What a wild few days (retrospective)

[Netherscourge]

The past few days for the Half Life 2 community has been, to say the least, the most tumultous in the history of PC gaming.

Let's all take a moment and digest all of the news of the past few days, shall we?

1. On 9/24 Vivendi comes forward 6 days prior to the announced shipping date to confirm that HL2 is delayed until Holidays 2003.

2. At the Alcatraz event on 9/30 we learn that the HL2 Benchmark is no where near being close to finished. We also learned that the new ATI Video Cards (9600 XT, 9800 XT) will come with a voucher to get HL2 for free via Steam or by mail, S&H not included.

3. On 10/2 rumors of a HL2 source code leak were abound.

4. On 10/3 Gabe Newell confirms that the HL2 source code tree was in fact STOLEN by an elaborate server attack. The source code is now sporadically available on several p2p networks and information about Half Life 2 characters/weapons/vehicles, Team Fortress 2 and Counter Strike 2 are revealed. A plea by Gabe Newell is distributed to help find the culprits.

5. On 10/6 HalfLife Radio visits Valve and learns that only a portion of the HL2 source code tree was actually stolen and that according to the Valve employees he talked to and the general atmosphere in the office, everything was still on schedule and it was business as usual. We also learn that the compiled HL2 hacked beta video was in fact a video created by editing E3 video.

6. On 10/7 CNN reports a statement by Vivendi Universal that in fact 1/3 of the HL2 source code tree was stolen and because of this, HL2 is now pushed back to April 2004.

I don't know about you guys, but I need a vacation!

 

[Doppelgofer]

yep....its been a bit of a bastard for VALVe

i hope they can continue to make a great game after all this hastle

 

[razorblade kiss]

If you sit back and really think about this. It's all Valves fault. I hate to say it because I love those guys. But they really shot themselves in the foot here.

1: September 30th. They knew they werent going to make that date. Don't announced a date unless you KNOW you can hit it.

2: No Benchmark. Don't announce releasing a benchmark to the public unless it's already DONE.

3: The source code wasnt leaked, it was stolen. That's Valves fault. WHo ever the network admin is over there obviously wasnt doing a good job as far as security.

Everything bad that has come for HL2, all the delay talk, rumour, misinformation, source leak, all is a result of Valves mistakes. I hate to say it... I really do. But the company we all cherish, has made one too many mistakes as of late.

 

[Netherscourge]

I think hype will start to build for Doom 3 now - since it will be out first. Who knows - perhaps Doom 3 will pull the rug right out from under Half Life 2... Nvidia FX owners will probably derive some vindication that the game that runs best on their cards will be on the market first.

Think of all the people who just recently upgraded to an ATI card for HL2? The XT pre-orders, where people bought an XT card for the SOLE PURPOSE of getting HL2 via voucher.

ATI is probably pissed that they spent $6 to $8 million on the bundling deal, hoping for big holiday 2003 sales - now this pretty much screws them out of that profit.

Now we all have to wait SIX MORE MONTHS before we can play the game.

What else could possibly go wrong with the game?!?!?

 

[razorblade kiss]

What else could possibly go wrong with the game?!?!?

It could come out...

 

[Netherscourge]

Well, I guess this means I can spend more free time with my wife...

OH GOD PLEASE SHOOT ME NOW!!!!!!!




j/k

 

[theGreenBunny]

Let's not turn this into another delay thread shall we, it'll only get locked

 

[Netherscourge]

Originally posted by theGreenBunny
Let's not turn this into another delay thread shall we, it'll only get locked

It's not a delay thread - it's a retrospective - a somewhat cynical one, I'll admit.

Half Life 2 reminds me of the Apollo 13 mission... and Murphy's Law.

I think I just spewed forth my new signature!

 

[Netherscourge]

Originally posted by Netherscourge
The past few days for the Half Life 2 community has been, to say the least, the most tumultous in the history of PC gaming.

Let's all take a moment and digest all of the news of the past few days, shall we?

1. On 9/24 Vivendi comes forward 6 days prior to the announced shipping date to confirm that HL2 is delayed until Holidays 2003.

2. At the Alcatraz event on 9/30 we learn that the HL2 Benchmark is no where near being close to finished. We also learned that the new ATI Video Cards (9600 XT, 9800 XT) will come with a voucher to get HL2 for free via Steam or by mail, S&H not included.

3. On 10/2 rumors of a HL2 source code leak were abound.

4. On 10/3 Gabe Newell confirms that the HL2 source code tree was in fact STOLEN by an elaborate server attack. The source code is now sporadically available on several p2p networks and information about Half Life 2 characters/weapons/vehicles, Team Fortress 2 and Counter Strike 2 are revealed. A plea by Gabe Newell is distributed to help find the culprits.

5. On 10/6 HalfLife Radio visits Valve and learns that only a portion of the HL2 source code tree was actually stolen and that according to the Valve employees he talked to and the general atmosphere in the office, everything was still on schedule and it was business as usual. We also learn that the compiled HL2 hacked beta video was in fact a video created by editing E3 video.

6. On 10/7 CNN reports a statement by Vivendi Universal that in fact 1/3 of the HL2 source code tree was stolen and because of this, HL2 is now pushed back to April 2004.

----UPDATE----

7. On 10/7 a hacked Pre-release demo beta is released on p2p filesharing networks. Pandemonium ensues.

to be continued...

 

[Netherscourge]

Half Life 2 would make good money as a daytime soap opera...

 

[silent]

Yeah, Jesus Christ. What a wild few days indeed. I personally think it's a really shitty few wild days. Only good that comes out of these shits is the fact that I realize I need to get over my hl2 release drug.

 

[Netherscourge]

Originally posted by silent
Yeah, Jesus Christ. What a wild few days indeed. I personally think it's a really shitty few wild days. Only good that comes out of these shits is the fact that I realize I need to get over my hl2 release drug.

Seriously - I think Diablo 2 Patch 1.10 will come out before Half Life 2 now. How sad is that?

lol - cynical

 

[DaveKap]

Yeah, ever since September 23rd everythings gone to hell as far as HL2 is concerned.

Craziness...

 

[Jabrim]

Reply:

Well I went from looking forward to the game to not really giving a shit anymore myself, the fact that I'm on these forums is pure boredom. :dozey:


- Jason

 

[bate18]

so is there a beta demo of HL2? yes or no? simple as that

 

[bate18]

f*ck valve. f*ck HL2.

 

[Mountain Man]

You forgot one part of your retrospective:

Half-Life 2 fans get fed up with Valve's deception and lack of accurate and timely information. Start looking for other games to spend their money on.

 

[Jabrim]

Reply:

Mountain pretty much hit the nail on the head, which just happen to be sitting on top of the coffin thus being the nail in the coffin...heh


- Jason