TPWW Forums - EA picks up Half-Life 2

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EA Picks Up Half-Life 2
Industry giant will deliver Valve titles for PC and Xbox.
by David Adams

July 18, 2005 - Electronic Arts will now distribute Valve's Half-Life 2, among other titles, according to an announcement by both companies today. The agreement covers Half-Life 2: Game of the Year Edition and Counter-Strike: Source for the PC this fall, as well as the Xbox edition of Half-Life 2 in October.

The multi-year deal will see EA assisting in publishing and distribution for Valve titles, with EA's role varying by title. Valve's Steam distribution service will not be affected.

Half-Life 2: Game of the Year Edition will include Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 2 Deathmatch, and Half-Life: Source.

By contrast, the boxed edition of Counter-Strike: Source, in addition to the titular game, will include Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2 Deathmatch. Think of it as the collection for the multiplayer fanatic.

Whereas EA is handling only distribution for both PC titles, the company will take on both publishing and distribution for the Xbox version of Half-Life 2.

The agreement between Valve and EA will cover additional titles going forward -- though the companies aren't ready to talk specifics just yet.

Valve's titles were previously published by VU Games, under its Sierra brand. Vivendi lost its future rights to the games earlier this year, when a long-running lawsuit between the two companies resolved in Valve's favor. The Vivendi contract ends August 31.

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Wow, EA is like fuckin herpes. They just won't go away.