The Sound of Silence

[Rupertvdb]

In a bold attempt to walk the line of HL2 demand i am just wondering why Valve have done that frustrating going incredibly quiet thing that they are so very good at.

Just like last time the game is hyped to breaking point but the follow up releases, that keeps everyone encouraged, fail to manifest, no squeaks from the SDK, no trailers, nothing, i am not pandering for a demo or more information but i am wondering whether anyone else is bemused by the stony silence from the news world.

 

[FoB_Ed]

They're probably too busy finding and eliminating bugs.

 

[Rupertvdb]

don't forget answering emails...

 

[slicktick]

Just let them finish the game for crying out loud, we have seen in the past that Valve doesnt always use the best marketing stategies, but they arent a marketing company, they are a game company, so just let them finsish the game so we can play it. There is no sense complaining.

 

[Neutrino]

Just let them finish the game for crying out loud, we have seen in the past that Valve doesnt always use the best marketing stategies, but they arent a marketing company, they are a game company, so just let them finsish the game so we can play it. There is no sense complaining.

I didn't notice anyone complaining about it here.

 

[Frost]

Yeah, I'm a huge HL fan just like everyone else here but the marketing does suck. They don't want to give dates but then they'll say something is coming "Soon" like the SDK or the benchmark or videos or new about HL2 or HL2 itself! They never follow through though, its starting to get to the point where I'm avoiding HL2.net just to not keep my hopes so high of getting some new info or videos or new of a final release date. Everyone at Valve is great, I understand that they don't have final dates on things but it would be nice if they would say... the HL2 Benchmark will be out BY July 6th 2004 or something along those lines, Let us know their goal date... Saying something will be out summer... and then not defining what they exactly think summer months are is crazy... Not even a straight answer as to if they follow the normal four seasons like everyone outside the game industry does If they set a date and it came out sooner then their announced date would anyone care? Hell no, we'd be surprised and happy. I can't wait for HL2 just like everyone else but the silence is killing me... if only siblings and co-workers could be as quite as the people at Valve In closing, I understand Valve is working hard as heck on getting the game perfect for us, and the quality and standards set by the first game are hard to top, I know they look to do so and I don't want the game before its READY but I would like to know when they hope to have it ready and maybe given SOME info every now and then. I think Bungie handles this pretty well with Halo 2, have someone post info every week and let people know what’s going on around the office, what cool new stuff has happened, how the game is turning out, ect. Who else agrees/disagrees?

 

[Someone]

Yeah, I'm a huge HL fan just like everyone else here but the marketing does suck. They don't want to give dates but then they'll say something is coming "Soon" like the SDK or the benchmark or videos or new about HL2 or HL2 itself! They never follow through though...

See that's the thing that confuses me also. I have always assumed they clam up because they made some horrible PR moves in the past...so better (and safer) to say nothing than to say something which doesn't come true. I mean who would want to hear all the complaining again like when the game was delayed in sept? I know I wouldn't...so I'd shut up too.

BUT...

Then there is always something lingering...SDK coming soon ...benchmark coming at some point....videos soon....etc.

I CAN understand if they want to be quiet so they won't say something which they can't follow through with, but if that's the case, either don't say ANYTHING, or say only the things which are ready to go today (not tomorrow or next week or month) and then there can be no problems. Or at least make sure you have a realistic date.

There also seems to be a problems with communication within valve. Seems to be the occasional problem of one person saying one thing in the media, while another says something a little different to a different source. Maybe not night and day difference, but enough to cause confusion.

valve are a quality team with a lot of talent who make great games...but their PR skills really suck.

In the end though, as long as HL2 is good, I really don't mind the wait or the quiet.

 

[slicktick]

I didn't notice anyone complaining about it here.

I know, it was kinda implied, and I didnt want this thread to be filled with people all riled up about it, I guess i kinda got carried away though.

 

[Zyphria]

Ever heard of "get sh*t done now" mode? It's when the Devs lock down and put on the blinders to focus on finishing a game. And yes Valve needs to replace Gabe as the prime marketing guy. He may be good at many things, but that isn't necessarily one of them.

 

[PinnerDink]

Unfortunately more than 1 game company has learnt the lessons like Valve. It seems, not everyone learns however.

3drealms is a prime example. They were TERRIBLE...they hyped duke forever through the fricken roof...just to turn around and say nothing...they did this more than once.

Well they learnt their mistake...totally shut up...and said 'were just gonna finish it...we wont say or release ANYTHING until you KNOW for sure the game is coming in 6 months".

Why dont other game companies (valve) learn from this??! They made a mistake(s) last year...fine...learn from them!! Whats with coming to E3 again and getting the fans all drooling again and making 'soon' promises...then shutting up.

Its absolutely ridiculous...in the future...I hope valve doesnt say crap about halflife 3 until they are for SURE its ~6months away. This cat and mouse game is getting old.

 

[Baal]

I just want the game...really badly.

