Latest Gamespy Grudge shows tht ppl are more intrested in 'Halo 2' than 'half life 2'
"For security/antipiracy, each copy must be authenticated via Steam during installation," Valve's Doug Lombardi told GameSpot. "After this one-time (per install) authentication is complete, an Internet connection is not required for single-player and LAN games."
However, since Valve has already released the software development kit for the Source engine upon which Half-Life 2 is based, some crafty techie is likely cooking up a workaround to the authentication process.
But even before the Source SDK was released, fervent Counter-Strike source fans had hacked a version of Counter-Strike: Source that would allow you to play without being authenticated online for LAN parties. So it's likely that somewhere, someone is already strolling the streets of City 17, crowbar in hand.
Half-Life 2 Warez Crackdown
If you are seriously considering downloading Half-Life 2 through illegal means, do expect quite a fight from Valve Software. The following is a response from Gabe Newell when being addressed on the topic of pirated HL2 copies:
We're running a bit of an experiment. We're keeping track of the accounts that do this and will be shutting them off. In other words, Valve has launched their very own "warez" version of their pride and joy whose purpose is to nail down those pirates out there. Thus, if you do not wish to plunk down $50 or so for one of the most riveting games of this year, the joke's on you, friend. If you have a warez version of Half-Life 2, Start uninstalling before you get yourself destroyed.