Eurogamer: "HL2: Aftermath Retail Version Confirmed"

[kupocake]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=59354

Which will be a relief to many, though there's nothing concrete yet...

 

[Asknoone]

September? Uh...not to bad I guess. Yey for retail.

 

[kupocake]

September? Uh...not to bad I guess. Yey for retail.

Isn't September conveniently after the Vivendi deadline? I wonder if Lombardi's estimate is for the retail release or either... but if Aftermath actually hits that release estimate, I'll eat my hat. Actually, I'll go and buy a hat and then eat it, because I don't actually own one yet.

 

[Feath]

September? Uh...not to bad I guess. Yey for retail.

Well, it makes sense if the current publishing deal with Vivendi runs out on the 31st of August.

 

[BlackMesaDude]

bah september that blows

 

[Kirkburn]

Huh? This DIRECTLY contradicts what was said in the latest issue of PCG UK. Doug, please tell people when you decide to change you mind again ...

At least it hasn't contradicted the rest of the rumour crap that PCG was tryign to clear up at the time. Citadel taking off into space ... lol :s

 

[Asknoone]

Well, it makes sense if the current publishing deal with Vivendi runs out on the 31st of August.

Agreed. Not that long away anyway

 

[UndeadScottsman]

Huh? This DIRECTLY contradicts what was said in the latest issue of PCG UK.

Just a FYI, those magazines are put together months and months in advance. Anywho, Valve being Valve, they really aren't that spectacular at meeting release dates for large projects (Small projects like the new DM weapons and maps or Counterstrike updates, they can usually meet, but they've always had a problem with larger projects, even going back to TFC and Half-Life) I always extend the release dates by a few months or more, depending on how far they are away. It's safer and surprisingly accurate.

I love Valve and all, I just realize that release dates aren't their strong suit and adjust my waiting to compensate.

 

[Feath]

Huh? This DIRECTLY contradicts what was said in the latest issue of PCG UK. Doug, please tell people when you decide to change you mind again ...

Erm, didn't he just tell someone?

The PCG article came out about a month before the Settlement with VUG was announced. So it's concievable for Valve to not intend to release a retail version Aftermath because of their issues with VUG. But now they can release it under a different publisher.

 

[Cole]

Wow you guys should get ALL the facts.
There was an email sent toLombardi about vivendi and valve. Valve and Vivendi planed to work out a totally new contract to continue there services with one another.

Chris_D send the email,
The response was:

Hi,

We are making arrangements to continue retail distribution of our products post August 31. Should have more details to share soon.

Cheers

 

[Feath]

Wow you guys should get ALL the facts.
There was an email sent toLombardi about vivendi and valve. Valve and Vivendi planed to work out a totally new contract to continue there services with one another.

Chris_D send the email,
The response was:

Erm, I don't think they are continuing with Vivendi. I believe that they are going to go with another publisher. If fact, Chris_D says so just underneath the e-mail:

At the moment the current speculations are that Activision may take over from VU Games. Remember, back in April 2003, Valve signed a multi-title deal, all starting with Day of Defeat, who are also publishing Day of Defeat: Source, so they may also take on the rest of Valve's back catalogue.

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=80068

So don't go "wowing" at me.

EDIT: In fact, the frigging article says that they don't know who the publisher will be. So it's not Vivendi; and if it is, I'd be very surprised.

 

[Cole]

Look the fact is that it was confirmed by Doug Lombardi, that Valve and Vivendi are working a new contract out so vivendi will continue to sell retail copies of Valve Games.

What you said is Speculation. It means it is unconfirmed.. What I said was confirmed.

Vivendi and Valve had a disput that created when Vivendi bought Sierra. That dosn't mean Vivendi hated Valve and Valve hated Vivendi. No, thats why they would be working out a new contract so such a disput wont happen again. I mean everhyone have disagreements, that dosn't mean they gotta hate the other person. Valve and Vivendi disagreed on some things, that don't mean they hate eachother.

 

[Kirkburn]

Sorry, I should clarify what I was commenting on ...

