Question

[Harryz]

Okay, I'm a bit confused of the development of Half-Life 2. If the game went bug-free a month ago, what is there left to do?

 

[Brian Damage]

I thought it wasn't bug free yet...

 

[Nex321]

it is bug free, isn't it?

The only thing left is CS:S bugs

 

[Maxi]

We don't really know... But I don't think it is. If it was it would have gone gold. But since it hasn't gone gold we can almost safely say that it still isn't 100% bugfree.*



*This is only true if the game doesn't go gold within the next 24h.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Okay, I'm a bit confused of the development of Half-Life 2. If the game went bug-free a month ago, what is there left to do?

They've almost finished it. Things like the audio and the textures are all done, they were probably completed months ago but Valve will have waited for a bit just to make absolutely sure. Then the first two preload stages included just those resources.

From there is the maps, the models and the code. It's possible all those are finished too, and they are just running through to be certain before making each available for preload.

So it seems the way they are doing this, is trickle through HL2 over the course of a few weeks, saving the engine, the core of the game until last. Probably a week before the final preload stage they "might" say its gone gold, then while all thats being duplicated and getting ready to send out to the stores, the final preload will start. Then probably a few days before the stores are allowed to sell the game, the final final piece of the steam version will preload (the engine and other important files) so then its just a case of unlocking the game on steam the same time the stores begin to sell it. Those with ATI coupons or buying online will then pay or enter their codes and the game will run.

Thats what I think anyway

 

[Atari]

I think Steam users will get HL2 a few days/a week before the shops get it in stock (Maybe the day it goes Gold?).

From Valve's point of view it would make more sense to do this as they would make more money through their own content delivery system (Steam) than they would people buying it from shops with Vivendi taking a huge slice.

 

[Alec_85]

From there is the maps, the models and the code. It's possible all those are finished too, and they are just running through to be certain before making each available for preload.

Let's hope we're not talking about weeks between each of those preloads (if that means 3 more different preloads) :thumbs:

 

[geowa]

as said many times before; they will not release it over steam before the shops bcos vivendi wouldnt let them bcos vivendi wud lose out in a ton of money bcos every1 wud buy it over steam and those who had pre orded wud go beserk

 

[kr4sh]

i think we are talking about 1 month and 2 weeks till half life 2 is gold/released :cheese:

 

[lans]

Let's hope we're not talking about weeks between each of those preloads (if that means 3 more different preloads) :thumbs:

Oh, it's going to be weeks, alright - mark my words. HL2 is october bound.

 

[Risiko]

Oh, it's going to be weeks, alright - mark my words. HL2 is october bound.

I disagree . I say HL2 will be gold within 5-7 days time, and be ready on the 30th. After all, even if the game is not completely bug-free by a week from now, they could just send out a large patch on the 30th to fix everything up.

 

[Alec_85]

Oh, it's going to be weeks, alright - mark my words. HL2 is october bound.

Aaaw man ;(

 

[Iconoclast]

I disagree . I say HL2 will be gold within 5-7 days time, and be ready on the 30th. After all, even if the game is not completely bug-free by a week from now, they could just send out a large patch on the 30th to fix everything up.

Did you read what you just wrote?

Why on earth would Valve release the game only to patch it a couple of days later? They've waited this long, they'll wait a few more days/weeks to get it done right.

You're the one who wants it rushed out... not them.

 

[ship]

They've almost finished it. Things like the audio and the textures are all done, they were probably completed months ago but Valve will have waited for a bit just to make absolutely sure. Then the first two preload stages included just those resources.

From there is the maps, the models and the code. It's possible all those are finished too, and they are just running through to be certain before making each available for preload.

So it seems the way they are doing this, is trickle through HL2 over the course of a few weeks, saving the engine, the core of the game until last. Probably a week before the final preload stage they "might" say its gone gold, then while all thats being duplicated and getting ready to send out to the stores, the final preload will start. Then probably a few days before the stores are allowed to sell the game, the final final piece of the steam version will preload (the engine and other important files) so then its just a case of unlocking the game on steam the same time the stores begin to sell it. Those with ATI coupons or buying online will then pay or enter their codes and the game will run.

Thats what I think anyway

Very nice post. Thanks for focusing all the random thoughts in my mind down into a clear and concise paragraph.

I also agree with you that the game is October-bound. VALVe are too obsessive-compulsive and will bug-squash in an attempt to perfect this game right up until the last second before the fans charge the headquarters.

 

[Stryyder]

as said many times before; they will not release it over steam before the shops bcos vivendi wouldnt let them bcos vivendi wud lose out in a ton of money bcos every1 wud buy it over steam and those who had pre orded wud go beserk

DOn't be so naive to think that Vivendi is not getting a portion of the direct sales as well. I am sure a much smaller portion but they are getting a piece.

We will have most of the game 98% prior to it shipping. The day they make it available on the shelves the remaining 2% will be available over steam. The have been saying simultaneuos release for at least a year now.

 

[Alec_85]

Hmm my preload just "finished". At 86ish%. So I doubt there will be more than 1 or possibly 2 more different preloads until it's finished. Maybe we're not talking about October after all

*gets his hopes up to high*

 

[Lazlow]

as said many times before; they will not release it over steam before the shops bcos vivendi wouldnt let them bcos vivendi wud lose out in a ton of money bcos every1 wud buy it over steam and those who had pre orded wud go beserk

I'm sure Valve couldn't care less about ticking off Vivendi... but the reason it won't come out on Steam first is because you can't alienate retailers, who will lose sales if the game is available early elsewhere. Retailers will still be the primary outlet for game distribution for some time, and if you can't get shelf space you're going to be hurting!

 

[Alec_85]

For some reason Steam started downloading again so now I am beyond 86%. So my post above is kinda useless now ;(