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How Valve got Half-Life’s Logo [PIC]

gossipgamers.com — After seeing this image, I can’t possibly get it out of my head. Yes, this may not entirely be how it derived but a crowbar representing the λ does look pretty cool.

Who dugg this? Made popular May 11, 2009

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  • UnterDenLinden, on 05/11/2009, -4/+1233Lambda is the symbol for the decay constant of an isotope, which is used to calculate half-life.
  • omenmedia, on 05/11/2009, -1/+600OK, so if we apply this same thinking for the logo of Australian ISP Westnet:

    http://www.westnet.com.au/

    ...how do you think they got the idea for....... oh my God.
  • sakalamp, on 05/11/2009, -1/+483half life 2: episode three, where are you?
  • inactive, on 05/11/2009, -59/+448Wow... it's the lowercase letter lambda: λ. You didn't know that?
  • PhoenixAvatar2, on 05/11/2009, -2/+300Stuck in a loop between two portals.
  • Red989, on 05/11/2009, -5/+263I'm guessing it's because the main character is a scientist and Half-Life is just a cool name
  • MelekTawus, on 05/11/2009, -13/+240No, it's because lambda was a symbol of the Gay Rights movement, and the story of Half Life 2 is a metaphor for the same.

    Points:

    1. The use of a gay pride symbol for the symbol of the Resistance and as the game's logo was NOT a coincedence.

    2. The main character shows no interest in females.

    3. The fact that the aliens are suppressing the human reproductive cycle symbolizes how heterosexuals try to prevent gays from adopting.

    4. The game depicts alien reproduction as disgusting and frequently involving more than one species, and analogy for heterosexual sex.

    5. The aliens that are invading are an organization of several different species, while the Resistance is just one - hetero vs. *****.

    6. Of the two female characters in the game, the feminine one is bad and the short-haired tomboy with a man's name is the good one.

    7. Several characters are kinda fey.

    8. There is an alien named after Hedy Lamarr.

    9. The aliens are frequently seen kicking down doors, which makes it difficult to maintain a stylishly decorated home.

  • BrettSchu, on 05/11/2009, -14/+224I think basically everyone knows that... it's just kind of a joke. You didn't know that?
  • dylio, on 05/11/2009, -3/+195Prepare for unforeseen consequences, gamers403.
  • airwalkery2k, on 05/11/2009, -6/+191So... you're saying that when scientists discovered radioactive half-life, and then predicted the wildly successful blockbuster computer game to be named after their discovery, they decided to emulate a scene from their predicted game to decide which Greek letter to use to symbolize their discovery?

    Man, science is AWESOME.
  • dc383, on 05/11/2009, -1/+154O....m......g
  • omenmedia, on 05/11/2009, -0/+147Then you are one of the lucky ones.
  • Projektorboy, on 05/11/2009, -3/+136This is the best mindblowing revelation since Super Mario Bros's Clouds = Bushes thing.
  • RATNIK, on 05/11/2009, -5/+123"holy ***** i can’t believe i’m on The Internet!"
  • DannySpace, on 05/11/2009, -0/+117Is it sad that I knew right away?
  • arial, on 05/11/2009, -0/+116My eyes!
  • ry4nsm1th, on 05/11/2009, -0/+113Also, Black Mesa Source mod where are you? :(

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGlhgVz5r6E
  • kenhatesemos, on 05/11/2009, -2/+110your comment was 10 times better than the article. dugg.
  • RJ0534, on 05/11/2009, -0/+99It took me a few seconds to figure it out... now i wish i hadn't.
  • Velenne, on 05/11/2009, -5/+104I love a good conspiracy theory. Dugg.
  • AdmiralKarelia, on 05/11/2009, -0/+86@lightishred

    Thank god they didn't choose Delta... 8-ball pool racks suck at fending off headcrabs!
  • WatIsNotTaknYet, on 05/11/2009, -6/+91I can't believe not many people know. But I guess that has to do with people not playing the first game (it is pretty old...but still good!).
    Lambda is a sign for the resistance in the half life universe. It had to do with the fact that Gordon Freeman and a few scientists made their first act of resistance in the Lambda complex (towards the end of the game where you go to Xen) and destroyed the Combine controlled Xen forces.

    The Lambda sign was also on the rocket you send up to reverse the effects of the resonance cascade (which was then later used by the Combine to create their mega portal which started the 7 hour war).

    God damn I'm ***** awesome....

    ....actually no, I'm such a nerd. *cries*
  • ry4nsm1th, on 05/11/2009, -15/+100WOOOOSH.
  • Calder0n, on 05/11/2009, -0/+81WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN CANNOT BE UNSEEN!
  • Vivifyer, on 05/11/2009, -0/+81not quite an icon, but the name its self will give any nerd an immature chuckle

    http://www.ifap.asn.au/training/fsem.html

  • sleeknerve, on 05/11/2009, -4/+77I love Half Life, and i Love valve. Keep doin what your doin.
  • O8SERVER, on 05/11/2009, -0/+69Hey Gordon, you dropped this back in Black Mesa!
  • blackmesa, on 05/11/2009, -0/+68They're waiting for you Gordon.... in the tessssst chamberrrrr....
  • caLt, on 05/11/2009, -0/+66Ignorance is bliss...
  • Deranged, on 05/11/2009, -1/+66actually lambda is the variable used for the decay constant of atoms, it's a variable in calculating the element's .... half life.
  • MrWally, on 05/11/2009, -1/+66Cause you're gay.
  • gipp, on 05/11/2009, -1/+62The point isn't that it's lambda, that's the obvious part. The point is that it can also be seen as an arm holding a crowbar.
  • mugicha, on 05/11/2009, -2/+63Sorry but the first game is not set entirely in a scientific lab.
  • Magnus150, on 05/11/2009, -3/+61My mind was just completely blown.

    Brb, telling this to anti-gay acquaintance who plays half-life.
  • betocool, on 05/11/2009, -1/+54hope valve shows something at e3 this year.
  • KloroFormd, on 05/11/2009, -1/+51NO IT CANNOT BE!
  • xyqxyq, on 05/11/2009, -2/+48Black Mesa. By Calvin Klein.
  • HisNoodly, on 05/11/2009, -0/+46Has anyone considered the alternative: maybe that's why they chose the crowbar!
  • Jooshbro, on 05/11/2009, -1/+46NEED.
  • sageerrant, on 05/11/2009, -0/+41That depends: did you notice that it's missing the ring?

    If so, drink yourself into a brief coma. It's refreshing.
  • jordanlgta, on 05/11/2009, -0/+40Want.
  • theonlywizdum, on 05/11/2009, -1/+40It would cause problems for you at the next United Bigots of America convention.
  • coheedcollapse, on 05/11/2009, -0/+39It's not really funny though. More of an observation of a coincidence than a joke.
  • kagetemplar, on 05/11/2009, -0/+38...but faster
  • Ifoughtacow, on 05/11/2009, -4/+42i like men now
  • simon182, on 05/11/2009, -0/+37Its someone holding a steering wheel right?...............
  • mockingly, on 05/11/2009, -3/+372. The main character shows no interest in females.

    I thought the reason they made Gordon silent was because they wanted you to paint your own ideas and thoughts on him
  • Ridesabike, on 05/11/2009, -1/+35Hanging out with Duke Nukem Forever.
  • Kravin, on 05/11/2009, -4/+38and the problem with that would be....?
  • Crazysticks, on 05/11/2009, -9/+41OGC
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