HL2 UK Retail Confirms Slip ?

[ksimm]

Wednesday 3rd September 2003


EXCLUSIVE: RETAIL CONFIRMS HALF-LIFE 2 SLIP!

Valve assurances looking shaky as UK retail informs of a late October release

10:58 Information received via e-mail from UK retailer GAME by customers who have pre-ordered Half-Life 2 at its online store has thrown a rather large spanner into the HL2 release date works, we can reveal.
Despite Valve Software's Doug Lombardi insisting: "The release date is unchanged" when we questioned last week whether Half-Life 2 would hit its original September 30 deadline, GAME has recently told its customers that the title will not arrive until November.

The email notice to customers reads:

"As you may already be aware, the UK release date for 'Half-Life 2' has changed to Nov-2003.

"Please don't worry, your order is still 'live' and will be despatched to you on the day prior to the revised release date, via your chosen method of shipping, unless you advise us to the contrary."

Speaking to us this morning, a spokesperson for GAME said: "The latest date we have for Half-Life 2 is late October, and that was the information we got through yesterday, but obviously the date could change again."

When we asked if GAME received the information from publsiher Vivendi, we were told: "It comes direct from the publisher."

The GAME spokesperson went on to point out that customers had received the November date via e-mail because: "That [the e-mail] most likely went out to customers before we received this updated release date.

"We expect to have an exact release date at then end of the month, maybe," they said.

So what does Half-Life 2 publisher Vivendi have to say about this? Talking to the publisher's UK arm, we were told that the official line on Half-Life 2's release date is: "To be confirmed."

Just when the September 30 date looked safe, along comes this. Crunch time will be around the middle of the month, when many expect Half-Life 2 to go Gold, if it's to hit its original date. Unless, of course, Valve plans to release the game over its broadband
delivery system Steam first...

Oh the tension. It's almost too much. We'll keep you fully updated on all developments.

Source http://www.pczone.co.uk

Oh dear

 

[AlCapucci]

So there's nothing to worry about.

 

[roxXx]

just, keep this in ure hart:

hl will be released 30 september

 

[ksimm]

I do hope so

 

[Feath]

http://halflife2.homelan.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5873

 

[TAZ]

LOL.. damn this "delayed" "not delayed" debate is getting old and no one at valve will say much either... Heck, where is the next video or media that should have been out by now? This game is taking all of us on a rollercoaster ride, and I think I am going to throw up because it makes me sick. Nothing new to report on a game that's supposed to be released in less then a month can not be good news at all. If the game is going to be delayed, then why doesn't someone at Valve just say so? Probably because they are planning on releasing the game over Steam as a single player only on that date is my guess... Who knows.. obviously not even Valve are sure of whats going on according to Gabes email to Kamirka (?) But rest assure, whenever it's released it will be a great single player game.. only this time you will have to pay extra to enjoy it online , JUST LIKE A MMORPG GABE!

 

[roxXx]

Originally posted by TAZ
LOL.. damn this "delayed" "not delayed" debate is getting old and no one at valve will say much either...

Its all part of teasing us.

just prented like it teased u and everybody is happy when u buy the game on 30 sept.

 

[Feath]

Originally posted by TAZ
LOL.. damn this "delayed" "not delayed" debate is getting old and no one at valve will say much either... Heck, where is the next video or media that should have been out by now? This game is taking all of us on a rollercoaster ride, and I think I am going to throw up because it makes me sick. Nothing new to report on a game that's supposed to be released in less then a month can not be good news at all. If the game is going to be delayed, then why doesn't someone at Valve just say so? Probably because they are planning on releasing the game over Steam as a single player only on that date is my guess... Who knows.. obviously not even Valve are sure of whats going on according to Gabes email to Kamirka (?) But rest assure, whenever it's released it will be a great single player game.. only this time you will have to pay extra to enjoy it online , JUST LIKE A MMORPG GABE!

* The last 3 Half Life 2 videos will be released after Steam comes out of Beta. That's what the Steam Team have been concentrating on.

* There is nothing new to report because Valve is being very secretive about the plot. There was a free interviews with Doug Lombadi and he said that they didn't want to bombard you with story and everything so you've already played the game before you've bought it. They want people to be surprised.

* Valve does have a clue what's going on. They just said they were fiddling with the plans. This has nothing to do with the release date.

* If you buy Half Life 2 at the shops and get the multiplayer version there will be no online charges at all. You won't pay extra to play it online. You'll pay less to just have the single player version. There's a huge difference.

ADDED:
* And what do you mean "no one at valve will say much either". They said the 30th of September repeatedly at ECTS. Pay attention.

 

[dawdler]

It seems like everbody assumes HL2 is gonna be delayed, even the publisher.

Everybody except Valve that is

 

[Global_Inferno]

I agree ECTS "September the 30th"... I trust people that work for valve... Might be silly... but i do!

 

[3rd Impact]

Trust in the Gabe, the Gabe is good...

 

[Mountain Man]

Since day one, Valve has repeatedly confirmed that Half-Life 2 will be released on September 30. It's the only consistent piece of information we've had regarding the release date, yet people find contradictory rumors more believable. Strange, especially when you consider every rumor source has their own idea of what the new ship date is supposed to be be.

 

[AcousticToad]

GAME bought EB, and you know what they have been saying about the delays. My GAME store still has Sept 30th as the release on its chart over the front desk.

 

[roxXx]

the gabe

 

[Logic]

Whether Valve intended it or not, all the delay controversy is building up the hype. Whether or not they do release on Sept. 30, the release date will cause a great deal more talking about the game than it would have if there was no debate about the release. I think it's safe to say though that they'll get the game out in time. It's amazing that people who know nothing about the development happening in the Valve offices can possibly insist that there's a delay when Valve, the developers themselves, have consistantly maintained a Sept. 30 release. (just look at fragmaster.. pure arrogance)

 

[el Chi]

This debate is about as fun as dental torture.

For Christ's sake, in 2 weeks we ought to know who was right and who was wrong because it ought to go gold by then... If it hasn't gone gold in 3 weeks' time, then worry. Until then, ignore what retailers say when it contrats to what the developers say.
If it doesn't make Spet 30th then don't despair cause it'll still be released this year. October would merely be a couple more weeks, and November would... well, we've had to endure worse waits and slips for other games, so stop moaning.

 

[Feath]

Valve may not say when the game goes gold. I mean, we should know but it's possible that we won't find out.

I'd like to say that now because a lot of people would be saying "It should've gone gold by now" and stuff.

Also, I'd like to point out that Game had August as the release date at one point. See FarrowLeSparrow's thread in the Off Topic Forum.

 

[Znipper]

I want to believe.

 

[Feath]

Although, Vivendi said that it's delayed which gives weight to the News Article.

Then again Vivendi never appears to agree with Valve on the Release date.

 

[Axyon]

Another games site claiming the release date has changed with no substantial evidence to back it up, how original.