The reason HL2 is being HELD up?

[tokin]

Okay, so the packages are set but HL2 isn't being released yet. Reviews have already been given out all about HL2 and they keep appearing. Most of the scores would of been higher if there was a HL2 MP, however, there wasn't. From the reviews and from what we've seen we can all conclude that HL2 is done, which it is. So 2 options here....
1. Vivendi is holding the game until Winter for more sales. However, most people here that are educated would already know it won't matter when they release this game, correct? If that is the case, the people at Vivendi know this as well.

2. Valve is holding HL2 to finish up the standard MP mode. They feel they should give us something in return or a suprise, so why not release HL2 a month or two from now with the MP, how nice would that be.

I know this is just speculation and people could assume this but you never know. It's just odd, because there really isn't any other reason for HL2 to be held back except for what i said. So, what do you guys have to say?

 

[poseyjmac]

if valve was going to 'finish up' hl2 mp mode anytime soon it would be listed in the packages, just as dod:s and hl:s are. the fact that its not shows that its not coming soon. dod:s is obviously not finished, because valve can release that whenever they want to, theres no reason to hold onto it.

 

[DavE0r]

good idea...but no. Gabe has said the multiplayer IS CS:s, maybe....they may release a "mod" lol for it to be the MP if enough of the community want it...!

but the thing is, i assume they have chosen CS:s as the multiplayer because it is less detailed. NOw with hl1, this wasnt a concern, because there was f**k all that you could play with (i.e barrels and the likes), now if there was a hl:mp then they would have to put all of this bumph in, which wouldnt be very feasible on todays connections, or able to be handled by a server.

Well thats what i think anyways

 

[tokin]

if valve was going to 'finish up' hl2 mp mode anytime soon it would be listed in the packages, just as dod:s and hl:s are. the fact that its not shows that its not coming soon. dod:s is obviously not finished, because valve can release that whenever they want to, theres no reason to hold onto it.

Well not necessarily. They already know they are going to get a shitload of sales for their packages and then release HL2 when it's ready. They could suprise everyone by including just a standard DM with it and suprise all of the REAL fans. Yeah, although they would make even more money by just releasing HL2DM months from now...now that i think of it....BASTARDS! :O

 

[DavE0r]

it aint gonna happen im sure. Its s shame, cos i did like fraggin gordons ass..and then the Gman...mmmmmm FRAGAGE!!

Me to Gman:- "put me through a f**kn resonance cascade will you **boom**, yer that'll teach you!"

 

[tokin]

Me to Gman:- "put me through a f**kn resonance cascade will you **boom**, yer that'll teach you!"

LOL.

 

[Spugmaster]

1. Vivendi is holding the game until Winter for more sales. However, most people here that are educated would already know it won't matter when they release this game, correct? If that is the case, the people at Vivendi know this as well.

Completely incorrect on that one I'm afraid. If you think that Vivendi are targeting the hardcore fans then you are sorely mistaken. Sure - to the hardcore fan base it makes no difference because they will buy it no matter when it releases, but that is such a small percentage of the total sales. The majority of retail sales will come from the general public shopping for christmas presents.

We can assume that most hardcore fans are part of an online community for this game. This is one of the more popular online HL2 community sites and has only 19,000 members, a lot of who are cross-members with other HL2 fan sites. Thats bugger all in relation to the total sales they are expecting from this game. A holiday release will be what Vivendi (not Valve) are shooting for.

 

[Some_God]

Completely incorrect on that one I'm afraid. If you think that Vivendi are targeting the hardcore fans then you are sorely mistaken. Sure - to the hardcore fan base it makes no difference because they will buy it no matter when it releases, but that is such a small percentage of the total sales. The majority of retail sales will come from the general public shopping for christmas presents.

I feel so used...

BTW so close to that magic round number... :O

 

[tokin]

Completely incorrect on that one I'm afraid. If you think that Vivendi are targeting the hardcore fans then you are sorely mistaken. Sure - to the hardcore fan base it makes no difference because they will buy it no matter when it releases, but that is such a small percentage of the total sales. The majority of retail sales will come from the general public shopping for christmas presents.

We can assume that most hardcore fans are part of an online community for this game. This is one of the more popular online HL2 community sites and has only 19,000 members, a lot of who are cross-members with other HL2 fan sites. Thats bugger all in relation to the total sales they are expecting from this game. A holiday release will be what Vivendi (not Valve) are shooting for.

1. I never said Vivendi are targeting hardcore fans. I said VALVE could suprise the REAL fans with a HL2 DM.

2. Yes, I realize Vivendi is in control as to when HL2 is released.

I don't know what i said to make you respond with those 2 statements.....are you feeling okay?

 

[Edcrab]

I think the key issue here is that Vivendi profits as long as HL2 is released for Christmas, not necessarily in the actual season.

The earlier the better- and despite what some people say I doubt retaillers will begin taking it off the shelves, because this game is going to sell regardless of release; although, probably, HL2's displays (if any) won't be up for the whole time. Bah to publishers, I say.

 

[Spugmaster]

I feel so used...

BTW so close to that magic round number... :O

Yeah - it's so unlike a big corporation to use the public as marketing pawns isn't it?

 

[Spugmaster]

1. I never said Vivendi are targeting hardcore fans. I said VALVE could suprise the REAL fans with a HL2 DM.

2. Yes, I realize Vivendi is in control as to when HL2 is released.

I don't know what i said to make you respond with those 2 statements.....are you feeling okay?

You said in your first point that it makes no difference when HL2 is released - but it makes all the difference in the world to Vivendi's bottom line. They release now and they lose the ablility to market a " Must Own Christmas Blockbuster". And with the console market being as stong as it is, if they release now, then Halo2 has the Christmas shopping scene pretty much wrapped up (no pun intended). If there are bugger all kick-ass PC games being released in the holiday season, then the market share of games sales swings to the console arena and Halo 2.

By releasing HL2 in late November:

1) The hype over Halo 2 has died down
2) They can claim the title for the #1 selling game of the year for 2004

 

[guise]

the real reason for the delay is that a pigeon got stuck in the chimney down at valve HQ.

why dont YOU try finding a chimney sweep in this day and age.

 

[Captain M4d]

They release HL2 anytime, and then they can make a HL2DM, and let us download it through Steam for free. How bout that?

 

[StAtiC]

HL2 dm isn't going to happen ok? Half life dm BLOWED. theres no reason to have it again, besides the mods are gonna pwn us all in the face

 

[FoB_Ed]

HL2 dm isn't going to happen ok? Half life dm BLOWED. theres no reason to have it again, besides the mods are gonna pwn us all in the face

HLDM owned you tool. It's pure fun. CS stresses me out because I feel like my team's counting on me and I can't be the crazy mofo I am without punks on my team bitching at me.

 

[N0N1337H41]

While I'm usually a "wait-and-see" type of guy, I've got to say that after they came out and said that the MP is CS:S, I tend to think that the MP is CS:S. Call me crazy, but I don't think that they would keep what would be a major selling point for some people a big secret. I mean, VALVe's a business not your parents pretending to be Santa Clause.

 

[Llyranor]

I would be pleasantly surprised if Valve actually went out of their way to make a new mp. But, I'm not expecting anything. CS:S will be enough for now, and I'll probably get DOD:S too.