IGN: Black Box in Pine Box

[TimoJay]

I notice that people who still get all giddy about buying CDs (with paper manuals!!!) instead of downloading them are still complaining. But I'm sure that's just a niche of gamers that love too voice their complaints a bit too much.

Steam is the future. Soon (not that soon) our weak little PCs will be integrated into vast networks where any game can be had almost instantly.

 

[bbson john]

Steam is the future. Soon (not that soon) our weak little PCs will be integrated into vast networks where any game can be had almost instantly.

With a bunch of hackers and keyloggers.

 

[riles]

Right... I'm quite confused now.

What I will be wanting to purchase is TF2 and Portal.
Will I be able to buy those two titles over steam and how much will they cost?

I don't own EP1 (and don't want it) and I'm not looking to buy EP2 either.

My flat mate ONLY wants to buy TF2, will he have to pay 50 bucks just for TF2?

Not sure; apparently, based on the recent post, the three new titles (EP2, TF2, PORTAL) will be available on steam for less than the 50 dollar bundle which also includes HL2 and EP1. Don't know whether or not you will be able to buy any of the games indivisually.

I'm guessing they will eventually sell them indivisually if not at release. If its still going to be 40 for the EP2, TF2, and Portal, then I'm probably going to go ahead and get the orange box.

 

[Javert]

As long as the wording and facts in the above links are true upon the products' release, things should be ok.

 

[GFree]

Well, I'm not particularly impressed with this idea, but I suppose since I'll be purchasing the games through Steam I'll have a more refined selection without buying stuff I already have.

Doesn't mean I don't see the problem retailers will have though.

 

[Gorgon]

doesn't really matter, as long as they bring it on time and don't delay it further I will be a very happy customer.

 

[bigburpco]

So when Episode 3 comes out, we'll have to pay $60 for:

Half-Life 2 (again)
Half-Life 2 Episode 1 (again)
Half-Life 2 Episode 2 (again)
Portal (again)
Team Fortress 2 (again)
Half Life 2 Episode 3

I marvel at your ability to not look 3 posts above yours...

 

[Kadayi]

Right... I'm quite confused now.

What I will be wanting to purchase is TF2 and Portal.
Will I be able to buy those two titles over steam and how much will they cost?

I don't own EP1 (and don't want it) and I'm not looking to buy EP2 either.

My flat mate ONLY wants to buy TF2, will he have to pay 50 bucks just for TF2?

Valve have always stated that TF2 and Portal would be shipped as a bundle with EP2 (right from the word go), so yes you will have to deign to buy it if you want either or both of those games (which are effectively free). No doubt they will sell them individually through steam at some point though (just as you can buy HL2DM standalone if you wish). AFAIK there is no necessity to buy/own EP1 in order to purchase EP2, or will you remotely have to play EP2 to indulge in TF2 or Portal. However as they are both technically the supplemental to EP2, one might well imagine that EP2 gaming experience might actually be quite good and shouldn't be passed up on, especially given it's no doubt going to be an even more refined and polished chapter in the life cycle of the HL franchise, which some people consider to be the best PC gaming experience ever. :dozey:

 

[DuB]

Thanks for the info :]

I think my flat mate will probably wait for the individual release over steam, as he really only cares about TF2. (don't know how he can't be attracted to Portal... but that's the way it is)

I just thought of something... will the release of the Orange box mean that from that day on, HL2 will never sell another copy, or even cease to be pirated?

So I read that 4 million copies of HL2 were sold.
If half those people that bought HL2 buy the orange box, that's an additional 2 million copies/CD keys of HL2 floating around the net to be given away at the owners discretion.

Who in their right mind would ever buy HL2 or even pirate it? Just pop onto a forum or ask a buddy for a completely legitimate key. :]
So if you've never played HL2 and always wanted to, wait till the release of the orange box and it'll be very likely you will be able to.

Just a thought xD

 

[Kadayi]

I just thought of something... will the release of the Orange box mean that from that day on, HL2 will never sell another copy, or even cease to be pirated?

So I read that 4 million copies of HL2 were sold.
If half those people that bought HL2 buy the orange box, that's an additional 2 million copies/CD keys of HL2 floating around the net to be given away at the owners discretion.

Who in their right mind would ever buy HL2 or even pirate it? Just pop onto a forum or ask a buddy for a completely legitimate key. :]
So if you've never played HL2 and always wanted to, wait till the release of the orange box and it'll be very likely you will be able to.

Just a thought xD

It's an interesting one. I think there is a balance in that Valve probably hope that quite a lot of existing HL2 players/steam users might well purchase EP2 via Steam now it's established itself as a legitimate digital distribution platform (certainly the way I'm going tbh). Whilst the PC Orange box retail release garners them players who might come from the console market (which is far larger) but fancy the PC experience (mods, etc) as well as newer players unfamiliar with the games at all. I'd imagine whenever the HL2 contract expires between Valve and EA, Valve will probably give HL2 away for free when you subscribe to Steam in future.

The issue of the extra steam keys is a good one. As it stands in terms of pure retail sales HL2 alone probably does minimal business on it's own (it's had it's peak), so it's really no surprise that they can give it away for a token amount with EP2 etc. The gain for Valve is that the person you give/sell your spare key if you do buy the retail box is potentially a new steam customer, which benefits the steam business model. It's an intelligent business move it has to be said.

 

[Orcone101]

8 hours, dirty jeans and new shaders do not cost $30.

 

[Homie]

8 hours, dirty jeans and new shaders do not cost $30.

:] :afro:

 

[NeoNight]

ahh well guess am not getting ep 2,tfc,portal then :/

what if everything you purchased had the same sort of deal.... I can see it now...

Customer: hey honey I just got us a car!

Customers Spouse: A new car? what the hell! we already own a car!... two even!

Customer: Well yeah, I actually just wanted to get some new tires. The salesmen said it would be a better value if I got the car along with tires. Apparently, I can just give the car away if I don't need it. :thumbs:

Customers Spouse: .... :sniper:

Customer: :x

edit: Steam to the rescue!!!

Valve have announced that the Half-Life 2 “black box” SKU will no longer be shipped, leaving PC players with either the orange box, which also contains Half-Life 2 and Episode One, or Steam, which is still set to offer a package of just the three new titles.