Frivolous release question...

[Titar]

OK, now we all know that if HL2 releases early in stores (accident or no) that it also gets released on Steam (or I think I know this), since neither Valve or Vivendi want to let the other get the jump on them. Fair enough so far, but it always seems like at least on retailer screws up every time.

So, if some store does sell early, what exacty is the punishment? Do they have to pay Vivendi back for possible lost sales or something? After all if it is out on Steam but not at your local gamestore, you know plenty of people will crack and buy from Steam. Or do they pay Valve for any sales, but Valve waits till the 16th?

 

[iamaelephant]

What lost sales? Valve and VU lose precisely zero from an early release.

 

[Yogibbear]

It's just they don't want to piss other people off.... it is in reality silly.... but a lot of people would ring up Valve or Vivendi and start screaming, "But I BOUGHT THIS OF THE NET IT SHOULD BE ACTIVATED.....FIRST!!!" blah blah blah...

 

[f|uke]

OK, now we all know that if HL2 releases early in stores (accident or no) that it also gets released on Steam

No. That is a false rumor propigated by wishfull thinking.

since neither Valve or Vivendi want to let the other get the jump on them.

Niether will have the jump, as nobody will be able to play any version of HL2 until Nov 16th 12am PST. If it gets sold before hand, the retailers will be risking many complaints from customers. Any incidents would be isolated.

If VALVe did break contract and release early because of actions outside of VUg's control, they would lose ground in the court battles.

 

[hi_ted]

I think it's pretty much set in stone that it's a 12am PST unlocking...

 

[iamaelephant]

f|uke, all major worldwide releases are sold early by stores. HL2 will be no exception.

 

[f|uke]

f|uke, all major worldwide releases are sold early by stores. HL2 will be no exception.

I never said it wouldnt happen. I'm just saying that nobody is playing HL2 until the set time, and that stores that sell early may learn their lesson.

 

[Titar]

Well, I probably asked the question wrong, but what I meant is I am sure there is someting in the contract that prevents Vivendi from say, distributing HL2 product, claiming the release date is in March next year, and, wink, wink, ignoring those who sell early. (not that I think Vivendi would do this anyway)

My understanding is that selling first and getting the most product of a hot item is something vendors constantly jocky for. While I am sure they don't nullify a multi million dollar contract just because "Mom a Pop's software" sells early on accident (say Pop forgot his medication), they almost always have some kind of consequence if you ignore the rules.

Then again something occured to me later. If it is true that you need to register online before playing, there could be some very unhappy customers if someone does mess up and releases early and the consumer is sitting with a disk they can't use for 2 or 3 days. Can you imagine the chaos that would cause!

 

[jaguar_987]

I never said it wouldnt happen. I'm just saying that nobody is playing HL2 until the set time, and that stores that sell early may learn their lesson.

I still say that the game would have to be unlocked if it gets released early. I just can't see the logic in Valve punishing a customer for a retailers mistake.

It would be in no way the customers fault so why can't they be given access to what they've purchased?

 

[Sharrd]

They'll be given access when they're supposed to be given it.

 

[silverstealth89]

for all weknow sales should be going up

 

[f|uke]

Well, I probably asked the question wrong, but what I meant is I am sure there is someting in the contract that prevents Vivendi from say, distributing HL2 product, claiming the release date is in March next year, and, wink, wink, ignoring those who sell early. (not that I think Vivendi would do this anyway)

Why would VUg want to sell a product that wouldn't even work? Irrelivant anyways. The SET retail/Steam date is Nov 16th.

My understanding is that selling first and getting the most product of a hot item is something vendors constantly jocky for. While I am sure they don't nullify a multi million dollar contract

Right. It has no bearing on the contract VALVe signed that agrees that they cannot preempt the set retail date.

Then again [...] there could be some very unhappy customers if someone does mess up and releases early

Yes. And there would be nobody for the customer to blame but the retailer.

I still say that the game would have to be unlocked if it gets released early. I just can't see the logic in Valve punishing a customer for a retailers mistake.

Whats the logic in VALVe f*cking themselves in the ass over some retailers mistake? If they breach contract, they will owe VUg money, and jepordize Steams legal standing. That is far more important then a handfull of users bitching because some retailer f'd up.

And whats the logic in saying VALVe is responsible for the retailers mistake?

VALVe has never said they would break release date, and would be absolutly foolish to. Once again, this rumor is the product of wishfull thinking.

