HL2 in some stores

[Jasconius]

Specifically in Illinois Best Buy's.

No word on other Best Buy's putting it on their shelves, but Valve has not yet authorized the Steam version of the game to be unlocked either.

It may be unlocked one day earlier as more stores start to put it on shelves in response to Best Buy.

 

[Yoggs]

I don't think the date will change mainly because the release date was set by VU and not Valve. If Valve was to unlock the game early, there would most likely be more legal issues because of a breach of contract or something.

 

[Jasconius]

That's not the whole picture. You see, Valve also controls the physical copies working as well. If you go to the store today and buy HL2 off the shelves, it wont work until Valve unlocks it. This unlocking is done through steam, which even the physical copy is required to make use of.

It is likely that so mayn retilaers will be shelving the box copies (because they dont want to get smoked by Best Buy) that VU will drop the court order and let Valve unlock it.