Early Release?

[D_tunisia]

Gabe said in the past that HL2 would be released on Steam before the shop version. If the game is going gold in August is there anything to stop Valve releasing it the same day/week?

 

[Mr-Fusion]

A contract with Vivendi that says they can't.

 

[Chris D]

Gabe said in the past that HL2 would be released on Steam before the shop version. If the game is going gold in August is there anything to stop Valve releasing it the same day/week?

I think this stems from a Half-Life Radio show where they announced that they'd be releasing the game on Steam first.

They also added that they thought this was the same as CS: Condition Zero.

The fact is however, what they do is they allow people who wish to purchase the game over Steam download an encrypted version of the game. They cannot access the game or its files though until it's officially released which will be the same date as the retail release.

 

[D_tunisia]

A contract with Vivendi that says they can't.

Crap. Maybe with HL3 they will get rid of traditional distributution altogether.

 

[Chris D]

Crap. Maybe with HL3 they will get rid of traditional distributution altogether.

They have a contract with Vivendi that states that Vivendi has the sole rights of publication of ALL of the Half-Life, Counter-Strike and probably Team Fortress games. I'm actually very very surprised that Vivendi allows Valve to distribute these games over Steam at all. I guess they must still get some royalties from it.

 

[RoguePsi]

It's Valves product and they've paid for it themselves. They do have a contract with Vivendi but I'm sure that once it ran out and Valve had the balls to do it, then technically they could distribute it however they want.

 

[Chris D]

It's Valves product and they've paid for it themselves. They do have a contract with Vivendi but I'm sure that once it ran out and Valve had the balls to do it, then technically they could distribute it however they want.

As far as I know, the contract won't run out. Vivendi owns publication rights to all Valve titles and their sequels before the take over of Day of Defeat (which is when they signed the deal with Activision).

If that part is incorrect, I know for a fact they own the rights to publish all Half-Life titles.

 

[Munro]

The fact is however, what they do is they allow people who wish to purchase the game over Steam download an encrypted version of the game.

Aye but we have ways around that don't we Chris

 

[estling]

Aye but we have ways around that don't we Chris

:naughty: :naughty: You have Majestic .. The one and only HeX-hacker who hacked the videos :afro:

 

[marty905]

i cant belive that one of the HL2.net staff members cough*munro*cough is goin to try to hack the encrypted version

 

[Chris D]

Aye but we have ways around that don't we Chris

I hacked a completely unencrypted file with a hex editor. Somehow I get the feeling that hacking the Half-Life 2 cache file would be a little bit trickier...

Then again, mine will already be unencrypted because I would have paid for it

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

As far as I know, the contract won't run out. Vivendi owns publication rights to all Valve titles and their sequels before the take over of Day of Defeat (which is when they signed the deal with Activision).

If that part is incorrect, I know for a fact they own the rights to publish all Half-Life titles.

They own the rights to publish retail versions of those titles. Steam is a loophole.

 

[Chris D]

They own the rights to publish retail versions of those titles. Steam is a loophole.

I still can't imagine Valve completely ditching Vivendi any time soon.

 

[AcousticToad]

Surely Valve have ultimate control over their products since they are a private company running off their own funds, not the publisher? Its their right to run and distribute over Steam?

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

I suspect that's because of contractual obligations, rather than any great desire to stay with them.

 

[Chris D]

Surely Valve have ultimate control over their products since they are a private company running off their own funds, not the publisher? Its their right to run and distribute over Steam?

That may be the case. Like PiMuRho said, Vivendi only own the rights to publish the retail versions. As most of us know though, Steam isn't ready for that kind of scale of release yet.

 

[Dr. Freeman]

I hacked a completely unencrypted file with a hex editor. Somehow I get the feeling that hacking the Half-Life 2 cache file would be a little bit trickier...

Then again, mine will already be unencrypted because I would have paid for it

In Chris(teh haxxor)_D we trust :dork:

 

[ferd]

A contract with Vivendi that says they can't.

hehe, could be

 

[Adidajs]

That may be the case. Like PiMuRho said, Vivendi only own the rights to publish the retail versions. As most of us know though, Steam isn't ready for that kind of scale of release yet.

btw, do we have any stats released from valve that detail how many cs:cz purchases were made online?

