Its not that they won't, Valve has the weekend off. Which means the earliest they would unlock it is Monday. They won't unlock it 12 or 24 hours early, there's no point for all the trouble it creates.
I don't get how Best Buy is putting it on the shelves already. They didn't even put it in last week's circular. Usually with big releases they'll put an advance ad in. Not for HL2. So I find it odd that they're selling it before advertising it first.
after waiting 6 years people can't wait 2 days for the best game they'll ever play....as in EVER PLAY?
it's kind of like christmas, the waiting is almost as fun as the actual day (in this case, the day HL2 becomes officially available). well, christmas as a kid, when you're still young and innocent and believe the world is good....