I can't get enough of first person shooters! Why, there just are so many of them out there that I can't make up my mind which one to play. And it's not like they are at all similar to each other. The weapons in one are completely different from the weapons in the other ones. Also the enemies in one are completely different than the enemies in the others.
I can't wait until next year when they update this with a booster pack that includes different weapons and enemies!
the mark of a _good_ FPS is the weapons and level design working together to make the gameplay different and interesting. Take Unreal Tournament vs Quake III. I find the latter emphasizes accuracy while the former clever use of resources. Or compare the level layout of say, Duke Nukem 3D with the orginal Half-Life, where Duke has numerous alternate routes (but not much story) compared to the more linear, story driven Half-Life.
Weapons can drastically change how you play. In Quake I, ammo was so limited
Hell reported to be experiencing record-breaking temperature lows. Predictions show that Hell will freeze over just about when Duke Nukem Forever goes gold.
Which is interestingly correlated to a cat's chance in hell have been gradulaly improving for the past month. Rumours that the cat is actually in possesion of DN:Forever are unsubstanciated.
That only makes sense if the cat is named 'Snowball'.
Valve Software's Half-Life 2 has been submitted to the BBFC for certification, we've learnt this afternoon, news which adds credence to recent rumours that Vivendi is shortly to announce that the hotly anticipated first-person shooter sequel has finally 'gone gold'.
What do you make of the gamespot [gamespot.com] report though? They seem certain it's done.
Also IGN did mention a shipping date - probably November. If Valve is *anywhere near* done with this game, late November / early December is the latest it will ship. They do NOT want to miss Christmas.
While games aren't the center of my universe, Half Life was fun and the early technology preview demos of HL2 were very cool. With all the negativity over Steam and Valve's excuses for pushing back the schedule, I'd almost for
Valve Software's Half-Life 2 has been submitted to the BBFC for certification, we've learnt this afternoon, news which adds credence to recent rumours that Vivendi is shortly to announce that the hotly anticipated first-person shooter sequel has finally 'gone gold'.
You beat me to it. Sloppy reading.
Also note that as far as VIVENDI is concerned, the game is finished. Well, that isn't necessarily a vote of confidence for a polished product. As far as we know, Vivendi told Valve, "enough, you're f'in don
Doesn't 'gone gold' mean that a game has reached it's final state of code (which I think the BBFC would require in order to classify the game correctly)?
We should really save all of our hype (which seems to be happening) until the game has been RTM.
"gone gold" means that the developers have burned the final game to a CD to send to the pressing plant (from the days when blank CDs were gold coloured).
Sending a game to the BBFC means that it has been sent for classification, the classifiers might refuse a certificate or issue a different certificate from the one hoped for by the author.
If the BBFC issues an 18 certificate and the developer wants a 15 they will have to go back to coding which could potentially take a long time, depending on the changes
More like year. Nobody even knew this game was in production until E3 2003 and they bullshitted w/ a fall 2003 release date. Now it's 2004.
I dunno understand all the hubbub and bitchin' over this release date being pushed back. They only suggested it was gonna be released last year but it wasn't. Before last year this game wasn't even announced.
Read the article on IGN (actually, it is Voodoo Extreme), and you will see that Valve has submitted the game to BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) and PEGI (Pan European Games Information) for rating. While this would most likely require the game to be in final build status, there has been NO announcement from Valve or Vivendi as of yet.
Despite the fact that HL2 is sitting on my harddrive waiting to be unlocked, I predict that it will become completely irrelevant to me as Halo 2 is soon to be out and I am currently playing Tribes Vengeance. There is no room for another FPS in my life right at this moment. If HL-2 wanted to be bought and played by me then they should of got it released a damn sight sooner!:)
For those who haven't heard, Vampire: Bloodlines [vampirebloodlines.com] is a vampire game done by Troika. It also uses the Half-Life 2 engine and looks to be a very interesting game. Reports are that Vampire should ship soon after Half-Life 2.
I don't want to troll, but honestly, that game looks like shit. If this is supposed to show of the quality of the HL2 engine, well, I'm seriously disappointed.
Look at the screenshots : the player models are rather low-poly. Not realistic at all (look at elbow junctions for instance... ) Not much more accurate than Quake3. The environment is very very very rectangular. Quake2 would approach this level ! The lightning is very ordinary, with polygon edges showing everywhere.
This game is indeed running on the Source engine, but it's not the graphics quality that Half-Life 2 is on. I wouldn't go as far as saying it looks like crap though, I personally am looking forward to playing it, but it's not on the same level as Half-Life 2. I suppose that Trokia decided to keep the models on the lower end so that more of the fan base can play it.
