Anthony Birkett

Computers, heavy metal, and random thoughts of an idiot. Engineer, Geek.

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

Thanks Valve, thanks to the entire Half-Life community, and everyone who plays, mods and maintains these games for old farts like me to keep playing them.

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

Half-Life 2 is more than a game. It was an opening into the world of modding, "real" programming, and played no small part in my career choices. So, I sit here today, playing it again, as I do every year, wearing my HL2 t-shirt, listening to the dev commentary.

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

It was not a perfect launch. Between early issues - the day one patches (yay 56k dial up!), with stuttering, audio, and an under-powered Geforce2. But it was worth the wait.

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

I remember exactly where I was 20 years ago today. How my mind was not on what it should have been, more important things needed to be thought about. Would Steam install properly? Would I actually be able to play the game? What if it was disappointing?

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

https://t.co/fyUFnpjETo :D

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

https://t.co/aXuaeN7Q8c :D

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

https://t.co/8Wi2WN7LJm <3

[Slipknot @slipknot]

Joey Jordison: 1975 - 2021

[Kerrang! @KerrangMagazine]

Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has died. https://t.co/0VfFOYFCAy

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

Absolute testament to the engineering behind the cars and safety devices for @RGrosjean to walk away from that #F1 #BahreinGP

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

AWS Amplify experiment complete.
Pro: Auto 12 month SSL, cheap, easy setup.
Con: Max 5 custom domains per app, first byte responses 4 x higher than current VPS + nginx solution.

On-prem and old fashioned hosting still winning.

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

The trick to quickly solving math problems, is to be wrong constantly.

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

And finally, that bit at the end, the biggest statement from Valve we have ever had on the continuation in this universe. And I cant wait - even if it takes another 13 years. I declared it a masterpiece on first play, it's so much more. Genesis for VR, and homecoming for HL. 6/6

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

Lets talk about Half-Life: Alyx, no spoilers, just thoughts now I've had time to process the experience. 1/x

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

I shed a tear three time. First when opening eyes on the balcony on the first map, with the sudden realisation that I was playing a new HL game after 13 years. Second at the end of the game, with the massive story building. And third, on the post-credits. 5/x

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

I would summarise my experience as 12 hours of incredible VR and Half-Life awesomeness, with the final hour being a mind-blowing Half-Life story building, Valve flexing, VR bar raising, long awaited epic crescendo. 4/x

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

Physics, and the puzzles feel like they came straight out of HL2, with the new added dimension offered by VR. I do feel there was a missed opportunity with the lack of melee combat, but that's more of a Gordon thing anyway. 3/x

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

It's unquestionably still Half-Life. Oddly, the movement still feels familiar (even in the new medium), combat is well balanced and makes for some really interesting physical reactions in real life. I recall, the first skirmish, finding myself on the floor, behind a "barrel". 2/x

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

Half-Life: Alyx is an absolute masterpiece.

[Anthony Birkett @birkett26]

https://t.co/GY9Uij9Mqs