 

[Dougy]

Look at the most recent poll about steam buying Vs. Store buying.

last time i checked for every 1 person buying the game on steam there was 5 people buying it in a store.

So dont even kid yourself by thinking Valve can just get rid of vivendi.

besides we all know valves past with marketing games..... :x

 

[trantjd]

btw, do we have any stats released from valve that detail how many cs:cz purchases were made online?

I'd love to see a stat like that too. It would probably be interesting, but I'll bet that Valve is keeping that info closely guarded.

btw, great signature....I love the Shins!

 

[Triggerhappy41]

man, now im in a dilemma. If valve makes more money off of steam purchases, i would lean towards that (cmon its valve ) , but i still like to have a nice looking hard copy and manuals and all the boxy stuff.

 

[jimbones]

I hear ya sister!

 

[Tiddalick]

Look at the most recent poll about steam buying Vs. Store buying.

last time i checked for every 1 person buying the game on steam there was 5 people buying it in a store.

So dont even kid yourself by thinking Valve can just get rid of vivendi.

besides we all know valves past with marketing games..... :x

Where was this Poll?
I would be on that would buy it from a store, I prefer this by far then simply downloading it...

1. You have a HARD COPY of the files, on the CD. Ie, if your computer crashes then you don't lose the files, its easier to install on different computers if I upgrade etc etc.
There is something more assuring of having a physical copy of something, rather then magnetic imprints on the Hard Disk.

2. Manual and Box and that jazz, sure I could live without this but its fun to have.

3. I can uninstall it just as easily as installing it (yeah, not that I would uninstall HL2, but again just in case)

4. Overall more flexabilty

 

[poseyjmac]

Where was this Poll?
I would be on that would buy it from a store, I prefer this by far then simply downloading it...

1. You have a HARD COPY of the files, on the CD. Ie, if your computer crashes then you don't lose the files, its easier to install on different computers if I upgrade etc etc.
There is something more assuring of having a physical copy of something, rather then magnetic imprints on the Hard Disk.

2. Manual and Box and that jazz, sure I could live without this but its fun to have.

3. I can uninstall it just as easily as installing it (yeah, not that I would uninstall HL2, but again just in case)

4. Overall more flexabilty

dvd burners. they exist

ie someone could just burn the whole steam folder to a dvd. not too hard

 

[Varsity]

They have a contract with Vivendi that states that Vivendi has the sole rights of publication of ALL of the Half-Life, Counter-Strike and probably Team Fortress games. I'm actually very very surprised that Vivendi allows Valve to distribute these games over Steam at all. I guess they must still get some royalties from it.

I think it's because Vivendi can't afford to lose HL2 that they daren't interfere.

 

[Tiddalick]

dvd burners. they exist

ie someone could just burn the whole steam folder to a dvd. not too hard

That is true, and an option.
You still have to Download the files however...for someone like me, even with ADSL (at 56k) it would still take a few days of constant downloading.

Meh, maybe I prefer the elegance of the old ways..

 

[DreamWraith]

i was under the understanding that as said "everything before day of defeat" which does not include a potential half life three. i would think valve is free to do what they want with future games, as vivendi does not hold any copyrights to the game, only retail distribution rights for pre DoD games. Since HL2 was under development since 98, technically it could fall into that category, but however not a potential hl3. just my thoughts.

if my impressions are wrong please let me know.

 

[poseyjmac]

That is true, and an option.
You still have to Download the files however...for someone like me, even with ADSL (at 56k) it would still take a few days of constant downloading.

Meh, maybe I prefer the elegance of the old ways..

but ill end up buying a hardcopy some day probably anyway too. although im really fond of steam, because it wont matter if i lose my hard copy, i can just get on my account and download.

ive owned 2 copies of halflife since 98, and i lost both of the papers with the keys somehow because im brilliant, not to mention my halflife tshirt. so all i have now is codename gordon because its free.

 

[Tiddalick]

but ill end up buying a hardcopy some day probably anyway too. although im really fond of steam, because it wont matter if i lose my hard copy, i can just get on my account and download.

ive owned 2 copies of halflife since 98, and i lost both of the papers with the keys somehow because im brilliant, not to mention my halflife tshirt. so all i have now is codename gordon because its free.

LOST?!
I have the box of the very first game that I bought, and that was Hexen.