Y3k-Bug
07-19-2005, 01:42 PM
Ok, so, details. EA will publish the version for the xbox as well as future and special editions of HL2 and CS:Source. This is a multi-year deal, which extends into future iterations of both franchises, so expect to see an EA logo plastered onto the HL2 expansion, and HL3. Steam will still exist, as this deal only extends to physical, retail copies.
I find this choice of publishers kind of odd. No doubt EA has the clout and the means to offer Valve a sweetheart deal despite the fact that Steam essentially undercuts them. And despite HL2 being a strong seller, it's sales have fallen below expectations. Whether this is due to the game's content, or hassles with it's delivery system (Steam), no one's really sure. But no doubt EA's marketing muscle will come in handy. Marketing which in all likelihood will try to keep mention of Steam to a bare minimum.
The thing that gets me is that EA is for all intents and purposes the enemy of alot of many developers. Extremely short periods between required milestones, lack of overtime, unwillingness to market games that don't test well in focus groups, Borg-like mentality towards competitors. Funny to see Valve partner with a company like that after claiming that one of the biggest benefits of Steam was to put power back in the developers' hands. Which is of course utter bullshit, since it's real purpose is to cut the publisher out of the picture to maximize profits. Only to have to turn to the biggest publisher in existance to get your only game franchise put on store shelves.
Either this is all ethically unsound, or almost painfully ironic.
I find this choice of publishers kind of odd. No doubt EA has the clout and the means to offer Valve a sweetheart deal despite the fact that Steam essentially undercuts them. And despite HL2 being a strong seller, it's sales have fallen below expectations. Whether this is due to the game's content, or hassles with it's delivery system (Steam), no one's really sure. But no doubt EA's marketing muscle will come in handy. Marketing which in all likelihood will try to keep mention of Steam to a bare minimum.
The thing that gets me is that EA is for all intents and purposes the enemy of alot of many developers. Extremely short periods between required milestones, lack of overtime, unwillingness to market games that don't test well in focus groups, Borg-like mentality towards competitors. Funny to see Valve partner with a company like that after claiming that one of the biggest benefits of Steam was to put power back in the developers' hands. Which is of course utter bullshit, since it's real purpose is to cut the publisher out of the picture to maximize profits. Only to have to turn to the biggest publisher in existance to get your only game franchise put on store shelves.
Either this is all ethically unsound, or almost painfully ironic.