How is it that we can play CSS next week, but not HL2?

[^Thomas^]

Why can we play CSS next week but not HL2? CSS is a part of the things you get when you buy HL2.

 

[AntiAnto]

Think of it like it's for the long(?) wait for the release of Hl2

 

[Vormulac]

Valve activate CS:S and not HL2. Simple really.

 

[czrsink]

CS:S is a seperate .gcf to HL2. HL2 cannot be released until Vivendi say so. Valve are giving us CS:S to keep us happy whilst they fight their legal battle with Vivendi.

Simple enough concept, I thought.

 

[^Thomas^]

So Vivendi have controll over HL2, but NOT CSS?

 

[fez]

thats correct thomas

 

[Xcellere]

Of course Vivendi publishing control over CS:S, why wouldn't they? The fact that Valve is taking orders for HL2 and the other games shows that the legal battle doesn't isn't affecting Valve in any way...... yet.

 

[Qhartb]

It seems like a brilliant move on Valve's part in response to the legal battle. Until they said they'd open CS:S next week, Vivendi was in a position of holding on to HL2 for "testing" for up to 6 months. Doing so isn't really good for either company, but Vivendi is huge and would survive it much better than Valve. So Vivendi seemingly had the upper hand.

Apparently CS:S is not specifically covered under Vivendi's HL2 contract, so Valve can do as they like with it (though I'm pretty sure Vivendi will argue otherwise pretty soon). So they release the CS:S part of the HL2 package early (an until-now overlooked advantage of electronic distribution). If Vivendi doesn't get a boxed retail version out, they will start losing big sales to people who can't wait anymore to get something. And I mean much bigger sales than the Steam version would otherwise get.

Therefore the tables have turned and Vivendi is now the one under pressure.

Just my take on the situation...

 

[estling]

You can't play CSS next weak unless you buy one of the HL2-packages..

If you buy one, CSS is activated ..

 

[patto]

I for one have always wanted to be a retail box buyer. Despite knowing that a Steam purchase is better for Valve. I just want a box. However unless the retail boxed version is announce soon I think I will get the Steam version so I can play CS:S.

This is one very smart move by Valve. :cheers:

 

[Dagobert]

Of course Vivendi publishing control over CS:S, why wouldn't they?

Who published CS on XBox?

and the other point - the reason HL2 is not available next week is that it has to be released on Steam the same day it is released in the shops, and because HL2 has been accepted as a gold master yet.

 

[Reaperman]

next week will something appear on steam to buy a package?

if so i might get CS:S next week, and get HL2 when its out? right?

 

[Xac493]

Good move on valves part, I was looking at getting it in stores. But now I'm def getting it off steam next week so i can play css!

 

[briggsb2k]

if cs source is being released on steam nxt week, that must mean that it passed its RC that was sent with HL2 and H1 source. If cs source passed HL2 has gotta pass as well, otherwise valve wudnt release it if VU found a problem with cs source during testing the RC. I reckon a big announcement is coming from VU soon, they gotta release soon otherwise everyone will buy off Steam. I know were i'm gonna buy off.
Screw VU!

 

[Xac493]

I think valve is saying that CSS and HL2 are two diffrent games and that they only owe VUG 1. Then by selling a preorder of hl2 and CSS bundled together they put more pressure on VUG to release hl2 because people will start buying off steam to play CSS.

Very smart move on Valves part if you ask me. I know I was leaning towards a boxed copy, but now when next week rolls around I'm gonna probably get the silver package.

 

[briggsb2k]

does ne1 have any info on prices for the steam releases?

 

[guise]

valves contract with VUG is for 1 game right?

and cs:s will be made available stand alone, so it is therefore a seperate game which is just made available as hl2's multiplayer component.

cs:s coming out earlier then hl2 means to me valve is stalling for time untill VUG get their act together and get hl2 out.

 

[krameriffic]

Look at it this way, they must believe their engine is near-bugless if they are confident enough to release CS:S to everyone. If that be the truth, then HL2, being based off of the same engine, must be at a near-bugless point as well.

 

[dream431ca]

I would hate to believe that Valve is releasing CS:Source to keep us occupied for six months before HL2...because I'm not getting HL2 of steam so I won't beable to play CS:Source. :hmph:

 

[jaguar_987]

Look at it this way, they must believe their engine is near-bugless if they are confident enough to release CS:S to everyone. If that be the truth, then HL2, being based off of the same engine, must be at a near-bugless point as well.

Of course they believe the game is "bugless" enough to be released or they wouldn't have sent the game on to VUG as an RC.