12 Things You Didn't Know About Half-Life 2

George Orwell’s 1984 novel was an unforgiving read. Set amongst a political dystopia, it imagined England as a province of Oceania, a superstate that rules through government over-reach, repression, totalitarianism and mass surveillance, led by the mysterious Big Brother.

It became one of the 20th century’s most influential books and Valve took influence from it when designing Half-Life 2, which featured giant broadcasting screens across City 17 where Dr Breen makes his announcements. Hell, the start of HL2 even shows a room called "Room 101", where 1984 protagonist Winston was tortured.

It’s reminiscent of Big Brother and HL2 doesn’t stop there, making direct reference to the Oranges and Lemons nursery rhyme seen within Orwell’s novel via graffiti and Chapter 6 also includes a rebel named Winston as further reference.

Valve also recreated the famous 1984 Mac advert when they brought Steam to Macs, using characters from Half-Life 2. Orwell’s novel inspired Valve in many ways and even to this day, creative media still looks upon it for inspiration.