No XBOX Half Life 2!

In a recent interview on a Seattle bussines journal, David Hufford, a product manager in Microsoft's Xbox group, suggested that Half-Life 2 may not be released for the console.
If this statement really comes from Microsoft lips then it does suggest some kind of problem in communication with Valve, since Doug Lombardi, only last month, could be found stating we're also working on an Xbox version.

Despite Lombardi's statement and a variety of previews surfacing on Xbox magazines, Hufford seemed to be pretty specific. He told the journal As of now, Half-Life 2 is not going to be on the Xbox. Strangely he also added Valve is sending us mixed messages on that.

In order to better examine what may be behind this story we probably have to look at Valve's console history and at the bussines model which Microsoft offers XBox developers. The fact that Valve have no qualms about pulling a console version of H-L even if it is deep into development has been demonstrated in the past, they did, after all withdraw the Dreamcast version of the original H-L even though development had been completed.
When looking for reasons why Valve may be playing hard to get, it seems unlikely that the development or XBox performance aspect of H-L 2 may be behind it. Following EA's decision to pull out of XBox Live, doubts have been raised over the deal MS are offering developers. It is very likely that Valve have some objections concerning that, they are definitely confident enough of their title to feel strong enough to demand more of Microsoft.

This is exactly the type of news Microsoft do not want to hear. With a very small selection of exclusive games and really only Halo becoming a successful one, Xbox desperately needed the guarantee provided by a title such as Half-Life 2. On the other hand a rebellion of this sort regarding the financial model of the cooperation, if such a rebellion is taking place, could really harm Microsoft's console career since XBox is losing the company money at an extreme rate. According to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Microsoft's Home & Entertainment division, where Xbox resides, lost USD 190 million in the fiscal quarter ended March 31, nearly twice the USD 97 million lost during the same period in 2002. With 8 million units already sold this means that title sales are not doing well enough to help XBox break even. Any reduction in MS's cut of title profits and those figures could become even worse.

Having considered all that, there still remains some doubt concerning the validity of the story. Hufford's statements did appear in a very non-gaming web site and could therefore, be a result of some form of misunderstanding. Then there is the possibility that MS and Valve are still negotiating the financial details of the game and this statement is simply an attempt to lay some pressure on Valve.

Whatever the truth behind this story it remains more likely than not that Half-Life 2 will appear on XBox, the game does need some form of console representation and provided nothing is denied from PC gamers, Valve have nothing to lose from such a move.








YAY! More time spent on the PC version

[Syanide]

LMAO, oh my god, my mate was bragging because he was going to play HL2 on Xbox, and that the graphics would be 'perfect', , is he gonna be pissed at this or what!

/me Waits to embarass him

[Bucky]

Ya might wanna put up some links to where you got these articles ;)

[Syanide]

Oh yeah, verification, we dont want you sending out false messages

[Syanide]

WRONG YOUR WRONG!

AFTER:

Half-Life 2 Xbox Confirmed
6/9/2003 13:45 PST | Half-Life 2 | by Fragmaster |
GameSpyDaily has confirmed that there will be an Xbox port of Half-Life 2 after all, despite earlier reports today saying otherwise.
Lombardi today told GameSpy Half-Life 2 is certainly in development for the Xbox. "Half-Life 2 is planned for the PC and Xbox. We've announced the shipping date for the PC version [September 30, 2003 - ed.], and we'll announce a shipping date for the Xbox version later in the year."

BEFORE:
www.planethalflife.com

THIS was posted AFTER this:-

No Half-Life 2 For Xbox?
6/9/2003 9:41 PST | Half-Life 2 | by Fragmaster |
It was previously reported that an Xbox port of Half-Life 2 was all but confirmed, but this article from the Puget Sound Business Journal seems to indicate that this is no longer the case. At the very end of the article, there's this bit of info from the product manager of Microsoft's Xbox group, David Hufford:
In addition, Hufford acknowledged that another anticipated combat game sequel, Half-Life 2, made by Seattle game developer Valve Software, won't be available for the Xbox as had been previously announced.
"As of now, Half-Life 2 is not going to be on the Xbox," he said. "Valve is sending us mixed messages on that."

[LoTuS]

0wned !

Its a good thing me and Syanide are friends....Lotus is my first target.... then YOU!...... Yes... .YOU!

[Syanide]

I only stumbled across this information accidentally anyway (Gamespy Arcade main page thingy), good job too

[LoTuS]

sorry couldnt resist m8