Valve Timeline

[Munro]

Lately I've been looking into Valve's history and trying to piece together all the events that have come before today now Half-Life 2 and Episode One are out. I realised this is impossible without help so I thought I'd make this a community effort I want us to attempt to create a timeline of every event in the history of Valve from it's formation to what they are doing today. This means release dates, announcements, interviews, gold dates, etc. There can be multiple events for each day.

I thought I'd kick this off with a few to start with:

May 27, 1997 - Sierra announces an agreement with Valve to publish and distribute the game developer's debut release, Half-Life.

October 2, 2003 - The infamous "I need the assistance of the community" forum thread by Gabe Newell announcing the theft of the Half-Life 2 source code.

November 16, 2004 - Half-Life 2 is released.

June 1, 2005 - Halflife2.net Interviews Gabe Newell here.

 

[Beerdude26]

Hmm... We should also include the buying over of DoD and CS by Valve.

 

[Munro]

Should do... but do you know the dates?

 

[bliink]

Try here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation

It has some more dates.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Release dates of HL mods-

CS - June 19, 1999

DOD - May 1, 2003

TFC - April 1999 (1.5 - June 8th, 2000)

DMC - June 11, 2001.

Richochet (if notable?) - June 12, 2002.

Release dates of Games -

Half-life - November 20, 1998

Opposing Force - October 31, 1999 (Gearbox though, does it count?)

Blueshift - June 12, 2001 (ditto)

Condition Zero - March 21, 2004

Half-life 2 - November 16, 2004

Lost Coast - October 27, 2005

Episode 1 - June 1, 2006

Source Mods

HL2DM - November 30, 2004

CS:Source - October 7, 2004 (beta testing)

DOD:Source - 28 September 2005

 

[^Ben]

1996 Founded
Late 1996 License Quake engine.

March 21, 2003 - Valve internally set the date for September 30th

Game Developers Conference in March 2002 - Gabe unveils steam.

 

[liPillON]

some useful informations about the early days can be found here
http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/part2.html
http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/part22.html
http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/part23.html
http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/part24.html

 

[99.vikram]

This is all I can find now

http://collective.valve-erc.com/index.php?doc=1049757188-59601300

 

[Harryz]

Off Voodoo Extreme forums from a person called zwaffleVE. Some crap in there, but some good info too.

