Reportage from around the web:
As a games reseller, I received this communication from my distributor. It looks as if it was given to them by Vivendi, regarding some early (but not sever, it looks like) problems with HL2 installation & authentication.
Vivendi Universal Games would like to notify you of two important updates regarding the product installation for Half-Life 2. The issues identified below are easily addressed and should not constitute a reason for a product return with consumers. We recommend that this information is broadly communicated to retail store managers and other personnel who are interacting with consumers who purchase Half-Life 2.
1. Half Life 2 - CD Installation error when Counter-strike: Source is not selected
The following has been identified as a known issue with Half Life 2 Standard Edition (not Collector's or European DVD editions):
Problem: If during the initial installation process the option to install "Counter-strike: Source" is NOT selected, an error may occur during installation. The message will be: cabinet file error, fatal disk error, or something similar.
Solution: Cancel the current installation process and reinstall the game from the beginning, starting with Disk #1. Make certain to select the option to install both Half-Life 2 and Counter-strike: Source.
Note: If you prefer not to retain the Counter-strike: Source program on your system AFTER INSTALLATION, you can remove it using the following procedure:
After HL2 has been successfully installed, open up the Steam client.
Select the Play Games list
RIGHT click on Counter-strike: Source and select Properties
Select "Delete Local Content."
2. Product Authentication Delay When Installing Half-Life 2
Some consumers may experience delays in authenticating Half-Life 2 during the installation process. This is due to the high volume of consumers who have purchased Half-Life 2 and are installing the game, which is causing high traffic on the Steam authentication servers. Please inform any Half-Life 2 customers that encounter this situation to keep trying, as this is a temporary delay.
Gamers get playing Half-Life 2
(Screengrab of Steam error message, BBC)
Many Half-Life 2 players saw messages like this
The long-delayed launch of the Half-Life 2 computer game was marred by problems with its registration system.
The game launched globally on 16 November but online computers used to authenticate copies struggled to cope with the deluge of users.
Some players reported lengthy delays that stopped them unlocking the game and getting playing.
However, once players got the game working reports about the follow-up were generally very positive.
Half-Life 2 has been five years in the making and its launch has been delayed time and time again.
Many players were forced to wait just a little longer to continue the adventures of Gordon Freeman, the central character controlled by the player, in the sequel to one of the most popular games of all time.
Valve, the software studio behind Half-Life and its sequel, insisted that every copy of Half-Life 2 be authenticated with its online software system Steam in order to stamp out piracy.
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Half-Life 2 users bitten by bugs
Some who purchased copies at retail experience technical difficulties; Valve acknowledges troubles, addressing problems.
Several Half-Life 2 users who finally got the long-delayed game into their hands yesterday got exactly what they didn't want--more delays. The Half-Life 2 forums have been busy with gamers saying online authentication delays have rendered their copies temporarily useless. Of note, no users who downloaded the copy directly from Valve's download service, Steam, have reported problems.
In a statement from Valve posted on its Web site shortly after 4:30 p.m. PST, the company stated: "We've received a number of reports from people experiencing delays with Half-Life 2 authentication. We are investigating the issue and will update everyone as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and hope to have everyone in the game very soon."
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In other news:
Halo sequel delivers on the hype
By Alfred Hermida
Technology editor, BBC News website
(Screenshot from Halo 2)
Halo was the game that anyone with an Xbox had to have. Widely acclaimed when it come out in 2001, it went on to sell more than five million copies worldwide.
It was one of those games that took on a life beyond the confines of the console, spawning a legion of devoted disciples.
Three years on, with expectations at fever pitch, the pressure is on game developers Bungie to deliver a masterpiece.
Fortunately Halo 2 largely lives up to the hype. Bungie has taken all that was great about the original and gone one better, to produce a polished and accomplished first-person shooter.