HL2: Orange Box Thread

[RobertR1]

TF2 gameplay footage:
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/14503


PC and 360 are still set for 0ct. 7. PS3 delayed "several weeks"
http://www.myarcadeplanet.com/story-547-Yet-Again-Delayed-Orange-Box-PS3.html


I'm pissed at Valve for not releasing Episode 2 just by itself on Steam. I have no reason to repurchase HL2 and EP1 which I did before already! I could be wrong so please correct me if I'm wrong. I'd be happy to be wrong I just want EP2. TF2 doesn't interest me as Halo3 will be out before this and then COD4 (crack!) later.

 

[Cryect]

Last I heard they are still planning to release "Black Box" on Steam for the same price as Episode 1 which is $20 and will contain Episode 2, TF2, and Portals. There just is no plans for a retail version of the "Black Box" anymore. Hence it also won't be called Black Box either online.

 

[RobertR1]

Thanks man! I'll most definitely be getting the $20 verion off Steam now

 

[SugarCoat]

Last I heard they are still planning to release "Black Box" on Steam for the same price as Episode 1 which is $20 and will contain Episode 2, TF2, and Portals. There just is no plans for a retail version of the "Black Box" anymore. Hence it also won't be called Black Box either online.

lol no, this is dead and they have never been kind enough to offer games that cheaply. EP1 alone was what $19.99? with stand-alone multiplayer mods being $19.99 as well. They arent that kind .

Only thing is orange box, was confirmed months ago when they cancelled the black box package.

"We're going to have one package, The Orange Box, available on the PC (US$49.99) as well as the 360 and PS3 (US$ 59.99). In addition to the three new products -- Portal, Team Fortress 2, and Half-Life: Episode Two -- The Orange Box will also contain the full version of Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One. Those who purchase the PC version of The Orange Box will get three separate Steam product codes: One for the three new games, one for HL2, and one for Episode One. This way a PC Orange Box owner can give away their Half-Life 2 or Episode One unused Steam product codes if they don't need a copy of those games. We are excited to deliver the highest value of new gaming content ever offered in one box."

 

[Skrying]

What mods are you talking about? CS:S and DOD:S both came in the same package (plus something else) for like $30... which is a DAMN good deal. The Orange Box bundle is also a DAMN good deal as well. Valve finally pricing things decently is good.

 

[Scott_Arm]

I think I'm gonna buy the orange box and give my brother my duplicate codes.

 

[RobertR1]

I'm seriously considering not buying this due to the BS. I bought HL2 with all the bells and whistles and then EP1. No reason I need to buy it all again.

 

[djskribbles]

edit: nm

 

[pjbliverpool]

I'm seriously considering not buying this due to the BS. I bought HL2 with all the bells and whistles and then EP1. No reason I need to buy it all again.

Yeah I think I agree there. I don't know anyone who would be interested in HL2/EP1 who doesn't already have it so their idea of giving it away is useless to me. Im also not that interested in Portal or TF2 so im basically paying full price for a package I only intend to use about 25% of.

The stupid thing is most people who are interested in EP2, at least on the PC will already have bought HL2 and EP1 seperatly and thus will be in the same position. Valve must know this and given that it costs them pretty much nothing to add in HL2/EP1 it seems they are simply using that as an excuse to charge a higher price for EP2 than they otherwise would have been able to on the PC.

Hell, I've had EP1 for about a year now and im barely past the first couple of levels (although its one of the next games on my list to complete) so I don't feel like im missing much anyway.

 

[Scott_Arm]

Yeah I think I agree there. I don't know anyone who would be interested in HL2/EP1 who doesn't already have it so their idea of giving it away is useless to me. Im also not that interested in Portal or TF2 so im basically paying full price for a package I only intend to use about 25% of.

The stupid thing is most people who are interested in EP2, at least on the PC will already have bought HL2 and EP1 seperatly and thus will be in the same position. Valve must know this and given that it costs them pretty much nothing to add in HL2/EP1 it seems they are simply using that as an excuse to charge a higher price for EP2 than they otherwise would have been able to on the PC.

Hell, I've had EP1 for about a year now and im barely past the first couple of levels (although its one of the next games on my list to complete) so I don't feel like im missing much anyway.

If you just want EP2, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to buy that individually on steam.

 

[Cheezdoodles]

As a person who hasn't played HL2 this is the best deal of the year for IMO, the amount of content your getting for $60 is great.

 

[pjbliverpool]

If you just want EP2, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to buy that individually on steam.

I hope so, but to be honest, I don't like buying a product that I don't have something physical to show for it so im not sure if I would go the steam route either.

 

[Scott_Arm]

I hope so, but to be honest, I don't like buying a product that I don't have something physical to show for it so im not sure if I would go the steam route either.

I dunno. Steam is pretty good. You don't have to worry about your disc getting scratched and getting stuck with a bad disc. You can always just download the game. And it has a backup feature so you can make your own discs if you'd like. To me, it's ideal, because it creates a lot less physical waste. I rarely read manuals, and care little for the boxes, so all of that stuff just ends up in the garbage can.

 

[Fu3lFr3nzy]

I was gonna buy it for the X360, but i'd definately feel more comfortable if it was the Trilogy in one package (EP 1, 2, and 3)

I'll just get it on the PC(EP 2 anyway). Maybe when EP3 comes out, i'll finally get it on consoles (assuming the other HL2 stuff are in it )

*doesnt make sense*

 

[AlNom]

I'm seriously considering not buying this due to the BS. I bought HL2 with all the bells and whistles and then EP1. No reason I need to buy it all again.

It's a certainly strange package. I haven't played any HL2 beyond the demo on Xbox, and I refuse to play it on PC because of Steam. I probably won't buy anything until they finish Episode 3 on consoles.

For that matter, is the compilation going to be multi-dvd? One for HL2 + episodes, one for TF2/Portal?

 

[RobertR1]

The annoying thing about this is, I can expect the same shit with Episode 3. How many times do I need to buy a copy of HL2?

However according to the FAQ on steam forums:

"Valve's digital distribution service, Steam, will be used to authenticate the PC retail version of the game. It will also be used to offer Episode Two on its own and various other bundles in which the game will be included."

 

[SugarCoat]

What mods are you talking about? CS:S and DOD:S both came in the same package (plus something else) for like $30... which is a DAMN good deal. The Orange Box bundle is also a DAMN good deal as well. Valve finally pricing things decently is good.

Stand-alone. Not a bundle, for people who just wanted certain parts. The combos are good for people who want all the games, not for those who just want a certain part. DoD S didnt come with HL2/CSS we had to pay extra to add it on when it was released. Needless to say im very dissapointed in both mods as far as how much was ported over. Still tons of maps missing, and classes/weapons for DoDS.

It wont surprise me if they offer it all in peices but be prepaired to feel screwed if you buy it that way. They even do this with the old classic HL. HL = $10, but you get no CS or DoD which were free mods, so what the hell is that all about? Now you need the HL Platinum or something which is 15 or 20, i dont remember which, its been awhile since i was in the steam store. Dont tell me they arent out to take as much as they can from you.

I'd wager to bet the Episode will be $30 alone, $20 for TFC, and $10 for portal. Or you can go on amazon right now and simply buy the orange box for 45 with free shipping.

 

[Scott_Arm]

Stand-alone. Not a bundle, for people who just wanted certain parts. The combos are good for people who want all the games, not for those who just want a certain part. DoD S didnt come with HL2/CSS we had to pay extra to add it on when it was released. Needless to say im very dissapointed in both mods as far as how much was ported over. Still tons of maps missing, and classes/weapons for DoDS.

It wont surprise me if they offer it all in peices but be prepaired to feel screwed if you buy it that way. They even do this with the old classic HL. HL = $10, but you get no CS or DoD which were free mods, so what the hell is that all about? Now you need the HL Platinum or something which is 15 or 20, i dont remember which, its been awhile since i was in the steam store. Dont tell me they arent out to take as much as they can from you.

I'd wager to bet the Episode will be $30 alone, $20 for TFC, and $10 for portal. Or you can go on amazon right now and simply buy the orange box for 45 with free shipping.

I think I bought the Silver package which gave me HL2, CS:S, DOD:S plus HL1:S as well as all of the original HL and expansions.

 

[djskribbles]

I was gonna buy it for the X360, but i'd definately feel more comfortable if it was the Trilogy in one package (EP 1, 2, and 3)

I'll just get it on the PC(EP 2 anyway). Maybe when EP3 comes out, i'll finally get it on consoles (assuming the other HL2 stuff are in it )

*doesnt make sense*

i agree... they shouldn't have made this a package deal until EP3. the majority of the people buying EP2 probably already have EP1 and HL2. i'd rather buy EP2 alone retail than to buy it on Steam (and thats even if they release it alone on Steam).

 

[willardjuice]

Please stop posting FUD people; you don't have to buy the Orange Box if you go through Steam...

Electronic Arts is distributing the games at retail as a package entitled Half-Life 2: The Orange Box, which also includes the original Half-Life 2 and last year's Half-Life 2: Episode One. It will sell for $49.99 on PC and $59.99 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Previously, the company intended to sell a slimmer package, The Black Box, which would not include Half-Life 2 or Half-Life 2: Episode One, but those plans were cancelled last month. It is expected that Steam customers will retain the option to purchase only the newly-released games