I tend to disagree. To decide for yourself, you can check out the movies at the Yahoo preview [yahoo.com]. Personally, I'm amazed at what they've done with Half-Life 2's facial expressions.
What if Half Life 2 became available to download in a week's time, before it hit stores? Would Valve still release it ahead of time? Better yet, would people download it from Steam or get it for free anyways?
Furthermore, I just want to take this moment and talk directly to developers and publishers who have worked so hard to get their games out just before this holiday season: Sucks to be you. This year is filled with some immense competition from a lot of sequels, especially in the console arena... Doom 3, Half Life 2, San Andreas, GT4, Halo 2, and I believe the newest Biohazard is coming out, as well as Metal Gear Solid, right?
That being said, I just bought HL2 "Bronze" (I couldn't see myself spending $90.00 just to get a hat and a soundtrack).
I've already downloaded the "preload" via Steam. I've paid the $60 for the Half-Life 2: Silver package via Steam (didn't want that extra swag either) , so, yeah - when Valve says it's done and it's on Steam, I'll unluck/download it and play it to my heart's content.
My guess is they'll have to release it on Steam when it hits retail stores also to make Vivendi happy instead of litigious.
How about online proof? Numerous game outlets (including EBGames) had moved the game back to the end of November for release. This morning, a brief search of sites (including EBGames [ebgames.com] and Vivendi's online store [vugames.com] have the game shipping on November 1st!
Except for the litigation between Valve and VU, I'd believe you. With that going on, VU could hold the game and not even announce that it has gone gold. They can even hold the game until March if they wanted.
Ah yes, but the longer VU sits on the game, the more pre-orders through Steam are rolling directly into Valve's pockets (via CS:Source) and bypassing VU.
New algorithms and canonfodder for armchair killers. I wonder how many times we can save the universe before itself self destructs because of boredom...
There should be some sort of law against posting headlines like that - my heart went quite aflutter. Sadly, it's not true, and until Valve AND Vivendi issue a press release saying "Gold, and you'll be able to play it on this date" none of these "nearly gold", "almost gold", "so almost gold I can taste it" announcements really mean anything. Mod headline -1.
..is all speculation. This is yesterdays news, and hasn't involved an official PR by Valve or Vivendi. As much as I would like this to be true, there aren't any facts to substantiate it.
Between playing CS:Source and reading the steampowered.com forums, I'd be amazed that it will be available for a November release.
There are tons of bugs, exploits, and cheats going around any CS:Source (HL2 powered) servers. IMHO, it looks like they really rushed CS out the door, and it's pissed off a lot of steam subscribers. I should only hope with the official gold announcement comes a big patch to address the many issues they've already got.
...using Steam to get HL2 vs. buying it retail? If I recall correctly you can only get the package that includes the Source rework of HL1 via online purchase and I *really* want that, but I still don't like the idea of dropping $50 or so on a game and not getting anything physical to hang on to. I know it's old-fashioned, but I still like having a backup copy to hang on to just in case my drive dies or something.
...using Steam to get HL2 vs. buying it retail? If I recall correctly you can only get the package that includes the Source rework of HL1 via online purchase and I *really* want that, but I still don't like the idea of dropping $50 or so on a game and not getting anything physical to hang on to. I know it's old-fashioned, but I still like having a backup copy to hang on to just in case my drive dies or something.
Amen to the "I want tangible stuff" comment. Check out this [steampowered.com] post for a solution. Basically, you'll have to archive all of the \steamapps folder with winrar, and back it up on DVD/CD. About 2 1/2 DVD's or a fsckload of CD's are your options.
doesn't it make pirating the singal player game trival? I think what everyone is worried about is that Valve will have some kind of verification system in place that like MS Product Activation. I can live with Microsoft doing that, because a) I don't have a choice and b) Microsoft isn't likely to be wiped out in a re-org before my copy of Windows XP is obsolete (in the literal sense, that is, I can no longer find hardware to run it).
What Valve should do is store a unique product # based on a key somewhe
If you lose your PC or your hard drive you can just login to Steam from your new PC and all the games you bought can be downloaded again. I've done it on the three machines I use all the time. You can also copy the Valve directory from machine to machine over the top of a fresh Steam install.
So, backup your Valve directory to a DVD-R, and if you ever lose that you can download it again any time.
I know it's old-fashioned, but I still like having a backup copy to hang on to just in case my drive dies or something.
Not the answer you were looking for, but one none the less: If you have a DVD burner then you can burn the Steam directory to disc. I recently upgraded my computer and was able to move the folder without any problems - I did keep the path the same, but I am not sure if that is a requirement.
