7 Shared Universe Video Game Theories That Might Actually Be True

3. The Valve Universe

Gordon Freeman Half Life 2
Valve

In all honesty, the Valve shared universe is pretty much confirmed. The links between Half Life and Portal are pretty big and are undeniable. From GLADOS mentioning Black Mesa in her closing song for the first game to the Borealis, a lost ship that featured in Half-Life and was constructed in Aperture Science Laboratories.

However, the theory goes further, stating that Left 4 Dead and Counterstrike are in the same universe, based on a number of the maps bearing some striking resemblance. Whilst people do argue that it's simply re-used assets, the positioning and layouts of the maps prove otherwise.

Left 4 Dead
Valve
Counterstrike game
Valve

The theory then tries to unite the two shared universes together. It's thought that Left 4 Dead, and by extension, Counterstrike, are actually movies within the Half-Life/Portal universe. All of the maps in Left 4 Dead have movie posters on the loading screens, and every time you get attacked by a special infected, spotlights shine down on you. A strange touch for a zombie survival game, no?

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I like video games, writing and writing about video games. Expect sarcasm and the dry wit of a Brit. And the occasional rant of a unhappy Scot. You know... the usual.