30th Sept Release Date

[Maskirovka]

Originally posted by Mountain Man
Sounds more like a character flaw.

lol yes...i was going to say the same thing.

and Bass, thanks for letting us know what you read and don't read...i couldn't care less if you read it :\

i'm not out to impress everyone with my writing/debate/anything else skills.

just trying to make an arrogant ass realize he doesn't know everything...which i think i did. if he doesn't agree...well....he's an arrogant ass.

I should apologize to him that he hasn't found my personality to his satisfaction, but fortunately, I can live with that, so I probably won't do the "I'm sorry" thing

see..that's the problem. you can live with yourself being an arrogant ass, but the problem is the rest of us have to live with it too :\

it's ok if you don't like admitting being wrong...you still are :\

 

[JavaGuy]

Originally posted by dis
I still don't think HL2 is going tp "fly off shelves" at least in the first day. Most of the mainstream public and general gamers won't even know it's out until a few days later. Valve is probably not going to need to advertise, but I bet 90% of gamers don't even know that HL2 is supposed to come out at the end of this month. And with the release date quickly approaching, I don't think any mags/websites are going to get to review this baby before it gets released to the public. Sure all the pre-orders are going to be gone fast, but I think copies on shelves will be available somewhat easily. This release date is coming up so fast with very little info on the game that I think it's gonna be released before the vast majority of people have a clue. At least here in Memphis, I'm confident that I'll be able to find a copy on the release day without a pre-order. Memphis isn't a small town (1.5 million), but it's not New York either. And with all this confusion over different versions (SP only, SP+MP, and SP+MP Collector's Edition), I'm glad I haven't pre-ordered; how'd you know which one you'll get?

You make some good points, but I guess I'm just caught up in what I saw with UT2003. There was a big stock shortage here... now, whether that's a result of low production rates or high demand, I'm not sure.

You're definately right about the pre-order situation: I'm not pre-ordering jack until I know what exactly it is that I'm pre-ordering. I'm inclined to just settle on grabbing it via Steam, but like many others, I enjoy having the box/manual/etc in my hot little hands.

Originally posted by dis

Yea, I am too starting to get sick of the WWII shooters....CoD is it, I draw the line their lol. Battlefield : Vietnam looks pretty interesting.

I as well feel bad for Epic , I mean, I dont know if you remember CliffCam, but what it was, it was a webcam in CliffyB's office, and it was up 24/7 even when the place was closed for the nite. But towards it's gold date, you saw them up for like the last 2 weeks playtesting I presume. I personally like UT2K3. It's a visual treat, nevertheless it kicks ass in surround sound . Im now looking forward to games like Far Cry, BF : Vietnam, HL 2 (duh), STALKER, etc. etc.

Yeah, I remember the webcam - those guys looked like CRAP during those last few weeks of development and testing. They obviously sacrificed quite a bit. I totally agree that it's a fun game, but there just aren't enough people playing online to find any good games (and the few servers that are populated are running LG/IG). I'm definately looking forward to STALKER. I don't know much about the game TBH, but from what I've seen (and heard about its story), it's definately going to be intriguing.

 

[JavaGuy]

Originally posted by Maskirovka
more blah

Dude, speaking of "being adults", do you know how to let things go? How about you go start a new thread about our discussion, and you can sit there and argue with yourself about it. Everybody wins.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by JavaGuy


I'm definately looking forward to STALKER. I don't know much about the game TBH, but from what I've seen (and heard about its story), it's definately going to be intriguing.

Its my 2nd most anticipated game. Its not your typical FPS thats for sure. Theres very few enemies, theres a trading system involved, and theres more exploration oriented than the typical FPS fare.

 

[Goombatommy]

From what I heard, STALKER is gonna be more exploration, compared to "run with a gun" shooting action> I mean, the developers from I heard, mapped out Chenobryl EXACTLY as it was in real life, and put it in the game. It's more exploration, government conspiracies and cover-ups, etc. stuff like that.