Worrying about your hard drive going out is pretty silly, considering that Steam lets you re-download a copy of your game to ANY computer onto which you've installed Steam and your credentials.
In a way, it's the exact opposite...Steam IS the ultimate backup.
Not if Valve goes out of business, or Steam is shut down.
I think Steam is a cool idea and I'll be using it to get HL2, (I'm an instant gratification whore) but I agree not having a packaged product is kinda scary.
if you look on the BBFC page http://tinyurl.com/6t96x [tinyurl.com] you'll see that GTA:SA completed certification on 4th October, a week before going gold. Vampire: Bloodlines a week prior to that and that one hasnt even gone gold yet afaik. Factor in that the process takes a couple of weeks then you could still be looking at anything up to a month before it even goes gold.
The journalistic quality of these supposed news sites. All it is, is a bunch of news sites such as IGN [ign.com], Computer and Video Games [computeran...ogames.com] (Registration may be required) and Gamespot [gamespot.com] shifting about a whole bunch of rumours and maybees.
Purhaps they should do what real journalists do and actually search out for the truth by contacting Valve or Vivendi Universal, rather than trying to connect the dots or use sources like "An Industry Insider". That way they don't sound like trashy womens magazines that get their sources from "Close Friends" and the like.
I'm not too thrilled about it "going gold." So it's [B]finally[/B] going to be released. Booyah.
What would really make my day is if they declared HL2 went gold [B]and[/B] they have a Linux client. Because until they get that second part down, the first is rather meaningless (for me at least).
And don't tell me to get Windows if I want to game. I have my reasons:o).
Because until they get that second part down, the first is rather meaningless (for me at least).
Amen to that. HL1 was entertaining; I'll likely pick this up when it hits the $10 rack. No support for linux == I'm not buying it anytime soon.
They probably won't miss the 2% linux users out there, but we gotta vote with our wallet if we ever want to be heard. Same reason I need to get me Doom 3--Buy it when they release a Linux client, or get it Cheap if they don't. Show them we'll pay, but we won't be j
Issues of DX9 aside, there's a much bigger issue: the physics engine. The engine HL2 uses, Havok, hasn't been ported to Linux, meaning that it's impossible to make a client for Linux without some combination of getting the engine ported over and getting a Linux license from Havok.
PC Gamer's latest December 2004 issue has a very extensive review of the completed HL2 with loads of screenshots and spoilers. They call it "history in the making" and "arguably the best game ever made," finally giving it a 98% rating. For comparison's sake, the same issue also rates Call of Duty:UO at 93%, Evil Genius at 88% and The Sims 2 at 85%.
Which is total horseshit. You think PC Gamers 'exclusive' reviews actually use final code? dont be so naieve! the magazine will be allowed to play a beta copy under supervision from marketing people, and told that the numerous bugs and missing bits will be finished before it ships. In return for the 'exlcuive' they agree to give an unfinished game a 95% score, and both companies are happy. The poor schmucks reading PC Gamer usually dont realise whats going on. magazine reviews are total bullshit. if you want to know what a game is like, the ONLY way to know is to play the demo. If there isnt a demo, set suspicion=suspicion_max
Professor: James, what's happened? It seems like your studies have become disorganized - and your test scores have taken a turn for the worse. Is there anything I need to know?
Me: I'm having.. trouble sleeping, Professor. It.. it's hardest to watch for.. these.. these headcrabs.. especially at night.
Professor: *leans closer* I know; scary little bastards.
the first big preloads for HL2 were the artwork and sounds, which Valve stated were set and wouldn't change. the most recent preload phase downloaded the maps of HL2, as those were likely worked on most recently. now, the executables are being worked on.
as the files are mostly huge.gcf files(encrypted compressed format), i doubt small changes could be made.
So does the retail version also have the MS-like product activation "feature"?
Well, Microsoft has forced that down my throat once with XP, but since I'm interested but not an avid ego shooter fan, this could definitely be a reason for deciding against purchasing it, regardless of how much praise the game gets...
First of all, this is 2 or 3 day old news. Second of all it does not indicate that Half-Life 2 is gold. Third of all, where is the official announcement?
First of all, this is not bleeding edge news. This was known a couple days ago: http://www.halflife2.net. Second of all, even this news does not constitute gold status. Until Valve officially announces that the game has gone gold (which I will admit will probably happen on Monday) I don't want to hear any more rumours or speculation.
This is not a gold announcement. It just says that Valve has applied for a game rating. Plus you need to keep something in mind. Even if Valve does make a gold announcement, it doesn't mean that HL2 is going to ship anytime soon. If you remember, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero went gold and then it took another 6 months before it finally hit the store shelves. And don't forget that little legal dispute between Valve and Vivendi which could keep HL2 off the shelves.
