We were in a meeting with Vivendi Universal last week when we happened to ask after Half-Life for the Dreamcast, a game that was reported by Vivendi as going gold several weeks ago.
Since that happened, we have heard nothing which does not fit with the life cycle of a standard game. When the development work is complete and code finalised it’s time to release the game as quickly as possible.
We pinned a Vivendi official down on this point as we were in the office. It is a lot easier to glean information from somebody if you are standing right in front of them. Over the phone it’s a lot more difficult as the conversation can all too easily be ended.
The status of Half-Life on the Dreamcast is “The game is currently with the American office for further evaluation.” Though this is not the most positive statement regarding a videogame’s future, it could be worse. It would seem that the decision as to whether or not to publish Half-Life has not been taken.
We suggested Sega may publish the game if Vivendi decides to can the project which was taken on board by the people we spoke to. Sega is fully committed to furthering the Dreamcast software line up and there is no doubt that a console version of Half-Life would be a triple A title. So, perhaps we will see Half-Life under a Sega banner?
It seems a strange world when everyone loves the Dreamcast but nobody wanted to buy it. It has, without doubt, the best software line up of any games machine ever made. It has the heart of one of the most successful arcade systems and a unique appearance. It did everything it said on the tin. Online out of the box, VGA compatible and a blistering range of peripherals. For some reason the gaming public were more consumed with the lifestyle-marketed lounge chic of the PlayStation and its successor.
Since that happened, we have heard nothing which does not fit with the life cycle of a standard game. When the development work is complete and code finalised it’s time to release the game as quickly as possible.
We pinned a Vivendi official down on this point as we were in the office. It is a lot easier to glean information from somebody if you are standing right in front of them. Over the phone it’s a lot more difficult as the conversation can all too easily be ended.
The status of Half-Life on the Dreamcast is “The game is currently with the American office for further evaluation.” Though this is not the most positive statement regarding a videogame’s future, it could be worse. It would seem that the decision as to whether or not to publish Half-Life has not been taken.
We suggested Sega may publish the game if Vivendi decides to can the project which was taken on board by the people we spoke to. Sega is fully committed to furthering the Dreamcast software line up and there is no doubt that a console version of Half-Life would be a triple A title. So, perhaps we will see Half-Life under a Sega banner?
It seems a strange world when everyone loves the Dreamcast but nobody wanted to buy it. It has, without doubt, the best software line up of any games machine ever made. It has the heart of one of the most successful arcade systems and a unique appearance. It did everything it said on the tin. Online out of the box, VGA compatible and a blistering range of peripherals. For some reason the gaming public were more consumed with the lifestyle-marketed lounge chic of the PlayStation and its successor.
Games:
Half-Life: Blue Shift
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