"Let's see, if they actually gave us a discount, like $44.99 (vs $49.99 store price) then I'd actually feel sorry for them, but all they are doing is trying to cut out the publisher (yes, the publisher that gave them the funding to produce the game in the first place!) and stuff their pockets full of money."
Umm, no. Valve has stated on numerous occasions that they funded HalfLife 2 OUT OF POCKET. That's the only reason it's been a full 4 year development cycle: VU couldn't call the shots.
Having played several hours of the game, it's worth every penny.
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. :-bleargh-: .