Half-Life 2 set for 26th November in Europe

Dom · Oct 1, 2004, 04:03 PM

Vivendi Universal Games is expected to formally announce a November 26th release date for Half-Life 2 in Europe shortly, along with a US release three days earlier, after informing UK retail partners of the date this week.

Valve delivered a release candidate to VU on September 15th, and although an official 'Gold' announcement has still yet to emerge, retail sources in the UK indicate that they have now been given notice of the expected late November date.

It was previously feared that the game might slip into 2005, as recent news of legal wranglings between VU and developer Valve made talk of further delays look increasingly likely, although the company could ill afford to miss out on the lucrative Christmas opportunity for such an important game.

With marketing plans taking months of preparation and Christmas space at a premium, it was essential VU made retail aware of its plans - even though official confirmation may be still pending.

When contacted for confirmation, Valve's Doug Lombardi was still unable to shed further light on the matter, uttering the now-familar words: "Unfortunately, I do not have a release date from VUG right now," no doubt under orders to wait until it's 'officially' announced.

On a related matter, despite the appearance of print reviews of the game next week, online readers are being forced to wait until the day of release before they can read review coverage of the game. Last night, Lombardi confirmed: "The online reviews will be held until the day the game is made available," with review code being held back until then.

_________________________
Source: GameIndustry

Shinjikun · Oct 1, 2004, 04:11 PM

I guess November isn't so bad since we have Tribes:V to hold us off. Let's hope this turns out to be true.

dipstick · Oct 1, 2004, 04:11 PM

Great, another November release

Lets see how many more games they can pile into two freaking months

**MIG-31** · Oct 1, 2004, 04:15 PM

here's hoping...

***craig5320*** · Oct 1, 2004, 05:20 PM

This is getting ridiculous, Novemeber 26th! that's like another 2 months! This game is so gonna fall short of peoples expectations, I'm really dissappointed with Valve and this whole thing now. It's not even like they've given us anything to look forward to, all the "exclusive" movies we've seen like a year ago, I got a exclusive preview disk with CS:CZ, and oh wait, I'd seen everyone of them in septemeber 2003, They hold onto it much longer and they may as well call it Duke Nukem Forever and forget about it.

Shinjikun · Oct 1, 2004, 05:55 PM

I personally think it's going to meet everyone's expectations; and no matter when it comes out everyone is going to play it..

Sure I'm tired as all hell of waiting for it too; but that doesn't mean I'm going to not play it when it finally does get released -- whenever that is.

Granted I'm sick and tired of waiting, but I'm still looking forward to playing the game.

***Zardon*** · Oct 1, 2004, 06:08 PM

Its really only 13 months late so far, not too bad..........

Shinjikun · Oct 1, 2004, 06:10 PM

Honestly; if the game is amazing then everyone will forget their complaining QUICKLY.

I guess all we can do is either sit here and salivate over it or hate it because of the wait... I'm in the first group.

***Zardon*** · Oct 1, 2004, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinjikun

Honestly; if the game is amazing then everyone will forget their complaining QUICKLY.

I guess all we can do is either sit here and salivate over it or hate it because of the wait... I'm in the first group.

Hey im not complaining I was at the 9800 launch last year in munich at the maddest launch party ive seen and instead of getting HL2 we got gabe newell talking about how great HL2 was !

wont be long now. I reckon it will be released within the next few......

Shinjikun · Oct 1, 2004, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Hey im not complaining I was at the 9800 launch last year in munich at the maddest launch party ive seen and instead of getting HL2 we got gabe newell talking about how great HL2 was !

wont be long now. I reckon it will be released within the next few......

You're not complaining but other people are; and it's completely understandable -- especially with that funny situation you described.

One generation of ATi cards comes... we get screenshots...

The next generation of ATi cards comes... we get more movies and ETAs...

It's a long saga and everyone is tired of waiting for this damn game. At this point it'll happen when it happens... that's it. Anyone who is complaining now more than likely fill forget all that talk once they get their hands on the game.

... bah! Back to CoD: UO.

***Zardon*** · Oct 1, 2004, 06:22 PM

look on the bright side, its impossible the game could be worse than Doom3.

Shinjikun · Oct 1, 2004, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

look on the bright side, its impossible the game could be worse than Doom3.

A point most people fail to see...

They waited for that fancy tech demo didn't they?

ChrisW · Oct 1, 2004, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

look on the bright side, its impossible the game could be worse than Doom3.

Have to agree to that.

Asmoday · Oct 1, 2004, 07:18 PM

I so agree about Doom3, my worst spent money in years...

kalx · Oct 1, 2004, 07:19 PM

Its got 96% in pcgamer i doubt they woudl embellish it , so i dotn midn waiting 2 more months and you ahev to remember this is vivandi not value so really theres no sense in blaming valve , they deleiverd there part now its up to VUG to do the rest and if it takes them 2 months more who cares the wait is worth it .

