B
bamboo
Guest
Valve might not have done anything wrong at all. In fact, the opposite could be true. Vivendi Universal Games could have played a larger role in the postponed release then most are giving credit for.
Valve in the past has treated it's customers and fans with companionship. The amount of fan and developer communication is rare. Gabe Newell has gone as far as publishing his phone number on the boards for people to get in touch with him. Movies and specs have been provided, tons of interviews granted and most directed at small community based outlets. These are not traits of a company that would lie about making a release days before they announce a postponement.
Valve's publisher Vivendi Universal Games is one of the largest distributors of video games. Vivendi Games earned 794 million euros in the fiscal year of 2002. Their releases are managed by a team of market analyst and assorted other sleazy people that's sole concern is to absolutely maximize profits. If market indicators showed that a release date of winter would increase over all sales by 0.1%, then they would force it to be released in winter.
If something like this happened Valve would most likely fight it. Both organization would position them selves accordingly. Valve would act like the September date was valid and Vivendi would make a press release that the release date was set back. Both of which happened. The point I'm trying to make is Valve has been decent to their fans in the past and their might be something that is forcing them not to release that they can't openly talk about.
Valve in the past has treated it's customers and fans with companionship. The amount of fan and developer communication is rare. Gabe Newell has gone as far as publishing his phone number on the boards for people to get in touch with him. Movies and specs have been provided, tons of interviews granted and most directed at small community based outlets. These are not traits of a company that would lie about making a release days before they announce a postponement.
Valve's publisher Vivendi Universal Games is one of the largest distributors of video games. Vivendi Games earned 794 million euros in the fiscal year of 2002. Their releases are managed by a team of market analyst and assorted other sleazy people that's sole concern is to absolutely maximize profits. If market indicators showed that a release date of winter would increase over all sales by 0.1%, then they would force it to be released in winter.
If something like this happened Valve would most likely fight it. Both organization would position them selves accordingly. Valve would act like the September date was valid and Vivendi would make a press release that the release date was set back. Both of which happened. The point I'm trying to make is Valve has been decent to their fans in the past and their might be something that is forcing them not to release that they can't openly talk about.