Pixelsuft hl runs Half-Life (1998) in a desktop browser tab. You do not need your own game files: the site loads a packed copy of the game data from its own server. It is an older project, last updated in June 2021, and it was working when we checked on 17 October 2026. Phone support is untested.
What it is
The port was published on GitHub Pages by Pixelsuft on 20 June 2021. It uses Xash3D FWGS, an open-source engine that is compatible with the GoldSrc engine Half-Life was built on, compiled to the web with Emscripten. The repository describes itself as a “Xash emscripten port with hl mods”. The engine code is open source, but the game data is not, and the repository has no licence file of its own.
The site’s game list offers:
- Half-Life in English (about 214 MB) and Russian (about 304 MB);
- Opposing Force in English and Russian, which the site flags as buggy because of the older engine version.
How to play
- Open the site and set Memory size (the default is 150). Press Start.
- On the next page, choose where saves go: IndexedDB (the default), LocalStorage or RAM only.
- Choose the game source. The default is a ZIP archive from the server; you then pick the game from the list. The page also offers a cached package option and a local ZIP option.
- Leave the launch arguments as filled in for the game you picked and press Launch Xash3D!
- Wait for the download. Tick Lock/hide mouse pointer and use Fullscreen for proper mouse aiming.
Controls
The port uses the engine’s normal Half-Life bindings, which you can change under Options in the game menu. The usual defaults are:
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Move | WASD |
| Jump | Space |
| Crouch | Ctrl |
| Use | E |
| Reload | R |
| Flashlight | F |
| Fire / secondary fire | Left / right mouse button |
| Menu | Esc |
The page blocks Ctrl+S and, where the browser allows it, Ctrl+W, so crouch-key combinations are less likely to save the page or close the tab.
Requirements
- A desktop browser with WebAssembly support; Chrome or Edge are the safest choice.
- Enough memory and a connection that can pull a few hundred MB.
- Keyboard and mouse.
Is it safe and legal?
- It is an unofficial fan project, not made or endorsed by Valve.
- Half-Life is still sold by Valve, for example on Steam. The site’s game data is not covered by any open-source licence. If you want the game on PC, buy it from an official store.
- We only link the port’s own site and repository.
Not working?
- Out of memory or a crash on load: go back and raise the memory size.
- Menu lag: a known issue the site lists for the English package.
- The mouse does not aim: click the game canvas, keep pointer lock on, or go fullscreen.
- Lost saves: quit through the game menu before closing the tab, as the page asks.
- Counter-Strike instead: see our Counter-Strike 1.6 browser port page.
FAQ
Can you play Half-Life in a browser?
Yes. Pixelsuft's web port runs Half-Life in a browser tab using an Emscripten build of the Xash3D FWGS engine. The site was up when we checked on 17 October 2026.
Do I need my own copy of Half-Life for the browser version?
No. The site loads its own packed game data from the server. It also has an option to load a local ZIP instead. Half-Life is still a commercial Valve game, sold on Steam.
Can I play Opposing Force in the browser too?
The game list includes Opposing Force, but the site marks it as buggy because it uses an older engine version, for example with characters that do not spawn.
Why does Half-Life in the browser lag in the menu?
The site itself notes menu lag for the English Half-Life package.
Does my progress save?
Saves are kept in the browser's IndexedDB by default. The page warns that you need to quit the game properly for changes to be saved.
Is this the official Half-Life browser version?
No. It is an unofficial fan project and is not made or endorsed by Valve.
Unofficial. This page is written by an independent directory. It is not made by, endorsed by or affiliated with Sierra Studios or Pixelsuft (Pixelsuft hl (Xash3D in the browser)'s author). We do not host any files, and we never link to game files, ROMs or ISOs.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on Oct 17, 2026. Versions and steps follow the official project; if they differ, the official source wins.