Half Life was released by Valve in 1998 and followed Gordon Freeman through the Black Mesa research facility after an experiment opened a portal to another dimension. Its scientist characters became memorable for their nervous voice lines during attacks and accidents. Clips were later ripped and shared on forums, video edits and soundboards alongside other Valve shooter staples like the bomb has been planted line from Counter Strike, which began as a Half Life mod. The scientist's panic still works because it captures retro gaming nostalgia in under two seconds.