So... it will be making an appearance at E3 then?

[Sethos]

<a href="http://dynamic4.gamespy.com/~view/images.php?g=5" target="_blank">The Crowbar is back!</a>

from the end page of this month's Edge magazine, apparently...

[Michael Rabattino]

Nice. I really hope it's HL2, we've been waiting too damn long.

[Big Black]

Valve is a bunch of assholes for making us wait so long.

[You can't call Guyute a mook]

Totally sweet. That has to be for Half-Life.

[Gruber]

Oh boy oh boy. I must find out the current whereabouts and mission of Gordon Freeman.

[Michael Rabattino]

Actually, now that I think about it...I think that might be for Team Fortress 2.

I know, it's a stretch, but....hmmm....

[Gruber]

Right now, I don't see what Team Fortress 2 could possibly offer, now that all these hit mods are out.

[flyarz]

Verbal is the Bad Guy:
Actually, now that I think about it...I think that might be for Team Fortress 2.

I know, it's a stretch, but....hmmm....When I was into gaming, this was my most anticipated game. I'd definitely check it out if it reared its head.

[LlamaRama]

I have a hunch that HL2 will be released almost immediately after being announced(by gaming standards). Valve seems to be on top of things, and after the TF2 debacle, I suspect that they will want to avoid the whole "building hype, declining hype" cycle that has ruined so many games. HL2 doesn't need hype; its predecessor already has the best word-of-mouth in the games industry. In fact, I suspect the game is already completed or very, very near completion. That way, news can float around for a month, long enough to get on magazine covers and around the internet, and then the finished, glorious product can immediately be available.

Of course, it's just a hunch. And probably completely absurd.

[Gemini]

Note that little "On Sale May 16th" thing in the corner. Is that the game or the magazine? That date is at the end of E3. They could announce it day 1 and say it has shipped, and will be in stores then. It would be the best kept secret in gaming history.

(Note that the Saturn does not count because it wasn't the best at anything.)

[Sethos]

it's the release date for the magazine. but indeed, I wouldn't be surprised if they announce they are about 90% done on this game.