Half-Life 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter computer game and the sequel to Half-Life. It was developed by the Valve Software Corporation and was released on November 16 2004 following a protracted five-year development cycle during which the game's source code was leaked to the Internet. The game garnered near unanimous positive reviews and received critical acclaim, winning over 35 Game of the Year awards for 2005. Originally available only for Windows-based personal computers, the game has since been ported onto the Xbox console, and is due to be released additionally for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2007. Taking place in and around the fictional City 17 sometime in the near future, Half-Life 2 follows the scientist Gordon Freeman. Dr. Freeman is thrust into a dystopian environment in which the aftermath of the Black Mesa Incident has come to bear fully upon human society. The game uses the Source game engine, which includes a heavily modified version of the Havok physics engine. Overall, the Half-Life franchise, including Counter-Strike and Day of Defeat, has seen over 15 million sales.

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1787: William Herschel discovered the Uranian moons Titania and Oberon. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titania_(moon)) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberon_(moon))

1879: The Anglo-Zulu War broke out. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Zulu_War)

1922: Insulin was first administered to a human patient with diabetes in Toronto, Canada. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin)

1923: Troops from France and Belgium invaded the Ruhr Area to force the German Weimar Republic to pay its reparation payments in the aftermath of World War I. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_the_Ruhr)

1964: In a landmark report, U.S. Surgeon General Luther Leonidas Terry issued the warning that smoking may be hazardous for one's health. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Leonidas_Terry)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

Has it been found that bodies of men act with more rectitude or greater disinterestedness than individuals? The contrary of this has been inferred by all accurate observers of the conduct of mankind; and the inference is founded upon obvious reasons. Regard to reputation has a less active influence, when the infamy of a bad action is to be divided among a number than when it is to fall singly upon one. A spirit of faction, which is apt to mingle its poison in the deliberations of all bodies of men, will often hurry the persons of whom they are composed into improprieties and excesses, for which they would blush in a private capacity. -- Alexander Hamilton (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton)