Preorder the Orange Box Now

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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649042:date=Sep 12 2007, 11:26 AM:name=Thansal)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Thansal @ Sep 12 2007, 11:26 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649042"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Tycho, is your problem that they are overcharging for the individual games, or that they are only selling a bundle w/ HL2+EP1?

    If you take issue at them only selling the bundle w/ HL2+EP1 it is kinda silly, as the bundle is cheaper then the individual games.

    If you take issue with the price points for the games then that is a different matter and completely unrelated to the bundle....

    I know some people think that EP2 and TF2 are not worth $30. Personally, I think that TF2 is worth $30, and EP2 is worth $30 (assuming it is actually significantly longer then EP1 was). And portal is probably worth $20 (if the length is the same as, or greater, then EP1). Also, I remember a good amount of mumbling about making mapping for Portal incredibly simple, if somethign came of that then portal will likely surpass the $20 mark with user content.

    Sure, it would be nice if they sold the Black Box at $40, but I am happy with a discount of $30 instead of $40 (or $20/$10/whatever if you think that the 3 games are not worth their asking price).

    Heck, if you think that EP2 and Portal are only worth $20 and TF2 is only worth $10, then you would be paying EXACTLY what you think it is worth (and a $5 discount for preordering).
    Meh.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It's both, in a way. My pricing woes are as such:

    Team Fortress 2 is $30. Red Orchestra, Counterstrike: Source and Day of Defeat: Source are other multiplayer only team based games available via download over Steam. Those 3 games are all $20 and have more maps than TF2 does. I know Valve says they'll continue to support it (when's the last time you got a CS:S or DoD:S map?) but $10 more than everyone else for fewer maps means, well... at this point I'm pretty sure the game's going to be awesome. I'm just not in love with the price point.

    Episode 2 is $30. Episode 1 was $20. I know Episode 2 is supposed to be longer and, depending on what kind of gameplay you like, better (or at least different). But is it really going to be $10 better than Episode 1? It's possible, so I'm sort of witholding final judgment until I play it, but another $10 is jacking up the price 50%. That's a good chunk of the price.

    Portal is $20. Portal looks <i>awesome</i> and like you mentioned, if making maps is super easy I can see myself getting a lot of value out of that. But what if mapping for Portal isn't easy and we mostly just get what comes in the figurative box? Well, it definitely looks awesome, but almost every recent preview makes sure to mention it's a very short game, and a puzzle doesn't have a lot of replay value. Not many people forget the solutions to the degree that a second playthrough is just as fun as the first. I like the concept, I like the humor, but do I like the price considering the length and replayability? We'll see.

    And then there's the whole "bundled with HL2 and Ep1" deal which I think has been discussed a ton already, through (but not limited to) my grocery store analogy that I copied from lolf. When it comes right down to it, I'm actually pretty happy with $40 for TF2/Portal/Ep2. What I'm <i>not</i> happy with is the $70 I paid for HL2/Ep1. I think that could net me at least a $5 discount or something on the Orange Box.

    And MedHead, if Valve/Steam ever went belly-up you could just crack the games you bought like a dirty rotten pirate. Bada-bing, everyone wins, and in the time period <i>until</i> it goes belly up (ie forever) you never have to worry about losing or scratching a disc, misplacing a CD key, bringing the game with you to install on different computers, etc.
  • ConfusedConfused Wait. What? Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12904Members, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester
    edited September 2007
    Not to quibble over weather or not a the bundle is worth it But, it would appear, unless my <b>maths teacher</b> was a total moron, that in fact 30+ 30 + 20 is in fact greater that 45. Which, thus, make the whole thing worth buying. Unless, of course you wanted less than two of the games above in which case it isn't worth owning. Because the purchase price of any two of those games is greater than the whole value. Unless of course you actually need hl2 in which case you actually are even getting a better deal.

