Looks like some people got their hopes up too quickly. VU, who keep claiming the HL license, are now apparently attempting to force Valve into conceeding the intellectual rights on Half Life by preventing players who purchased their copies from using their STEAM activation code. Simply put, just because someone purchased Half Life 2 doesn't mean they are able to play it. This could go on for a very long time - according to the contract between Vivendi and Valve, Vivendi have the right to keep the game shelved for six months (!!!) upon receiving it, IF they approve it. If not, they can choose to never release it officially!
Fortunately, the full game has leaked and can be found on numerous warez sites or downloaded via p2p clients (in fact, I'm in the process of downloading it as we speak), so it's not like nobody will ever play it. However, if this travesty comes to the worst possible ending (i.e. Half Life 2 getting shelved indefinitely and never seeing the light of the day), it will yet again show to what absurd lengths game publishers are willing to go in their brutally-obsessive pursuit of profit. That Vivendi Universal would become the most hated company in the history of the game industry is a weak comfort.
Fortunately, the full game has leaked and can be found on numerous warez sites or downloaded via p2p clients (in fact, I'm in the process of downloading it as we speak), so it's not like nobody will ever play it. However, if this travesty comes to the worst possible ending (i.e. Half Life 2 getting shelved indefinitely and never seeing the light of the day), it will yet again show to what absurd lengths game publishers are willing to go in their brutally-obsessive pursuit of profit. That Vivendi Universal would become the most hated company in the history of the game industry is a weak comfort.
awnOfWar 5 times before succeeding? well, it's back... thx to securom.com! (shouldnt that be suckyrom.com?)
