At least now everyone on the steam forums can stop blaming Gabe & company for "going back on their word".

Blame Vivendi.

This comment was edited on May 2, 06:21.

VU really bugs me but whatever. Not that I even have my copy. I'm hoping my EB calls me up Monday or Tuesday saying they have it in...

Isnt Vivendi the ones thats sueing? If so, they could hold up the release of the game till hell freezes over couldnt they? hummm

That's total crap. I work in retail and we've had our copies of HL2 in our security room for about 3 days now. Don't say it isn't released when it really is. If you wanna just say, "We can't activate it right now because the street date is Nov. 16th," then fine.

Am I mistaken, or weren't we all already planning on waiting until Tuesday anyway???

I like this, using this as an opportunity to take a shot at Vivendi. It's obvious Valve has had enough of them.

If I can just manage to snag a copy in the next two days, I can play as soon as everybody else!
Hmm...I might pay $100 for a copy right now!
Searching and searching,
"Dial-up Bastard" Ray

-----
WILL WORK FOR BROADBAND!!111
http://users.ign.com/collection/RayMarden
http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&id=ray_marden
I love you, mom.

This is ludicrous. Just release the damn game already. This is all about marketing masturbation so the suits at vivendi can claim they had a million players start HL2 on the same day, blah, blah blah.

Bring on Vampire already!


"Now, my Woody Allen impression: I'm a neurotic nerd who likes to sleep with little girls."
- Rainer Wolfcastle

Just because Vavle says they can't don't mean it is true.

They could just be blowing smoke, and they didn't have the needed people in the server rooms ready for the storm. After all, they might have thought it is the 16th, no ifs ands or buts, so they sent everyone home.

Bottom line is the consumer gets screwed (again) because of the protection used. They could have at least allowed a few days play time before the manditory check kicks in. Or even just allow the first level only.

I think the point is more that the publisher wants to make money from boxed versions of the game, they probably get a much reduced/nothing amount from sales via steam.

Ooh, you work in retail! Let us touch you, please?

Anyway, while VU are obviously greedy douches, the fact that copies exist and are at your retail outlet doesn't mean that the game is released. Or are you saying that once the company has produced a game box then the game is 'released'?

And to think Valve are contracted to make one more game with Vivendi... they should release Codename Gordon 2 and get as far away from those mutherfuckers as soon as possible.

Steam WOULD HAVE been a good idea if Vivendi hadn't tried so hard to ruin it...money hungry corporate EVIL bastards.

I think Gamers should strike out against Evil publishers like VU and EA and MS...they seem to make game developers lives harder, not easier...if all game developers could be self funded, and sell their games on the net...that would be sweet. Third party hacks like publishers, marketing divisions, PR Hacks etc etc could fuck off and die and we could play games in peace. Assholes.

My feelings on publishers: I think they're a neccessary evil. Younger companies, without a major title under their belts (and the money from one) have no chance at enterting a 3-4 year develop ment cycle without some kind of financial backing. Publishers are that financial backing.

You'd miss out on a lot of innovative games produced by first time developers if publishers are totally cut out of the loop. In this case, though, VU is just f***ing up hard..


This comment was edited on Nov 13, 21:04.

Valve: "Hi, this is Valve. We're gonna unlock HL2 now since the release date has been broken. Just thought you should know. Call me, love ya."

VU: "Hey, Valve. Got your voice mail. This is just to let you know that the release date has not been broken. The game has not been released. Thank you."

Valve: "Hi. This is Valve. We can confirm that the release date has been broken and that the game is selling and that people have bought it. We're gonna unlock it so that they can play."

VU: "Hey, jerks. We told you not to unlock the game. If you do we will sue you and then we will throw crap at your car and then we will plant bombs in your toilets. Watch out, because the next time you have to take a crap, more than one thing will blow!"

Valve: "Hi, this is Valve again. We've encrypted HL2 some more and we won't be letting anyone play it. We've personally gone home to the people that already have bought it and threatened them just like you threatened us. Hope you will forgive us and that we can date in the future."

My feelings on develoeprs

I think you mean Publishers?

----------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Games Counter-Strike: Source server.
http://www.ztgames.com

you would figure after all this time they would release a demo of the damn game.

Oh, please, don't feel sorry for VALVe.. all they are doing is rubbing their hands full of money.

They save money on the box, no the jewel case, and on the publisher royalties by selling via STEAM.

Yet for some reason the game STILL costs $49.99.

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.

I think you mean Publishers?

Nah, he meant developers. We don't need em, just causing trouble!!!

the game is gonna sell like hotcakes without a demo, so why make one?

Hey numb nuts...before you keep bitching about prices take your head out of your ass and open your eyes.

Best Buy - $54.99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1056899605282&skuId=5756041&type=product

Electronics Boutique - $54.99
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/235059.asp

Steam Bronze package is $49.99. Yes you might find a few places that will be selling it for less than $54.99 but two of the biggest retailers are $54.99.

Now lets look at Steam Silver package, it's $59.99, for $10 more you get DoD:Source and HL:Source. $5 for each game, which you cannot get retail unless you buy the Collectors Edition.

It is cheaper to buy from Steam.



----------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Games Counter-Strike: Source server.
http://www.ztgames.com
This comment was edited on Nov 13, 20:45.

my copy is free