Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware

Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware (sometimes shortened to Half-Life: Self-Aware AI or Half-Life VR:AI) is an improv role-playing series staged within a virtual reality Garry's Mod recreation of the video game Half-Life. The series was live streamed to Twitch, with highlights uploaded to YouTube, and follows Gordon Freeman, accompanied by additional characters controlled by other improv actors, going through the events of the original video game.

Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware
Thumbnail for Act I of Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware, featuring the main cast. From left to right: Gordon Freeman, Dr. Coomer, Bubby, Tommy, and Benrey (holding a passport).
Presentation
Hosted byWayneRadioTV
GenreImprov, role-playing, let's play
Voices
  • WayneRadioTV (Gordon Freeman)
  • Baaulp (Tommy)
  • Holly (Dr. Coomer)
  • Gir (Bubby)
  • Scorpy (Benrey, Forzen, & Skeleton)
  • Mike (G-Man, and Skeleton)
  • Logmore (Darnold)
LanguageEnglish
Production
No. of episodes9
Publication
Original releaseMarch 9, 2020 – April 19, 2020
WebsiteYouTube

Format

Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware loosely follows the events of the original Half-Life, albeit with a much more humorous tone, with main character Gordon Freeman (played by series host WayneRadioTV) accidentally causing a Resonance Cascade and exploring Black Mesa to try to undo his actions.[1] The series' main divergence from the original is the introduction of original "self-aware AI" characters, who despite the name of the series are played by other improv actors.[2][3] In order to allow for this, the series is actually played within Garry's Mod. The most notable actor-controlled characters are the series' supporting cast: three scientists named Bubby, Dr. Coomer, and Tommy, as well as an antagonistic security guard named Benrey (alternately spelled Benry),[2][3] all four of whom follow Gordon in his journey through Black Mesa, generally to Gordon's detriment.[1][4]

Reception

Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware was received well by reviewers. Emily Rose of Ars Technica drew comparisons to the works of Shakespeare and improvisational theater in general, saying "...the convergence of performer and digital performance has come full circle. Perhaps the culmination of the trend is [Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware]."[1] Kotaku's Zack Zwiezen stated it was "as good as [Freeman's Mind and G-Man Squad]", two other well-known Half-Life series, calling it "a funny and oddly compelling show."[2] Quint Iverson of The Pacific Index stated that "the frequency at which Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware turns me into a laughing mess is unparalleled."[4]

References
  1. Rose, Emily (April 16, 2020). "In Half-Life's improv scene, anyone can speak for Gordon Freeman". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  2. Zwiezen, Zack (April 19, 2020). "How's It Going?: HL:VR But The AI Is Self-Aware Edition". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 27, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. James, Lucy (April 10, 2020). "Playing Dark Souls Using Ring Fit, and Games Contributing To Science | Good News Gaming Ep 2". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  4. Iverson, Quint (April 24, 2020). "Index Staff's Quarantine Media Guide for April 24th – The Pacific Index". The Pacific Index. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
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