GoldenEye: Source HL2 Mod Finally Out of Beta

The team behind the Half-Life 2 total conversion modification GoldenEye: Source has finally dropped the "beta" tag after three years of "code-based optimization." Version 4.1 actually went live on Saturday, December 11 and can be downloaded here for free-- just don't expect it to be an exact replica of Rareware's classic Bond-themed FPS launched on the Nintendo 64 console back in 1997.

"We want you to look at this mod and remember the first best multiplayer first-person shooter ever made," the team states. "We are doing our best to bring in the opinions of the community to create a game that everyone is going to enjoy. But, we are not here to recreate the game exactly how it was in GE64, a lot of things have changed since they first designed that game, mainly in technology and gamers experiences. We are here to take the game even further but at the same time provide a lot of those fun elements that hardcore GE64 fans will enjoy."

Weighing in at 1.19 GB, the mod includes 22 maps, some of which have been redesigned, some that remain intact, and several that were created just for the mod. The download also contains 11 characters, 8 game modes, 80 Achievements, over 50 music tracks, Python for custom scripting, help displays and fully customizable servers.

The team states that over 20 dedicated GoldenEye: Source servers are now up and running. The first version of the mod was actually released back in February 2009, however this is the first full, official release. That said, the new install will remove any prior betas and back up all Achievements, however it's suggested that users manually back up their Achievements anyway prior to installing v4.1.

Naturally gamers will need Steam and a purchased Source-based game to play the mod-- Valve's $4 standalone Half-Life 2 Deathmatch even qualifies.