 

[JavaGuy]

Originally posted by Bass
Its my 2nd most anticipated game. Its not your typical FPS thats for sure. Theres very few enemies, theres a trading system involved, and theres more exploration oriented than the typical FPS fare.

EXACTLY - and that's something that really hasn't been done before. It's like Everquest/EVE meets Devastation (except a good version of Devastation that doesn't blow your machine up when you install it and laugh at you when you try to play MP).

 

[Guest]

Haha you should have read my post first

edit: @ goomba

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by JavaGuy
EXACTLY - and that's something that really hasn't been done before. It's like Everquest/EVE meets Devastation (except a good version of Devastation that doesn't blow your machine up when you install it and laugh at you when you try to play MP).

Well I wouldnt say it hasnt been done before, but I WOULD say its pretty much the SECOND time its been done, Metroid Prime on the Gamecube being the first

 

[Goombatommy]

lol sorry.....Im sick and my vision is kinda screwed up at the moment, I apologize :cheers:

 

[JavaGuy]

Originally posted by Bass
Well I wouldnt say it hasnt been done before, but I WOULD say its pretty much the SECOND time its been done, Metroid Prime on the Gamecube being the first

Just because I'm too lazy to go see for myself, what's the ETA on STALKER at the moment? It seems like I hear a little bit about it every few months, but that's been going on for about a year.

 

[Guest]

2004 is all thats known. Id bet 3rd quarter though, think its still a ways off. But thats just my opinion.

 

[Maskirovka]

Originally posted by JavaGuy
Dude, speaking of "being adults", do you know how to let things go? How about you go start a new thread about our discussion, and you can sit there and argue with yourself about it. Everybody wins.

that's standard operation for arrogant people

as soon as you show everyone they're wrong they tell you you're being childish and you should drop it :\

 

[JavaGuy]

Originally posted by Maskirovka
that's standard operation for arrogant people

as soon as you show everyone they're wrong they tell you you're being childish and you should drop it :\

Or maybe that they got bored and found something more interesting to talk about, while having the pleasure of sitting back watching you twitch over the fact that no one really gives a **** anymore.

JMO

 

[Mountain Man]

Originally posted by JavaGuy
I didn't say it was a good quirk .

Well, at least you're honest. I have to admire that.

 

[Maskirovka]

You make some good points, but I guess I'm just caught up in what I saw with UT2003. There was a big stock shortage here... now, whether that's a result of low production rates or high demand, I'm not sure.

i don't think the same thing will happen with hl2...though i fear it just like you.

ut2k3 was developed by a canadian company in league with epic. i think vivendi has much greater resources to make enough copies and such...it's not like they don't know hl2's potential

You're definately right about the pre-order situation: I'm not pre-ordering jack until I know what exactly it is that I'm pre-ordering. I'm inclined to just settle on grabbing it via Steam, but like many others, I enjoy having the box/manual/etc in my hot little hands.

agreed as well...this "multiple versions" thing has me thinking.
in that recent email about the multiple versions thing, valve said they were gonna sell the single player only version at the walmart's of the world and sell the "mod/multiplayer" version at the ebx's of the world

not everyone has an ebx or a credit card to get the version they want then :\

 

[MrD]

rofl @ Maskirovka & JavaGuy

 

[Mountain Man]

My pre-order cost was around $50 or so. It sure as hell better not be the discounted single player version at that price!

 

[droper]

They are in final test(tweak and tweak some more till date) people So it can be gold already or it will be realease VERY VERY close to original date. If they are having serious errors or problems they would have changed the date already. They obviously think that they can make it happen. Honestly i think steam will be the bottleneck.