Oct18 11:08am Half-Life 2 GOLD
Oct18 12:01am Besides Half-Life 2, which PC games are you most looking forward to playing this year?
Oct16 12:01am Do you think Half-Life 2 went gold and Valve is keeping quiet about it or are these websites making shit up
Oct15 08:05pm Half-Life 2 Gold?
Oct15 01:18pm Half-Life 2 Submitted to Euro Agencies
Oct15 12:01am Do you think Half-Life 2 will go gold today?
Oct14 05:07pm Half-Life 2 Pre-Load Phase 6
Oct14 12:03am Do you plan on upgrading your PC to play Half-Life 2?
Oct13 01:53pm Half-Life 2 @ BBC
Oct13 01:11am Half-Life 2 Release Status?
Oct12 09:36pm C-S: Source Update
Oct12 03:49pm Final Counter-Strike Source Impressions
Oct10 03:27am Counter-Strike: Source Movie Pack
Oct08 08:00pm Valve / Doug Lombardi Q&A
Oct08 07:05pm Half-Life 2 Optimization Guide
Oct08 11:28am PC Gamer US Half-Life 2 Score
Oct07 11:01am Half-Life 2 Purchase Available via Steam
Oct07 01:55am Steam Update
Oct07 01:37am Are you going to get Half-Life 2 today on Steam?
Oct06 03:29pm Half-Life 2 Steam Offers Tomorrow
Oct05 10:35am Half-Life 2 on DVD in UK
Oct04 12:35am Counter-Strike: Source Today?
Oct03 12:35am Counter-Strike: Source Preview
Oct02 02:50pm 45 Half-Life 2 Screen Shots
Oct01 02:23am Half-Life 2 On November 26th?
Sep30 06:53am Half-Life 2 Receives 96% In PC Gamer UK
Sep29 08:13pm Half-Life 2 Preview
Sep29 06:10pm Half-Life 2 Pre-Load Phase 5
Sep29 02:53pm ATI HL2 Voucher Owners To Receive Bronze Package
Sep29 12:45am Half-Life 2 Release Packages; CS:Source Next Week
Sep28 05:52pm HL2 Multiplayer Confirmed
Sep27 06:12pm Phase 4 Of Half-Life 2 Steam Preload Begins
Sep27 03:51pm Half-Life 2 Reviewed by PC Gamer?
Sep27 03:11pm The Half-Life Evolution
Sep27 03:08pm C-S Source Full Preload
Sep25 02:28am Do you even give a flying hoopla about Half-Life 2 anymore?
Sep24 04:56pm Counter-Strike: Source Update Adds New Maps
Sep24 04:09pm VU Games Holding Half-Life 2 Hostage?
Sep24 12:58am C-S Source Beta Update
Sep24 12:01am Which version of Half-Life 2 do you plan on getting?
Sep23 09:49pm Half Life 2 Special Edition?
Sep23 01:45pm Steam Update
Sep22 10:57am Steam Update
Sep22 01:45am Valve / VU Lawsuit Q&A
Sep21 09:02pm Steam Update
Sep21 05:55pm Source Engine Licensed for MMORPG
Sep20 08:02am Valve vs. Vivendi In Court
Sep16 12:41pm Half-Life 2 Sent To Vivendi
Sep16 11:53am Counter-Strike: Source Quickie
Sep15 12:00am Do you think the Half-Life 2 RC will hit gold status?
Sep13 01:28am Half Life 2 Guide Book Q&A
Sep11 11:33am Half Life 2 Coast Video
Sep11 01:21am Half-Life 2 Pre-load Phase 3
Sep09 01:52am Counter-Strike: Source Beta Patch
Sep08 02:31am C-S: Source Beta Update
Sep06 12:24am New Half Life 2 Screenies
Sep04 03:01pm Half Life 2 in November?
Sep02 06:55pm Half-Life 2 Preload Phase 2
Aug31 09:24pm Counter-Strike: Source Update
Aug30 03:05pm Regarding Half Life 2 Going Gold...
Aug29 09:20pm GeForce FX and DX 9 Half-Life 2 Performance
Aug29 01:37pm CS: Source Beta Update
Aug28 02:45pm Half-Life 2 Preload Info
Aug28 12:16am Half-Life 2 Going Gold Monday?
Aug28 12:03am If Valve ported Half Life 1's multiplayer (Deathmatch, Team Fortress Classic) to the Source engine and included it with Half Life 2, would you see that as a viable alternative to Counter-Strike: Source?
Aug27 02:02pm Half-Life 1/2 Source Engine Comparison
Aug26 07:02pm Half-Life 2 Preloading Underway
Aug24 12:03am Which game do you think will sell more copies - Half Life 2 or The Sims 2?
Aug23 07:57pm CS: Source Beta Update
Aug23 03:04pm Half Life 2 Movies
Aug23 01:08pm CS: Source Impressions
Aug23 12:05am Do you think Valve will release a demo for Half Life 2? Do they even need to?
Aug21 01:32am CS: Source Beta Update
Aug21 12:04am Half-Life 2 Now Available for Pre-Load on Steam!....
Aug20 02:16am Half-Life 2 Preview & Movie
Aug20 12:03am How confident are you in Steam?
Aug19 07:31pm C-S Source Beta Update