Several months ago PCG UK ran an article about Aftermath which I know most of you know about.
However, in the latest issue they decided to clear up some facts, notably that some had been saying retail distribution a go-go, when PCG were told it was a no-go and that the citadel was not, in fact, going to launch into space (?!). This would have been written very near to or just after the settlement was announced. However, in the month following this, it appears that VALVe have now changed their mind and will indeed go retail, which will mightily piss off the clarification article writer from PCG as it now makes him look stupid. Such is life ...
So ... VALVe will not be publishing anything with Vivendi. VALVe *may* e publishing Aftermath with another publisher, but atm we cannot trust any secondary sources as we now have two that directly contradict each other. Yay!

 

[Feath]

Look the fact is that it was confirmed by Doug Lombardi, that Valve and Vivendi are working a new contract out so vivendi will continue to sell retail copies of Valve Games.

What you said is Speculation. It means it is unconfirmed.. What I said was confirmed.

Vivendi and Valve had a disput that created when Vivendi bought Sierra. That dosn't mean Vivendi hated Valve and Valve hated Vivendi. No, thats why they would be working out a new contract so such a disput wont happen again. I mean everhyone have disagreements, that dosn't mean they gotta hate the other person. Valve and Vivendi disagreed on some things, that don't mean they hate eachother.

You keep on pointing to this mythical Doug Lombardi quote. Where is it? I have not seen Valve say that they are going to sign another contract with Vivendi.

 

[Feath]

Sorry, I should clarify what I was commenting on ...

Several months ago PCG UK ran an article about Aftermath which I know most of you know about.
However, in the latest issue they decided to clear up some facts, notably that some had been saying retail distribution a go-go, when PCG were told it was a no-go and that the citadel was not, in fact, going to launch into space (?!). This would have been written very near to or just after the settlement was announced. However, in the month following this, it appears that VALVe have now changed their mind and will indeed go retail, which will mightily piss off the clarification article writer from PCG as it now makes him look stupid. Such is life ...
So ... VALVe will not be publishing anything with Vivendi. VALVe *may* e publishing Aftermath with another publisher, but atm we cannot trust any secondary sources as we now have two that directly contradict each other. Yay!

They haven't just randomly changed their mind, the circumstances have changed. The carification article was based on the original article, and now things have changed. PC Gamer UK won't be pissed off because what they wrote isn't true anymore. They'll just write a news piece saying that Valve and Vivendi have terminated their publishing deal so now Valve is going release Aftermath in shops.

The Sources don't contradict each other. If PC Gamer UK release an article saying "Despite what Eurogamer have said, we've asked Valve again and they've said 'Aftermath is Steam only'. Right now the articles fit into a timeline of "Valve changed their mind".

I've attached the timeline.

 

[kupocake]

Look the fact is that it was confirmed by Doug Lombardi, that Valve and Vivendi are working a new contract out so vivendi will continue to sell retail copies of Valve Games.

What you said is Speculation. It means it is unconfirmed.. What I said was confirmed.

What? Do you mean the Chris D recieved quote above? The "Hi, We are making arrangements to continue retail distribution of our products post August 31. Should have more details to share soon" one? Would you mind using your amazing powers of deduction to suggest where on earth that says that they are going to re-negotiate a contract with Vivendi?

Also, in your impressive grasp of logic, would you like to explain why two companies involved in a dispute over the distribution of products - that is settled out of court by one company agreeing to cease distribution of said products - would immediatly renegotiate a contract to go against the settlement they just reached?

 

[Kirkburn]

They haven't just randomly changed their mind, the circumstances have changed. The carification article was based on the original article, and now things have changed. PC Gamer UK won't be pissed off because what they wrote isn't true anymore. They'll just write a news piece saying that Valve and Vivendi have terminated their publishing deal so now Valve is going release Aftermath in shops.

The Sources don't contradict each other. If PC Gamer UK release an article saying "Despite what Eurogamer have said, we've asked Valve again and they've said 'Aftermath is Steam only'. Right now the articles fit into a timeline of "Valve changed their mind".

