Here’s what I say: I’m okay with not having media, because I believe the devs when they say that they’re working on it. However, I’d still love to hear an approximation of when we could expect it. The only excuse for not giving an approximation would be that it will be release so soon that we don’t need one. But time has proved that the mod has been “very close to release” for years now, and that has never been the case, as it would be release by now otherwise.
Well another reason not to give a deadline is so you don’t have to worry about people posting bitchy posts about how they missed their deadline and how there’s something wrong because of this.
Personally I don’t see any way to make most people happy when they have to wait for something they want.
No deadline: People bitching about no deadline
Deadline: People maybe bitching about missed deadline, if that’s really the case
In other words, both giving a deadline and not giving a deadline can be justified by “we don’t want to disappoint you”. I don’t think there’s a valid reason for not having a deadline, so why not have one? Of course, on the other hand, why have one? There’s no reason to have one either. But it just makes sense to give a deadline for a project you’re working on, with a huge community. It doesn’t make sense not to give a deadline.
Valve gives deadlines and constantly misses them, so what? At least they build up anticipation. Black Mesa is only building up anticipation because we trust that it’s being worked on.
I hope that Black Mesa will be released within a year, but who knows? Maybe it will be released tomorrow! Or in 3 months! Or in 2 years! Or in 8 years! Or 27 years!
Apparently people feel better when the doctor tells them the name of the problem they have, even if they have no idea what it means. If the doctor would just say “well, I won’t tell you what your problem is since you wouldn’t understand anyway”, it would be much less satisfying. Rationally, it’s the same thing. But there’s something instinctive about wanting to know what’s going on even if that doesn’t help.
tl; dr
Shaddup and wait.
I think that the devs’ biggest problem is that they CARE about people being disappointed.
It’s not really up to you to determine the validity of the decisions made by the team though is it? This is another case of confusing what you would like with what the devs have found to be best through experience. Also, not wanting to disappoint people is a VERY sensible reason for not providing a solid date. I’ve only seen what the forums and chat turn into when people think the mods done, or think it’s released. I can only imagine the emails and communications the dev team actually get. This way people might actually leave them alone and let them work.
Valve is doing the exact same thing with episode 3, and people bitch even more about that game.
Not giving a release date is just as disappointing as missing one, to me at least. However, having a release date makes you feel that you’re not left completely in the dark. Not knowing is always annoying.
Of course, if there are other reasons for not giving a date, then I’m fine with it. I’m just saying that the “not wanting to disappoint us” justification doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Well, they ARE making the mod for people…
If they didn’t care, the mod would’ve been dead and/or finished a LONG time ago, but it wouldn’t be as good. The devs are doing this more for their love of Half Life, but I’m pretty sure they don’t want people to complain. (though that’s inevitable)
Sure it makes sense. You just have to think of it from a perspective other than your own. It really isn’t the devs responsibility to keep you happy while they are working for long periods to make something FOR your enjoyment.
Guess what guys, I was on steam today, and I saw James Kane working on black mesa.
I KNOW RIGHT, ACTUALLY MODDING AND BUG FIXING AND STUFF JUST LIKE THEY SAY ON THE FORUMS.
Anyways, needless to say I promptly shit my brain onto the carpet from pure amazment.
I’m starting to doubt that ep3 is even being worked on… But if it is, hurrah!
Black mesa will announce a release date when they know when they are ready to release it, that’s how I always thought of it.
The thing is, black mesa is going to kick ass no matter when its out, so might as well wait a bit longer to make it that much better. In the mean time, im going to learn a language or something.
I WAS THERE, HE WAS ALL IN GAME, SOURCE SDK LIKE A BOSS.
That’s it! The mod has erectile dysfunction! THIS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING 
HURRY! GET THE VIAGRA IV!
20 CCS OF VIAGRA, STAT! ORDERLY, GET ME MY PORN STASH! (PUTS ON MUSTACHE)
SOMEONE WHEEL DOWN THE HDTV, QUICK!
HOOK UP THE BLU RAY. HE NEEDS QUALITY MATERIAL. GIVE HIM THE TWO DISC SPECIAL EDITION OF “THE CHEERLEADERS.”
Oh MOTHER OF MERCY.
BWAA GIVE ME BLACK MESA
Seriously, that first post… Shit, man, learn to use paragraphs…