The deal is that Valve has no real control over when the game ships. So a gold announcement from Valve is largely meaningless in terms of when it's going to ship. Wait for an *official* announcement from Vivendi (not Valve) because they are the ones who have the final say as to when it going to ship.
Ideally, if everything goes well, HL2 might be on the shelves in late November because it takes about 6 weeks from going gold to reach the stores. Also, buying thru steam won't let you get it any faster. Valve cannot release HL2 thru Steam until it appears on retail store shelves.
Morons being the story submitter and editors who published it in its current form.
I fail to see any indication anywhere, even in the text of the linked story itself, that this is any different from any of the other hundred rumors. It is entirely conjecture and extrapolation of information coming entirely from third-party sources, nobody official will confirm anything, yet suddenly "it's finally true"? This has only slightly more credibility than the dates on pre-order diplays in Game Stop from 6 months ago. But by all means, phrase the headline and synopsis in the most sensational way possible with no regard for the facts whatsoever.
Spotted this on a certain messageboard, either an actual leaked press release (in which case it's a kick in the nuts), or it might be a fake.
quote:
---
HALF-LIFE 2(TM) HAS GONE GOLD
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (October 16, 2004) - Vivendi Universal Games announced today that Half-Life 2, the highly anticipated next installment in the best-selling and beloved franchise, has gone gold and will be released December 6th in North America, and December 20th in Europe.
"Half-Life 2 offers an unprecedented gameplay experience," said Michael Rouling, EVP, Vivendi Universal Games. "It features the most advanced AI ever seen in a game, combined with state of the art graphics and sound.".
Developed by Valve, Half-Life 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the best selling Half-Life title, named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people he cares about are counting on him.
Half-Life 2 carries a suggested retail prices of $54.95 and has been rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB with descriptors for blood and intense violence. For additional information please go to www.half-life2.com.
About Valve
Founded in 1996, Valve creates entertainment software titles, including Half-Life®, Counter-StrikeTM, and Team Fortress®. Valve's portfolio accounts for over 12 million retail units sold worldwide, and over 88% of the online action market. More information about Valve is available through the company's Web site at www.valvesoftware.com.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in Los Angeles, VU Games is a leading global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. Its development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment, Fox Interactive and Massive Entertainment. VU Games' library of over 700 titles features multi-million unit selling properties such as Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo from Blizzard Entertainment; Crash Bandicoot, Spyro The Dragon, Empire Earth, Ground Control, Tribes and Leisure Suit Larry.
---
$55, no thanks. I am going to wait for this game to come out with 10 patches first.
If memory serves me correct, last time I bought Doom III for $55, it sat on my shelf collecting dust because my overpriced ATI Radeon 9800 pro somehow wasn't good enough. After the Catalyst drivers finally worked out, the game was already down to $39 in some places.
The plan: to bust the sucker (piñata) open when the game achieved goldIn other news, Bellevue, WA police arrived at VU games this morning to discover a bizarre scene after responding to a call of attempted homicide. On site, officers discovered two additional piñatas cowering in the corner of the room babbling "My god, what are you doing?!" "Stop attacking! He's a friend!" and "Are you insane?". Suspect, and company director, Gabe Newell, was taken to Bellevue-Sinai hospital still clutching what a
by Anonymous Coward writes:
on Saturday October 16, 2004 @08:49AM (#10543969)
Does it reflect our desires or the nature of humanity to any extent?
In my view, yes, to a very small extend it does... but it is an extent many times smaller then the extent of experimental psycological research like the millgram experiments [wikipedia.org]. which far predate DooM and half-life.
Try comparing what these experiments showed about human nature compared to what the often observed but never scientificly proven desire among a group of people for shiny fast cars.... If you are excited about the things that sport car buying behaviour can tell us about ourself then you might just be a psycologist, the same goes for games I guess.
You can speculate on what part of human nature these games expose. Personnaly I like to think they show that there is still a strong will to survive in even the most boring office dwellers. Little else would explain why a dark spacestation filled with creatures that can kill you, just not for real, can be excisting.
Its funny (and perhaps a little telling) how people always talk about how first person shooters are about shooting other humans or creatures totaly ignoring that the player spends hours in an environment filled with entities that fight back, fiercly, and in a way optimized for player fear. Look at which first person shooters are a succes, its not the ones where you can shoot the most creatures (anyone excited for serious sam 3?), its the ones where even very few creatures can hurt you very bad, very fast, when you least expect it. The tactical shooters where getting spotted and hit once pretty much means game over are perhaps the most populair subgenre ever. This to me says something, just not as much as the stanford prison experiments. (Which btw, show some simalairity to the sims, shit, way to smash my own argument)
That is one interpretation of the appeal of video games (shooters in specific), but I think you are overlooking the common desire to escape from daily life, to "pass the time". Games which are more challenging engage more of your consciousness, and thus provide more escape.
