Orange Box Turns Gold

Dr. Eggman writes "GameDaily.com announces that at long last, Half-Life: The Orange Box has gone gold. The release date has been set for October 10th. Although Valve recently announced that the company shall reevaluate episodic content, Newell has spoken to CVG, reassuringly stating that there is lots of Half-Life left at Valve. Expect more interesting stories like Portal to come out of Valve as they trickle out what they refer internally to as 'The [Half-Life] Bible.'"

Re:

[All_One_Mind]

There's new games in this:

From TFA:
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
Team Fortress 2
Portal

Re:

[Seumas]

Yeah, but as far as I understand, it's the same engine with a side game (Team Fortress) and a mini-game (Portal) and a few nwe chapters (Episode Two). I'm a huge Half Life fan, but . . . I'm entirely undecided as to whether I should be excited about this or not. I'm moving a lot of my gaming off of the PC and onto the consoles these days (after two decades of PC-only gaming), so maybe I'll wait and see how people enjoy the console-treatment of this title before dishing out the cash.

Re:

[weirdcrashingnoises]

I would wager that Portal is going to be way more of a time-sink to be considered simply a "mini-game" I also know that there are some people out there (who were probably not breastfed) that don't even want Portal... sucks to be them!

Re:

[Captain Splendid]

I would wager that Portal is going to be way more of a time-sink to be considered simply a "mini-game"

Agreed. I also think Team Fortress is going to be big too. Expect to see a shedload of TF servers out there next year. If they're not running that, It'll either be ET:QW or CS.

Re:

[Some_Llama]

I used to play a lot of TF in the old days and pre-ordered so i'm playing TF2, it is almost a different game.. in a good way. the only map that makes it seem like the old game is 2fort, but even then with the uber charge, invis for spys, sapping, and the other game play balances it's a whole new type of play style and game feel.

my 2cents.

Re:

[webrunner]

Although the "Black Box" no longer exists, if you buy over steam you can give your HL2 and HL2:Ep1 to someone else.

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd pay $45 for Team Fortress 2 alone, it's been that fun. And I didn't like the original Team Fortress mods. Episode 2 and Portal only make the Orange box that much of a sweeter deal. Unless you really want to play it on a console, I'd look into the PC version.

Re:

[stg]

I have to say I wasn't very impressed with Team Fortress 2. It plays ok, the graphics are great, but it seems a bit simplistic...

I've been playing the Enemy Territory:Quake Wars demo and even with only one level, it seems much better. And it also has acceptable (at least to me) bots...

Re:

[Puff of Logic]

I have to say I wasn't very impressed with Team Fortress 2. It plays ok, the graphics are great, but it seems a bit simplistic...

I've been playing the Enemy Territory:Quake Wars demo and even with only one level, it seems much better. And it also has acceptable (at least to me) bots...

Interesting. I've been thoroughly enjoying the TF2 beta as a game that is sufficiently simple to jump into immediately, but with enough subtlety to fuel long-term strategies. ET:QW, on the other hand, really disappointed me. I'm a huge fan of ET and was hoping for essentially an updated version of it, with new maps and better production values. ET:QW just doesn't feel right: the weapons lack punch and players seem to die faster. In truth, it strikes me as something very much closer in feel to BF2, whi

Re:

[The MAZZTer]

Team Fortress is the most fun multiplayer I've had in a long time. I can't wait to play Portal (try the spiritual precursor, Narbacular Drop). Episode 2 looks like fun as well.

Re:

[theantipop]

Calling it the same engine is a MAJOR stretch. There are many, many engine improvements and optimizations going into the engine with the launch of EP2. Among the list is improved facial animations, improvements for multiprocessor-eqiupped systems, a new dynamic lighting and shadow mapping system, an upgraded render path including support for DX10 as well as improvements to large-scale outdoor environments. Also Portal looks to be one of the more original games I've seen in quite a few years. Dismissing

Re:

[Underfunded]

I've started moving my gaming from PC to console and have been having a hard time. I enjoy the online aspect of some games, namely WoW and Counter Strike. What do you recommend to replace those two games on the PS3 system?

Re:

[CRiMSON]

Simple, Sell your ps3, use the money to resub to WoW. What's left over, buy a Wii and upgrade your ram/video card if you need to in your PC. You'll be much happier.

Time traveler

[ejito]

games that I already played on the PC several years ago?

Somehow I doubt you played Portal, TF2, and Ep2 a few years ago, since those are 3 new games. You talk about price, but what I'm seeing is three new games for the price of one (I paid $45), plus a decent engine (Source SDK has new shader improvements) with plenty of mods. Peggle is also a great addition, since I'm a fan of pachinko and have played the demo version before.

You may think you're getting ripped off because HL2 and Ep1 is packaged with it. T

Re:

[mikkelm]

It's a beta, not a final product.

Is it that challenging to comprehend?

Damn

[All_One_Mind]

I thought this was announcing that it was released today. I was about to call in sick.

Good to hear

[Nos.]

