ilove64
Newbie
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2003
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Man, why are people fa-reaking out? Seriously, Half-Life 2 will be available by the 30th, I am almost sure of it. I mean, look at the undeniable proof:
1.) NeoMaximus on release dates for Half-Life 2
(Background information concerning Neo: a user on the IGN Boards. He is a credible game designer/writer for Black Widow Games, a company that has relations with Valve. Really, the man does not talk out of his ass.)
""In countries like England, where the retail product will be available either simultaneously or close to the US release (we don't control those dates, only the Steam dates),"
This was Gabe's official response to a question asking why Steam is going to function as a sales mechanism for HL2 versus retail."
My interpretation: Didn't Gabe say the game will be release internationally at the same time? This statement from him proves it. Distribution of the retail game will vary from country to country, but Steam can guarentee everyone a copy.
"Vivendi has been firm about their date. They own retail distribution rights.
Valve controls Steam dates. They have been firm about their date.
Ponder."
My interpretation: Vivendi since, what, July they have stated that Half-Life 2 (retail HL2 because they publish it) will not make September 30, and they are in fact correct. However, Valve has been firm and has not made any announcements until now that September 30 will be the release date for HL2. Neo concludes with a witty remark that tells us to look for the obvious answer - On the 30th, Valve will more than likely release HL2 through Steam.
2. The OFFICIAL Half-Life 2 delay
From http://pc.ign.com:
"They have decided to push it back to the holidays, and did not state a new "in-store" release date"
HINT HINT - IN-STORE. Notice how IGN bluntly tries to tell its readers that the retail version has been delayed, but no news on the Steam release. Before I continue, let me reiterate a point made by Neo Maximus:
"Ponder this. Ever think Valve intended this kind of rampant rumor and discussion? Ever think parties close to Valve were encouraged to promote discussion in similar fashion."
Valve likes to have fun, there is no doubt about it, and you know what, THEY CAN because they very well know that the public is creaming their shorts just for a copy of the game.
Let's look at what Valve has done so far:
A) Not releasing any HL2 information up until 6 months prior the game's release
B) Been extremely quite since it announced HL2
C) Virtually no information can be found about HL2 on Valve, Sierra or Vivendi. All they offer is just preview context.
D) Have we seen any news on either of the previous mentioned sites about release dates or delays? No.
The result? "Rampart rumors" as Neo perfectly stated.
Now, about this OFFICIAL delay. Did you notice how Doug or Valve has made any further elaborate comments? Did you even stop and consider that maybe this OFFICIAL delay was to get the community in another hilarious uproar? Did you even think that Valve did this on purpose, maybe to kill some of the hype just to blow people away when they find out that Half-Life 2 will be released on the 30th after all?
3. A follow up to Neo Maximus
"Come the 30th, there won't be "right" and "wrong" folks about the release, just shades of gray."
My interpretation: You see, Valve wasn't wrong when it said they were going to release HL2 on the 30th, but then again, they weren't right, or in other words, specific about how HL2 was going to be released. Hence, shades of gray.
"They'll promise HL2 on the 30th, and deliver.... in a fashion. And they won't have lied thus allowing them to come out clean as a whistle."
My interpretation: Half-Life 2 will be released on the 30th...via Steam. And no one can blame them for a push-back because they didn't lie about its FIRST release.
"My only hope is that you haven't misunderstood what i've inferred, because one way or another, quite a few of you won't be happy on Sept 30th, while others will be completely happy."
My interpretation: A lot of us won't be happy on the 30th because the retail version won't be available. Then again, quite a few of us will still be satisfied to buy the game over Steam, even though there is a good chance we'll have to wait a while to download it. But like my previous interpretation mentioned, Valve never said you will have it by the 30th, only that the game will be available by the 30th.
Final Conclusions
I have really convinced myself that Half-Life 2 will be released on the 30th via Steam. I put together enough evidence to formulate a plausible theory. To conclude, remember when a HalfLife2.net user by the name of spitcodfry visited Valve. He noted that no one was busy, everything was calm. One could conclude the game was done and it was all up to the publishers to get the game out in stores. Well, we already know the answer to the retail release. But spit then asked Gabe if the game will be released on the 30th. Gabe, the coy business man that he is, replied, "We'll see..." with a slight chuckle. From that response and from a man who is dedicated to his fans, do you really think Gabe will really let us down on the 30th? In this user's honest opinion - no.
