Improv role-playing series within the video game Half-Life
Podcast
Half-Life VR but the AI Is Self-Aware
Thumbnail for Act 1 of Half-Life VR but the AI Is Self-Aware, featuring the main cast. From left to right: Gordon Freeman, Dr. Coomer, Bubby, Tommy, and Benrey (holding a passport).
Half-Life VR but the AI Is Self-Aware (sometimes shortened to Half-Life VR: Self Aware AI and abbreviated HLVR: AI) is a role-playing themed livestream and machinima series staged within a virtual reality version Garry's Mod recreation of the video gameHalf-Life. The series, live streamed to Twitch with highlights later uploaded to YouTube, follows Gordon Freeman accompanied by the Science Team (controlled by other improv actors) as they loosely follow the events of the original Half-Life game.
The series was met with positive reception by critics. On May 12, 2020, a cast commentary series began to be uploaded to the wayneradiotv YouTube channel.[1] On May 31, 2020, a sequel, AI Crushes All Banks[b] was streamed as part of a charity drive,[2] set in Payday 2, in which the main cast begins a bank robbing spree across the city of Washington, D.C. On November 25, 2021, a spin-off series titled Half-Life: Alyx but the Gnome Is Too Aware was released. On December 16, 2023, another spinoff series based around the plot of Breaking Bad was released. On the same day, a trailer was released confirming a sequel to the original series, titled "Half-Life 2 VR: Self Aware AI", was in production and due to be released in 2024.
Format
Half-Life VR but the AI Is Self-Aware loosely follows the events of the original Half-Life, albeit with a more humorous and comedic tone, with main character Gordon Freeman (played by series host WayneRadioTV) accidentally causing a Resonance Cascade and exploring Black Mesa to try to escape (and later undo his actions).[3] The series' main divergence from that of the original is the introduction of original self-awareAI characters, who despite the name of the series, are performed by other improv actors.[4][5][6]
Similarly, the series is actually played within the game Garry's Mod, as Half-Life lacks support for virtual reality and additional features necessary for the staging of the series (such as limitations with object spawning and map sizes). The most notable actor-controlled characters are the series' supporting cast: three scientists named Bubby, Dr. Coomer, and Tommy, as well as an antagonistic security guard named Benrey (alternatively spelled "Benry"),[4][5] all four of whom follow Gordon in his journey through Black Mesa, generally to Gordon's detriment.[3][7]
Characters
Main characters
Dr. Gordon Freeman (played by WayneRadioTV): The primary protagonist of the series. A scientist at Black Mesa, Gordon is the straight man of the series, reacting with confusion and horror to the rest of the cast's actions. While generally having profound perseverance and emotional stability throughout the series, he is also shown to break down after major events and often loses his patience with members of the group. Gordon is a natural leader and looks out for everyone on the team, and is hesitant to take innocent lives, unlike the other scientists. He has his hand cut off by soldiers midway through the series; one of Darnold's potions results in Gordon growing a gun-like appendage that fires fingernails in its place. However, he later regains his missing hand at the end of the series. His favorite video game is revealed to be Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. He mentions having a son, Joshua, and has a picture of the two of them in his locker at Black Mesa, however he is only mentioned one other time when mocking Benrey's passport.
Dr. Harold Pontiff Coomer (played by hollow_tones): A scientist known for his cheerful demeanor, superhuman strength, and glitched tutorial NPC behavior. He is a skilled hand to hand combatant, having started the Black Mesa Underground Fight Club. Unlike the other members of the cast who generally treat the events of the series as if they were real, Dr. Coomer regularly breaks the fourth wall to inform Gordon about various made-up game mechanics, such as a currency named "PlayCoins™". While Coomer at first appears unaware of these "glitches", the gag culminates with him falling into an existential dread, realizing and making explicit references to the fact that he is in a video game. At one point, he attempts to take control and escape from the game by ambushing Gordon with the help of his "clones". He speaks directly to Gordon at the end of the "game", suggesting that he takes the Science Team with him. One of his most used quotes is "Hello, Gordon!". He often speaks about Wikipedia, and his favorite game is Super Punch-Out!!.
Dr. Tommy Coolatta (played by Baaulp): A friendly, childlike scientist who turns 37 at the end of the series. He shows concern for following rules and consulting written references for information, often referencing Wikipedia and OSHA regulations as they explore the ruined science facility. Tommy forms a bond with Gordon over the course of the series, as the only member of the Science Team who never antagonizes or betrays him. Despite his kind nature, he is highly distractible and easily manipulated by the other characters into allowing their wrongdoing. Tommy has the ability to read the Black Mesa Sweet Voice, an ability used by several characters throughout the series, including his dog Sunkist. Tommy has the ability to see faster due to his constant consumption of soda. He is revealed to be the son of the G-Man at the end of the saga.