For those of us that pre-ordered, at least we've had the pleasure of Team Fortress 2. Its not perfect, but I'm quite happy with it. Of course I haven't had the crashes that a lot of people have been having. That being said, I can't wait to try Portal. Episode 2 I'm sure will be interesting, but for me, won't be more than a passing bit of entertainment when I grow bored of TF2 and Portal.

Re:Uh, where is the PS3 version ?

[DrXym]

This isn't exactly anything new, Valve has been very transparent on the disaster that is developing for the PS3. Just try a simple Google search.

If there is a reason for the PS3 being delayed (and who says it is?), it might have something to do with the fact that the Source engine was written against DirectX. The PS3 uses OpenGL for graphics and has other APIs for things such as sound, controllers etc. Consequently the engine needs a virtual rewrite irrespective. And who says they need SPUs, or that even if they did that they'd be utilised significantly in a game engine which has been predominantly single threaded throughout most of its life?

Perhaps Valve should have the foresight to make their engine more portable to begin with rather than bitch that a system (be it Linux, Mac, PS3, Wii or whatever) DARES to not use Microsoft proprietary APIs.

Re:

[DrXym]

It's not Valve's fault that Sony is going off and forcing developers to use their own library instead of using industry standard toolkits. That's purely Sony's fault.

Are you trolling or just stupid? Last time I looked, OpenGL *is* an open standard. Just one of many supported out of the box by the PS3 SDK.

As for being a "development nightmare", I have yet to see a single shred of evidence that even remotely supports that claim.

Re:

[ravyne]

If there is a reason for the PS3 being delayed (and who says it is?), it might have something to do with the fact that the Source engine was written against DirectX. The PS3 uses OpenGL for graphics and has other APIs for things such as sound, controllers etc. Consequently the engine needs a virtual rewrite irrespective.

I fear that you are showing your utter ignorance of game development my friend. Yes, Half-Life 2 was written against Direct3D primarily, and now it will have to be ported to one of the PS3

Re:

[DrXym]

I fear that you are showing your utter ignorance of game development my friend. Yes, Half-Life 2 was written against Direct3D primarily, and now it will have to be ported to one of the PS3's graphics APIs; Either their OpenGL|ES + extensions or their (proprietary, by the way) lower-level API that nearly all boxed retail games have utilized. In all probability, its not porting D3D to OpenGL, but porting D3D to this low-level API.

Why do you assume games require lower level 3D APIs? What proof do you have fo

Re:

[neverhadachoice]

Development for PS1 and PS2 were a goddamn nightmare too. Why should PS3 be any different?

Re:

[Supurcell]

I was lead to believe that Team Fortress 2 was to be the multi-player part of Half-life: Episode 2, which will be available for $29.99 from Steam. I don't think, however, that you will be able to buy Team Fortress 2 or Episode 2 separate from the Orange Box in a physical store.

And yet, it is being held back for North America

[Guspaz]

The Orange Box launches on October 5th in Europe.

It launches in North America on October 9th, and October 10th on Steam.

It looks like digital distribution hasn't changed a thing when it comes to arbitrary launch dates that have nothing to do with a products readiness.

Re:And yet, it is being held back for North Americ

[Bobfrankly1]

Hey, you're forgetting localization. It takes a few days to re-record all voice track references to the "torch" as the North American language "flashlight". They also have to remove all the crumpets!
-
Monkey Doodles!

Re:And yet, it is being held back for North Americ

[theantipop]

http://www.vivendi.com/corp/en/home/index.php [vivendi.com]

Re:

[Guspaz]

What does Vivendi have to do with anything? They're not Valve's publisher anymore, EA is.

Re:

[Guspaz]

I do, but apparently you don't. There's a difference between being able to activate a game and being able to purchase/download a game. While the retail discs are little more than copies of the GCF cache files, it's not exactly difficult for them to only activate retail copies (which I assume have some sort of unique identifier).

That said, yes, my information (taken from Wikipedia) was incorrect. Wikipedia has also updated their own information, October 10th for Steam/North America and October 12th for the r

Re:And yet, it is being held back for North Americ

[Tol Dantom]

It looks like digital distribution hasn't changed a thing when it comes to arbitrary launch dates that have nothing to do with a products readiness.

Not entirely true. It is true that Valves hands are tied by EA (rather than Vivendi this time) regarding the brick and mortar sale date. But this time the presale crowd gets to play with the TF2 "beta" (beta after a game has gone gold, eh?). It's true that you don't get the whole thing when you easily could, but some people genuinely prefer to get a pretty bo

Cheaper

[AlphaDrake]

This really only works for Canadians, but you can purchase it online for the American price (~$45?) instead of buying it in store for ~$70

Re:

[Zephiria]

Hell I managed to get it for what.. 35? euro over steam :)
Its great buying stuff for cheep :D

Re:

[kv9]

Hell I managed to get it for what.. 35? euro over steam :) Its great buying stuff for cheep :D

which is about 49 bucks at the current rates (steam sells it for 45). great deal there, sparky.

Re:

[BarneyL]

which is about 49 bucks at the current rates (steam sells it for 45). great deal there, sparky.

