Neowin.net - More confusion over Half-Life 2 release date

More confusion over Half-Life 2 release date

Posted by Marcel Klum on 13 October 2003 - 14:01 · 27 comments & 1579 views

New question marks have been raised over the launch date of Valve’s Half-Life 2, which is thought to have been pushed back to 2004, with EB Games in the USA now listing the title for a November launch once again.

Last week we reported that Vivendi Universal Games chief executive Christophe Ramboz had stated that the game would be pushed back to 2004 following the illegal distribution of source code from the game online; however, Valve has not officially confirmed this so far.

It’s not clear what information EB Games has used as a basis for its November 27 release slot, but the retailer admits that this date is likely to change before the game actually comes out – so it may just be a best guess estimate.

However, Valve’s lack of comment on Ramboz’ statement is interesting – since ultimately the decision over the release date is likely to rest almost entirely with them, rather than with publisher Vivendi. Indeed, some sources have suggested that Valve are unhappy with Ramboz going public with the 2004 figure, which he allegedly did not discuss with the developer beforehand.

Meanwhile the damage from the hacking attack which resulted in the theft of the source code continues to mount, with an actual playable version of the game appearing on pirate sites around the Internet late last week and featuring all of the levels of the E3 demo as well as significant amounts of additional content from the game.

This is far more damaging to Valve than the original leak of the source code, which was embarrassing for the company but did not feature any actual game content. The hackers have also allegedly released versions of Counter-Strike and the original Half-Life singleplayer game upgraded to run on the new HL2 engine, which were apparently set to launch alongside Half-Life 2. Messages purporting to come from the hacker who attacked Valve’s network have since threatened to release additional parts of the game online.

News source: Gamesindustry.biz

"This will open up the opportunity to create a whole new type of application," said John Maffie, group product manager at Microsoft.

By using some of the underlying technologies that enable mobile phone calls, application developers will be able to include features such as pinpointing locations in programs.

For example, roadside assistance companies could link stranded motorists with their nearest service engineer from within a call centre application.

Microsoft and Vodafone insisted that the mobile web services standards will not be proprietary and will be put before a standards body, although they are yet to name which one.

"It is not about creating something that is operating system or carrier dependent," said Paul Davey, group strategic relations executive at Vodafone.

"We want developers to be able to incorporate functionality from both the mobile and PC worlds, which to date have been seen as entirely separate."

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(2 replies) #1 Posted by SimplyPotatoes on 13 Oct 2003 - 14:06: well i went to bestbuy and no one knew what the date was, so i talked to the manager and he called someone and they said end of nov beginning of dec, i dunno who he called or even if he made it up, but since i was there buying something for over a grand i doubt he would just make something up....so anyways :/

--my 1/2 cents

(2 replies) #2 Posted by AndyD on 13 Oct 2003 - 14:09: "This is far more damaging to Valve than the original leak of the source code"

Hmm. I think not. It's the other way around. No one is going to all of sudden not buy the game because of a hardly playable demo. All it does wet one's appitite for the game. The source on the other hand can mean a world of trouble for Valve.

#3 Posted by RauL on 13 Oct 2003 - 14:12: I told you all, nobody believed me; this game is gonna be released simultaneously with Duke Nukem Forever and Longhorn

(1 reply) #4 Posted by lnatan25 on 13 Oct 2003 - 14:17: I think it's comming in December 1st.

#5 Posted by Vasquez on 13 Oct 2003 - 14:27: Who cares if we have to wait, it's only a game (albeit undoubtedly a VERY good one) and not life itself...

I feel so sorry for Valve... let's not forget this company almost single handedly made the mod-scene what it is today, have given us *masses* of (FREE) new goodies over the last five years and are one of the few companies that *really* support the gaming community... and this is how they are re-paid...

Personally I think all news relating to the HL2 theft should be stopped, it's only glorifying what the hackers achieved and that's exactly what they want....

Stop the news, don't be tempted to download the source & demo's, let Valve get on with their jobs in peace and quiet and enjoy the fruits of their labour when it's released...

(2 replies) #6 Posted by Dark Vageta on 13 Oct 2003 - 14:32: well i hope ATi ships the 9600 XT before then i got mine preorderd and i want my card LOL

(5 replies) #7 Posted by redrope on 13 Oct 2003 - 16:48: Ugh, just because something was leaked that wasnt near done doesnt mean it isnt done.. Just because there was a build that was taken from one computer doesnt mean that its the only build in existence.

#8 Posted by Lingwo on 13 Oct 2003 - 17:12: Valve should make a statement there just pissing off everyone again.

#9 Posted by altermind on 13 Oct 2003 - 18:11: look... I am willing to wait a few more months if it means a complete game... so stop whinging!!!!!

(1 reply) #10 Posted by Lingwo on 13 Oct 2003 - 19:15: its not whinging ...Valve think there part of the community so why are they keeping the community out of it.

(2 replies) #11 Posted by hotrod on 13 Oct 2003 - 19:23: I can't wait to buy my ATI Radeon 9990 XT with Longhorn and HL2 bundled!!

#12 Posted by nvme on 13 Oct 2003 - 19:26: if hl2 was really at the development point that the leak was in sept, then i really dont think they were ready to release it anyway... it had a long way to go. i'm kinda giving up on hl2 untill i see it in the store.. then i will get it. i'm looking forward to another hotty thats coming out soon.. far cry. even seeing all the video footage of hl2, playing with the leak and taking into consideration that it's not anywhere complete... far cry looks like it's gonna own hl2 i'll play hl2 for the story and maybe ill have some fun with it.. but as of now far cry is gonna be my game for fun. plus, in some of the videos they've released, ive seen a november 2003 release date for it. that makes me happy

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