Half-Life 2 was the first time Gordon encountered actual simulated physics. As of the opening, he had not actually seen any kind of physics being applied to the world around him. He earned his title as a doctor in theoretical physics by picking up that can.
Gman doesn't recognize Gordon's PHD in theoretical physics and only applies the doctor title after Gordon earned a degree in kicking ass.
HL3: Professor Freeman
HL9: Your majesty the honourable Sir Doctor Professor Freeman the Royal Patriarch of the Aperture Science Laboratories.
He has a new certificate, signed by the GMan itself now
Didn't he already kick ass in HL1?
Not enough for a doctorate.
I guess it's hard to get good citations when the world has like 3 people in it.
Is it possible that Half Life 2 has a deleted section wherein Gordon successfully defended his thesis?
With a crowbar?
Half-Life 2 was the first time Gordon encountered actual simulated physics. As of the opening, he had not actually seen any kind of physics being applied to the world around him. He earned his title as a doctor in theoretical physics by picking up that can.
Went from having a theoretical degree in physics to having a degree in theoretical physics.
I allways saw the fact that G bloke used "Mr" in stead of "Dr" as a powerplay, to make sure Freeman knew that he and G guy was not equal.
Gordon earns his respect after the results he achieves in the Citadel.
As other comments said, G bloke stopped using powerplay when Freeman earned his PhD in ass kicking
Maybe the paperwork for his dissertation took some time to go through.