So what's the real deal with Half Life 2's release date??

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Devs say September 30th, EBGames is saying that it will ship 11/19. Which is it?
 

CubicZirconia

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Nov 24, 2001
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PC release dates are essentially meaningless until the game goes gold, you should know that.
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
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Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
PC release dates are essentially meaningless until the game goes gold, you should know that.

same goes for virtually everything... i mean CPU release dates, rebate waiting period, LIRR schedule...

arghhh not that my GF3 will handle HL2 and its goodness anyway =\
 

NicColt

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Jul 23, 2000
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This was posted today by Lombardi who's one of the HL2 Devs. computerandvideogames.com (you may need an account)

[/quote]Finally, obviously there's been a lot of talk about, and confusion surrounding, Half-Life 2's release date following statements from Vivendi. Can you confirm now whether you're still on track to hit the September 30 date?

Lombardi: The release date's unchanged.[/quote]

 

CubicZirconia

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Nov 24, 2001
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Originally posted by: NicColt
This was posted today by Lombardi who's one of the HL2 Devs. computerandvideogames.com (you may need an account)
Finally, obviously there's been a lot of talk about, and confusion surrounding, Half-Life 2's release date following statements from Vivendi. Can you confirm now whether you're still on track to hit the September 30 date?

Lombardi: The release date's unchanged.[/quote][/quote]

I'll believe it when I see it. Cross your fingers.
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
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Republic: The Revolution went gold in Feb/March or something, and only get released this week.

Even going gold doesn't mean all that much.
 

Slogun

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Jul 4, 2001
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As of yesterday, word is back to a release date of Sept 30th.

They are presently playtesting and refining.

A release date of Sept 30th will depend on whether they are able to get it to the gold version by Sept 13th.
 

CubicZirconia

Diamond Member
Nov 24, 2001
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Originally posted by: Lonyo
Republic: The Revolution went gold in Feb/March or something, and only get released this week.

Even going gold doesn't mean all that much.

Obviously something didn't go quite right there. If HL2 goes gold soon you can bet your ass it will be out before next year.
 

Slogun

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Jul 4, 2001
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Here are two of this week's quotes:

"The first question was on Half Life 2's release date, and they are 100% committed to a 30th September release. "

"Despite whisperings of slips, Valve's Doug Lombardi stated: "the release date is unchanged"."

Only time will tell.

 

HJB417

Senior member
Dec 31, 2000
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Any word on team fortress 2?
They conned me in 2 buying quake2, when they said they were gonna make t2 for q2.
 

NicColt

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2000
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OUCH.... The Inquirer is reporting that Half-Life2 optimised for Radeon 9800, to be bundled with ATi cards

FOLLOWING ON from our original column, in which we commented on the rumours that ATi and Valve Software were in bed together, we have had a number of comments, including one soul in the retail industry who not only came forward, but gave us a juicy titbit. "Half Life 2.0 will be offered to retail as part of an Ati card software discounted deal at time of HL2 launch.

which brings me back to my original prediction that DOOM III has been delayed because it will be bundled with nvidia's next gen card due out in Q1/04 not to mention the xbox version.
 

Slogun

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Jul 4, 2001
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Originally posted by: NicColt
OUCH.... The Inquirer is reporting that Half-Life2 optimised for Radeon 9800, to be bundled with ATi cards

FOLLOWING ON from our original column, in which we commented on the rumours that ATi and Valve Software were in bed together, we have had a number of comments, including one soul in the retail industry who not only came forward, but gave us a juicy titbit. "Half Life 2.0 will be offered to retail as part of an Ati card software discounted deal at time of HL2 launch.

which brings me back to my original prediction that DOOM III has been delayed because it will be bundled with nvidia's next gen card due out in Q1/04 not to mention the xbox version.

I will go on record as saying that I just don't believe that either of these two games will be bundled with vid cards.

#1 these games wull not limit themselves by optimization to one video maker (HL2 is being optomized to run on a wide range of platforms down to 700MHz PIII).

#2 These two games are so eagerly anticipated by the gaming community that they do not need any marketing gimmicks that would lessen revenues to the developers.

I would guess that the makers of Doom III will see to it that they don't release their game within the same quarter that HL2 is released.
 

PowerMacG5

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Apr 14, 2002
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I just got back from EB Games where I preordered Halo for the PC, and they said Nov 20th is the day they get Half Life 2 in.
 

NicColt

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Jul 23, 2000
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>I will go on record as saying that I just don't believe that either of these two games will be bundled with vid cards.

Perhaps bundled was to strong a word, for example if you buy HL2 it will have a coupon for a discount on the 9800 Pro and the later will have a coupon discount for HL2.

>#1 these games wull not limit themselves by optimization to one video maker (HL2 is being optomized to run on a wide range of platforms down to 700MHz PIII).

Very true but "In our first test we see that ATI holds an incredible lead over NVIDIA, with the Radeon 9800 Pro outscoring the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra by almost 70%." If people were waiting for the next big thing to upgrade their vid cards then this will deal a big blow to invidia.

>I would guess that the makers of Doom III will see to it that they don't release their game within the same quarter that HL2 is released.

iD software is on the record saying that D3 will be released in Q1/04. and now that's 3 online stores I see now that have HL2 released on Nov 20th.

Don't forget that if D3 is released in 04 they will have another shot at Game of the year at E3.

 

Slogun

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Jul 4, 2001
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"Perhaps bundled was to strong a word, for example if you buy HL2 it will have a coupon for a discount on the 9800 Pro and the later will have a coupon discount for HL2."

As a matter of fact, I am hoping that will be true and even harbor a secret wish that there is a "bundle" in the true sense of the word.

I am in the market for a new vid card to enjoy HL2 when it finally hits the stores and it looks like i will buy my first ATI card in years.
 

rwalterk

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Nov 16, 2000
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PC Gamer's latest issue (October 2003) says the release date is 9/30/03, for whatever that's worth.
 

QueBert

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Jan 6, 2002
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Maybe not the first week it's out (or month) but I would love to see a ATI/HL2 bundle. I want to upgrade my card and that would be a sweet deal. Almost as nice as my oooold STB Nitro3d that came with I76 (that game OWNS!) I can hope any ways :)

 

Slogun

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Jul 4, 2001
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Originally posted by: rwalterk
PC Gamer's latest issue (October 2003) says the release date is 9/30/03, for whatever that's worth.

I believe that is still the official word, but Anand said yesterday that a benchmarking demo (whatever that means)will be out on 9/30 while apparently EB games and some other retailers are talking about a November date for the finished game to hit the stores.

 

NicColt

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2000
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Of course Half-Life 2 will be a freebie along with the 9800XT and 9600XT, but I would expect it in the form of a coupon at this time and not the actual game. Hardocp October 1st.

well D'uh....
 

Vonkhan

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
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bah :p

date's come & gone ... not even a benchmarking demo, not even a press release