So, the 24 hour count down started this morning at 3:00am EST for HL2. I imagine a lot of people are going to be practically useless (or sick) tomorrow. Personally, with all of the release confusion with Best Buy (and a few other stores) releasing, then not releasing, then releasing, then not releasing I think Vivendi should have said “Screw It” and stuck with an early release.
I guess, ultimately, that it would have been unfair for a lot of smaller gaming stores that may not get their shipment until today. I guess we can give them Kudos for “thinking about the little man”. If that's what it really is all about.
Personally, I think Valve will unlock HL2 at 7:00pm EST tonight. Apparently they wanted to unlock the game early but their contract with Vivendi wouldn't let them. If they unlock at 7:00pm EST tonight, it'll be the 16th GMT.
We can only hope...but I guess it doesn't matter...all of the anticipation is somewhat therapeutic. I haven't been this excited over the release of anything since my childhood christmas days.