What to buy

[MrJolly]

Can someone please help, Im getting a bit confused by all the different purchasing methods...

I live in the UK and I want HL2 with DoD Source and CS Source (HL1 Source would be nice but not essential) and on a DVD. Most of all I want TFC when it comes out.

Can I buy the retail version and still get the mods ? Or do I have to buy the retail and pay to download each separate one of them ? Is DoD only being bundled with steam downloads ?

Can someone please help !!

Many thanks.

 

[machima]

Search!

 

[Crash Happy]

DoD:S was listed seperately in their Browse Games window, I'm taking that to mean you could buy it on it's own.

 

[koopa]

I don't think dod/cs/h1s come with retail (at least not standard edition). Personally I'd get steam silver and burn to DVD - I suspect that will be the cheapest option.

 

[kaellinn18]

Well, since you're in the UK, all retail versions will be on DVD.

Source: http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/10/05/1352240&tid=127

The standard edition only comes with CS:S. The collector's edition comes with HL:S and CS:S. I don't think either of them come with DoD:S, so you may end up having to purchase this separately.

If you can do without the DVD, go with the Steam gold version, which will come with DoD:S.

 

[Chris D]

I strongly recommend buying the Silver package from Steam. At the end of the day, not having a CD shouldn't be a big problem.

You get the game (and more) and the information that you own the game is stored on your account, so even if your hard drive fails, you can always re-download the files again.

It also means you'll get the game a little bit sooner - you'll likely start to play it as people are queing up in the shop to buy it

The reason DOD: Source isn't in the retail package is because Activision own the publishing rights to DOD - Vivendi aren't allowed to publish it so it won't appear along side HL2. DOD will be Steam only AFAIK so far.

 

[MrJolly]

Thanks guys, will look at the silver steam package. Is this right, the only difference between Gold and Silver is some gaudy trinkets and a dumb postcard ? Copied this from www.steampowered.com

HALF-LIFE 2 SILVER
$59.95
INCLUDES:
▪ Half-Life 2*
▪ Counter-Strike: Source
▪ Half-Life 1: Source*
▪ Day of Defeat™: Source*
▪ PLUS: Valve's back catalog available on Steam!

HALF-LIFE 2 GOLD
$89.95
INCLUDES:
▪ Half-Life 2*
▪ Counter-Strike:Source
▪ Half-Life 1: Source*
▪ Day of Defeat: Source*
▪ Valve's back catalog available on Steam.
▪ PLUS: HL2 posters, full strat guide, soundtrack, hat, collector's box, postcard & more

I would also appreciate it if anyone could advise if the files can be backed up to DVD so they can be reinstalled in case of a format, like koopa suggests. Also what about TFC, anyone know how that is to be bundled or rolled out ?

Thanks for your replies though, really appreciated

 

[Chris D]

There will be future Source ports but it's unknown at this time how they'll be distributed.

Yes, the only difference between Silver and Gold are the collector's items.

With regards to backing up the game files - yes, it's completely possible and legal. I'm trying to find this out at the moment, but it may also be possible in the future for websites to host and redistribute the game cache files. I'm trying to get a definite answer on this from Doug Lombardi. But yeah, either back up to DVD or download from the Steam content servers.

Hope that helps

 

[MrJolly]

Cheers Chris, thanks very much for taking the time to respond it helps a lot

 

[Ahnteis]

There will be future Source ports but it's unknown at this time how they'll be distributed.

Yes, the only difference between Silver and Gold are the collector's items.

With regards to backing up the game files - yes, it's completely possible and legal. I'm trying to find this out at the moment, but it may also be possible in the future for websites to host and redistribute the game cache files. I'm trying to get a definite answer on this from Doug Lombardi. But yeah, either back up to DVD or download from the Steam content servers.

Hope that helps

I'd guess it's highly likely since they same thing is offered currently for steam. (Steam+CS installer, Steam+HL installer, etc.)