Half-Life 2 Episode 2 Delayed into 2007

Eurogamer is reporting that the next episode of Half-Life 2 has been delayed out into 2007. Originally slated for the Holidays this year, their high standards has pushed the delay between Episodes 1 and 2 to 8 months. This information comes as part of an article Eurogamer is running with Valve's Doug Lombardi. From the article: "It's just sort of classic Valve being overly aggressive on our dates. But we're aiming for Q1 right now and we're really far along in the playtest stage. You know, our thing is always that we're trying to make really good experiences and so we're going to manage to that rather than the schedule."

Comments

Are we really surprised?

[thebdj]

I remember how long HL2 got delayed. I bought my ATI AIW 9600 Pro, because of the deal for HL2. Just so happens it got so delayed you only got the key. Of course, they did lots to try to make this up by providing the original HL catalog. These sorts of things happen, this isn't the first game delayed and surely won't be the last, especially when Valve is involved.

No problem here...

[NOCjock]

I'm still trying to get past the zombies at the elevator...

No problem

[GreenPenInc]

I'll just hop into a slow-time warp, and bam!

Quality

[CodemasterMM]

Valve's games constantly have very high quality, outstanding story and very enjoyable gameplay. To make their game as perfect as possible, I feel that giving them another 3-4 months is acceptable.

Good luck, Valve! Expect me to be buying Episode 2 soon.

Re:Quality

[Don_dumb]

HL2 was infamously delayed but unlike other postponed and hyped games (cough, *Daikatana*, cough), it really was worth it.
This site is full of stories of producers releasing games before the developers want it to happen. I am glad Valve still has the right priorities.

Incidentally I have just played through HL2 again and was reminded just how great it was (I kept finding ways to do things that I didn't notice before), now I am off home to get Ep1.

Re:Quality

[Ford Prefect]

Incidentally I have just played through HL2 again and was reminded just how great it was (I kept finding ways to do things that I didn't notice before), now I am off home to get Ep1.

If you're looking for other, highly apocryphal single-player Half-Life 2, there's always my very own MINERVA. People seem to quite like it. Some mini-reviews from random forums:

"Despite the website that oozes more angst and self-hatred than an emo concert at an emo convention, this is worth downloading."

"That pompous, cliche tone gave the sense that a smarmy Brit with two dictionaries, three encylopedias and a latin textbook shoved up his ******* was faxing you orders. That might fly in Far Cry or some other attempt at remotely-located-brainiac-is-playing-God/head-game s-with-you, but not the HL2 universe in which this is situated."

"A second-rate Half-Life 2 mod."

"i made a box map with a giant penis that has better lighting that this shit"

"So the deal is I am going to break up with my girlfriend, stop going to college, quit my job and make the best game in history, and make fun of adam foster in the credits for his use of shoddy worksmanship which has befuddled you all."

I read it all on the internet, so it must be true... ;-)

Re:Quality

[Ford Prefect]

haha, those comments are awesome. That's your mod? I really enjoy the two episodes released so far and can't wait for the third. Any idea when that will be?

Yup, it's mine - final part of Metastasis should get released by the end of the year. Or something. Before Episode Two, anyway. ;-)

Actually, despite being in a very much corporate environment right now, I think I'll reboot this 'ere MacBook Pro into Windows XP, and let the office ring with the sound of gunfire. And other noises associated with MINERVA development. Bonus points if random co-workers look at me strangely...

Re:Quality

[Cruise_WD]

I should hope it's a little more than "acceptable."

Game developers should be free to take as long as they like in making a game.

Sure, that means they may release a game with graphics that are three years out of date and gameplay elements that have appeared in several other games too. So don't buy it.

If, however, it's an amazing game with superb gameplay balance and rock-solid out of the box, then go get that sucker.

I'm not "waiting" for any game - I have more than enough to do in the meantime that I'm happy to play a game as and when it's available and I have the time (I'm still trying to complete FF7, for crying out loud). Why should we care how long developers take?

You know what they say..

[Supersonic1425]

Good things come to those who wait. HL2 was definitely worth the long wait.

Idea?

[no.17]

It better ship with a free headcrab/crowbar gift pack.

Which means...

[hollismb]

That the XBOX 360 version will be delayed as well, which is fine, because there is a fairly good selection of titles coming out for it this holiday season (Splinter cell, Rainbow six, F.E.A.R.). For those that don't know, the upcoming XBOX 360 version ships with Half Life 2, Episode 1, Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2, all on the same disc. That's a pretty good deal for 59 bucks if you ask me.

Episode 1

[Turn-X Alphonse]

I honestly don't care.

Since I picked up Ep 1 I've had nothing but trouble with it, Valve tech support has been little more than a joke and I'm still waiting for a patch to fix the basic things. How urgent is it to fix a major bug which stops scripts (this means you can't play at all) running? Acording to Valve it's not even remotely important, since they'd rather quick fix a hard part of the game then releasing a real patch so I can play the damn game.

I gave Valve a chance with HL2, I gave them another chance with episode 1. Now I've run out of good will and I just want my damn games to run out of the box (should note there was a bug to even INSTALL it which required a work around). So Ep 2 can come out now or never for all I care. Untill Valve get decent tech support which does more than direct you to the FAQ you use to contact them I'll take a look again, but untill then I can find enough HL2 mods to last me till the end of time.

Re:HL Ep 1+2+3

[spyrochaete]

PC Gamer magazine's previes of Episode Two a couple of months ago confirmed that yes, a Half Life 2 complete compilation will be for sale after the third episode is released. No doubt they'll sell a mega pack including Half Life Source and its expansions as well.

Worth the Wait

[i_ate_god]

I'd rather Valve refines and refines some more untill their video games are perfect.

HL2 is so meticulously detailed in all aspects. It's refreshing that Valve lives up to its artistic priorities before their business ones.

Oh well.

[the_REAL_sam]

HL2 Episode 1 didn't even work after I shelled out the $20 for it. I complained online as did many others. No fix after 6 months. Who knows, perhaps they'll fix their bug by then. Otherwise I'm not going to buy Episode 2.

YOU LISTENING TO ME, VALVE?! OTHERWISE I WON'T BUY IT!!!!

Until I get a better system. But I'm not going to buy a new computer just for your game.