I don't know about you, push comes to shove on the 30th, I'll probably have my credit card ready and a nice cup of java as I'll sit in my chair eagerly trying to download me a copy of Half-Life 2. Cheers. :cheers:
1.) NeoMaximus on release dates for Half-Life 2
(Background information concerning Neo: a user on the IGN Boards. He is a credible game designer/writer for Black Widow Games, a company that has relations with Valve. Really, the man does not talk out of his ass.)
""In countries like England, where the retail product will be available either simultaneously or close to the US release (we don't control those dates, only the Steam dates),"
This was Gabe's official response to a question asking why Steam is going to function as a sales mechanism for HL2 versus retail."
My interpretation: Didn't Gabe say the game will be release internationally at the same time? This statement from him proves it. Distribution of the retail game will vary from country to country, but Steam can guarentee everyone a copy.
"Vivendi has been firm about their date. They own retail distribution rights.
Valve controls Steam dates. They have been firm about their date.
Ponder."
My interpretation: Vivendi since, what, July they have stated that Half-Life 2 (retail HL2 because they publish it) will not make September 30, and they are in fact correct. However, Valve has been firm and has not made any announcements until now that September 30 will be the release date for HL2. Neo concludes with a witty remark that tells us to look for the obvious answer - On the 30th, Valve will more than likely release HL2 through Steam.
2. The OFFICIAL Half-Life 2 delay
From http://pc.ign.com:
"They have decided to push it back to the holidays, and did not state a new "in-store" release date"
HINT HINT - IN-STORE. Notice how IGN bluntly tries to tell its readers that the retail version has been delayed, but no news on the Steam release. Before I continue, let me reiterate a point made by Neo Maximus:
"Ponder this. Ever think Valve intended this kind of rampant rumor and discussion? Ever think parties close to Valve were encouraged to promote discussion in similar fashion."
Valve likes to have fun, there is no doubt about it, and you know what, THEY CAN because they very well know that the public is creaming their shorts just for a copy of the game.
Let's look at what Valve has done so far:
A) Not releasing any HL2 information up until 6 months prior the game's release
B) Been extremely quite since it announced HL2
C) Virtually no information can be found about HL2 on Valve, Sierra or Vivendi. All they offer is just preview context.
D) Have we seen any news on either of the previous mentioned sites about release dates or delays? No.
The result? "Rampart rumors" as Neo perfectly stated.
Now, about this OFFICIAL delay. Did you notice how Doug or Valve has made any further elaborate comments? Did you even stop and consider that maybe this OFFICIAL delay was to get the community in another hilarious uproar? Did you even think that Valve did this on purpose, maybe to kill some of the hype just to blow people away when they find out that Half-Life 2 will be released on the 30th after all?
3. A follow up to Neo Maximus
"Come the 30th, there won't be "right" and "wrong" folks about the release, just shades of gray."
My interpretation: You see, Valve wasn't wrong when it said they were going to release HL2 on the 30th, but then again, they weren't right, or in other words, specific about how HL2 was going to be released. Hence, shades of gray.
"They'll promise HL2 on the 30th, and deliver.... in a fashion. And they won't have lied thus allowing them to come out clean as a whistle."
My interpretation: Half-Life 2 will be released on the 30th...via Steam. And no one can blame them for a push-back because they didn't lie about its FIRST release.
"My only hope is that you haven't misunderstood what i've inferred, because one way or another, quite a few of you won't be happy on Sept 30th, while others will be completely happy."
My interpretation: A lot of us won't be happy on the 30th because the retail version won't be available. Then again, quite a few of us will still be satisfied to buy the game over Steam, even though there is a good chance we'll have to wait a while to download it. But like my previous interpretation mentioned, Valve never said you will have it by the 30th, only that the game will be available by the 30th.
Final Conclusions
I have really convinced myself that Half-Life 2 will be released on the 30th via Steam. I put together enough evidence to formulate a plausible theory. To conclude, remember when a HalfLife2.net user by the name of spitcodfry visited Valve. He noted that no one was busy, everything was calm. One could conclude the game was done and it was all up to the publishers to get the game out in stores. Well, we already know the answer to the retail release. But spit then asked Gabe if the game will be released on the 30th. Gabe, the coy business man that he is, replied, "We'll see..." with a slight chuckle. From that response and from a man who is dedicated to his fans, do you really think Gabe will really let us down on the 30th? In this user's honest opinion - no.
I don't know about you, push comes to shove on the 30th, I'll probably have my credit card ready and a nice cup of java as I'll sit in my chair eagerly trying to download me a copy of Half-Life 2. Cheers. :cheers:
