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

Posted by Zonk on from the time-of-a-million-games-is-upon-us dept.

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.

6 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. Oh, come on now... by Gothic_Walrus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Apparently current HL2 fans will miss out on the Beta ... because we've already paid them money.

    There's no possible way that the beta could support everybody who bought Half-Life 2, or even the fraction of that number that'd be interested in it. Given that you bought and played the game (ages ago, most likely) and I would assume enjoyed it in the process, I'm not sure what there is to get upset about. If you bought the game three years ago at launch, then I don't see why Valve owes you anything after this much time has passed.

    --
    Goo goo g'joob.
    1. Re:Oh, come on now... by Nos. · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Since when do you offer support to beta testers, other than typically informal, forum type support? That's all I would expect from this. As far as allowing people to beta test, why not? Other than the forums may get overwhelmed with posts if there are issues. Its not like Valve will be the only ones running servers.

      What I'm upset about, is that as a loyal Valve customer for years, I'm actually being treated worse than someone who has never owned the game before.

    2. Re:Oh, come on now... by Novotny · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Typical Slashdot whining. I may not have a lot of karma to burn but I'll explain why you're making no sense.

      You get into the beta for buying three new games for the price of one, these being Episode 3, Portal & Team Fortress 2. It just so happens they're bucking in the original HL2 and Episode One (both of which I paid for) as well. So that's actually 5 great games for the price of one. Yes, that's right. The Orange box is priced comparably to any singular title also in the market.

      And typically, you guys whine because you bought HL2. One of these five titles. Whine whine! We want the last three years of development work for free! This from an Editor too.

      Er, no. I'm so with Valve on this one. And I don't give a damn if I come over like a fanboi or you all burn me at the stake for heresy.

    3. Re:Oh, come on now... by Ford+Prefect · · Score: 3, Informative

      Episode 2 brings a lot of new tech to the series and has been in development for quite some time. It is a new title. It is made by some of the most talented people in the industry. It will, most likely, be very good.

      I've played it right the way through, and it's gameplay-wise much-much-longer than Episode One, and content-wise much-much-more of a new game. Fractionally, if Episode One was Half-Life 2.1, Episode Two would be Half-Life 2.5 or something like that. Maybe Episode Three will take it all the way up to Half-Life 3.0?

      Team Fortress 2 is extremely exciting to people who like fps online or who enjoyed the original (I didn't like the original much, but that's a different story). You clearly know absolutely nothing about it.

      TF2 shares rough player class types, some gameplay concepts and some map layouts with, say, TFC - but otherwise it's a whole new product. It's a very different game!

      And as for 'Portal is just a new set of skins on half-life with a bit of storyline' - now we know you really are just making this up to annoy people.

      I'd say it was the best puzzle-oriented FPS I've ever played, but come to think of it, I can't actually think of too many puzzle-oriented FPSes. And the 'S' is a bit dubious anyway, as I can't remember much shooting...

      But I do remember cake, yes.
      --
      Tedious Bloggy Stuff - hooray?
  2. that makes me.... by Chris+whatever · · Score: 3, Funny

    want to blow out steam.....

  3. Orange Box is cheaper anyway by Datasage · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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.

    --
    In America we are imprisoned by our fear of them.