Everything comes to those who wait.......

Patience is a Virtue

Dom · Oct 2, 2004, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Its really only 13 months late so far, not too bad..........

My lucky number.

buckbeak · Oct 2, 2004, 04:36 AM

Well I got my UK PC Gamer this morning and have just finished reading the review. It doesnt give much away I hadnt read already about it other than that they think it is the best game ever, better than anyone could have hoped for.

I cant wait now

Anakin · Oct 2, 2004, 05:40 AM

Well, Probably they'll wait another 3 weeks, so I can get it as a Christmass-present to myself!!

Counterfe1t · Oct 2, 2004, 09:29 AM

it doesnt bother me that its a November 26th release but that it was reviewed so early by magazines and we have to wait 1.9 months to get it.

phishdude · Oct 3, 2004, 03:20 AM

i cannot believe you guys are so bitter about doom3.

i say chill, be groovy, play games, and relax...hl2 will be here before you know it.

another thing, this is not valve's fault so don't blame them.

mainman · Oct 3, 2004, 03:48 AM

[color=red]I LOVE DOOM 3!!!!!

[/color]

Shinjikun · Oct 3, 2004, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainman

[color=red]I LOVE DOOM 3!!!!!

[/color]

Congrats man!

[color=red]YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE! =)[/color]

WallyG · Oct 3, 2004, 07:52 PM

I'd like to complain but I'm getting it for free!! I bought an AIW 9600 Pro as a clearance item($125.00US w/free shipping) right after the AIW 9600XT came out. I can wait!

Patience Grasshopper...

W

P.S. I'm told that ATI did NOT include the HL@ coupon with the AIW 9600XT---strange. (I also got a Remote Wonder (included) and a Remote Wonder 2 (by mail--$8.00/shipping) --- so I really can't complain)

Oct 1, 2004, 04:03 PM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,942 Rep Power: 0	Half-Life 2 set for 26th November in Europe Vivendi Universal Games is expected to formally announce a November 26th release date for Half-Life 2 in Europe shortly, along with a US release three days earlier, after informing UK retail partners of the date this week. Valve delivered a release candidate to VU on September 15th, and although an official 'Gold' announcement has still yet to emerge, retail sources in the UK indicate that they have now been given notice of the expected late November date. It was previously feared that the game might slip into 2005, as recent news of legal wranglings between VU and developer Valve made talk of further delays look increasingly likely, although the company could ill afford to miss out on the lucrative Christmas opportunity for such an important game. With marketing plans taking months of preparation and Christmas space at a premium, it was essential VU made retail aware of its plans - even though official confirmation may be still pending. When contacted for confirmation, Valve's Doug Lombardi was still unable to shed further light on the matter, uttering the now-familar words: "Unfortunately, I do not have a release date from VUG right now," no doubt under orders to wait until it's 'officially' announced. On a related matter, despite the appearance of print reviews of the game next week, online readers are being forced to wait until the day of release before they can read review coverage of the game. Last night, Lombardi confirmed: "The online reviews will be held until the day the game is made available," with review code being held back until then. _________________________ Source: GameIndustry

Oct 1, 2004, 04:11 PM	#2
Shinjikun 第3 子供 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nerv HQ Posts: 1,322 Rep Power: 0	I guess November isn't so bad since we have Tribes:V to hold us off. Let's hope this turns out to be true. __________________ Xfire: [Shinji1225 \ Status] A7N8X-E Deluxe Athlon XP 2500+ (@ 2.2 GHz 11x200 MHz FSB) Corsair TwinX XMS 1GB PC3200 Dual Channel (2-2-3-5) [color=red]ATi [/color][color=white]Radeon 9500 Pro (@ 330\310) \ [/color][color=white]Omega Catalyst Drivers v2.5.90[/color] [color=white]Ultra X-Connect 500W PSU[/color]

Oct 1, 2004, 04:15 PM	#4
MIG-31 DH News MOD Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 42,588 Rep Power: 186 System Specs	here's hoping... __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Oct 1, 2004, 05:20 PM	#5
*craig5320* DH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 5,975 Rep Power: 279 System Specs	This is getting ridiculous, Novemeber 26th! that's like another 2 months! This game is so gonna fall short of peoples expectations, I'm really dissappointed with Valve and this whole thing now. It's not even like they've given us anything to look forward to, all the "exclusive" movies we've seen like a year ago, I got a exclusive preview disk with CS:CZ, and oh wait, I'd seen everyone of them in septemeber 2003, They hold onto it much longer and they may as well call it Duke Nukem Forever and forget about it. __________________

