strat1
10-07-2003, 03:52 PM
said it would be unable to launch its new computer game Half Life 2 (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20031007/tc_afp/france_computer_software)
PARIS (AFP) - Vivendi Universal Games, a subsidiary of French media group Vivendi Universal, said it would be unable to launch its new computer game Half Life 2 in time for the end-of-the-year holidays following the theft of part of its code source.
AFP/File Photo
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• Half-Life 2 (Yahoo! Games)
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"Vivendi Universal Games is only the distributor of the product, which is produced by the US studio Valve and so it will up to them to make an announcement," the head of Vivendi Universal Games International Christophe Ramboz told AFP.
"But it is true that the launch has been delayed by a theft of a part of the game."
He added however that it will be impossible for those who committed the theft to take advantage of it since they now possess only a third of the code.
The launch of Half Life 2, planned for this year, is now expected to boost sales next year, Ramboz said.
The French newspaper Les Echos, which revealed the incident, said a computer hacker had been able to break into the messaging system of Valve founder Gabe Newell to introduce software enabling the theft.
The launch delay is a blow to Vivendi Universal Games, which had been counting on Half Life 2 to compensate for the failure of another game, Hulk, in the first half of the year. The company had been banking on Half Life 2 to galvanize sales in the United States following a first half operating loss of 52 million euros (61 million dollars).
PARIS (AFP) - Vivendi Universal Games, a subsidiary of French media group Vivendi Universal, said it would be unable to launch its new computer game Half Life 2 in time for the end-of-the-year holidays following the theft of part of its code source.
AFP/File Photo
Related Links
• Half-Life 2 (Yahoo! Games)
Automate Your Home
Wire the house to practically run itself. Get the best gear, and a peek at the
next generation
"Vivendi Universal Games is only the distributor of the product, which is produced by the US studio Valve and so it will up to them to make an announcement," the head of Vivendi Universal Games International Christophe Ramboz told AFP.
"But it is true that the launch has been delayed by a theft of a part of the game."
He added however that it will be impossible for those who committed the theft to take advantage of it since they now possess only a third of the code.
The launch of Half Life 2, planned for this year, is now expected to boost sales next year, Ramboz said.
The French newspaper Les Echos, which revealed the incident, said a computer hacker had been able to break into the messaging system of Valve founder Gabe Newell to introduce software enabling the theft.
The launch delay is a blow to Vivendi Universal Games, which had been counting on Half Life 2 to compensate for the failure of another game, Hulk, in the first half of the year. The company had been banking on Half Life 2 to galvanize sales in the United States following a first half operating loss of 52 million euros (61 million dollars).