Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Concept]

Well the price is $80 for the Collector's Edition and that doesn't offer anywhere near as much as the Gold Edition, so I'm guessing if it's shipped internationally it could be anywhere from ?80-100.

I'd think that access to Valve's back catalogue will probably be based on some form of subscription service presented as an option with the Gold edition. It's all bit up in the air still right now with the finer details unfortunately.

[ascender]

I think its probably Gold edition on Steam for me then if we get all the bits and pieces sent out.

[Concept]

Blatantly. Hopefully someone from Valve is going to get back in touch with regards to information on international shipping (or not)...

I guess Counterstrike Source must not be subject to the same contract conditions as Half-Life 2 and the Source related mods associated with it are. The gesture of selling the full game of CS: Source next week on Steam seems to be a two fingered gesture by Valve towards Vivendi, which indicates their relationship probably isn't all that gravy.

I hope the rumours of a lengthly months long delay aren't evidence of this gesture. Because then they obviously aren't rumours anymore.

[ascender]

I don't know how much it will effect overall retail sales, but I can see loads and loads of people on the web switching to Steam on the basis of this annoucement. I've seen posts already from "hardcore" fans saying they're cancelling their order for the collector's edition from shops and going to the Gold Steam one instead.

What I don't know is just how many people will switch to Steam. We don't know the real facts of the court case and who is up to what, but the consensus on the web seems to be that Valve are the good guys. Rightly or wrongly, I reckon most will back Valve rather than Vivendi and this will mean going for Steam where possible.

I guess it won't really make a difference to Vivendi's profits when you consider how many copies they'll sell, but with Valve letting mags review the RC sent to Vivendi, I just can't see what the delay is any more.

[Concept]

I agree. Valve have played this astutely. By announcing the delivery of the RC (which a developer doesn't normally do), allowing magazines review code (without a release date) and now these purchasing options...

The pressure is all on Vivendi. If they delay it, media publicity is going to be hostile, fan reaction is going to be hostile, and any future developers who are interested in working with the company may just think twice.

It puts VUG in an uncomfortable position. I just hope they don't let stubborness and ego get in the way of common sense.

[Concept]

Anther thing... By allowing people to purchase these editions over Steam early, Valve are taking away potential sales away from Vivendi even if they do delay release of the game for several months.

We can buy now and wait later. So people who view VUG negatively for any delay will probably purchase over Steam now and wait for the legal issues to sort themselves out.

[gizmo1990]

Sorry for sounding dumb but how does all this Steam stuff work?

I always thought it was purely downloadable content but with stickers and hats coming with the gold edition... how is that possible?

Also say you download HL2 via Steam is it in bite sized chunks so you can burn it to CD's or one HUGE file?

[Concept]

Valve say you're legally allowed to make a back-up copy of the Steam files you download, although they won't work on anyone else's Steam account.

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?p=777860#post777860

(Check last post)

As for the Steam Gold edition of Half-Life 2... All the software content you download online... The physical stuff is shipped as far as I know.

[Spatial]

Spatial, is this the information you were talking about Half-Life 2 mulitplayer from those who'd reviewed the game?

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39793

I can't access that link in work but the info was taken from the HL2.net site. I think it was the guy who did the review for PC Gamer ? I'm sure I also read the info from another source ( no pun intended ) but can't remember where.

I'm really in two minds about the mag reviews. On one hand I want to read them to get loads more new info / screenshots, on the other I don't want to know too much cos I want to be surprised during the game.

I know that the interviewer above said the reviews were spolier free, but some mags give away stuff unintentionally. Take PC Zones review of Doom 3. I knew you got to go to hell, but they went and posted pictures of hell before I'd got there, thus spoiling a bit of the surprise of what the environment would look like.

They also posted some pics of a monster I'd yet to encounter. While those weren't major its the little things that go a long way

On the release front, I'd agreed that Valve have been very shrewd with the release candidate thing. VU will now look like the bad guys if there are any more pointless delays, taking the heat off Valve for a change.

Only a day to go until the 30th..........

:crosses fingers:
:crosses toes:

[ascender]

I'm thinking about avoiding reviews as well. The vids I've seen have given too much away and a review with loads of new screenshots is just going to spoil it even more. Part of the joy of the original was not knowing anything about it really when it came out.

[Len]

Yeh I'm leaning that way to. Why spoil the intrigue though when I see the mags hit the newstands I may crumble..?

[nips]

Well following concepts unbelievebly kind gensture:


HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2! HALF-LIFE 2!!! TBFH!

SWEET. I can't wait. I've got the game pre-ordered so I'll have it to play when it is released, then, in time, when I save up money, or when it is released for free I can play Half-Life source and kick some ass with real lush graphics and everything. I am sooo ****ing chuffed. I can't wait.

I just love the videos that I have seen on the net. I have stopped to try to keep some suspense, but the fact is, and I've been trying to keep it quiet so that if I get dissapointed, I won't get laughed at, but:

I'M GETTING BROADBAND!!!

In december-January, I should be getting broadband in my area, so you know I'm playing Couter-Strike Source and everything else possible. I'll be subscibing to Live! AND I'll be playign all you mother-****ers.

Now I get a new gfx card, my monitor will no longer **** up and I'll be able to put my PC into 3D mode without and VPU crashes. I can play Doom 3 and Sims 2 and Transport Tycoon. I can actually do stuff.

Oh I am sooooooo happy. Everything is falling into place.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY LIBERATION! I feel virginal... nervous but excited ! XD XD XD

[Ish]

One word of warning about Live. Since I got it a couple of weeks ago it has consumed me. Utterly.

[Concept]

I'm on a 1MB connection, but I've still not got Live (waiting for Halo 2 before I do)...

However, is it as difficult to set up as everyone makes out? I've never used a router before...

[Concept]

Someone's got confirmation from Valve on the status of Gold edition Steam availability outside of the US from Valve, in the Valve Q&A thread over at HalfLife2.net

Sweet.

From: Murray Hamilton
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 5:48 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Different editions and the EU


Hello,

Quite a few people, myself included, are wondering about the availability of items in the Gold Steam edition to people outside of the US. Will these items be sent at an extra charge to people in the EU for example, or will the Gold package not be offered at all to save on high shipping costs?

One other thing, is the hard copy Collectors Edition being made available in the EU, I have heard people say it won't be.

Many thanks

Murray Hamilton


The plan is for worldwide shipping.