    Additionally, it would appear that the price of 30$ for a game is not all that bad given that <b>I paid more than that for beer and dinner last night</b> and will likely do the same again tonight, as I seem to have failed to take a certain red headed girl to lunch today. Now, that said, dropping 45$ for a game or two, let alone three, seems like an easy choice

    <div align="center"><img src="http://dev.podded.us/images/lol%20copy2.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    The above image illustrates conclusively why you should likely buy the orange box.
    <!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->I'm not really clear as to who the guy in the middle is it might be me right now or maybe tycho but he doesn't seem all that involved in the argument i just made.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></div>

    edit: i suck at English.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    Lately I've been getting to be more of a spendthrift, but I'm still at heart a cheapskate. $30 on dinner is way more than I'd ever spend. You're right about the bundle being a good deal based on the individual prices, but it's the individual prices that I'm not too happy with. They seem a little high. I will of course withold final judgment until I play the games, though. Valve hasn't really ever let me down.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    The people complaining about the bundle are playing silly buggers.

    The people complaining about the prices have a decent point (possibly), but that is purely down to what YOU think are good prices.

    The fact that the little dude on the Right is drinking Stout makes him the Winar of this thread.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    Are HL2 and EP1 even really included in the price for the orange box? I figured that the EP2/portal/tf2 package was just $45 by itself, with HL2 and EP1 being free.

    Also, worrying about steam dying out and you losing all your games is probably one of the most ridiculous things ever. Honestly, steam has the monopoly on the digital distribution market right now and I can only imagine that business is going to flourish in the future. It's like complaining about building a house because the earth is inevitably going to burn up.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649065:date=Sep 12 2007, 01:25 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Sep 12 2007, 01:25 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649065"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Are HL2 and EP1 even really included in the price for the orange box? I figured that the EP2/portal/tf2 package was just $45 by itself, with HL2 and EP1 being free.

    Also, worrying about steam dying out and you losing all your games is probably one of the most ridiculous things ever. Honestly, steam has the monopoly on the digital distribution market right now and I can only imagine that business is going to flourish in the future. It's like complaining about building a house because the earth is inevitably going to burn up.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That's one way to look at it. Another way is to think about the $70 you spent on HL2 and Ep1 and wonder why that doesn't net you any kind of discount or something.

    Really it's sort of moot since I've already bought it but I was just miffed because I thought the Black Box being canceled was just a retail shelves thing, not a digital distribution thing too.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    edited September 2007
    reading this thread has stoled several minutes of my life.

    face it - all games go down in price over time, be it in straight price drop on the single game, or via them appearing to be worthless thanks to bundling. if you always want the best bargains, don't play new releases. wait 2 to 4 years and that $60 game will be $10.

    this is my analogy:

    <img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/09/morphcat-lol.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

    you see, when you acquire the morph ball, it's usually, just, like, sitting there on a pedistal in the first room of a metroid game. the fact that it's a freebie doesn't make it any less cool.

    ok, I admit it - I was just looking for an excuse to post that picture.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    edited September 2007
    Would everyone still be as upset if it didn't include HL2 and EP1 but it was still $45? Just something to think about...
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    I'm with Xyth on this one. Besides, I know someone who'll like my extra copies.
  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    It is a bit annoying that I have extra copies of a game that I need to give away (since if they ended up liking HL2 and Ep1 they'd have to buy the Orange box and have extra copies left over and such) and I probably wouldn't fret too much about paying $45 for TF2, Portal, and Ep2. I also am not going to get worked up over it anymore. I was a bit annoyed when they said they weren't going to do the black box anymore but I got over that a long time ago.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Esh, I had a fun afternoon. No regrets.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649110:date=Sep 12 2007, 04:53 PM:name=KungFuDiscoMonkey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KungFuDiscoMonkey @ Sep 12 2007, 04:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649110"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It is a bit annoying that I have extra copies of a game that I need to give away (<b>since if they ended up liking HL2 and Ep1 they'd have to buy the Orange box and have extra copies left over and such</b>) and I probably wouldn't fret too much about paying $45 for TF2, Portal, and Ep2. I also am not going to get worked up over it anymore. I was a bit annoyed when they said they weren't going to do the black box anymore but I got over that a long time ago.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That's actually a really interesting observation... I give props to Valve, that's a really interesting marketing scheme. Allowing friends to almost infect each other with a game...
  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    <!--quoteo(post=1649121:date=Sep 12 2007, 05:09 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Sep 12 2007, 05:09 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649121"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That's actually a really interesting observation... I give props to Valve, that's a really interesting marketing scheme. Allowing friends to almost infect each other with a game...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I wouldn't be too surprised if that was part of the reasoning behind the gift copies of the game. It would make sense.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649070:date=Sep 12 2007, 12:33 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 12 2007, 12:33 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649070"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That's one way to look at it. Another way is to think about the $70 you spent on HL2 and Ep1 and wonder why that doesn't net you any kind of discount or something.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It nets your friends a free copy of HL2 and Episode 1.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    I actually got HL2 for free. It came with my Radeon 9800 xt.... wow that was a long time ago.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649124:date=Sep 12 2007, 05:02 PM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Sep 12 2007, 05:02 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649124"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It nets your friends a free copy of HL2 and Episode 1.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    This would be more applicable if

