Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Concept]

I think it's a good idea. Rather than having people produce an elitist 'I'm playing this before you' attitude (which let's face it, most of those who have early copies would probably gloat about that fact if they could play the game), the unlocking business puts everyone on level pegging. Both online and retail users.

Everyone who looks forward to this game will be playing it at more or less the same time. I know if a large proportion of the public in the US anticipating Half-Life 2 were able to play it six days before the street date, then I'd be a little annoyed on us missing out here.

[Moodmon]

Hang on, if you can buy the game now, but can't play it, what's the point in forcing retail to wait when you can't play it anyway. Madness.

[DjSatansfury]

Because retail are meant to wait anyway, but never do.

There is no watchdog system within gaming retail, to stop companies from going early. I do believe in the cd and dvd markets, they have a "watchdog" setup, that runs on a 3 strikes and you're out system, with regards to early releases.

By forcing verification to one day only, it shows a new method of being able to withhold the release date (even if people DO go early) and give the usual publishing model/publishers a swift kick in the tits. Probably because Valve thought of it first

[Chadruharazzeb]

What's so great about nobody being able to play it until everyone else can? What purpose? What greater good? People import videogames so that they can do just that. I wouldn't give a ****e if some brer somewhere else in the world was already playing it.

[Zapp$ter]

^ I totally agree, as long as I get to play it, I couldn't care less whether someone else is going through it whilst I'm sat working away ft: (no really it doesn't bother me).

Some people feels it ruins their experience of the game( don't ask me how). You only have to look at some of the posts with regards to all those people who played Halo2 early(albeit that was a pirated version ). People were going on about how those who played it early were ruining it for everyone else. I kept thinking to myself how is that possible? why should you care if someone else is playing it before you?

[Len]

[QUOTE=Concept]I think it's a good idea. Rather than having people produce an elitist 'I'm playing this before you' attitude (which let's face it, most of those who have early copies would probably gloat about that fact if they could play the game), the unlocking business puts everyone on level pegging. Both online and retail users.[QUOTE]

Well said, couldn't agree more. I think it's hilarious that ppl have copies and can't play it. They stated the 16th as the release date and now they actually have the ability to enforce that, fair enough. 1-0 to Valve!

[Chadruharazzeb]

Exactly Zap$ter. I can't see how someone playing the game a few days before me is going to be detrimental to my enjoyment of it. In fact I'd like to see some impressions of it from real folk (not Future employees).

1-0 to Valve!

Yeah Valve 1 - 0 Customer. Woot!

[Concept]

It's not about holding a grudge against those playing it early. I'm speaking entirely from my perspective. If people were playing it early, then I would want to be able to play Half-Life 2 ASAP as well. But with the gaming retail system in this country being horribly rigid in recent months with regards to this it wouldn't happen.

I think if everyone knows where they stand then it sends out a clear message - That's all. We all get to play it when Valve and Vivendi are ready. Simple as that.

[Len]

Valve 1 - 0 Pirates if you like.

I just don't get why ppl are so upset about it, like I said before they said the 16th and it'll be the 16th, how's that unfair...?

[capcom_suicide]

Valve 1 - 0 Pirates if you like.

I just don't get why ppl are so upset about it, like I said before they said the 16th and it'll be the 16th, how's that unfair...?

Speaking of which, As a "Silver" owner, I'm a bit chuffed that the game hasn't been leaked before it's release. I hate paying for a game when folk have been able to download it weeks before release.

It takes the edge off.

When Steam unlocks the game, there will be some very excited people, all sharing in the "Unwrapping"

I on the other hand, have to fly to the UK for the week.

Oh well, cheap beer and "Pork Scratchings" it is then.

/C_S

[Spatial]

I think it's hilarious that ppl have copies and can't play it.

Even more so when you hear the story about someone who's preordered, and downloaded the Gold version off Steam and then bribed a mate who works at EB to give him a copy early - costing him another $50 or so.

He then got it home and found it was locked

pwned !...... um, I mean limed !

[FreelancePolice]

just saw a sealed box in my local gamestation the staff were gawping at it

[nips]

We're getting it in today.

TODAY!!!

SOON!!! YEY!

Woot!

[Chadruharazzeb]

I too will be getting it next week now I've cancelled the CE. Way to lose money for yourselves Vivendi. Between them and Valve they've made this the most painful, embarassing, and bloody awkward launch in the history of gaming. It had better be f-ing worth it or I'm going to start sending vile and abusive emails around.

[FreelancePolice]

i rang up game and they are still selling the CE but they ran out of preorders hence why it was pulled from the site. So i should still be getting the CE next week. apologies if this was posted