On March 6th, 2020, the game was fully released, 15 years after it originally started development. Throughout 2019, each part of the Xen chapters were released, with the final 'Nihilanth' being released before the year was out. The multiplayer and early access was made available on the 5th of May 2015. On the 1st of September, 2012, the project leader Carlos Montero (cman2k) had announced that Black Mesa will be released in 12 days and posted a countdown on the official website. The original release date for the project was set for 2009, but was delayed for 3 years. Originally requiring Source SDK 2007, Black Mesa is now considered standalone and now available at Steam. The ultimate goal of the mod is to recreate the original Half-Life from the ground up, using the advanced capabilities of the Source engine to create a new and more engrossing in-game world with more varied, complex environments and more challenging, realistic gameplay.

Black Mesa, previously known as Black Mesa: Source, is a fan-made remake of the original Half-Life.