 

[JavaGuy]

Originally posted by Maskirovka

agreed as well...this "multiple versions" thing has me thinking.
in that recent email about the multiple versions thing, valve said they were gonna sell the single player only version at the walmart's of the world and sell the "mod/multiplayer" version at the ebx's of the world

not everyone has an ebx or a credit card to get the version they want then :\

One promising thing I've heard regarding Steam is that Erik Johnson was talking with someone about why they'd prefer to purchase a physical copy of the game rather than through Steam, and they (predictably) replied that they wanted to have the "proof of ownership", and the novelty of the box and its contents. Erik replied "I thought so" and said that they'd consider some options to help entice people to purchase it via Steam.

I for one would certainly pay full retail price to get it via Steam if it meant that a hardcopy product would be sent to me in the meantime. In fact, I'd probably even pay a few extra bucks just for the convenience of "playing it now, getting it later". This solves the distribution and pre-order issues because those of us who are obsessive about getting it on day one (no pun intended) don't need to worry about availability, OR the issue of "okay, which one am I on record for?".

 

[JavaGuy]

Originally posted by Mountain Man
My pre-order cost was around $50 or so. It sure as hell better not be the discounted single player version at that price!

That's probably a pretty safe assumption, but I think the main concern is over whether that $50 gets you the standard-issue SP+MP, or the Collector's Edition. On top of that, what format? Is it DVD or CD format? There's so many SKUs for this that pre-ordering is a tough move to make at this point.

 

[dis]

Originally posted by JavaGuy
One promising thing I've heard regarding Steam is that Erik Johnson was talking with someone about why they'd prefer to purchase a physical copy of the game rather than through Steam, and they (predictably) replied that they wanted to have the "proof of ownership", and the novelty of the box and its contents. Erik replied "I thought so" and said that they'd consider some options to help entice people to purchase it via Steam.

I for one would certainly pay full retail price to get it via Steam if it meant that a hardcopy product would be sent to me in the meantime. In fact, I'd probably even pay a few extra bucks just for the convenience of "playing it now, getting it later". This solves the distribution and pre-order issues because those of us who are obsessive about getting it on day one (no pun intended) don't need to worry about availability, OR the issue of "okay, which one am I on record for?".

That would make me more likely to purchase it over steam, but I just don't like the idea of downloading levels while I'm playing previous ones. I've been having trouble with my RoadRunner cabel modem recently. Ever since those damn worms went around, my ping in CS and BF1942 has been between good and downright shitty, so I don't want to trust it to downloading levels correctly. What would happen if I outright lost my internet connection down the road for some reason and couldn't get the next level. Talk about suckin' a phatty :/

Edit: The only reason I would buy HL2 over Steam is if you get to download either the whole game at once or an install file that contains the whole game. yeah, it'd be massive, but I want to have control over the singleplayer portion on my harddrive.

 

[Maskirovka]

Originally posted by JavaGuy
I'd probably even pay a few extra bucks just for the convenience of "playing it now, getting it later". This solves the distribution and pre-order issues because those of us who are obsessive about getting it on day one (no pun intended) don't need to worry about availability, OR the issue of "okay, which one am I on record for?".

yea, i'd pay a few extra bucks to "get it now" as well. I just worry about the smoothness of all that. DL speeds, server busy, file sizes...corrupt files because of multiple download resumes, etc.

i hope they have all that figured out already

i just hope more game developers start pushing steam-like distribution systems. If it gets used the system(s) will get improved and it'll be better for everyone. It lets game companies have more freedom with release dates, patches, content, etc. no vivendi or whatever company breathing down their necks about this or that.

plus, i'd like my money to go to VALVE, not some company that owns a bunch of other companies :\

 

[Maskirovka]

Originally posted by dis
What would happen if I outright lost my internet connection down the road for some reason and couldn't get the next level. Talk about suckin' a phatty :/

lol

is that really how steam works though? i haven't really read up on it, but does it really download the next level as you're playing the current one? that would be shitty and unreliable i'd think...just as you pointed out

 

[dis]

Originally posted by Maskirovka
lol

is that really how steam works though? i haven't really read up on it, but does it really download the next level as you're playing the current one? that would be shitty and unreliable i'd think...just as you pointed out

Well, I don't know to be honest, and I don't think anyone besides Valve does know right now. I think a lot of us have simply assumed that that's how it would work. I can't imagine that it would download the entire game, but maybe it does. It's just that that's how HL1 on steam works to the best of my knowledge; it downloads the levels as you play through the game.

