Firstly, Blackwolf you are right that when new games are developed that they are bought and played. However, look at the replay value that HL has given us over the last 5 years. Spawning the most popular online game of all time and many other high quality mods that are free. These mods are...
IMHO, no one can prove what possibly barney and the combine could have in common. To be honest, for me at least, it makes it more fun....analyzing the story and breaking it down is part of the game. So he just gave us one more thing to think about. Neither side of the situation was confirmed.