ValVe, what the hell?

[Trevelyan]

Here, to prove my point:

Will the game be released on its own?
No. Valve unveiled Team Fortress 2 and Portal, two new games to be included in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. In addition to the previous, Half-Life 2 and Episode One will be included as well. The name of the bundle is Half-Life 2 Orange Box and it is the only available way to purchase Episode Two, as far as retail is concerned. Steam will probably offer Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2and Portal as a package or even Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own, although specific details have not been made known.

That is as much information as has been released so far.

http://forums.steampowered.com...howthread.php?t=475909

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

Even if you are able to DL the game by it's lonesome, it's still a bunch of crap! I already have every HL game to date with their original box, and I wanted to add Episode 2 to that collection. I'm not willing to buy HL2 and E1 again just to get a box for my little collection. And of course, there's those that prefer that have to the box, and those that are apprehensive, and do not feel that Steam is reliable.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Trevelyan
Here, to prove my point:

Will the game be released on its own?
No. Valve unveiled Team Fortress 2 and Portal, two new games to be included in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. In addition to the previous, Half-Life 2 and Episode One will be included as well. The name of the bundle is Half-Life 2 Orange Box and it is the only available way to purchase Episode Two, as far as retail is concerned. Steam will probably offer Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2and Portal as a package or even Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own, although specific details have not been made known.

That is as much information as has been released so far.

http://forums.steampowered.com...howthread.php?t=475909

unfortunately there is nothing there to prove your point.
-Orange Box is Orange box ... whether it is the retail package or a D/L

doesn't really matter to me personally - at all - since it is "free" with my 2900xt .. let's wait and see what Valve really does .... they might have their Source stolen again.

 

[imported_Imp]

Welcome to a few months ago, but this pissed me off too. I'm still skeptical about buying through steam, which is retarded since we all download 1 Gb patches/demos/freeware. If the price isn't too far apart ($10), I'll stick with retail Orange box, and if it's not, then I'll think about venturing into Steam and use my 5 month old DVD burning laser for the first time.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
Even if you are able to DL the game by it's lonesome, it's still a bunch of crap! I already have every HL game to date with their original box, and I wanted to add Episode 2 to that collection. I'm not willing to buy HL2 and E1 again just to get a box for my little collection. And of course, there's those that prefer that have to the box, and those that are apprehensive, and do not feel that Steam is reliable.

Your (and my) type is exactly why they let you "give" them away. BTW, they don't specify that you have to give it away for free. It doesn't mean that you can't charge your friends for them.

I intend to give them to my 12yr old nephew. He played through HL2 and HL2:EP1 when he was last visiting and by that time he should finally have a PC that could decently play them at home. Does no one else already have a recipient in mind?

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Trevelyan
Here, to prove my point:

Will the game be released on its own?
No. Valve unveiled Team Fortress 2 and Portal, two new games to be included in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. In addition to the previous, Half-Life 2 and Episode One will be included as well. The name of the bundle is Half-Life 2 Orange Box and it is the only available way to purchase Episode Two, as far as retail is concerned. Steam will probably offer Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2and Portal as a package or even Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own, although specific details have not been made known.

That is as much information as has been released so far.

http://forums.steampowered.com...howthread.php?t=475909

unfortunately there is nothing there to prove your point.
-Orange Box is Orange box ... whether it is the retail package or a D/L

doesn't really matter to me personally - at all - since it is "free" with my 2900xt .. let's wait and see what Valve really does .... they might have their Source stolen again.

You must have missed the part where it says "Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own"

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: FishTaco
Valve still hasn't announced the exact packages they'll be offering through Steam. I'm guessing that's where you'll be able to buy a separate package without HL2 or EP1. However, for retail purchase, you are limited to the Orange Box, which includes HL2 and EP1 in addition to EP2, TF2 and Portal.

It would be stupid if they made you buy them all again on steam.
However, in stores it's reasonable. Episode 1 started out cheap in stores, and dropped in price so quickly it probably wasn't worth it to them to have a retail SKU.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Trevelyan
Here, to prove my point:

Will the game be released on its own?
No. Valve unveiled Team Fortress 2 and Portal, two new games to be included in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. In addition to the previous, Half-Life 2 and Episode One will be included as well. The name of the bundle is Half-Life 2 Orange Box and it is the only available way to purchase Episode Two, as far as retail is concerned. Steam will probably offer Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2and Portal as a package or even Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own, although specific details have not been made known.

