Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Len]

Knock on the door this mornin whilst I'm lying in bed, so obviously I ignore it. Get up 5 mins later and there's a delivery attempt note from FedEx on the floor. Hmm ok, I haven't got anything coming so am a bit confused.

Get to work and put the tracking number in and it says package from...Valve!

So all my gold gubbins was on my doorstep this morning and I missed it...lol! I'm amazed it arrived so soon, they said you could wait up to, was it 8 - 12 weeks, for delivery of extras...? Not the week before!

Anyway due to FedEx being crap I've had to re-direct it to work and as that's such a hugely difficult thing for them to deal with it'll turn up Tues/Wedn next week. Not too fussed as there's nowt I need for the game anyway, so it can come when it comes.

So anyone else get a delivery from Valve this morning...?

[Concept]

Yup. I got my Gold stuff today.

The delivery actually came yesterday, but I was asleep at the time so I didn't hear them knocking. Thankfully, I made sure someone was in to pick up the delivery this morning while I was out.

Good to actually see that everything is definitely on track. Whilst I was visiting my local GAME to pick up Halo 2, I enquired about the release date, just to double check. The game is certainly launching on Tuesday in the UK (an unusual exception to the general Friday rule) - I was still half expecting a staggered release date.

It's great to have some physical materials to back up the online purchase now, even if they mostly are side-dressing to the main experience. Of course, the trouble is to put that Strategy guide and soundtrack CD well away until after I've finished the game.

The delivery today has me pumped right back up for next Tuesday.

Let's face it - The biggest sequel of the last six years is almost on the eve of it's release, and signs such as the Gold material deliveries, act obviously as another indication that we're so, so close now.

[Len]

Absolutely, now I just hope my coffee table HL2 book turns up and I'll be happy.

[Concept]

Raising the Bar? Yeah - I ordered that too from GAME ages ago. It's due to be released any time now, although I don't know if that's for the US-only.

I hope GAME still aim to get copies in (I've not had an order cancellation email yet), otherwise I'll have to import.

[Spatial]

Gold stuff sent already ? Wow, there's really no going back now !

I hope I did't jinx it.

Guess you can rest easy now mate

[Spatial]

Rumours abound that Game have started to process / package orders ?!

Anyone had an order status update from anywhere yet ?

[Sergeant Syphillis]

Hmm, I haven't heard anything yet but that could be due to the fact I've got it on special delivery (they only sent Halo 2 yesterday so that it would arrive this morning). I really can't wait now, after playing Halo 2 for a bit I've reallly developed a thirst for something different and hopefully this game will do the job.

Still can't believe it though, Halo, HL and then there's Metal gear next week, too...many...games...

[Oh! My Car!]

anyone else looking forward to DoD: Source? CS Source greatly improves a game that I otherwise find dull. A revamp of DoD may just be the best thing since HL2 singleplayer

[Spatial]

But apparently it locked up tighter than a drum by Steam.

Guess its the 16th and nothing but the 16th

[Ciaran]

Damn it spatial. I was just about to post this.


Between you and concept I don't think we have missed a single bit of news.

[Spatial]

Between you and concept I don't think we have missed a single bit of news.

We wouldn't want to dissapoint

I hear lots of screams of `Valve said they'd unlock early if the street date was broken, and here's the proof ! Unlock ! Unlock ! Unlock !`.

While those pics are only one source, how many other people have got a copy ?

Who knows what will happen now ? Valve could hold out. Unless street dates are broken left right and center maybe they'll stick to their guns.

It could even be some little bugger is trying to crack the thing right now as I type

Longest. Five Days. Ever.

[Tig]

anyone else looking forward to DoD: Source?

Obviously. It's going to pwn.
Yesterday I found a ridiculously long interview which has a lot of small hints about DoD: S. There's 163 questions asked, the majority of which are stupid and / or rubbish, but there's some interesting stuff there for the DoD hardcore. It might be out of date, I don't know.
Anyway, highlighs include:

Q. Any chance on new types of weapons?
A: 99%

Q: Are mortars planned to debut in this release?
A: 80%

Q: Will we be able to use interactive objects to hurt or kill people?
A: 99%

Q: will the player count on servers still be 32 player or will in be 40 like in css or will it be even higher?
A: Possibility for much higher...

Q: Are there going to be any changes in the way deployable weapons are implemented?
A: I would like to see that whole system get a facelift. It shouldnt be such a pain to deploy and undeploy. Especially the endeploying part.. it makes no sense for the weapon to be down as long as it is. Abandoning the gun to be able to quickly run away might be an option..

Q: is the spawning system going to be the same or is will it be changed like in bf1942 where you choose where you want to spawn on the mini map?
A: Same, but we'll try new things. One idea is we start the map as we do now, but some of the objectives/flags open up new spawn points. Capture the field to open up a paratrooper spawn point, capture the road bridge to open up a vehicle (!) spawn point, etc

Basically sounds like DoD with minor tweaks. But later on there might be vehicles and stuff. Woot.

[Tom Salter]

So I'm guessing even though you can install the game now, you can't activate it through Steam until Valve say so?

[Chadruharazzeb]

The fact that you've got the game and can't play it until the 16th only goes to re-emphasise what a dickhead of an idea all this unlocking business is.

[Tom Salter]

Indeed. You aren't forced to **** the bed and get up for postie any more, because you can't play the game anyway.

/me puts away bucket of warm water from bedside