Future Half-Life and Counter-Strike console and PC titles will see retail release under EA's watch

Vivendi Universal agreed to cease the distribution of retail editions of Valve Software's games earlier this year, after their relationship soured thanks to Valve's insistence on delivering their software titles including Half-Life 2 over their "Steam" online gaming network.

Since then, Valve has been in charge of both distributing their own titles in the manner they see fit. That situation looks to change now that they have entered a new multi-year distribution agreement with a new publisher, who just happens to be industry mover-and-shaker Electronic Arts. Starting this Fall, EA will help publish Valve's latest games at retail level. The Xbox port of Half-Life 2 has been confirmed for release under EA's banner, as well as the Half-Life 2: Aftermath expansion pack and Counter-Strike: Source for PC.

'At EA Partners, our mandate is to seek out the world's top studios and game franchises, build partnerships, empower the development teams and help get these great games to more people in more countries than ever before. We consider Half-Life and Counter-Strike to be two of the best game franchises of all time,' said Tom Frisina, Vice President and General Manager, EA Partners. 'We could not be more excited to have the opportunity to help deliver these outstanding games to players around the globe.'

'EA is the worldwide leader in bringing best of breed games, for all platforms, to market,' said Gabe Newell, Valve's founder and president. 'Valve games have sold over 18 million units at retail since Half-Life shipped in November 1998. By combining EA's unparalleled operation structure and distribution channel with Valve's award-winning development teams and games community, we've established an awesome combination for delivering great products to console and PC gamers around the world.'

Valve of course is free to maintain their Steam operations and while the press release doesn't make any mention of this, we imagine they also retain the right to authorize which gaming cafes/centers receive permission to run their titles online for visitors who drop in and play.