That is as much information as has been released so far.

http://forums.steampowered.com...howthread.php?t=475909

unfortunately there is nothing there to prove your point.
-Orange Box is Orange box ... whether it is the retail package or a D/L

doesn't really matter to me personally - at all - since it is "free" with my 2900xt .. let's wait and see what Valve really does .... they might have their Source stolen again.

You must have missed the part where it says "Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own"

of course i didn't miss it ... you can probably buy all these games separately - eventually ... but IF you buy "Orange Box" - the "Valve Special", you will get HL2/EP1 ... to give away or whatever.

 

[Maximilian]

Give it to my friends?? But its mine!! THEY CANT HAVE IT!

I already did this when i bought the first decade, i gave away tib sun and generals+zero hour, if its a good deal i may consider it. But i would still want the option to buy ep.2 on its own.

 

[Daverino]

I think the only solid conclusion I can draw from this thread is that most of the posters don't have any friends

 

[Trevelyan]

Originally posted by: apoppin
of course i didn't miss it ... you can probably buy all these games separately - eventually ... but IF you buy "Orange Box" - the "Valve Special", you will get HL2/EP1 ... to give away or whatever.

I would imagine you would be able to buy at least Ep2/Portal/TF2 as a package on Steam for less than the retail Orange Box package. And that is my point. There is no official word from Valve, but its still almost certainly the case.

Basically, all this means is that if you don't want to have to pay for HL2/Ep1 again, you can't buy retail. Doesn't really matter to me, since I'll just preorder it through Steam anyways.

 

[flashbacck]

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: apoppin
of course i didn't miss it ... you can probably buy all these games separately - eventually ... but IF you buy "Orange Box" - the "Valve Special", you will get HL2/EP1 ... to give away or whatever.

I would imagine you would be able to buy at least Ep2/Portal/TF2 as a package on Steam for less than the retail Orange Box package. And that is my point. There is no official word from Valve, but its still almost certainly the case.

Basically, all this means is that if you don't want to have to pay for HL2/Ep1 again, you can't buy retail. Doesn't really matter to me, since I'll just preorder it through Steam anyways.

I agree this is probably the case. The alternative (not having an Ep2 standalone at all) is just so retarded that it can't be true.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Trevelyan
Here, to prove my point:

Will the game be released on its own?
No. Valve unveiled Team Fortress 2 and Portal, two new games to be included in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. In addition to the previous, Half-Life 2 and Episode One will be included as well. The name of the bundle is Half-Life 2 Orange Box and it is the only available way to purchase Episode Two, as far as retail is concerned. Steam will probably offer Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2and Portal as a package or even Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own, although specific details have not been made known.

That is as much information as has been released so far.

http://forums.steampowered.com...howthread.php?t=475909

unfortunately there is nothing there to prove your point.
-Orange Box is Orange box ... whether it is the retail package or a D/L

doesn't really matter to me personally - at all - since it is "free" with my 2900xt .. let's wait and see what Valve really does .... they might have their Source stolen again.

You must have missed the part where it says "Half-Life 2: Episode Two on its own"

of course i didn't miss it ... you can probably buy all these games separately - eventually ... but IF you buy "Orange Box" - the "Valve Special", you will get HL2/EP1 ... to give away or whatever.

They said it will be forcefully bundled with TF2 & Portal, two NEW games. HL2:EP2 with TF2 and Portal is the BLACK box equivalent, not the "Orange Box Valve Special." You will own none of those games beforehand. This is clearly so that they can sell a lot at a premium price (compared to the $20 HL2:EP1) before later breaking it up and making smaller sales to fewer people. I expect Orange for $50 and the "Black" equivalent on STEAM for $40 (or less... $30 *minimum*).

 

[Kur]

This makes me mad mainly because I don't do digital downloads. Pretty stupid if you ask me, I have to have the physical game in my hand or else I won't buy it.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Kur
This makes me mad mainly because I don't do digital downloads. Pretty stupid if you ask me, I have to have the physical game in my hand or else I won't buy it.

But that shouldn't be the issue considering that all former Source products have been technically digital downloads with a backup disc in a retail box (and you could always make your own backup disc).

But who am I kidding? Despite the fact that even the retail copies are technically digital downloads (Internet registration required to play and all), I'm the same way. My Steam collection was made exclusively with retail-purchased Valve and Humanhead products because I get them cheaper and I have ways around the resale restrictions.

 

[Polish3d]

Maybe we can pay for it with monopoly money. I mean, Valve can't use it, but they can give it away to their friends who play the game