Experiences on the forums, from start to finish.

[Tab]

I dont know, I think it would be cool if everyone posted some of the best,worst(Sep 11), times of chaos on the forums to date. Ive seen this done with other forums on a gold release. It truely puts into perspective how much the community has been through together.Try to keep them in order, so we can get a timeline going.

Example - 1st poster try to keep it something old, so the next poster can build on it or start something newer.

 

[DarkStar]

I dont know, I think it would be cool if everyone posted some of the best,worst(Sep 11), times of chaos on the forums to date.

Well, considering the Sept. 11 attacks took place 2 years before this site opened I don't think we can really use that.

 

[ailevation]

:naughty: We Half Life 2 netters have been through a lot!! And I only been here a couple of months! So many ups and downs, finally Half Life 2 will be in our arms soon!

 

[switch]

I thought about doing a timescale of HL2 information about a year ago now, really wish I had done it, would have been good to look back on.

Going to search the archive forums for posts bigger than 5 pages, or maybe even just the news page.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

good idea, its been quite an interesting story...well for us lot

 

[63]

Today - when people post good threads in the wrong sections ))

 

[Tab]

I guess Sep 11 was quite awhile ago. I can still remember watching it happen live on the news. Why do you people have to be so critical . . .you know what I was talking about.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Most people remeber what they were doing (flashbulb memories, ah psychology is shite) not a nice thing, but today is a happy day, lets stay happy!

 

[DarkStar]

I guess Sep 11 was quite awhile ago. I can still remember watching it happen live on the news. Why do you people have to be so critical . . .you know what I was talking about.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound critical or mean. I just thought it might be useful for you to know we haven't been around that long. I'm pretty sure the site started in May 2003.

 

[Logic]

The only timeline we'll ever need:

Beginning of time -> Dawn of Man -> Birth of Computer Technology -> Half-Life -> Half-Life 2 -> Half-Life 3 -> Apocolypse

 

[Tab]

anyway lets get this thread started. If not a mod can just delete it.

 

[Lanthanide]

I woke up and mum told me someone had knocked down the world trade center towers, I said 'good' and then went to school.

I can remember quite a lot of mundane, boring details about the day, interestingly enough, even though sept 11 (has) had very little to no bearing on my daily life.

 

[Tab]

I woke up and mum told me someone had knocked down the world trade center towers, I said 'good' and then went to school.

I can remember quite a lot of mundane, boring details about the day, interestingly enough, even though sept 11 (has) had very little to no bearing on my daily life.

You said good?

 

[switch]

The only timeline we'll ever need:

Beginning of time -> Dawn of Man -> Birth of Computer Technology -> Half-Life -> Half-Life 2 -> Half-Life 3 -> Apocolypse

Heh, I'm happy with that

 

[Cooper]

Heh, I remember last year when Valve had planned to release it in Sept. There were quite a few of us holding out and defending Valve. We put our faith in them, although they are now a year late the reviews seem to be saying its worth it.

Then the stolen source code thing, so many emotions during that time and the amount of teamwork that happened then to find the thief was awesome.

I remember when the E3 movie was released and we all saw the Striders for the first time. I think everyone yelled "ssstttrriidderrr" at least once on the forums.

Ahh, good times.
Heres to you, my fellow forumites!

*raises glass*

 

[Logic]

Some significant moments I remember.....

Valve announcing their "premium" service, in which customers could subscribe, paying a monthly fee, gaining access to every Valve game, including HL2 -> followed by HUNDREDS of worried individuals convinced (and convincing others) that they would have to pay a fee to play online. (I guess being literate isn't a prerequisite of internet use ) I remember spending a lot of time in a particular thread, along with Feath and at least one other member, reassuring people that they would still be able to buy and play the game normally

Of course, prior to that, the announcement of the theft, and the very strong reactions of forum members. The community was divided... those in strong support of Valve, and those who condemned Valve for their "stupidity". Unfortunately, anti-valve sentiment still lingers, but I would hope that the majority of us are in support of them.

Both E3s caused a stir, as did the preloads starting - many saw that as tangible evidence that HL2 was real

 

[Raziaar]

Worst - Political and Religious discussions. Too many hours of my life wasted.

 

[MrWhite]

I've been on these forums for quite a while... I havent been much of a poster recently but I visit and read everyday (tired fingers I guess).