Aug19 11:17am Counter-Strike Source Preview
Aug19 12:15am Will you be content on having Counter-Strike: Source as the only out-of-box multiplayer for Half-Life 2?
Aug18 08:00pm Counter-Strike: Source Beta Live
Aug18 04:44pm Counter-Strike: Source Beta Tonight
Aug18 02:15pm Half-Life 2 Pre-Loads Begin Tomorrow
Aug18 02:46am Half-Life 2 Server Specs
Aug17 02:30am Counter-Strike: Source Impressions
Aug17 12:15am Do you think this latest leak will cause additional Half-Life 2 release delays?
Aug16 09:57pm More Half Life 2 Leaks?
Aug16 05:46pm Counter Strike: Source Pre-loading
Aug16 12:15am Besides Half Life 2, which games are you really looking forward to?
Aug15 07:30pm Half-Life 2 Interview & Shots
Aug15 03:27pm Half Life 2 High-Res E3 Movie
Aug14 01:19pm Counter-Strike: Source Beta Bits
Aug13 02:33pm Valve Talks Counter-Strike: Source
Aug12 02:14pm CS: Source Beta News Page; FAQ
Aug11 03:45pm Steam Update; CS: Source Beta Underway
Aug10 06:30pm Half-Life 2 in 7 Days?
Aug09 05:04pm Counter-Strike: Source Beta Pre-loading...
Aug06 01:14am Steam Updated; Namco Deal
Aug05 02:54pm Counter-Strike: Source Impressions
Aug05 03:29am Counter-Strike: Source Beta Delayed
Aug02 05:58pm Half-Life 2 Impressions
Aug02 05:23pm Counter-Strike: Source Impressions
Jul31 10:53am CS: Source Preview
Jul29 03:46pm Latest Half-Life 2 Release Date (early August)
Jul25 01:19pm Counter-Strike Updated
Jul24 04:53pm Visit to Valve
Jul23 12:55am C-S: Source Beta Open to ATI Coupon Holders
Jul22 12:27am Counter-Strike Update Released
Jul22 12:06am Which do you think will sell the most copies: DOOM III, Half-Life 2 or Halo 2?
Jul21 01:31pm Half-Life 2 Bug Free in 16 Days?
Jul20 12:45am Counter-Strike Source Video
Jul19 12:23am Counter-Strike Source Beta To Use One Map
Jul19 12:05am Which multiplayer option excites you the least? DOOM III's 4-player deathmatch or Half-Life 2's Counter-Strike: Source?
Jul17 12:07pm Counter-Strike 2 Interview
Jul16 01:53pm Half-Life 2 Level Designer Interview
Jul15 02:50pm Half-Life 2 Theft Details
Jul15 01:32am Half-Life 2 Impressions
Jul14 09:59pm Counter-Strike Condition Zero Update
Jul14 12:40am Half-Life 2 Minimum Specs
Jul12 06:27am Doug Lombardi Q&A
Jul09 02:44am Counter-Strike: Source Beta FAQ
Jul07 05:24pm Counter-Strike Source Engine Beta News
Jul05 12:16am Lombardi Hopes Half-Life 2 for Fall
Jul05 12:15am Source Engine Counter Strike Coverage
Jun30 12:27pm Half-Life 2 Q&A
Jun28 11:05am Condtion Zero Update
Jun25 01:25pm Half-Life 2 Forum Bits
Jun23 12:01am Would you rather have a demo of DOOM III or Half-Life 2?
Jun15 12:16am Counter-Strike Update
Jun10 02:52pm Valve Tracks Down Code Theft Hackers
Jun02 11:50am Half-Life 2 Preview
May22 03:48pm Gabe Newell Q&A
May17 01:52pm Half-Life 2 Interview
May15 12:02am How do you feel about Counter-Strike being Half-Life 2's primary multiplayer?
May13 12:39am Half-Life 2 & Counter Strike Impressions
May12 05:08pm Half-Life 2 Multiplayer = CounterStrike?
May12 03:54pm Half-Life 2 Interview & Official Site Relaunch
May10 07:52pm Half-Life 2 Preview at 1Up
May10 12:54pm Counter-Strike 2 Bundled with X800PRO/XT?
May10 12:35pm Half-Life 2 Preview at Gamespot
May10 01:11am Half-Life 2 Hands-On Preview at IGN
May10 01:00am Half-Life 2 Preview at GameSpy
May06 12:20am Do you think Half-Life 2 will make this new semi-official summer release date?
May05 10:24am Half-Life 2 This Summer?
May04 02:00pm Half-Life 2 Preview
May03 01:59am Half-Life 2 at E3
Apr28 05:32pm Half-Life 2 Screenshots
Apr28 12:20am Which game engine looks better, DOOM III or Half-Life 2 Source?
Apr27 02:22pm Half-Life 2 This Summer?
Apr20 03:19pm Tasty Half-Life 2 Mud
Apr20 12:05am Guess Half-Life 2's release date and win a date with Gimpy!
Apr19 01:05am Half-Life 2 in 2005?
Apr12 02:38pm Half-Life 2 Havok Interview
Apr07 02:44pm Half-Life 2 Movies
Apr02 12:30am Source Engine Interview
Mar25 12:59am Half-Life 2 GDC Impressions