For many, video games are and addiction. And, like all addictions, the dose administered must increase over time or it loses it's effect. This is why video games become progressively more complicated and extreme. They MUST, or else t
A common misconception among people who don't follow the videogame release market is that "gone gold" means they've sold X copies of the videogame. Not true; "gone gold" merely means that the publishing house has declared that the game is ready to be mass duplicated and released to market.
By implying something about a game that has "gone gold" means something about people, implies that the release is equal to popularity, which in this case, is a confusing comparison to the record industry (ie, gone gold,
In the gaming industry the term that a product has "Gone gold" means the golden master has been produced and is ready for duplication. This term has been commonly used for years. For proof, go look up the announcements for major games over the past few years that a game has gone gold. They're not referring to having sold a certain number of copies.
Terminology used when software is burned onto a "gold" cd that will be sent to the CD manufacturers to be reproduced. So named because of the CDR burnable CDs are gold backed normally. Also See Going Glass.
From the Halo 2 Gold announcement (I'm not sure how accurate this is conserning pc games):
"Gone Gold" is a somewhat archaic expression, since the "gold discs" are actually digital tapes and eventually silver discs. But it certainly feels golden. This basically means that the game has been shipped to retail manufacture. Somewhere in the world, a gigantic DVD pressing factory has started making Xbox game discs with the utterly complete version of Halo 2. Maybe there IS a gold disc somewhere. Perhaps it's ti
>PC Gamer's latest issue has an early review of Half >Life 2. They gave is a 98% rating and said it's >"arguably the best game ever made".
Not to say that it isn't going to be awesome...I think it probably will be...but there are some games/game companies that are unfortunately beyond genuinely objective reviewing. Id were the first, Epic were probably the second, and now Valve. If John Carmack had a really violent attack of diarrhea, wrapped it up in newspaper, and sent it to either PC Gamer or Ga
Cool! (Score:4, Funny)
I can't wait until next year when they update this with a booster pack that includes different weapons and enemies!
Jokes aside... (Score:3, Informative)
Weapons can drastically change how you play. In Quake I, ammo was so limited
Re:Jokes aside... (Score:2)
Uh yeah, how about with the axe? On Nightmare skill? Without getting hit? I've done that many times.
In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:In other news... (Score:4, Funny)
-- james
Re:In other news... (Score:2)
Re:In other news... (Score:2, Funny)
That only makes sense if the cat is named 'Snowball'.
That's not what IGN is reporting (Score:5, Informative)
Re:That's not what IGN is reporting (Score:4, Funny)
Kalinga
Re:That's not what IGN is reporting (Score:3, Insightful)
Also IGN did mention a shipping date - probably November. If Valve is *anywhere near* done with this game, late November / early December is the latest it will ship. They do NOT want to miss Christmas.
While games aren't the center of my universe, Half Life was fun and the early technology preview demos of HL2 were very cool. With all the negativity over Steam and Valve's excuses for pushing back the schedule, I'd almost for
Re:That's not what IGN is reporting (Score:2)
You beat me to it. Sloppy reading.
Also note that as far as VIVENDI is concerned, the game is finished. Well, that isn't necessarily a vote of confidence for a polished product. As far as we know, Vivendi told Valve, "enough, you're f'in don
Re:That's not what IGN is reporting (Score:2)
We should really save all of our hype (which seems to be happening) until the game has been RTM.
Re:That's not what IGN is reporting (Score:2)
"gone gold" means that the developers have burned the final game to a CD to send to the pressing plant (from the days when blank CDs were gold coloured).
Sending a game to the BBFC means that it has been sent for classification, the classifiers might refuse a certificate or issue a different certificate from the one hoped for by the author.
If the BBFC issues an 18 certificate and the developer wants a 15 they will have to go back to coding which could potentially take a long time, depending on the changes
No (Score:5, Funny)
...errr, or years.
Re:No (Score:5, Funny)
Re:No (Score:3, Funny)
"Hey baby - I can last for seconds!"
Re:No (Score:2)
I dunno understand all the hubbub and bitchin' over this release date being pushed back. They only suggested it was gonna be released last year but it wasn't. Before last year this game wasn't even announced.
No It Hasn't (Score:5, Informative)
Re:No It Hasn't (Score:3, Insightful)
Dom.
