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In context: Viktor Antonov designed probably the most iconic areas in Half-Life 2, Valve’s seminal first-person shooter. His former colleagues broke the information about his passing on social media, highlighting how Antonov’s work made a big contribution to a number of online game initiatives.
Former colleagues confirmed Viktor Antonov’s passing on social media, highlighting his important contributions to a number of online game initiatives. Antonov designed probably the most iconic areas in Valve’s first-person shooter Half-Life 2.
Born in Bulgaria in 1972, Antonov immigrated to Paris in 1989 earlier than ultimately transferring to the USA. He started his profession within the late Nineties as a ‘map painter’ on the hillbilly-themed first-person shooter Redneck Rampage. Valve employed him in 2004 as an artwork director on Half-Life 2.
Antonov conceived Metropolis 17, the oppressive Brutalist metropolis that serves because the opening setting of Half-Life 2. Any gamer who has performed Half-Life 2 is aware of Metropolis 17 effectively. The sport continues to affect trendy titles regardless of by no means receiving a correct sequel – as a result of Valve nonetheless cannot count to three.
Even right this moment, I nonetheless daydream about my first time enjoying Half-Life 2, tearing by Metropolis 17’s crumbling buildings and hidden courtyards in a battle in opposition to the Mix. When the climate and daylight hit good, I can virtually “see” Antonov’s visionary work in actual life – a bit miraculous, contemplating the sport barely ran on my rusty Pentium 4 again within the day.
Viktor Antonov, le directeur artistique sur Half-Life 2 et la franchise Dishonored, est décédé. L’info a été confirmée par Marc Laidlaw, ex-ead author chez Valve sur Half-Life.
– FdeSousse (@taleboules.bsky.social) 16 febbraio 2025 alle ore 09:24
After Half-Life 2, Antonov joined Arkane Studios as a visible designer on Dishonored. In his later years, he primarily labored as a advisor on a number of initiatives, together with Wolfenstein: The New Order, Fallout 4, and Dishonored 2. He additionally contributed to id Software program’s DOOM (2016), Prey, and two upcoming video games: Challenge C by Darewise Leisure and Challenge DG by Eschatology Leisure.
Former Valve author Marc Laidlaw first confirmed Antonov’s passing on Bluesky, describing him because the visionary artwork lead on Half-Life 2 – an excellent and unique artist who “made every thing higher.” Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio additionally praised the Bulgarian-born designer, stating that Antonov was instrumental within the studio’s early success. Though he was nonetheless comparatively younger when he handed, he leaves an indelible mark on the historical past of gaming.
