Why is this taking so long?

[NateDogX]

When we see games go gold for consoles it takes at max two-four days for the game to ship to retailers and with half life 2 it appears that it will take over a month. Why is this?

 

[KagePrototype]

It. Hasn't. Gone. Gold. Yet.

The most that's happened is that Valve sent a Release Canddiate to be evaluated by Vivendi. It will be "gold" when it's approved, which hasn't happened yet.

 

[Shuzer]

..what world are you living in where console games go gold and come out two to four days later?

 

[Feath]

HA!

As far as I know only one PC game went from gold to retailers in 4 days. That was Diablo 2. 2-3 weeks is the norm.

 

[subtlesnake]

I don't know about console games but PC games take about 2 weeks to ship, normally.

 

[Calhoun]

Vivendi are too busy playing with the Manipulator to tell Valve Software that they accept It.

 

[The Monkey]

Beacouse god wants it to.

 

[SMT]

When we see games go gold for consoles it takes at max two-four days for the game to ship to retailers and with half life 2 it appears that it will take over a month. Why is this?

Now, I'm not sure, but I think it MIGHT be because eager fans who lack perspective bend reality to suit their perception and desires.

 

[f|uke]

Beacouse god wants it to.

Finally, solid proof that God is a bitter and spiteful ol' bugger.

 

[Reaktor4]

most games dont need 6 cds

 

[NateDogX]

I live in this world and I really do not appreciate being flamed for asking a simple question. NBA 2K5 on Xbox went gold on the 27th and was on store shelves the 30th. Many other games follow that suit if you'd like me to get in depth and give more examples just let me know. I do not bend reality to suit my needs, I really don't appreciate hostility especially ignorant hostility.

 

[colin4444]

It. Hasn't. Gone. Gold. Yet.

The most that's happened is that Valve sent a Release Canddiate to be evaluated by Vivendi. It will be "gold" when it's approved, which hasn't happened yet.

Mmmhmmmm, you tell him, sista.

 

[Reaktor4]

I live in this world and I really do not appreciate being flamed for asking a simple question. NBA 2K5 on Xbox went gold on the 27th and was on store shelves the 30th. Many other games follow that suit if you'd like me to get in depth and give more examples just let me know. I do not bend reality to suit my needs, I really don't appreciate hostility especially ignorant hostility.

dont take it so seriously mate

 

[Torre]

Good advice, taking things too seriously on this forum will surely pop a vein on your head.

 

[moondynejoe]

this has been discussed before, a gold ANNOUNCEMENT is not the same as the game going gold. the games rc may be accepted but the announcement is not made untill retail copies are almost ready to ship.
simple.

 

[Bluestrike]

When we see games go gold for consoles it takes at max two-four days for the game to ship to retailers and with half life 2 it appears that it will take over a month. Why is this?

Wel seems like you missed it, but there are lawsuits going on between Sierra (vivendi) and Valve.

 

[VoodooMinigeek]

I happen to work for a software company and when we get an RC, we typically spend a 2 week "crunch time" testing it top to bottom.

We have literally 10s of thousands of automated testing scripts that hammer certain blocks of code but even with all of those scripts, it still isn't the same as just sitting down and trying to go through manual use-case tests which are rather slow and hands on as we have to physically do them.

So, I myself am not really surprised that if they have been through more than one RC, they have to likely do the same use-case tests all over again which in turn pushes out a Gold announcement that much more.

That doesn't mean I like it though I'd love to have the game yesterday already!!!