Anyways, I remember alot, and alot of fun memories and such, but my question is...


What happens to us when Half-Life 2 is released? I mean... do we do it all over again for HL3? I've always wondered that since this site is devoted to one game, not to mention that its a sequel.

I don't know... but I'm stickin around.

 

[MultiVaC]

I'd imagine the first event would be the site opening. I don't know when that was.

I'll try the obvious ones

Site opening through about 09-10: The golden age, we oblivious to how much longer the game would take and what was about to happen

09-11-2003- apart from being 9-11, this is the day of the first unauthorized access to Gabe's e-mail

09-12 to 09-18-2003: suspicious activity, keystroke loggers?

09-19-2003: someone makes a copy of the HL2 source tree. Source code theft happens about here?

09-30-2003: delayed until the holidays ;(

10-02-2003: Gabe posts http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10692
This thread is linked to on many news sites, HL2.net becomes a bit crazy for a while

Holidays come and go, the release is now stated to be spring 2004

E3 2004: awesome HL2 demonstration, CS:S revealed, the release is now said to be summer 2004

Summer: although HL2 will not make it's summer release, things start to happen- preloads, CS:S beta.

10-07-2004: HL2 preorders and CS:S now available through Steam

10-14-2004: sixth and final preload?

October 18th 2004, The game is gold! To be released on November 16th, 2004.

 

[Logic]

Oh, I almost forgot, Fragmaster's dramatic exit! While not strictly HL2.net forum related, it was certainly a significant event for much of the Half-Life community. It's also a good representation of the controversy and division within the community.

 

[VodkA-HLC-]

I woke up and mum told me someone had knocked down the world trade center towers, I said 'good' and then went to school.

I can remember quite a lot of mundane, boring details about the day, interestingly enough, even though sept 11 (has) had very little to no bearing on my daily life.

YOU sir, are an IDIOT.......

 

[MrWhite]

YOU sir, are an IDIOT.......

To be fair, I didn't show much reaction either. I rmember walking into a study hall and it was on tv and everyone was talking about it, then I looked at everyone and said "oh yeah, sorry about that".

Now, beleive me, I regret that and I regret my lack of care. I had no idea it was a terrorist attack, I had no idea how many people were hurt and killed. I just had no idea... I didn't fathom.

Anyway, I felt terrible once it sunk in.



But now to stay on topic... it's kind of amazing to realize that it's about to be released. All of these years... these 2 or 3 years... everyhting negative and positive... it all doesnt matter, the argueing stops and etc. because soon enough, we'll have the game.

 

[Sai]

i'm gonna have to go with when crazy haij translated that mag and brought the depression that set in at the forums to an end, right before e3 when the days of only 36 or so viewing the hl2 discussion forums was permanently over. That was the best day in the Forums.(outside this one atleast)

but man, the dark days of these forums, no screenshots, no new binks, no new info, just complaints about valve. since there was absolutely nothing new to talk about people just started making anti-valve threads, and in a very consisstent manner. Back in the days when the general off-topic forum used to rival the main hl2 discussion forum, man i'm glad that part of the forum's history is over.

 

[switch]

The ones I remember most that havent been mentioned are the many HL2-vs-Doom3 threads (the older ones not the ones near doom3 release) where there was a biig doom3 troll always arguing for doom3 and about 30 of us fanboys countering his claims and also pointing things out from doom3 screenshots.

If you want to look at really old threads look here and start at the bottom working your way up.
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/archive/index.php/f-5-p-43.html
one even got brought back like a year later with the guy not realising.

 

[Eternity]

Best: hearing that the game was in development
Worst: the game didn't come out

 

[eth8686]

The one event that stuck out the most for me was Spitcodfry's visit to Valve, and the hype that sunk in me at that moment. I've never followed a thread so closely like then.

Dear HL2.net, you have been a great companion in bad day's of my life and in good ones. You never let me down, you kept me awake during computer classes, you made the time fly by. I owe you alot!

Thank you HL2.net

 

[Some_God]

Yeah that pay-to-play crap worried me. Thank hashem that didn't happen. :E

 

[Logic]

Definately reading the first review.... scans\translations.... erm... *cough*... and feeling the excitement come back, as it looks like the game just may live up to expectations...