Preload Halflife 2 - Get game before it hits stores?

[Avengence]

One question I cannot figure out is if you preload halflife 2 and buy it through steam, then do you not have to wait for it to hit stores? Like when it goes gold do you get to download the rest of the game and start playing? Would VU even let them do something like that?

 

[KagePrototype]

It will be locked i.e. you won't be able to play the game until the retail release date. For example, if the game were to be released on September 30th, you would not be able to play it until that date, regardless of whether you downloaded it off Steam or not.

This has been discussed numerous times, use the search function next time.

 

[killahsin-[CE]]

Noone is absolutly sure. It depends on how VALVe's contract is with vivendi. The only reason i cans ee valve releasing on steam prior to store shelves is if somehow vivendi plays with their release date.

But back in the days when sierra was the top dog it was supposed to be simultaneous world release. Both Steam and store at the same time

 

[staddydaddy]

gabe has mensioned before that it will unlock the day it's released in stores.

If you read on planethalflife though, it's contradicting that.

 

[Absinthe]

I'm pretty sure this is entirely up to VU. They'd prefer to have a simulatenous release, rather than have everybody get an earlier Steam release. Because that means less money lining their pockets.

 

[KagePrototype]

I'm sure Vivendi have learnt the lesson id Software did when Doom 3 took two weeks to reach Europe, what with the mass warezing of the game within the time period. I reckon they want a worldwide release date for HL2 to maximise profits.

 

[Mountain Man]

Unless Vivendi is run by imbeciles, there's no way they'll give Valve an exclusive shot at the lucrative first week sales. Steam is going to cut into their profits as it is, so there's little chance they'll give Valve an invitation to take an even bigger piece of the pie.

 

[InZaneFlea]

Cut their profits? As far as I know, it's going to cost what? $10 less maximum? And what don't they have to do? Box, CD, Instruction manual, payment for the boxing company, shipping...It's worth their money.

 

[Some_God]

Buy a CD key off of ebay and its 20 bucks cheaper... at least I hope it is. :O

 

[StukaFox]

I hope Valve opens up Steam's version of HL-2 to ATI coupon holders before anyone else. We deserve this after last year's fiasco, especially given ATI's marketing hype at the time.

 

[KagePrototype]

Cut their profits? As far as I know, it's going to cost what? $10 less maximum? And what don't they have to do? Box, CD, Instruction manual, payment for the boxing company, shipping...It's worth their money.

That's only for each game sold though. Vivendi could stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars worldwide if Steam was able to give everyone HL2 before retail copies were finished. Anyone in business would tell you that it's a bad idea to risk that.

 

[Nex321]

Have you seen Playstation 3 graphics?

Here's the latest screenshot:

http://www.tech.port.ac.uk/staffweb/beresfor/Syscoms/images/AbuDhabiBuildings.jpg

 

[f0rked]

Um... I don't get it? Thats just a picture...

 

[Kouler]

Wow thats very nice!

 

[Daiceman9]

Have you seen Playstation 3 graphics?

Here's the latest screenshot:

http://www.tech.port.ac.uk/staffweb/beresfor/Syscoms/images/AbuDhabiBuildings.jpg

1. Thats compleatly off topic
2. I dont think that is a SS look at the website.

 

[f0rked]

No one actually thinks thats real PS3 graphics... right?

 

[Inanimate]

ain´t this old?

 

[DvS]

Cut their profits? As far as I know, it's going to cost what? $10 less maximum? And what don't they have to do? Box, CD, Instruction manual, payment for the boxing company, shipping...It's worth their money.

Valve circumvents it's publisher each time a sale is made on steam, VU doesn't get anything for HL2 copies sold via steam.

 

[PedroTheLion]

"Half-Life® 2 will be available via Steam the same day it is available at retail." from https://www.atihl2offer.com/prodPurchase.asp?type=single