 

[Rupertvdb]

i wasn't complaining, the walk the line comment was a nod to the fact that like Jesus i would be misunderstood, makes you think....

I just wondered if anyone found their style of marketing funny, Zyphria you sound like an industry insider, answering questions that weren't asked and educating us in the 'modes' of 'devs' Thanks!

 

[WhiteBoy]

I am a huge fan myself, and everyday I come here hoping for another peice of Half-Life 2 information to chew on, but day after endless day, I am disappointed. I am not asking for more videos, screenshots, or a release date, but I would, at the very least, like to see an interview with Gabe, Doug, or Rick. An interview with anyone of those would satistfy my longing for Half-Life 2 for another day. Everytime the silence sets in, I am practicly praying it will end with somthing to ponder on; although, it turns out more often then not, to be just a slow day.

 

[Skullhair]

"The Sound of Silence"

Ass, now I have that song stuck in my head

 

[scribblehead]

I remember the last time we had this silence...

"HL2 delayed"....aww stickle-fudge...

 

[Phraxtion]

I think an update would be nice, say 1 every 1-2 weeks maybe. Just maybe a few details of what they were working on and how things were going, ya know.. just to keep us informed.

Then again 1-2 weeks might be a little overkill uh..

 

[Synthaxx R-or]

The thing is, if this was last years E3 we probably wouldn't be having this discussion. The delay of last year isn't somthing Valve can do again this year, we're not as forgiving as we were then anymore.
As such I think they will have to be extra carefull about what kinds of information they let loose on us rabid fanboys (*where appropriate ). They know they'll have to live up too a large legacy, that combined with the demoralizing hack is enough to make any game developer cringe.

I know this has been said a hundred times over, but good things come to those who wait.
Play a game, watch a movie, don't spend to much time on this forum, and just when you allmost forgot about HL2 it'll be on the shelves. Not to mention this forum will be getting a hard time when that happens

 

[Gunner]

The sound of silence, could it be the calm before the storm?

 

[hiln]

I'm guessing and being optimistic in thinking they are quiet and working hard to announce a very soon release date that will surprise everyone. :monkee:

 

[Space Cowboy]

I must echo a lot of sentiments here by saying that Valve's silence in PR is very frustrating.

BUT at least they answer emails about the game BUT they don't say anything really significant i.e. release dates for SDK or even how progress on the SDK is going.

I think the word "soon" is the word that I hate most after coming into contact with HL2.

 

[dream431ca]

I got a theory for this silence.

Valve is not going to give out a huge amount of information. They are going to release very small hints to the fans and when the game finally comes...WHAM!!! Information overload for the fans because they are actually playing the game.

Valve wants the public to find out for themselves.

 

[Vegeta897]

Valve says we will be hearing more info in the upcoming weeks before release.

 

[Polykarbon]

I think we are lucky that we get this much info from Valve.

Valve is quite easily the top community based developer out there...with maybe the exception of Bethesda.

 

[RogueShadow]

I think we are lucky that we get this much info from Valve.

Valve is quite easily the top community based developer out there...with maybe the exception of Bethesda.

Much agree'd, Valve is practically an open book compared to most other developers. If you wanna know something, pop an email. And you often get an answer, even if it's not something they wanna tell you yet, they'll say something.

 

[goldenboi]

What a dramatic thread ;( x 2

WTF is up Valve? No one likes people who can't keep promises. Let alone their word.

 

[CrazyHarij]

Heh.. Well I don't think we're gonna hear anything new in a while.

 

[riTuaL]

I've learned just to wait. I mean, hey, I'd love to see massive updates and some gameplay movies but I know it's not realistic thinking. After last years release date fell through I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Don't worry about it, we'll get HL2 sometime or another.

 

[WhiteBoy]

Valve says we will be hearing more info in the upcoming weeks before release.

I believe they've said we would hear about it before it was released, and judging by their record, they could be 05 : :cheers:

 

[FoxDie]

I don't want to see any more videos or screenshots, I don't want to read any more frusturatingly vague previews provided by people who got to play the game... All I want is some info on development :rolling: Just something to keep me going until it is released. I appreciate how well Valve stays in touch with its community on a smaller level (replying to e-mails, etc.) but I have to agree, now that we are approaching summer, I am starting to feel some agitation towards the lack of information. What makes it worse is when a rep says:
Previous to E3
"Oh, don't worry, you'll be getting ALOT of new information as E3 approaches..."

After E3
"A lot of new information should be coming in the following weeks, now that E3 is over..."

Weeks after E3
"You should be getting a lot of new information soon" or "A lot of new information should be coming in as release approaches...which, by the way, we still aren't going to give you a date any clearer than "Summer Season""

But I do have sympathy for Valve. They are trying to live up to very high expectations, and the hack was surely a huge morale crusher. I'm sure we can all find things to occupy us until the release, when we can all rejoice that our waiting is over. Here's to Half-Life 2's release :cheers: