Gabe Newell Fires Garden Gnome into Space, Half-Life 2-Style
Its incredible to think of Half-Life 2 as anything but retro. But with no releases in the series since before 2010 (Half-Life: Alyx revisited the same events on current and next-gen hardware over a decade later) Half-Life 2 is an awesome game from days past.
Featuring a selection of achievements to unlock, Half-Life 2 (including its episodic sequels) is considerably replayable. But while most achievements are straightforward, one is a little trickier and time-intensive: Little Rocket Man. Taking nearly 4 hours of standard gameplay to complete, the achievement requires you to carry a gnome from near the start of the game to the rocket at the end, put it on board, and shut the door.
Dubbed Gnome Chompski, the little garden ornament is being realised in titanium courtesy of Weta Workshop in the real world for a more noble cause. Collaborating with Rocket Lab and Valve’s Gabe Newell, the gnome will travel into orbit to raise money for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of children’s hospital Starship, in Auckland, New Zealand.
As well as launching 30 satellites, this is a scientific project, to “test and qualify a novel 3D printing technique that could be employed for future spacecraft components.” But this exciting news has a sad aspect; Gnome Chompski will perish when the rocket burns up on re-entry when the mission ends.
The launch will take place in a 14-day window commencing on November 15th, 2020. For every viewer (watching this feed) Newell will donate $1 to Starship.
(Via Eurogamer)
Gaming since 1984, retro gaming since 2004. Contributes to Linux Format magazine, TechRadar.com, and other publications.