Re:No It Hasn't (Score:2)
Despite the fact that HL2 is sitting on my harddrive waiting to be unlocked, I predict that it will become completely irrelevant to me as Halo 2 is soon to be out and I am currently playing Tribes Vengeance. There is no room for another FPS in my life right at this moment. If HL-2 wanted to be bought and played by me then they should of got it released a damn sight sooner! :)
And soon, Vampire: Bloodlines (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:And soon, Vampire: Bloodlines (Score:3, Interesting)
Look at the screenshots : the player models are rather low-poly. Not realistic at all (look at elbow junctions for instance... ) Not much more accurate than Quake3. The environment is very very very rectangular. Quake2 would approach this level ! The lightning is very ordinary, with polygon edges showing everywhere.
If you compare this to Doom3, w
Re:And soon, Vampire: Bloodlines (Score:2, Informative)
I'd recommend looking at the movies (Score:3, Informative)
week (Score:2, Funny)
Well... (Score:5, Interesting)
Furthermore, I just want to take this moment and talk directly to developers and publishers who have worked so hard to get their games out just before this holiday season: Sucks to be you. This year is filled with some immense competition from a lot of sequels, especially in the console arena... Doom 3, Half Life 2, San Andreas, GT4, Halo 2, and I believe the newest Biohazard is coming out, as well as Metal Gear Solid, right?
That being said, I just bought HL2 "Bronze" (I couldn't see myself spending $90.00 just to get a hat and a soundtrack).
Re:Well... (Score:2)
Re:Well... (Score:3, Informative)
My guess is they'll have to release it on Steam when it hits retail stores also to make Vivendi happy instead of litigious.
I need to see to believe (Score:3, Insightful)
Trust The Internet, It Doesn't Lie (Score:2)
what are you talking about (Score:5, Funny)
Except. (Score:2, Insightful)
When I see a Press Release, I'll finally believe.
Re:Except. (Score:2)
N.
This is still speculation (Score:2, Informative)
The same old story ... (Score:5, Funny)
Deep Breath (Score:5, Insightful)
Sadly, it's not true, and until Valve AND Vivendi issue a press release saying "Gold, and you'll be able to play it on this date" none of these "nearly gold", "almost gold", "so almost gold I can taste it" announcements really mean anything.
Mod headline -1.
Re:Deep Breath (Score:2)
Re:Deep Breath (Score:2)
And in 2008... (Score:4, Funny)
Sometime in mid 2008, a computer actually capable of running the game will be announced...
Re:And in 2008... (Score:2)
But with the final release of Longhorn means you either have the latest OS or Half-Life 2 - there are just not enough resources for both of them.
This story... (Score:5, Interesting)
Between playing CS:Source and reading the steampowered.com forums, I'd be amazed that it will be available for a November release.
There are tons of bugs, exploits, and cheats going around any CS:Source (HL2 powered) servers. IMHO, it looks like they really rushed CS out the door, and it's pissed off a lot of steam subscribers. I should only hope with the official gold announcement comes a big patch to address the many issues they've already got.
Re:This story... (Score:2, Informative)
Dupe? (Score:5, Funny)
About time (Score:4, Insightful)
Is anyone else torn between... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:4, Informative)
Amen to the "I want tangible stuff" comment. Check out this [steampowered.com] post for a solution. Basically, you'll have to archive all of the \steamapps folder with winrar, and back it up on DVD/CD. About 2 1/2 DVD's or a fsckload of CD's are your options.
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:2)
If this works... (Score:2)
What Valve should do is store a unique product # based on a key somewhe
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:5, Informative)
So, backup your Valve directory to a DVD-R, and if you ever lose that you can download it again any time.
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:2)
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:2)
Will you be able to play Half-Life 2 if Valve goes out of business?
HL1:Source is available retail (Score:2)
I pre-ordered mine at EB yesterday. $79 for a game? Yeah, I'm their bitch...
Here's the link:
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/243836.asp
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:2)
Not the answer you were looking for, but one none the less: If you have a DVD burner then you can burn the Steam directory to disc. I recently upgraded my computer and was able to move the folder without any problems - I did keep the path the same, but I am not sure if that is a requirement.
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:2)
In a way, it's the exact opposite...Steam IS the ultimate backup.
-JT
Re:Is anyone else torn between... (Score:2)
I think Steam is a cool idea and I'll be using it to get HL2, (I'm an instant gratification whore) but I agree not having a packaged product is kinda scary.
Certified != Gold (Score:3, Informative)
You really have to love this (Score:3, Informative)
Purhaps they should do what real journalists do and actually search out for the truth by contacting Valve or Vivendi Universal, rather than trying to connect the dots or use sources like "An Industry Insider". That way they don't sound like trashy womens magazines that get their sources from "Close Friends" and the like.
