Access to 2004 pre-release GCF files?

[Enokilis]

So there are a bunch of videos roaming around about a very early 2004 build being playable. This was apparently resident on the retail discs without ever being officially accessed by anyone, as everyone would have acquired the day-one patch on release. Unfortunately, the essential files on the discs, while readable, seem to be encrypted. I've seen references to a GCF decryption tool that would allow one to peek into past and perhaps find ties to the beta build we all know and love, but I haven't been able to find a working link anywhere.

[Citizen.mdl]

Interesting...

[VXP]

The earliest build I know is from Half-Life 2 Collectors Edition by XJR9000 - build 2153, from September, 29th of 2004

[Enokilis]

The earliest build I know is from Half-Life 2 Collectors Edition by XJR9000 - build 2153, from September, 29th of 2004

The video talks about decrypting the files, but I cannot find the mentioned tool, hlunp.exe.

[VXP]

The video talks about decrypting the files, but I cannot find the mentioned tool, hlunp.exe.

You could just download the HL2: CE from the links in the description. It already contains decrypted games in it, so you don't need to process them yourself

[Enokilis]

The video talks about decrypting the files, but I cannot find the mentioned tool, hlunp.exe.

You could just download the HL2: CE from the links in the description. It already contains decrypted games in it, so you don't need to process them yourself

What about other releases of the game? I possess a DVD version without Half-Life: Source, and I'm pretty sure there are some localized copies as well. I've also seen an old build of the game with a quirky HUD that I am curious about.