What happens when the madness of the pandemic collides with the cult classic Half-Life: Alyx? The result is a surreal journey through Austria’s COVID reality – or rather: a fever dream in VR. Welcome to Half-Life: Austria!
A Dream Becomes Virtual Reality – or Something Like That
“I had a dream. But not the Martin Luther King kind. More like a fever dream during COVID,” says mod developer InspectorXyto. During lockdown, he sought refuge in the virtual world of Half-Life: Alyx, where he processed all the absurd events and headlines of the pandemic era.
The result is a mod that blends humor, satire, and loads of Austrian culture into the Half-Life universe – enriched with a flood of Easter eggs as diverse as the comments on r/Austria.
What Awaits You in Half-Life: Austria?
In-Game Groceries
Shopping during the first lockdown was an extreme sport – now you can admire real products from Austrian supermarkets in virtual reality.
Viennese Textures and Posters
Many textures and signs in the game have been replaced with lovingly translated Austrian content. From subtle to over-the-top: there’s something for every sense of humor.
Satirical References
Political scandals and bizarre moments that kept Austria talking during the pandemic have found their way into the game – from the Ibiza video to Kickl’s controversial “COVID worm medicine.”
Viennese Language Course for Combine Soldiers
The Combine have learned the charm of Viennese dialect. Whether that’s a good thing? You decide!
A Time Capsule with a Wink
“Half-Life: Austria is more than just a mod – it’s an artistic take on an era that shaped all of us,” explains the developer. “It’s satire, it’s art – and it’s definitely absurd.”
Be Part of the Journey
Are you ready for this virtual adventure? Discover the mod, tune into InspectorXyto’s livestreams, or connect via Discord and social media.
🎥 YouTube Trailer: https://youtu.be/fzQHWu7XW9E
🎮 The Mod: Steam Workshop
🌐 More Info: https://inspectorxyto.com