6 min read

Ricochet

Last updated: January 29, 2026

Overview

Ricochet is a multiplayer deathmatch game developed by Valve and released on November 1, 2000 as a free modification for Half-Life.12 The game was developed as a side project by Robin Walker, co-creator of Team Fortress, to demonstrate how quickly a mod could be created using the Half-Life SDK.3 Originally distributed through Sierra’s World Opponent Network (WON), Ricochet was later included with Half-Life’s 1.1.1.0 update and eventually became a standalone paid product on Steam.4

Inspired by the 1982 film Tron and the arcade game Discs of Tron, Ricochet features players competing on floating platforms in a futuristic arena, attempting to knock opponents into the void using throwable energy discs that can ricochet off surfaces.56 Despite being one of Valve’s least commercially successful titles, the game has maintained a cult following and continues to receive “Very Positive” reviews on Steam with 86% approval from over 4,400 reviewers.7

Premise

As a multiplayer-only deathmatch game, Ricochet features no single-player campaign or narrative storyline.8 The game’s setting is purely abstract—futuristic neon-lit arenas floating in a digital void, clearly inspired by the visual aesthetic of Disney’s Tron (1982) and its iconic disc combat sequences.56 Players take on the role of anonymous combatants in these arenas, competing for supremacy through disc-based combat.

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

Ricochet describes itself as “a futuristic action game that challenges your agility as well as your aim.”7 Players spawn on floating platforms suspended over a void and must eliminate opponents using energy discs that can be thrown and will bounce off walls and surfaces.5 A direct hit knocks an opponent backward, potentially sending them falling to their death, while catching a rebounding disc rewards skilled play.6

Game Modes

The game supports both one-on-one duels and team-based matches played across various futuristic battle arenas.7 Players can collect powerups scattered across platforms that modify disc behavior, including:

  • Triple Shot: Fire three discs simultaneously
  • Fast Disc: Increased projectile speed
  • Power Disc: Enhanced knockback effect
  • Freeze Disc: Temporarily immobilizes opponents9

Interface and Controls

Built on the GoldSrc engine, Ricochet uses Half-Life’s first-person perspective but replaces traditional weapons with the disc-throwing mechanic.1 Movement emphasizes platforming skill, as players must navigate between floating platforms while simultaneously aiming and dodging incoming projectiles.5

Development

Ricochet was created by Robin Walker as a demonstration project for Valve, intended to show how rapidly a modification could be developed using the Half-Life SDK.3 Walker, who had previously created the original Team Fortress mod for Quake before joining Valve, developed Ricochet as a small-scale experiment in game design.3

The game was released on November 1, 2000, distributed freely through Sierra’s World Opponent Network alongside other Half-Life multiplayer content.24 Its last official patch (version 1.1.1.0) was released on June 12, 2002.10

When Valve transitioned its games to the Steam platform, Ricochet was converted from a free mod to a paid standalone product.4 Players who had registered their retail Half-Life CD keys through Steam received Ricochet for free, grandfathering in existing players while monetizing new customers.4

Reception

Contemporary Response

Upon release, Ricochet received limited attention from gaming press, overshadowed by more popular Half-Life modifications like Counter-Strike and Team Fortress Classic.11 Critics noted the game’s simple concept and limited content, though some praised its unique mechanics as a creative departure from traditional deathmatch gameplay.6

Modern Assessment

Despite its commercial failure and limited initial reception, Ricochet has experienced a reassessment in recent years.7 On Steam, the game maintains a “Very Positive” aggregate rating, with players praising its unique concept and pick-up-and-play accessibility.7 The game has been described as “the undeserved black sheep of Valve’s games” and an early experiment that foreshadowed the company’s later success with unconventional multiplayer concepts like Portal.5

Legacy

Ricochet has become something of an infamous curiosity in Valve’s catalog, frequently cited as the company’s least successful commercial release.11 The game achieved meme status within gaming communities, with “Ricochet 2” becoming a running joke about Valve’s reluctance to develop sequels—a reference that Valve’s Gabe Newell has himself acknowledged in interviews.12

In 2023, a fan-made remake called Ricochet: Source was developed using the Source engine, demonstrating continued interest in the concept despite the original’s limited success.13 The game’s small but dedicated community continues to host servers and organize matches, keeping the experience alive over two decades after its initial release.2

Technical

Engine

Ricochet runs on Valve’s GoldSrc engine, the same technology powering Half-Life and its official expansions.1 The game requires minimal hardware by modern standards:

Minimum (Windows):

  • 500 MHz processor
  • 96 MB RAM
  • 16 MB video card7

Compatibility

The game has been ported to macOS (requiring OS X 10.6.3 Snow Leopard or later) and Linux (Ubuntu 12.04 or compatible distributions).7 It supports Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) for online play and is compatible with Steam Family Sharing.7

Downloads

Purchase

Ricochet is available for purchase through Steam:

The game is occasionally included in Valve Complete Pack bundles and has been offered during Steam sales.7 Players who own a retail copy of Half-Life can redeem their CD key on Steam to receive Ricochet for free.4

Preservation

References

Footnotes

  1. Valve Developer Community - Ricochet - Technical documentation and development history ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  2. ModDB - Ricochet - Mod database entry with release information ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  3. The Cutting Room Floor - Ricochet - Development background and unused content ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  4. Combine OverWiki - Sierra Entertainment - Sierra-Valve publishing relationship ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  5. My Abandonware - Ricochet - Gameplay description and history ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  6. Steam Community Guide - Ricochet Master’s Guide - Detailed gameplay mechanics ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  7. Steam - Ricochet - Official store page with reviews and system requirements ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10

  8. MobyGames - Ricochet - Game database entry confirming multiplayer-only status ↩

  9. Ricochet Wiki - Powerups - Game mechanics documentation ↩

  10. ModDB - Half-Life Updates - Patch history ↩

  11. PC Gamer - Valve’s Forgotten Games - Retrospective on lesser-known Valve titles ↩ ↩2

  12. Kotaku - The Ricochet 2 Joke - Cultural legacy and meme status ↩

  13. ModDB - Ricochet: Source - Fan remake project ↩

  14. Internet Archive - Ricochet - Preserved demo version ↩

  15. PCGamingWiki - Ricochet - Technical information and fixes ↩

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