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Gold? Ok... but tell me about a Linux client (Score:4, Insightful)
What would really make my day is if they declared HL2 went gold [B]and[/B] they have a Linux client. Because until they get that second part down, the first is rather meaningless (for me at least).
And don't tell me to get Windows if I want to game. I have my reasons
Cedega? (Score:2, Informative)
Get an xbox (Score:2)
Get an XBox then, since I hear it will be made available for the console. More more money to MS, but its just not for Windows
Re:Get an xbox (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Gold? Ok... but tell me about a Linux client (Score:2)
Amen to that. HL1 was entertaining; I'll likely pick this up when it hits the $10 rack. No support for linux == I'm not buying it anytime soon.
They probably won't miss the 2% linux users out there, but we gotta vote with our wallet if we ever want to be heard. Same reason I need to get me Doom 3--Buy it when they release a Linux client, or get it Cheap if they don't. Show them we'll pay, but we won't be j
Re:Gold? Ok... but tell me about a Linux client (Score:2)
Sure... HL1 Platinum. HL1 + Many add-ons/expansions. I'd likely throw down $30 for that if I think I'll play it much.
I bought Max Payne 1 for $10 about 6mo or something (1year? Nah, I don't think it was that long) after it was released.
Re:Gold? Ok... but tell me about a Linux client (Score:2)
Indeedy. I plan on buying it RSN.
Re:Gold? Ok... but tell me about a Linux client (Score:2)
Full review of the game is on the newsstands (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Full review of the game is on the newsstands (Score:4, Insightful)
magazine reviews are total bullshit. if you want to know what a game is like, the ONLY way to know is to play the demo. If there isnt a demo, set suspicion=suspicion_max
Well, there goes the GPA! (Score:5, Funny)
Me: I'm having.. trouble sleeping, Professor. It
Professor: *leans closer* I know; scary little bastards.
Re:Well, there goes the GPA! (Score:2)
Headcrab: *gobble*
Professor: ga-monk?
In related news... (Score:4, Funny)
The only weapon in the French version allows you to shout obscenities at each other until you pass out.
My Steam just started re-downloading HL2 (Score:2, Interesting)
Perhaps this is a seed of the final changes. I wonder if Steam can do incremental patching of the other preloaded content. Seems likely now.
Re:My Steam just started re-downloading HL2 (Score:3, Informative)
the first big preloads for HL2 were the artwork and sounds, which Valve stated were set and wouldn't change. the most recent preload phase downloaded the maps of HL2, as those were likely worked on most recently. now, the executables are being worked on.
as the files are mostly huge
So does it have... (Score:4, Insightful)
Oh oh I know the answer! (Score:2, Funny)
Uh...gold? (Score:3, Informative)
Gold? (Score:2, Informative)
Don't celebrate yet... (Score:4, Insightful)
The deal is that Valve has no real control over when the game ships. So a gold announcement from Valve is largely meaningless in terms of when it's going to ship. Wait for an *official* announcement from Vivendi (not Valve) because they are the ones who have the final say as to when it going to ship.
Ideally, if everything goes well, HL2 might be on the shelves in late November because it takes about 6 weeks from going gold to reach the stores. Also, buying thru steam won't let you get it any faster. Valve cannot release HL2 thru Steam until it appears on retail store shelves.
What the hell is wrong with you morons? (Score:5, Insightful)
I fail to see any indication anywhere, even in the text of the linked story itself, that this is any different from any of the other hundred rumors. It is entirely conjecture and extrapolation of information coming entirely from third-party sources, nobody official will confirm anything, yet suddenly "it's finally true"? This has only slightly more credibility than the dates on pre-order diplays in Game Stop from 6 months ago. But by all means, phrase the headline and synopsis in the most sensational way possible with no regard for the facts whatsoever.
Bye bye karma.
Possible leaked press release? (Score:5, Informative)
quote:
---
HALF-LIFE 2(TM) HAS GONE GOLD
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (October 16, 2004) - Vivendi Universal Games announced today that Half-Life 2, the highly anticipated next installment in the best-selling and beloved franchise, has gone gold and will be released December 6th in North America, and December 20th in Europe.
"Half-Life 2 offers an unprecedented gameplay experience," said Michael Rouling, EVP, Vivendi Universal Games. "It features the most advanced AI ever seen in a game, combined with state of the art graphics and sound.".
Developed by Valve, Half-Life 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the best selling Half-Life title, named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people he cares about are counting on him.