Oct 1, 2004, 05:55 PM	#6
Shinjikun 第3 子供 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nerv HQ Posts: 1,322 Rep Power: 0	I personally think it's going to meet everyone's expectations; and no matter when it comes out everyone is going to play it.. Sure I'm tired as all hell of waiting for it too; but that doesn't mean I'm going to not play it when it finally does get released -- whenever that is. Granted I'm sick and tired of waiting, but I'm still looking forward to playing the game. __________________ Xfire: [Shinji1225 \ Status] A7N8X-E Deluxe Athlon XP 2500+ (@ 2.2 GHz 11x200 MHz FSB) Corsair TwinX XMS 1GB PC3200 Dual Channel (2-2-3-5) [color=red]ATi [/color][color=white]Radeon 9500 Pro (@ 330\310) \ [/color][color=white]Omega Catalyst Drivers v2.5.90[/color] [color=white]Ultra X-Connect 500W PSU[/color]

Oct 1, 2004, 04:11 PM	#3
dipstick DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,565 Rep Power: 53 System Specs	Great, another November release Lets see how many more games they can pile into two freaking months

Oct 1, 2004, 06:08 PM	#7
*Zardon* enchanted Join Date: May 2002 Location: Driverheaven Posts: 32,267 Rep Power: 3150	Its really only 13 months late so far, not too bad..........

Oct 1, 2004, 06:10 PM	#8
Shinjikun 第3 子供 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Nerv HQ Posts: 1,322 Rep Power: 0	Honestly; if the game is amazing then everyone will forget their complaining QUICKLY. I guess all we can do is either sit here and salivate over it or hate it because of the wait... I'm in the first group. __________________ Xfire: [Shinji1225 \ Status] A7N8X-E Deluxe Athlon XP 2500+ (@ 2.2 GHz 11x200 MHz FSB) Corsair TwinX XMS 1GB PC3200 Dual Channel (2-2-3-5) [color=red]ATi [/color][color=white]Radeon 9500 Pro (@ 330\310) \ [/color][color=white]Omega Catalyst Drivers v2.5.90[/color] [color=white]Ultra X-Connect 500W PSU[/color]

Oct 1, 2004, 06:22 PM	#11
*Zardon* enchanted Join Date: May 2002 Location: Driverheaven Posts: 32,267 Rep Power: 3150	look on the bright side, its impossible the game could be worse than Doom3.

Oct 1, 2004, 07:18 PM	#14
Asmoday Demonic Join Date: May 2002 Location: In the cold, dark north... Posts: 5,184 Rep Power: 69 System Specs	I so agree about Doom3, my worst spent money in years... __________________ How You can help Driverheaven by using Digg

Oct 1, 2004, 07:19 PM	#15
kalx DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Evil Mountain Lair Posts: 248 Rep Power: 0	Its got 96% in pcgamer i doubt they woudl embellish it , so i dotn midn waiting 2 more months and you ahev to remember this is vivandi not value so really theres no sense in blaming valve , they deleiverd there part now its up to VUG to do the rest and if it takes them 2 months more who cares the wait is worth it . Everything comes to those who wait....... Patience is a Virtue __________________ ---------------------------------------------------> AMD FX51 / 2x OCZ 400 mhz 512MB DDR /ATi Radeon X800pro /19 inch DVI - - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------->

Oct 2, 2004, 04:36 AM	#17
buckbeak DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Well I got my UK PC Gamer this morning and have just finished reading the review. It doesnt give much away I hadnt read already about it other than that they think it is the best game ever, better than anyone could have hoped for. I cant wait now __________________ Buckbeak

Oct 2, 2004, 05:40 AM	#18
Anakin DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Netherlands Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Well, Probably they'll wait another 3 weeks, so I can get it as a Christmass-present to myself!! __________________ [COLOR=Cyan]SysAdmin Error #5. Hit any user to continue.[/COLOR]

Oct 2, 2004, 09:29 AM	#19
Counterfe1t DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 440 Rep Power: 0	it doesnt bother me that its a November 26th release but that it was reviewed so early by magazines and we have to wait 1.9 months to get it. __________________

Oct 3, 2004, 03:20 AM	#20
phishdude DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 58 Rep Power: 0	i cannot believe you guys are so bitter about doom3. i say chill, be groovy, play games, and relax...hl2 will be here before you know it. another thing, this is not valve's fault so don't blame them.

Oct 3, 2004, 03:48 AM	#21
mainman Mr. Nobody Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OmniPresent Nightwatcher Posts: 5,939 Rep Power: 53	[color=red]I LOVE DOOM 3!!!!! [/color] __________________

Oct 3, 2004, 07:52 PM	#23
WallyG DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	I'd like to complain but I'm getting it for free!! I bought an AIW 9600 Pro as a clearance item($125.00US w/free shipping) right after the AIW 9600XT came out. I can wait! Patience Grasshopper... W P.S. I'm told that ATI did NOT include the HL@ coupon with the AIW 9600XT---strange. (I also got a Remote Wonder (included) and a Remote Wonder 2 (by mail--$8.00/shipping) --- so I really can't complain)