 

[JavaGuy]

First let me state that a) I think Steam is a GREAT concept, and b) I've only been using it for about a week.

That said, one thing that I particularly don't care for is how little control you have with regard to how it operates. For instance, Dis brought up map downloads. It would be great if you could pop open steam, select a game title, and then be directed to a "catalogue" of assets for that particular game (ie, maps, skins, models, etc). Then, you could selectively choose which ones to download, AND TO WHAT LOCATION. The download should default to the proper directory (ie, if you're downloading a map manually like this, then it will default to the HL2 map directory).

I think a system with options like this would take Steam to the next level.

One other thing that had me puzzled: I own Half-Life, but didn't have it installed on my PC. I downloaded/installed Steam, and clicked on "Counter-Strike". It downloaded the whole thing, and then fired it right up (didn't even need my CD key). What was weird was that there was no actual installation process (at least not that I was aware of) for the game. The usual file system is there - it's as if the game was installed from CD - but I certainly didn't see any of that happen when it brought down CS.

Anyway, I got a bit off subject. IMO, this is what I'd like to see for Steam and HL2:

1. You purchase HL2 over Steam and download an installer. This installer downloads HL2 and installs it on your machine (in Steam's case, it may actually act as the installer, and does from what I can gather).

2. When you make the purchase, you specify what edition of the game your purchasing (ie, Collector's Edition).

3. You chose what format you'd like to receive the game in (CD, DVD).

4. You chose any additional items you'd like to purchase (Strategy Books, Mod Dev book, Making of HL2 book, etc)

5. You select your shipping method for the hardcopy, with UPS Ground (or similar) being the default.

By doing this, you give customers the game IMMEDIATELY, but they also easily acquire whichever version they want AND they receive the actual box in the format they desire. This also makes the publisher happy, because they're not being cut out of the loop.

You could easily charge the retail price for each of these versions, or even spike it a few bucks (but certainly not more than 5USD).

 

[dis]

Originally posted by JavaGuy

Anyway, I got a bit off subject. IMO, this is what I'd like to see for Steam and HL2:

1. You purchase HL2 over Steam and download an installer. This installer downloads HL2 and installs it on your machine (in Steam's case, it may actually act as the installer, and does from what I can gather).

2. When you make the purchase, you specify what edition of the game your purchasing (ie, Collector's Edition).

3. You chose what format you'd like to receive the game in (CD, DVD).

4. You chose any additional items you'd like to purchase (Strategy Books, Mod Dev book, Making of HL2 book, etc)

5. You select your shipping method for the hardcopy, with UPS Ground (or similar) being the default.

By doing this, you give customers the game IMMEDIATELY, but they also easily acquire whichever version they want AND they receive the actual box in the format they desire. This also makes the publisher happy, because they're not being cut out of the loop.

You could easily charge the retail price for each of these versions, or even spike it a few bucks (but certainly not more than 5USD).

If they did it like that then it would be awesome! Especially, like the idea about the installer. If I can simply get the complete game installed at once through Steam, then I would definitely consider doing it this way. Especially if you can get the manual, cd/dvd, etc. mailed to you later. But then again, I would probably only do this if I can't find a copy at the store.

 

[OCybrManO]

I do like that idea but I'm pretty sure someone mentioned something to Gabe about that (not exactly the same thing but close) and he said they would look into it.

The reason you didn't need your CD Key for the beta of Steam is that no one did... you can play any of the games/mods they have listed for free while Steam is in beta. Though, it won't be that way once Steam is a finished product.

 

[Maskirovka]

From planethalflife.com...posted yesterday.