Half-Life 2 carries a suggested retail prices of $54.95 and has been rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB with descriptors for blood and intense violence. For additional information please go to www.half-life2.com.
About Valve
Founded in 1996, Valve creates entertainment software titles, including Half-Life®, Counter-StrikeTM, and Team Fortress®. Valve's portfolio accounts for over 12 million retail units sold worldwide, and over 88% of the online action market. More information about Valve is available through the company's Web site at www.valvesoftware.com.
About Vivendi Universal Games
Headquartered in Los Angeles, VU Games is a leading global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. Its development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment, Fox Interactive and Massive Entertainment. VU Games' library of over 700 titles features multi-million unit selling properties such as Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo from Blizzard Entertainment; Crash Bandicoot, Spyro The Dragon, Empire Earth, Ground Control, Tribes and Leisure Suit Larry.
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Re:Possible leaked press release? (Score:3, Insightful)
If memory serves me correct, last time I bought Doom III for $55, it sat on my shelf collecting dust because my overpriced ATI Radeon 9800 pro somehow wasn't good enough. After the Catalyst drivers finally worked out, the game was already down to $39 in some places.
Gabe Newell Shot! (Score:2, Funny)
Gold? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:What's it saying... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:What's it saying... (Score:5, Insightful)
In my view, yes, to a very small extend it does... but it is an extent many times smaller then the extent of experimental psycological research like the millgram experiments [wikipedia.org]. which far predate DooM and half-life.
Try comparing what these experiments showed about human nature compared to what the often observed but never scientificly proven desire among a group of people for shiny fast cars.... If you are excited about the things that sport car buying behaviour can tell us about ourself then you might just be a psycologist, the same goes for games I guess.
You can speculate on what part of human nature these games expose. Personnaly I like to think they show that there is still a strong will to survive in even the most boring office dwellers. Little else would explain why a dark spacestation filled with creatures that can kill you, just not for real, can be excisting.
Its funny (and perhaps a little telling) how people always talk about how first person shooters are about shooting other humans or creatures totaly ignoring that the player spends hours in an environment filled with entities that fight back, fiercly, and in a way optimized for player fear. Look at which first person shooters are a succes, its not the ones where you can shoot the most creatures (anyone excited for serious sam 3?), its the ones where even very few creatures can hurt you very bad, very fast, when you least expect it. The tactical shooters where getting spotted and hit once pretty much means game over are perhaps the most populair subgenre ever. This to me says something, just not as much as the stanford prison experiments. (Which btw, show some simalairity to the sims, shit, way to smash my own argument)
Re:What's it saying... (Score:2, Interesting)
You keep using that word.... (Score:2)
Re:You keep using that word.... (Score:2)
Platinum = 1,000,000 copies
Re:What's it saying... (Score:2)
By implying something about a game that has "gone gold" means something about people, implies that the release is equal to popularity, which in this case, is a confusing comparison to the record industry (ie, gone gold,
Re:What's it saying... (Score:2)
Re:What's it saying... (Score:3, Funny)
Except in Japan.
Re:What's it saying... (Score:2)
Well, if you substitute baby poo for cat poo, you've just described Sims 2....
They're not mixing up anything (Score:2)
Re:What the hell does "gone/going gold" mean? (Score:5, Informative)
Taken from Gamedev.Net [gamedev.net]
Re:What the hell does "gone/going gold" mean? (Score:2, Interesting)
"Gone Gold" is a somewhat archaic expression, since the "gold discs" are actually digital tapes and eventually silver discs. But it certainly feels golden. This basically means that the game has been shipped to retail manufacture. Somewhere in the world, a gigantic DVD pressing factory has started making Xbox game discs with the utterly complete version of Halo 2. Maybe there IS a gold disc somewhere. Perhaps it's ti
Re:What the hell does "gone/going gold" mean? (Score:2)
It was such an anticlimax ;)
OT "Closet Conservative" (Score:2)
Re:Already Reviewed (Score:2)
And presumably they'll make the same comment on HL3...
talking of which, is HL2 a whole life, and will HL3 be a "life and a half"? Or is that just how long it'll take for them to be released....
Reviews are going to be meaningless (Score:2)
Not to say that it isn't going to be awesome...I think it probably will be...but there are some games/game companies that are unfortunately beyond genuinely objective reviewing. Id were the first, Epic were probably the second, and now Valve. If John Carmack had a really violent attack of diarrhea, wrapped it up in newspaper, and sent it to either PC Gamer or Ga
Re:Holy crap, press release might be real... (Score:2, Insightful)
Halo 2 Microsoft Online,XBOX Mature (17+) Blood and Gore,Language,Violence 7/8/2004
Re:Who the hell cares? (Score:2)