Valve has issued a fairly robust statement claiming that the problems which arose with Half-Life 2 activation are now resolved, the statement reads "We have resolved the issues that caused some to experience delays with Half-Life 2 authentication earlier today. We appreciate your patience and hope everyone enjoys the game."
Strangely enough that statement is dated November 16 although MegaGames is aware of messages, complaining about activation, coming in even today. We would be interested in hearing from any person who is still facing difficulties with H-L 2.
Indicative of the strange view that Valve has of the world right now, is the fact that the company deemed it appropriate to ask owners of Half-Life 2 to vote for the game in the 2004 SpikeTV Video Game Awards. Without an apology or even an honest attempt to appease users who have been through so much during the development process but also post-retail, Valve reckons it deserves the vote.
We do subscribe to the idea that game awards should be awarded purely on merit and that Half-Life 2 is an excellent game which may well deserve the award, what we cannot accept is Valve's, apparent, loss of touch with reality. If there was an award for customer satisfaction, how many of you would vote for Valve?
Fans may claim that Valve has made a truly hardcore gamer product and that may explain the lack of marketing effort put into the game but then surely a company involved in litigation with its publisher regarding money matters and a company that is recruiting voters for an award cannot really claim to be all about gaming.
Strangely enough this comes from a fan of Valve's and a person who still has hope that the company will see past its errors and save its reputation, something vital for the future of gaming.
