the real achievement here is getting a 1998 game engine to run on an OS that Apple actively tried to erase from existence. Half-Life outlived both Mac OS 9 and the Performa line.

It's not like they held a funeral on stage in front of a huge crowd of developers, say at WWDC 02 or anything...

Yeah, I think Steve took equal part great joy with a little sprinkle of sadness at what was that event.