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Valve, GB_2 Development
The need for mods that can make games more immersive is quite common, and we’ve seen tons of them. To name a few, there is the UEVR Toolset created by famous modder Praydog, which allows players to play beloved titles like Silent Hill 2 Remake, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and Palworld in VR. And a VR mod launched in 2022 allows players to enjoy Half-Life 2 in the virtual reality world.
Speaking of the beloved Half-Life franchise, it had received a VR game, Half-Life: Alyx. Promoted as Valve’s flagship VR game, it was released in 2020 after the company built prototypes with various of its IPs and concluded that Half-Life best suited VR. The game was well received and was rewarded as “Game of the Year" at the 2020 VR Awards.
Recently, a mod that goes the other way has created some discussion on the Internet. This mod, Half-Life Alyx NoVR, was developed by GB_2 Development and released in early access in March 2023.
“The easiest to use and most flexible NoVR mod for Half-Life: Alyx! This mod allows you to play Half-Life: Alyx without a VR headset, not needing specialized drivers or anything like that. It … allows you to play in a very easy way, with many VR interactions preserved in some form for a flat screen,” the modification’s description reads.
Valve, GB_2 Development
While some players enjoy the convenience and full accessibility to the game’s content, many fans are just confused and wonder why the game is to be played in this “flat” way. “To experience this game 1st on a flat screen, I feel, is going to ruin the game for you. I get the reason for this project, it just diminishes the experience by a LOT!” Commented one player. “This is like microwaving a plate of fine cuisine,” another fan expressed their feeling.
But anyway, it offers an option to those who are unable to access the game as it is designed to be. And when we call it an "option," it naturally gives people the right to make choices and wouldn’t hurt those who don’t go for it.
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