EA to distribute Half-Life 2

[Blink]

Some very 'interesting' news has surfaced over at GameSpot:

"EA will also assume distribution duties on a new Game of the Year edition of Half-Life 2 for the PC, which will include Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source, as well as Half-Life 2: Deathmatch and Half-Life: Source, in a single box."

Read the full article here.

[9f1062f623f9]

The world is going to end.

[InvestmentBanking]

EA is going to distribute Half-Life Games... thats just weird. Atleast its not Nintendo

[Spas12]

Not a bad thing, EA is very good at distributing/advertising games, I feel nothing is wrong.

[InZaneFlea]

Better than VU!

[Orion]

In my opinion EA is a corporate monster that can't stop eating. I mean they already have enough money as it is. They even proposed to buy a portion of Ubisoft (Thank god they declined.). Now they're selling Half-Life 2 aswell? Smooth...

[mike-o]

In my opinion EA is a corporate monster that can't stop eating. I mean they already have enough money as it is. They even proposed to buy a portion of Ubisoft (Thank god they declined.). Now they're selling Half-Life 2 aswell? Smooth...

Declined? My friend, they did buy some of ubisoft. and i heard from a guy who works at ubisoft.

Why dont they just stick to steam?

[snufflez]

because not every one has credit cards, or trusts something as unstable as the internet with their money.

[HybridFlash]

The EArth prophecy takes another step to being accomplished...

[compy905]

My hatred for EA has reached new heights. First they bought the James Bond license and ruined the greatest console video game ever. Then they buy the exclusive rights to just about every sports game on earth so they can have no competition, then they release a bug infested BF2 and now they are going to ruin the greatest video game community ever. I hate them and wish they burn in hell.

[9f1062f623f9]

I hate them and wish they burn in hell.

They cant. They already own the licence for hell.

[Shifty31]

They dont own the licence for my school (its like hell )

- Shifty

[ZenMunky]

Can only be a matter of time then.

The forces of darkness spread, a shadow is cast over the land, lights flicker, winds howl, children cry. Amongst the horror and dark soulless land a voice boom other the shrieks, a voice like that of a thousand lost men.... "EA Games, Challenge Everything..."

Woe be unto the house of all.

[Farles]

Ho, F*ck EA. Leave our baby alone!

[Athlete{UK}]

This is nothing to worry about. let me explain.

First EA is indeed a monster. They don't have a healthy attitude towards games. Whilst everyone wants to make money most people within the industry put innovative and fun games first. EA doesn't like that and constantly shuts down very promising and interesting projects because they feel they are not samey enough.

They also have a horrible history of abusing developers, squashing the little guy. And repeatadly force and rush developers to release unfinished code (men of valour anyone?)

On the other hand they do have a very tight and well used system for distribution.

Valve is not letting EA dictate anything about their game. EA does not even get a look in. the games will be made entirely by Valve right down to the box art (which normaly the publish will make)

Valve are simply using EA (note they are using EA not the other way around) To distribute the "hard" copies of Half-Life 2. Valve will still be investing in online distribution heavily until such a point that it becomes viable to entirely negate the need for the production of "hard" copies.

Valve is a privately owned company and it is doeing very well for it's self. Which means there is very little danger of EA making any kind of take over or getting involved with the production of Valve games at all.