grapple surfaces.

Fixes in 1.1.0.0:

- Compatible with Half-Life 1.1.0.0

- Fixed a problem where the game would occasionally
  crash when a medic tried to heal a dead squad member.

- Fixed the Shock Rifle and Hive Hand in multiplayer so
  that, if the owner is killed when they have 0 ammo, you
  can still select the weapon if you pick it up from the
  backpack of the dead player.

- Fixed env_blood so that a red bloodstream doesn't show
  up with confetti colors.

- Fixed the Saw, Desert Eagle and Sniper Rifle so you
  can't force a reload if the weapon clip is already full.

- Fixed the barnacle grapple so that if you are grappled
  to a player that has just died, it won't stay attached
  to that player when they respawn.

- Audio is played for both the person using the grapple
  and the person it is attached to in multiplayer, to make
  it easier to tell if you've been grappled.

- Added new sound for snow material that was added.

Fixes in 1.0.0.1:

- Ability to run games over multiple subnets in IPX fixed.

- Animation fixed for using alt-fire with the pipe wrench
  in multiplayer.

- Animation fixed for holding the Displacer in multiplayer.

- AutoUpdate support added for Opposing Force to Sierra Utilities.