 

[we11er]

I'm sure there will be a little slip of paper in the box saying "This game will be unplayable before the official release date... bla bla bla" anyway, so it doesn't matter if it is released early.

 

[jaguar_987]

And whats the logic in saying VALVe is responsible for the retailers mistake?

VALVe has never said they would break release date, and would be absolutly foolish to. Once again, this rumor is the product of wishfull thinking.

Never said Valve was responsible for the retailers mistake. I said Valve are essentially punishing the customer by keeping the game locked when people have bought the game legally.

Who is to say that Valve couldn't just unlock the game for the people who did get it early?

I dont look at this rumour as wishful thinking, not on my part as I wont be able to play the game for about a week after the release date anyway.

 

[jaguar_987]

I'm sure there will be a little slip of paper in the box saying "This game will be unplayable before the official release date... bla bla bla" anyway, so it doesn't matter if it is released early.

I would hope there is, I for one wouldn't be happy if I received the game early with no indication that I couldn't play it.

 

[f|uke]

Never said Valve was responsible for the retailers mistake. I said Valve are essentially punishing the customer by keeping the game locked when people have bought the game legally.

You just contradicted yourself. If Valve is punishing, that means they have responsibility (even if they are not at fault).

Who is to say that Valve couldn't just unlock the game for the people who did get it early?

Heres a thought for you. If ANYBODY gets HL2 before release, PIRATES will get HL2 before release. It will then be leaked, and EVERYBODY will get HL2 before release. The whole point of online verification is that NOBODY GETS HL2 BEFORE RELASE.

(pulls out crowbar)

*bink bink bink!*

 

[jaguar_987]

You just contradicted yourself. If Valve is punishing, that means they have responsibility (even if they are not at fault).Heres a thought for you. If ANYBODY gets HL2 before release, PIRATES will get HL2 before release. It will then be leaked, and EVERYBODY will get HL2 before release. The whole point of online verification is that NOBODY GETS HL2 BEFORE RELASE.

(pulls out crowbar)

*bink bink bink!*

hehehe So i did. Ok so Valve would have to pay for the retailers mistake. So fine em or do whatever they wanna do to em. But i still can't see how they can turn around and tell you that you can't play this game that you bought legally.

Unless of course it does have it written on the box somewhere that its unplayable before x time on the 16th.

p.s. Easy Tiger

 

[f|uke]

But i still can't see how they can turn around and tell you that you can't play this game that you bought legally.

Unless of course it does have it written on the box somewhere that its unplayable before x time on the 16th.

Retailers are also under contract not to break release date, for the sake of fair competition. Any early purchases would not be legal AFAIK. I doubt its printed on the box (as nobody is supposed to see the box until afterwards), but I will bet you anything that nobody will play HL2 until 12am PST, Nov 16th.

(and I'm just playing, but you did incur the wrath of the crowbar!)

 

[jaguar_987]

Retailers are also under contract not to break release date, for the sake of fair competition. Any early purchases would not be legal AFAIK. I doubt its printed on the box (as nobody is supposed to see the box until afterwards), but I will bet you anything that nobody will play HL2 until 12am PST, Nov 16th.

(and I'm just playing, but you did incur the wrath of the crowbar!)

lol I almost feel proud

About the early purchasing being illegal, no way. I doubt I'd get fined or slapped on the wrist by the ol bill for buying something from a shop before they were meant to sell it.

 

[f|uke]

About the early purchasing being illegal, no way. I doubt I'd get fined or slapped on the wrist by the ol bill for buying something from a shop before they were meant to sell it.

Its not the customers who would be breaching contract. Still its not a 'legal' purchase.

If it happened several days before release, well theres no way VALVe is going to let HL2 get out early and into the hands of pirates. If it happend just hours before release, then the people can wait! Steam may give them a very informative message about why they cannot play, but if not, they should still be able to figure it out by seeing HL2 in the "Coming Soon" catagory.

 

[jaguar_987]

Its not the customers who would be breaching contract. Still its not a 'legal' purchase.

If it happened several days before release, well theres no way VALVe is going to let HL2 get out early and into the hands of pirates. If it happend just hours before release, then the people can wait! Steam may give them a very informative message about why they cannot play, but if not, they should still be able to figure it out by seeing HL2 in the "Coming Soon" catagory.

lol I saw that edit.

I suppose you could put it that way, the customer bought it illegally through no fault of their own. Maybe we could sue all the gamestores that sell it early!

That's still gonna leave a pissed off customer though.

Still nevermind its only just over a week away anyway.