Pre-Order Valve Games Via Steam Next Week, Enter the TF2 Beta

The British Gaming Blog notes that the Orange Box (Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode 1, Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2) will be available for pre-order via Steam starting next week. What's more, ordering the games via Steam will give you access to an advance Beta test of Team Fortress 2. "The Orange Box contains Half Life 2, Episodes 1 and 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2; you'll have to purchase the entire package to receive the Beta. Valve recommends giving the extra codes for Half Life 2 and Episode 1 (if you already own them) to someone who's been missing out. Not explained on the actual pre-purchase page is an added bonus for early adopters, Peggle Extreme; a special edition of Popcap's Peggle featuring new challenges and Orange Box related artwork." Apparently current HL2 fans will miss out on the Beta ... because we've already paid them money.

Comments

Re:Does Valve suck for anyone else?

[labalicious]

Have you tried the new version of Steam? My computer is 5 years old and runs it just fine. Try downloading the beta, it's really light weight >20mb used at a time. Just in case people don't have the link... http://steampowered.com/

Orange Box is cheaper anyway

[Datasage]

Lets see here: Orange box $49.95, or pre-order for $44.95.

Or if you were to buy the new games separately:
EP2 = $29.95
Portal = $19.95
TF2 = $29.95

I suppose they could make a package containing only the new games, but I doubt that it would be any cheaper.