After a good bout of fisticuffs both and publisher Vivendi Universal have sorted out their disagreements over the distribution of last year's smash. The two companies have been swinging the law books at each other for a few years now, so last week's settlement - which divorced Valve from its long term publishing partner once and for all - should have been a cause for relief. But the agreement leaves the release of the version of 2 in somewhat of a limbo.

Valve can continue to distribute new content to PC gamers across its network so the lack of announcement concerning a new publishing contract isn't that big of a deal, (yet). But with Half-Life 2 set to make its appearance on the Xbox in a few short months the lack of any distribution method for the game may be worrying gamers and retailers alike. No doubt publishing heavyweights are duking it out behind the scenes for the rights to publish the sure-fire smash, although Valve’s long-term animosity with its previous partner may make the company hesitant to quickly enter into a new deal, thereby delaying the release of the game. It's not like Valve don’t have previous form with Half-Life 2.

By Sam Gibson