Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Concept]

I just find it odd that Valve are essentially selling a game now which we don't actually know when it's going to be released. The worst case scenario could be months.

Can you imagine buying a cinema ticket early not knowing when you're going to see the film, or buying an album whose tracks would only work at an unspecified date?

It's hardly standard industry practice.

I know it's foolish, but I'm hoping the temptation for Valve may be too great over the coming days when they see people flocking to Steam... And we may get to see Half-Life 2 early on there, when they announce gold shipment to stores.

Won't happen though.

[Inertia_]

What exactly are Valve's legal obligations as regards releasing the game via Steam? Do they, in any way, have to work in accordance with Vivendi's plans or could they release it tomorrow if they wish?

[FreelancePolice]

well it should be out now is anyone playing it ? :P

[ascender]

Nothing on Steam yet....

[Concept]

That's because there's another 14 minutes to go.

7pm our time. Not 6pm.

Inertia_ - There are legal obligations. Valve aren't allowed through contractual agreement with Vivendi to release the game on Steam before it's available at retail. Doug Lombardi confirmed this a few days ago in a Gamespot article if I remember correctly. I'll try and find the link.

[Concept]

What a surprise...

[ascender]

Got the packages up but can't select one - "Specified Subscription Is Invalid".

[Concept]

Steam's bugged as hell at the minute. I doubt it's a problem on your end.

[Adrock]

Just going through the purchase bit for the silver package

[FreelancePolice]

i expected as much keep us updated concept about whats going on

[Concept]

I loaded up www.steampowered and ordered the Gold version. Everything's gone okay, but it said something about the servers being too busy to process the transaction, so they'll get back to me later as it's pending. In any case, I've purchased and I'm downloading the rest of the cache files I don't have.

[Concept]

Just played the full version of CS: Source.

Aztec's a bit stunning.

[ascender]

Just finishing install process at the mo. Server's too busy to process my payment as well.

[Adam]

can't play cause I was getting my cousin to pay on his credit card, but the ****ers don't let you purchase more than 1 HL2 package on the same card.

[ascender]

Its now d/loading all the other games as the servers are too busy to d/load CS:S!