Steam adds sales tax automatically to all purchases in Europe (unlike most other pay & download services).
Here in the UK it adds the full 17.5% VAT on top. You can get the Orange box cheaper through Amazon but beta access and Peggle make the Steam version better value in my eyes.

Re:

[toolie]

You can [steampowered.com] get just the new stuff.

Re:

[GeckoX]

What? Don't be a prick about it, sheesh, obviously there would be no way to please you except to just give it to you for free.

Orange box is a wicked deal if you want more than one piece of what is in the bundle. Just so happens that the less of the bundle parts you already own, the more of a deal it is. Doesn't mean it's not still a deal.

You can buy the pieces by themselves, or buy the bundle if the price of the pieces you want individually is more than orange box. How is that kicking you in the balls?

Fuck

Re:

[7grain]

I am reluctant to position myself in front of your tirade, but the original poster is quite correct on one key point. Today, now, you can't buy the individual games. You can buy the Orange Box collection, or one of the massive game packs that they offer. The page you referenced lists the individual prices, yes, but today, now, you can't buy them that way. (Try it - it takes you to the bundles page.) Try as I might, I can't buy just Epsidode 2 or Portal.

They are allowing customers of Orange Box to electron

Re:

[toolie]

Thats because the games aren't released yet. They will be available separately as soon as they go live. The bundle can be pre-ordered for two reasons:

1) Access to TF2 Beta
2) $5 discount on the pre-order.

Re:

[7grain]

...and because people will pay more for the bundle in anticipation. I hear what you're saying, but last time around, I could pre-order the individual games.

Re:

[Methuseus]

Yeah, but it costs more to buy that way. Especially for me, as I haven't picked up Ep 1 yet, but have HL2 that I paid full price for.

Re:

[BarneyL]

Check your own link, that is for the bundle. Sure Valve made up unreasonable prices for each part but where can you get those parts because it's not on steam.
Also note how they quote the price of HL2 as $29.99 (when it's actually $19.99 on steam) and Ep1 as $19.99 ($9.99 on Steam). The two together can be had for $24.99 on Steam.

err? redundant??

[damn_registrars]

I'm not sure how my comment was redundant. Perhaps if there was a 'smart-ass' tag, I could understand that. But redundant? With what? I was trying to point out that the slashdot introduction for the article was written poorly - namely that someone left a tag hanging open that mucked up the meaning of the intro for me and the 4 other slashdot readers who don't play half-life.

Orange Box Turns Gold

[MrYotsuya]

Oh no! I already pre-ordered the Orange box, will I still get it? Will a Gold Box cost more?

Re:

[Eudial]

I ordered a golden orange box
I thought it was Fort Knox
With quite a lot less locks
Turns out it was all a hoax
Got someone's dirty socks
They gave me chicken pox

Re: Orange Box Turns Gold

[Kingrames]

Not if your alchemy skill is high enough.

Re:

[p0tat03]

Yes, the Gold Box will cost more, come with a miniature HEV suit large enough to fit a cat, and scratch your discs while it's at it. :D

Working well

[ahoehn]

While there are some problems with Steam (I'm bothered by the fact that it's impossible to call and talk to a person about either technical support issues or sales support issues) their release pattern for the Orange Box has been great.

As soon as I purchased it I was able to download the TF2 beta and begin playing. Every day or two there have been little updates that increase performance and decrease crashing. What's not to love? It'd be a pain if my statistics didn't transfer over from the beta to the f

Re:

[Some_Llama]

"I might have to break down and buy some new hardware."

what are you running? Runs fine for me but i have seen some servers that give me ~50 ping but incredible lag...

Freakin Sweet

[ObiWanStevobi]

I almost died laughing watching the TF2 previews [youtube.com]. I'm hoping I can put Halo down long enough to play it though.

For all the Orange Box Haters out There

[riffzifnab]

I was once one of you, pissed off at Valve for making me buy games I already owned. Then I came across the individual prices for the games.

HL2:EP2 $29.95
Portal $19.95
TF2 $29.95
----------------
Total: $79.95
OB: $44.95
----------------
Savings: $35.00

Plus you get HL1 & ep2 free to give to a friend (effectively free marketing for Valve as they have probably recouped dev. costs on HL1 & ep1). So quit yer complaining about "buying a game you already have". They are just using you to give it to a

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

The individual prices are highly inflated in order to make the Orange Box look like a good deal to the easily mislead.

Re:

[webheaded]

You wouldn't pay 30 dollars for Half Life 2 Episode 2? What do you want them to do, give it to you for free...why...oh wait...hey...they are. LOL!

Re:

[carterhawk001]

The black box was going to retail for $39.99, so as far as I'm concerned, I'm paying valve $10 for the privilege of giving the older games away to a friend, and thats some straight up bullshit right there. As soon as the courts make it firm and clear that valve's policy against selling the "gift games" is not legal, thats what I'm doing.

Not all that interested in Half-Life

[Conspiracy_Of_Doves]

I'm far more interested in Portal, on the other hand.

Team Fortress 2

[fatboyslack]

I'm loving playing that at the moment...

Good times!