============================================
GNS Project received (from Gabe Newell) another piece of info regarding the different Half-Life 2 SKU’s. This quote explains it all:

For people who buy the less expensive version, they can always upgrade to MOD and multiplayer using Steam.
The price difference will be about the difference there was between the two versions.
The theory is that it helps out retailers like Walmart who have very broad reach into customer bases that don't
care about multiplayer and who are very price conscious. Rather than having to wait a year for the product price
to come down, there's a special version for them on day one.
============================================

upgradability for the "low end" versions...cool

 

[OCybrManO]

... already posted many times on this forum by other people who also thought it was cool.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by k956764
It may just be me but 99% of all game releases that I can recall have been on Fridays. I know with a Worldwide release there is going to be some day variation but a game coming out on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or even Thursday (I know no where will be on Thursday daytime) seems strange. I really really do hope they make the 30th but with the days I would envisage a Oct 3rd to hit UK shops (Or if miracles did happen then 26th Sept) I always get depressed as more and more places quote November release (I think Amazon UK is one of the few with a Sept 30th date) Anyway I will put my trust in Gabe and hope that the 30th holds true (Wouldn't be surprised if you can't get the game in shops on 30th but can via Steam )

Warcraft 3 came out on wednesday last year and frozen throne came out tuesday this year.

 

[Julez]

Hey, I've been reading these boards for a while, never registered till now.

Just curious...can someone help me out and what exactly does the "gold date" mean.

Is it a certain number of pre-order copies that has to be filled into order to ship.

If a company does not meet a gold date(ie. HL2 not on Sept. 15) does that mean it gets pushed back.

Sorry if this seems dumb, but plz help me out. thnx

 

[Xtasy0]

Originally posted by Julez
Hey, I've been reading these boards for a while, never registered till now.

Just curious...can someone help me out and what exactly does the "gold date" mean.

Is it a certain number of pre-order copies that has to be filled into order to ship.

If a company does not meet a gold date(ie. HL2 not on Sept. 15) does that mean it gets pushed back.

Sorry if this seems dumb, but plz help me out. thnx

a game "goes gold" when the code is finished, when they feel they have a product they can ship, it's called going gold because the game is usually burned to a gold master disc which is shipped off to be mass produced.

 

[Quotidian---]

thanks xtasy i knew the general idea of what going gold meant, but i thought it was more along the lines of why things go plantium and silver and what not.... ty.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

Originally posted by JavaGuy
That's probably a pretty safe assumption, but I think the main concern is over whether that $50 gets you the standard-issue SP+MP, or the Collector's Edition. On top of that, what format? Is it DVD or CD format? There's so many SKUs for this that pre-ordering is a tough move to make at this point.

when i went to pre-order my copy of HL2, i asked the sales guys at CompuCentre about the situation with collectors edition.

i asked what versions are saved for the pple that pre-order and his answer was

"the customers that pre-order get to decide which version they want, we save enough copies for our pre-order customers"

so.. if there is a special/collector's edition whenever the game is released, then im getting it..

that means

me = worry free :thumbs:

 

[Wilson502]

i kno this sounds stupid but, the release date is sept 30th. Is that the day it hits shelves because sometimes a game has release date of a certain date, but goes on shelves a day or 2 later. Just want to make sure

 

[Goombatommy]

It depends. Hell, for all we know, if can go Gold next Monday, and hit the store shelves a day or two EARLIER than Sept. 30th. We just dont know yet. But usually they all hit the store shelves on it's specified date.

 

[alco]

How can you be confused about which version you're getting?

If it costs 50$, it's the normal version. Less is SP-only, more is collecter's.

Bada-bing bada-boom.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by alco
How can you be confused about which version you're getting?

If it costs 50$, it's the normal version. Less is SP-only, more is collecter's.

Bada-bing bada-boom.

Or you could just read the box.

Bada-bing bada-boom.

 

[Quotidian---]

i want someone to start a poll to see who all is actually going to buy it off steam and whose making a trip to the store.. so i don't have to and don't have to recieve any flames.

 

[Solidarnosi]

I be goin to the sto