What's da deal with the release date of HL2?

[1ManArmY]

It was posted that there would be a delay but no verification, EB World has a release date of Nov 03, Software ETC Feb 04 and then there's a big convention in Seattle Labor day weekend for a pre-release mod tutorial course to give mod teams the opportunity to become familiar with the source engine. Is the official launch date still Sept 30, 03???? And don't tell me when its done that's Id's line.

 

[gramboh]

Valve said the inital announcement of a delay by Sierra was incorrect and that they were still on target for September 30. This happened a few weeks ago.

Lately when asked about when it will ship/delays anyone from Valve will not comment. My guess is this means there is going to be some delay either due to Valve needing time to finish or manufacturing time (some people with industry knowledge have posted that pressing CDs/manufacturing the boxes doesn't take more than a few weeks once the game has gone gold).

Interesting interview with Gabe Newell: http://www.city-17.net/int_gaben1.php

Storm: We know the minimum suggested speed is 700 mhz, What are the recommended system requirements?

Gabe Newell: If you want everything turned on, running 32-bit 1280x1024? Hmm. I'd think you would run about 40 FPS with a 9700 Pro and a P-IV 2 GHz.

 

[Tab]

When it's done.

 

[1ManArmY]

Like I said that's Id's line not Valve's.

 

[NYHoustonman]

That Gabe Newell quote is huge goddamned news. With all the speculation as to what will be needed, that helps alot. Now...Gainward 5900 or 9800 pro?

 

[1ManArmY]

Yes, Gabes quote did squalsh any need for me to upgrade prior to HL2 release whenever that is. I will just need to determine if 256 RAM is necessary when I'm playing it with all of the bells and whistles turned on. Maximum PC did give a hint to this in an issue 2 months ago asking the question will your system run HL2. I will sit back and enjoy Halo and Call of Duty in NOVEMBER. It's a good time to be a gamer and boy I can't wait for our LaN parties this fall. :beer:

 

[gramboh]

When it's done.. Isn't that 3D Realm's line re: Duke Nukem Forever? I can't believe any investors are putting up cash for that project anymore, it must be a myth by now.

I'm torn between 9800 and 5900 as well (going to OC them up to Pro/Ultra). I'm trying really hard to wait it out until HL2 or at least the benchmark is released to see which card runs it better. Maybe the announcement of the Radeon 9900 will push prices down a bit.

 

[1ManArmY]

Thats what I'm hoping for, when the 9900 PRO is announced and if it is on a .13u process all bets are off. So far all ATI has done is improve the 9700 PRO with a speed bump (9800 PRO) plus advancement's/optimizations with smartshader. I'll sit back and wait for these next cycle of graphic cards then jump.

 

[Pete]

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman
That Gabe Newell quote is huge goddamned news. With all the speculation as to what will be needed, that helps alot. Now...Gainward 5900 or 9800 pro?

For the nth time, Valve themselves recommended a 9800 over a 5900. If HL2 isn't the only game you're concerned about, though, then your decision reuires more research. But for HL2, the developer recommends a 9800.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: gramboh
When it's done.. Isn't that 3D Realm's line re: Duke Nukem Forever? I can't believe any investors are putting up cash for that project anymore, it must be a myth by now.

I'm torn between 9800 and 5900 as well (going to OC them up to Pro/Ultra). I'm trying really hard to wait it out until HL2 or at least the benchmark is released to see which card runs it better. Maybe the announcement of the Radeon 9900 will push prices down a bit.

Before Max Pain was finished, it too took forever(it seemed) and kinda totally fell out of sight. D4E will be released and like Max Pain, we'll be impressed.

 

[NYHoustonman]

Originally posted by: Pete

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman
That Gabe Newell quote is huge goddamned news. With all the speculation as to what will be needed, that helps alot. Now...Gainward 5900 or 9800 pro?

For the nth time, Valve themselves recommended a 9800 over a 5900. If HL2 isn't the only game you're concerned about, though, then your decision reuires more research. But for HL2, the developer recommends a 9800.

I didn't really mean for an answer, but that quote shoves me towards a 5900, as I love Gainward and evidently this will be able to handle Half-Life 2 (and Doom III).

 

[videoclone]

i think people with Geforce FX 5600 cards and up will be able to play Half-Life 2 ..... just fine

you may have a hard time getting a Geforce2mx to run it though

 

[JSSheridan]

Amazon.com says that it will be released on Oct. 30, however, it's easy enough to change it if they are wrong. Peace.

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman

Originally posted by: Pete

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman
That Gabe Newell quote is huge goddamned news. With all the speculation as to what will be needed, that helps alot. Now...Gainward 5900 or 9800 pro?

For the nth time, Valve themselves recommended a 9800 over a 5900. If HL2 isn't the only game you're concerned about, though, then your decision reuires more research. But for HL2, the developer recommends a 9800.

I didn't really mean for an answer, but that quote shoves me towards a 5900, as I love Gainward and evidently this will be able to handle Half-Life 2 (and Doom III).

lol, what quote shoves you toward a 5900? i am a bit worried as to how the fx cards will stack up in hl2 as they don't do so hot with dx9 shaders.

 

[Pete]

He didn't mention an FX card at all. You're assuming or inferring something he didn't say. Don't assume that since the 5900 is even with the 9800 in current benchmarks that the two will stay even in newer games--specifically, DX9 games.

 

[modedepe]

If you're worried about whether or not HL2 will run well on the fx5900 the best thing you can do is wait till the game is actually out. Until we see some actual benchmarks it's all just going to be a guessing game.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY
Thats what I'm hoping for, when the 9900 PRO is announcee and if it is on a .13u process all bets are off. So far all ATI has done is improve the 9700 PRO with a speed bump (9800 PRO) plus advancement's/optimizations with smartshader. I sit back and wait for these next cycle of graphic cards then jump.

You mean just like nVidia did with the GF4 over the GF3?

 

[NYHoustonman]

Originally posted by: Pete
He didn't mention an FX card at all. You're assuming or inferring something he didn't say. Don't assume that since the 5900 is even with the 9800 in current benchmarks that the two will stay even in newer games--specifically, DX9 games.

By that quote, I would feel safe that I could get at least ~35 fps with what I would have...But this is despite the fact that I have now decided to go with the 9800 pro :\...

 

[Regs]

Can always wait untill it comes out on x-box....

 

[1ManArmY]

HEhe, I getting ready for HAlo on the PC buy re-playing Legendary level on XBOX. Can't wait to see this game with DX 9 shaders and higher resolutions.

 

[gramboh]

I'm going to wait it out I've decided. My logic is that the games I play most today (Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat) are based on the HL engine, and since valve now controls CS, DOD, TFC, it's a sure bet they are going to release new versions of these mods/games on the Source engine (probably stand alone, but I'd pay full price for each one considering how much value I've gotten from the first generation versions). Doom 3 is a concern as well but the game/engine is too far off to worry about (probably Summer 2004?). I think Source will be a huge engine over the next few years with the scalabilty.