Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Concept]

An interesting article on latecomers to Steam such as myself, and how Half-Life 2 may propel it as a viable format which other developers can adopt in their own distribution methods.

http://www.bit-tech.net/column/25/

Source: http://www.halflife2.net/forums/show...0&page=1&pp=15

[Len]

HL2: Raising The Bar (The Making Of...)

Basically this is gonna be published by Prima (I know I know) but is not the strategy guide for HL2 'cos who needs/wants that..?

Is a history of Valve, HL, all the mods and the making of HL2 and all the shenanigans that have ensued. Interview with the author here:

http://homelanfed.com/index.php?id=25999

They're trying to produce a coffee table style book which is gonna be stuffed full of artwork from the game(s) and be very very nice by the sound of it. Valve basically gave the author access all areas.

Apparently, and more importantly, though it will be released 14-30 days before HL2 gets released and may well be a limited run. I've had a look at various places and no-one seems to have any info or pre-orders available for it as yet but keep yr eyes peeled I say 'cos i know I want a copy.

[FreelancePolice]

with this preload thing won't everything overload on the day its released? i don't really understand it

[Len]

Well in theory no if I understand you correctly.

Basically you pre-load via Steam just about all the game bar some, relatively small but significant part that makes the whole lot run, at yr leisure now, and then, I assume, at 12:00am on the day of release they finally allow you to dl the bit that makes it tick as it were and voila, you can start playing immediately.

Of course if you only choose to preload on the day of release then I imagine it will be a bit of a 'mare as it ain't small (you may as well go buy it down the shops). Which is why they've been staggering the preloads, up to the 3rd now.

Have a look back through the thread, I'm quite sure there's a more indepth explanation if yr interested.

See here:

http://www.steampowered.com/

[FreelancePolice]

ahhh thanks, might start doing that in that case

[Len]

Hmm, they've got the book listed here but seem to think it's a strategy guide as well and at ?12.99 I wouldn't be expecting a 'coffee table' style book. You'd expect it to be a tad more exspensive.

http://shop.game.net/ViewProduct.aspx?cat=2&mid=323253

Maybe worth a pre-order though 'cos they may well have f@cked the price or don't actually know as yet and are just assuming it's another strategy guide...

Further checking reveals Amazon have got it as well, reduced from ?20 to ?13.99 so looks like Game have made a f@ck up.

[Concept]

The trials and tribulations of following Half-Life 2 online...

The rumour of the RC 15th September submission is true apparently.

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37953&page=1&pp=15

Confirmed from an already compromised account (remember the fake gold announcment?) so I don't know what to believe. Although this information has said to have been confirmed in several emails to Gabe Newell too.

And why is this news on the first release candidate significant?

Because it only took 48 hours from this to the original Half-Life going gold, that's why. And since Half-Life 2 has been in alpha status since March, you'd hope Valve have got their bug checking nailed down.

[Concept]

Date Thu, 16 Sep 2004 7:22 PM ( 37 mins 1 sec ago )
From "Gabe Newell" <[email protected]>
To "Ben M" <@fastmail.fm>
Subject RE: RC on the 15th?

yes

-----Original Message-----
From: Ben M [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 11:04 AM
To: Gabe Newell
Subject: RC on the 15th?

Hi,

No doubt you've received dozens if not hundreds of emails about this
very subject. I just saw a post from your account on the Half-Life 2
Fallout forums confirming the first RC has been submitted to Vivendi,
yet after what happened with the fake gold announcment hijacking of your
account, understandbly many are wary if the information is from the
'real' you or not. A simple yes or no would suffice.

Hopefully, if the RC has been submitted I take it this means any faint
fears the game will be delayed until 2005 can be put to rest. Anyway, if
the post was from you and not a hijacker, thanks for the information.
Although the confirmation of the RC submission changes nothing in
itself, the act is a symbolic gesture of faith towards the community
that things are definately progressing in the right direction.

Regards

Ben

Sweet.

Think about what September 30th means historically for Half-Life 2, and then consider that hopefully the release candidate sent to Vivendi will be of high quality. I think due to the signifcance of that date, we could be seeing an official release day and a gold announcement on the 30th. Just to banish the memory of what it meant last year.

[Ish]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Good news indeed.

[ascender]

Definite step in the right direction. I suppose it now depends on how much testing Vivendi plan to do.

Any word on the next pre-loads then?

[Spatial]

it only took 48 hours from this to the original Half-Life going gold, that's why.

That kind of talk is just trying to get me all excited

How much testing can Vivendi now do that Valve haven't already ? Just release the damn game already !!!111!!!!!!!

[Concept]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=56634

To add more fuel to the fire, Valve sound confident of the RC being passed quickly. Although potential hints from UK retailers at a 2005 European release aren't exactly making me jump for joy.

Any delay of that magnitude (or any delay whatsoever actually), and it'll be Steam or US import time.

[Tom Salter]

Fnghghghghghghgh.

Sorry, getting all excited now. I just hope this is the last time we'll hear "It's close now!".

[Len]

Same as above really, great news and another step closer.

I can feel a change in the air...can't you...?

[Concept]

I can sense Valve getting a big payday through Steam from users outside of the US, if Vivendi shoot themselves in the foot by issuing any localisation delays.

That's for sure.