I and many other GSP's made a commitment to AMD 64bit architecture based on the performance gains in running Valve based Dedicated servers in 64bit mode. The withdrawl of native 64bit compatibility for all servers wishing to use VAC2 has left us out in the cold and sending us a clear message that Valve no longer support the AMD64 platform.
I think possibly we are speaking to the wrong end of the horse. I'm sure we (The GSP community) could gain a much better response by speaking to AMD. It would seem AMD and Valve are partners and it would not look very good if published that Valve have withdrawn the support for there dedicated servers to use the latest AMD64 technology 10 months ago thus leaving AMD customers to run in 32bit mode at a 30% drop in performance. http://half-life2.com/ (AMD64 Logo at the bottom) http://amd64downloads.filecloud.com/hl2.asp (Outlining Valve client software runs 64bit) Valve lead the world in post release support when it comes to on-line games. The updates and system used to deliver them are both excellent. I admire valve for there commitment to their customers and their willingness to support games even after more recent releases. However Vac2 was Beta released May 06 2005 meaning we have been waiting 10 months for 64bit compatibility with no sign of it coming anytime soon. You could argue there is a greater benefit in enabling the server software to run 64bit over enabling the the client software to run 64bit. Far Far more people will benefit from improved quality of there online play and if the "30% better" figure is to be believed either a larger server or a cheaper server would be possible. I would also suggest there are far more people playing on 64bit capable servers than there are people playing on 64bit windows.... Confirmation that it is being worked on and even possibly an idea of when they will / would be released would ease mine and many other Valve / AMD customers minds. Richy
I have to agree with Joseph. I've asked this question before on the e-mail list if my memory serves me correctly. It would be greatly appreciated if VALVE could give us a clear answer on this subject. I prefer be situation where we would have to wait but knowing a time table for their 64-bit development to a situation where we don't know anyting.
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