I've attached the timeline.

Ok, fair. I wasn't sure whether the article came out late enough. Nice paint-job
I wasn't accusing them of randomly changing their mind, but if I were the person who wrote the clarification article I would be mildly annoyed as the the 'confirmation of Steam only' and 'confirmation of retail as well' came only weeks apart. I'd feel silly

 

[Asuka]

Retail is always good.

 

[AJ Rimmer]

Isn't September conveniently after the Vivendi deadline? I wonder if Lombardi's estimate is for the retail release or either... but if Aftermath actually hits that release estimate, I'll eat my hat. Actually, I'll go and buy a hat and then eat it, because I don't actually own one yet.

Be careful, such promises have been made before on these forums, with gruesome results. For he who made them, to us the result was hilarious!

 

[Kirkburn]

Be careful, such promises have been made before on these forums, with gruesome results. For he who made them, to us the result was hilarious!

Hehe, the good times ...

 

[Cole]

You keep on pointing to this mythical Doug Lombardi quote. Where is it? I have not seen Valve say that they are going to sign another contract with Vivendi.

Mythical?
You do know that in our own forums we have a place where people post up emails they sent to valve along with there response.
The email he sent would be in this thread:
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1392961#post1392961
So one, since hes a moderator(and Lead Editor) no need for him to be doing a fake email(There are very few if any fake emails in that entire 819 posts of that thread)
So please tell me how this is anywhere near "Mythical"?

 

[Feath]

Mythical?
You do know that in our own forums we have a place where people post up emails they sent to valve along with there response.
The email he sent would be in this thread:
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1392961#post1392961
So one, since hes a moderator(and Lead Editor) no need for him to be doing a fake email(There are very few if any fake emails in that entire 819 posts of that thread)
So please tell me how this is anywhere near "Mythical"?

Wait, you're referring to what Lombardi said to Chris D? I thought you were referring to another quote. Nothing in that quote suggests that they are going to continue to let Vivendi publish their games.

In fact if you would care to read the article posted at the top of the page:

Speaking to Eurogamer at E3, Lombardi said: "Aftermath will be coming out at retail, but we're finalising our publishing partner." Valve recently parted ways with Half-Life 2 publisher Vivendi-Universal Games, who will cease distribution of the company's products at the end of August.

Asked when the developer's new publishing partner was likely to be revealed, Lombardi said it would be "soon, in the summer". He also added that the current release date estimate for Aftermath is "September".

Vivendi will not be distributing Valve products after August. And Valve have said nothing to the contary.

 

[Cole]

Look a kitty!!
[SARCASM]Isn't it purdy?[/SARCASM]

 

[Feath]

Well, thank you for simplifying it so much for me, Mr Patronising.

(Chris D's e-mail)
This means they were making arrangements to keep producing valve products after 8/31/05. It dosn't say any new games it might just mean HL2 or something. But the fact is it is from Lombardi and until we recieve furthor notice it must stand.

No. It doesn't mean that at all. Doug Lombardi is saying that they are making arrangements to get someone to publish Valve games. By the way, I assume you mean 'publishing' not 'producing'.

There is nothing to suggest that Vivendi are going to continue distributing Valve games. This is just Doug saying that they are getting a new contract with someone to release retail versions of Valve games. There is nothing mentioned about Vivendi.

Did he respond to the new publishing partner? No. He simply gave an estimated release date of the game.
Therefor my quote stands.

YES HE DID. Read the next sentence:

"He also added that the current release date estimate for Aftermath is "September".

Are you suggesting that the conversation went like this?:

EG: "When are you going to announce the new publisher?"
Doug: "Aftermath is going to be released in the summer. By the way, Aftermath is going to be relased in September."

The "Soon, in the summer" response was an answer to the question "When are you going to reveal your new publisher?" And it's not really open to debate, because that's what it was. He wouldn't have then "went on to add" that the release date of Aftermath, if he'd already said it 2 seconds before. Which is what he said, according to you.

Stop making stuff up.