Mar24 12:48am Half-Life 2 Preview (of sorts)
Mar22 08:38pm Half-Life 2 at GDC...Sorta
Mar19 01:52am Half-Life 2 Interview & HL3 Rumors
Mar14 12:01am Steam Update
Mar12 01:12am Pre-Order Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Via Steam
Feb28 12:05pm Half-Life 2 Preview
Feb26 03:19am Large Steam Update Soon; Online Game Purchasing Online Shortly
Feb12 11:59am BitTorrent Creator Working At Valve
Feb03 05:56am Half-Life 2 For Summer; Related Source News
Jan22 11:45am The BBC on FBI Half-Life 2 Raids
Jan19 08:24pm Suspected Half-Life 2 Code Thieves Raided by FBI
Jan06 04:23pm Half-Life 2 Nuggets
Dec25 12:39pm Valve Q&A
Dec15 12:40pm Half-Life 2 Nudies
Dec14 04:50am Saddam Hussein Arrested
Dec10 09:40pm Steam Update
Oct27 01:10am Updated ATI Half-Life 2 Offer
Oct26 05:48pm The Story of HL2 Interview
Oct23 02:01pm Steam Update
Oct22 02:20am Steam Update Release, Steam Update Pulled
Oct08 11:11pm What's Next for Valve and Half-Life 2?
Oct08 07:04pm HL2 Shader Explanations
Oct07 12:47pm Playable Version of Half-Life 2 Stolen
Oct07 05:04am Half-Life 2 Delayed Till April 2004
Oct02 02:11pm Gabe Newell Confirms Half-Life 2 Source Code Leak
Oct01 02:48pm Half-Life 2 Interview
Sep30 04:05pm Radeon 9800XT Released, Half-Life 2 Not In Box
Sep29 05:40pm Half-Life 2 Console bits
Sep23 09:25pm HL2 Officially Delayed
Sep20 01:26pm On Half-Life 2 Pay per Play
Sep18 01:49am Half-Life 2 over-hyped? Discuss.
Sep17 01:15am New Steam Installers
Sep13 01:11pm More Half-Life 2 Benchmarks
Sep13 12:56pm Steam With Counter-Strike 1.6 Included Released
Sep12 05:12am Steam Does Not Spy On You
Sep11 05:08pm Half-Life 2 Source Engine DirectX 9 Effects Demo Movie
Sep09 12:19pm Half-Life 2 Q&A
Sep07 01:24pm Half-Life to Use Steam for User Authentication
Sep03 01:16pm Non-Multiplayer Enabled Version Of Half-Life 2 Can Be Upgraded
Sep03 07:25am Half-Life 2 To Be Released In 3 Flavours
Sep03 05:10am UK's Biggest Games Chain States Half-Life 2 Has Been Delayed
Sep02 02:11am Half-Life 2 To Feature Product Activation?
Aug30 06:37pm Valve and ATI In Bed
Aug30 11:02am Half-Life 2 Q&A
Aug28 10:16am Half-Life 2 Q&A
Aug27 03:37pm Half-Life 2 Interview
Aug27 11:13am Half-Life 2 Still Set for Sept 30
Aug26 07:10pm Steam Update
Aug16 02:29am Half-Life 2 Q&A
Aug12 05:55pm Half-Life 2 Video
Aug10 05:20pm HL2 Bits
Aug08 08:11pm HL2 Modding
Aug08 07:45pm Half-Life 2 Article
Aug08 01:57pm Half-Life 2 Delayed?
Aug08 03:42am Valve And Half-Life 2 To Attend ECTS
Aug07 02:09pm Gabe Newell Q&A
Aug06 01:03pm Half-Life 2 Anti-Aliasing Solved
Aug05 10:17pm Half-Life 2 IRC Chat Log
Aug01 02:20pm Bugbait Half-Life 2 Video Available Now
Aug01 01:21am Half-Life 2 Not Delayed
Jul31 01:43am Confusion
Jul30 04:12pm Half-Life 2 Tunnel Video
Jul29 04:39pm Half-Life 2 Delayed
Jul28 11:03am Half-Life 2 Video
Jul23 07:27pm Gabe Newell on FSAA+HL2
Jul20 02:38am Half-Life 2 Q&A
Jul17 12:11pm Half-Life 2 Interview
Jul16 04:03pm Half-Life 2 Video Time. Again.
Jul14 05:26pm Half-Life 2 G Man video
Jul07 01:11pm Half Life 2 Preview
Jul07 07:32am Sven Co-op For Half-Life 2 Q&A
Jul03 04:31pm HL2 SDK/Mod FAQ
Jul01 12:59pm Valve To Assist In Development Of Sven Co-Op For Half-Life 2
Jun26 08:43pm Half-Life 2 Interview
Jun13 12:25pm Half-Life 2 Roundtable
Jun10 03:03pm More on Half-Life2 Xbox
Jun09 01:14pm Valve Confirms Half-Life 2 For Xbox
Jun09 10:30am Half-Life 2 Not Coming To A Xbox Near You?
Jun08 10:15am HL2 Interview
Jun06 12:07am Half-Life 2 FAQ
Jun04 05:39am Half-Life 2 Preview
Jun01 06:30pm More HL2 Views
May31 01:20pm HL2 Forums Open

 

[Munro]

Looks more like a list of news posts then actual real dates.

 

[Munro]

No more input anyone?

 

[bbson john]

Can I call Munro not to double post?

 

[Munro]

It's not really double posting two days apart

 

[Beerdude26]

Can I call Munro not to double post?

Yeah, tell the site owner what he can't and can do.
gg