Dr. Bubby (played by MasterGir): A crass, impulsive, and egotistical scientist. His ego and demeanor often lead him to clash with Gordon, and later in the series, Bubby betrays him to the military when Benrey convinces him that Gordon was holding them back from escaping Black Mesa. He was created from assorted chemicals as an experiment in Black Mesa.
Benrey, alternatively Benry (played by socpens): A sullen and hostile security guard. Prior to becoming the main antagonist in the final act of the series, Benrey follows along with the Science Team while constantly harassing and arguing with Gordon, demanding to see his passport and accusing him of various misdeeds while deliberately ignoring the wrongdoings of the other characters. He has an absentminded demeanor, often ignoring the team and asking for simple directions or questions to be repeated. He exhibits near invincibility, murders indiscriminately, and casually remarks that he is "not human". In the finale, Benrey reveals his alien nature and turns against the Science Team, blaming Gordon for the events of the Black Mesa incident and for ruining his plans to relax and play Heavenly Sword on his PlayStation 3 with his friends because he ran out of PlayStation Plus. Benrey also edits the Wikipedia article for All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 to say that Gordon Freeman died at the end. Since then, there has been continuous vandalism of the All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 Wikipedia page, warranting semi-protection.
Recurring characters
G-Man (played by spaghoner): An enigmatic alien being that frequently attempts to give Gordon cryptic advice. He is later revealed to be Tommy's father, having aided Gordon to kill Benrey and organized a birthday party for Tommy at Chuck E. Cheese.
Forzen (played by socpens): An HECU Marine and minor antagonist. Forzen claims to have formerly been Benrey's best friend, and the two have similar personalities and mannerisms. Despite his appearance, he is shy and does not seem interested in going out of his way to cause violence. He holds Tommy's dog Sunkist hostage until the science team accepts that the Irate Gamer is not a ripoff of the Angry Video Game Nerd, but flees when the outcome disfavors his intentions.
Skeleton (played by socpens, spaghoner, Lauren, and Logmore): A mysterious skeleton that haunts Gordon. It is initially left ambiguous as to whether the Skeleton is a hallucination or not, and much of the nature of the skeleton is left unclear, although it is associated with Benrey in some way, and displays similar behavior to Benrey, such as using the Black Mesa Sweet Voice. A team of skeletons is summoned under Benrey's control in the final battle of the series.
Darnold (played by Logmore): The head of the Black Mesa Mixology Department. Darnold aides the Science Team by equipping them with advanced technology and administering a potion that transforms Gordon's severed arm into a minigun. While initially excited about joining the Science Team on their escape mission, he turns back after witnessing the violence they commit. He returns in AI Crushes All Banks to support the team remotely.
Sunkist (played by Lauren): Purported to be the perfect dog. He was created by Tommy, and is immortal. Sunkist is a large, two-dimensional stock image of a Golden Retriever, almost the same height as Gordon. He is shown to be obedient, bulletproof, able to use the Black Mesa Sweet Voice, and capable of flight. He is named after the soft drink brand.
Dr Coomer's ex-wife: Dr Coomer's ex-wife is mentioned multiple times. When the science team tries to name the Vortigaunts, Dr. Coomer says they look like his ex-wife. When asked if Dr. Coomer has any family, he responds with "I did have a wife, but they took her in the divorce". It is implied he has multiple ex-wives. When asked about his knowledge of military terminolgy, Dr. Coomer attributes this to his ex-wife being a former military code speaker.
Dr. Coomer’s clones: Due to the original Half-Life reusing models for scientists, several NPCs share the same model as Dr. Coomer. A running gag in the series is Dr. Coomer referring to these NPCs as his clones. This gag culminates in Dr. Coomer (having become self-aware at this point) summoning dozens of clones and ambushing Gordon with them in an attempt to take control of Gordon's body, and escape the game.
JohnWicklover1994: A mysterious person who joined the Science Team temporarily during the AI Crushes All Banks stream. Portrayed as a gamer whose server was invaded with the team members. Has an apathetic and negative personality strikingly similar to Benrey's. Benrey later claims that JohnWicklover1994 was his brother using his account. it is unclear whether this younger brother is Emmet Calhoun
Reception
Half-Life VR but the AI Is Self-Aware was well received by reviewers. Emily Rose of Ars Technica drew comparisons to the works of William Shakespeare and improvisational theater in general, saying "...the convergence of performer and digital performance has come full circle. Perhaps the culmination of the trend is [Half-Life VR but the AI Is Self-Aware]."[3]Kotaku's Zack Zwiezen stated it was "as good as [Freeman's Mind and G-Man Squad]", two other well-known Half-Life series, calling it "a funny and oddly compelling show".[4] Quint Iverson of The Pacific Index stated that "the frequency at which 'Half-Life VR but the AI is Self-Aware' turns me into a laughing mess is unparalleled". The series also resulted in the All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 page on Wikipedia being semi-protected due to the sheer
amount of people editing the page to say Gordon died in the end.
Notes
^Streaming group consisting of WayneRadioTV and other HLVRAI cast members
