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Chowyunfrag
10-18-2004, 02:14 PM
Half-Life 2 GOLD 11:08 am

Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that Half-LifeŽ 2, the sequel to one of the most critically acclaimed PC titles in gaming history, will ship to retail outlets around the world in November. The Company confirmed that Half-Life 2, developed by Valve Software, has gone gold with a planned retail street date of November 16, 2004. The countdown to the highly anticipated retail street date has begun around the world, as VU Games completes plans to ship localized versions of Half-Life 2 simultaneously in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai and Japanese.
"Half-Life 2 has surpassed our expectations in every sense - its high-quality graphics, ground-breaking physics and immersive first-person shooter gameplay set a new standard for PC action games," said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games. "Half-Life 2 will go down as one of the best-selling PC titles, and we are thrilled to deliver this ground-breaking title to the worldwide gaming community this fall."

Hailed as "...the best game ever made" by PC Gamer, Half-Life 2 earned a top-rated review score of 98, the highest score bestowed by the magazine in more than six years. The game has received numerous accolades for its technical excellence, captivating story and addictive game play, including more than 10 awards and nominations at the 2004 Electronic Entertainment Expo. In addition to being named "Best PC Game" by 1up.com (Ziff Davis) and Gamespy.com, the title also received a "Technological Excellence on PC" award from IGN.com. CNNMoney.com stated that "Half-Life 2 will redefine what gamers expect from their games visually - and the gameplay is a lot of fun as well."

The global anticipation for Half-Life 2 has reached unprecedented heights, as consumers around the world mark their calendars to buy the game at retail on November 16th. The Half-Life 2 product will include Counter-Strike: Source. VU Games will also release a Half Life 2 Collector's Edition that will include Half-Life 2 in DVD-ROM format, Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life: Source, a free limited edition t-shirt, and a Half-Life 2 Prima strategy guide book.

The original Half-Life game was launched in 1998 under VU Games' Sierra Entertainment publishing label. It earned more than 50 game-of-the-year awards and has been heralded as one of the best PC first-person shooter games of all-time.

About Half-LifeŽ and Half-LifeŽ 2

In 1998, Half-Life revolutionized the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title was named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer and launched a franchise with more than eight million retails units sold worldwide. In 2004, Half-Life 2 will take the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original to new heights of realism and responsiveness. Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environments to the behaviors - even the emotions - of both friends and enemies. The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist, Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted and its population dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people - people he cares about - are counting on him. The intense, real-time gameplay of Half-Life 2 is made possible only by Source, Valve's new proprietary engine technology. Source provides major enhancements in the advanced facial animation system, physics, graphics and AI. Half-Life 2 will be available for the PC.

Slater
10-18-2004, 02:28 PM
Holy fuck. Half-Life 2, Metroid Prime Echoes and Metal Gear Solid 3, all on the same day. That's insanity.

The Sphinx
10-18-2004, 06:47 PM
And only a week after Halo 2 is released. Why can't we spread out the love a little?

YeLLoWsAmUeL
10-18-2004, 07:47 PM
This is great news, although I must admit I was hoping for a Nomver 1st release. Maybe Steam buyers will get it a bit early?

Apparently Valve said to Vivendi that if if any shops put it on the shelves early, they are fucking them over and releasing the game immediately over Steam. I don't know how true this is, but it certainly sounds like something that they would do under current circumstances.

By the way chow, have you got a link to that article?

Chowyunfrag
10-18-2004, 08:07 PM
Nah sorry man I pulled that from the source (VE3D I belive) and that was the complete article.

CNN article (http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/18/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm)

Fazer
10-18-2004, 10:57 PM
ARe you fucking kidding me Valve?! November 16th!?! The same day as metroid 2, and metal gear 3...a few weeks after GTA: San andreas...1 WEEK after Halo 2...they are just setting this game up for disappointing sales. Jesus we shoud have already been playing this game.

Friggin vivendi universal is assuming we are all millionaires and can buy 200 dollars worth of software over the christmas season.

Competition is great, but this is just ludicrous.

YeLLoWsAmUeL
10-18-2004, 11:16 PM
Well, over here in Europe we do't have to worry about MGS3 until March 2005. Sort of a mixed blessing there. And by mixed blessing I mean we've been absoluetely and totally fucked over completely again, but at least this time some good may come of it. Still, I think 5 month's is long enough to finish the all Christmas rush games....March 2005 is ridiculous.

ccubed
10-18-2004, 11:47 PM
There's also a rumor that World of Warcraft is targetting a November 16th release date. Glad I'm pretty much a PC only gamer. Looks like a lot of game junkies are going to go broke BEFORE Christmas.