    1. I had friends (har just kidding)

    2. If my friends hadn't already bought HL2 because they're not stupid

    It seems like my reward for spending $70 on Valve's products instead of just waiting for them to be free is a couple games that I can really only give to someone silly enough not to already have played Half-Life 2, in which case they don't deserve my $70 worth of merchandise. Plus I got to play HL2 and Ep1 sooner than if I had waited, but that's secondary because you never know how long it's going to take for the price to go down.
  • TekdudeTekdude Join Date: 2003-04-13 Member: 15455Members, Constellation, Forum staff
    <!--quoteo(post=1649125:date=Sep 12 2007, 06:07 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Sep 12 2007, 06:07 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649125"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I actually got HL2 for free. It came with my Radeon 9800 xt.... wow that was a long time ago.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    So did I actually... I still have the little serial key card that came in the box. It's one of my most prized possessions, and some day I'll frame it and hang it on the wall in my office (if I ever get an office).
  • SurgeSurge asda4a3sklflkgh Join Date: 2002-07-14 Member: 944Members
    edited September 2007
    So.... how do we give our keys to someone else? I have a spare HL2 (not Ep1, I hadn't bought that yet. so basically I got more for my money than most! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />).

    edit: Ah, I'll be able to give the gift once the Orange Box launches. Also, my computer will barely run TF2 but I'll still play it. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649138:date=Sep 12 2007, 06:44 PM:name=Tekdude)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tekdude @ Sep 12 2007, 06:44 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649138"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->So did I actually... I still have the little serial key card that came in the box. It's one of my most prized possessions, and some day I'll frame it and hang it on the wall in my office (if I ever get an office).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Mine is already framed, hah.
  • pardzhpardzh Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1601Members
    I don't have Ep1, so this is kinda sweet, but I'd be buying the Orange Box regardless.
  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    For the record:

    Seriously guys, those of you who say "But I should be able to buy TF2/P/Ep2 alone(and some of you who say "...for $30!")" either need to get a grip, or get out of gaming in general. Ep2 was going to be $20, first day, period, 'cause thats what Ep1 was for. Portal is a small little minigame- a budget title with a big budget, really- so perhaps $10 to $20 itself. And Team Fortress 2 is not just a mod, like TFC was. Its basically a mutliplayer shooter based on the Source engine, but with the engine completely redone for Cel Shading, and with completely different gameplay from any Source game thus far. According to the games industry, that makes it...a full ######ing game. $30 at least, if not a full $50 on its own, depending on who you talk to.

    Jebus, the amount of pure ######ing and moaning is enough to make your head spin, angrily.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649189:date=Sep 12 2007, 10:56 PM:name=Quaunaut)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Quaunaut @ Sep 12 2007, 10:56 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649189"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->For the record:

    Seriously guys, those of you who say "But I should be able to buy TF2/P/Ep2 alone(and some of you who say "...for $30!")" either need to get a grip, or get out of gaming in general. Ep2 was going to be $20, first day, period, 'cause thats what Ep1 was for. Portal is a small little minigame- a budget title with a big budget, really- so perhaps $10 to $20 itself. And Team Fortress 2 is not just a mod, like TFC was. Its basically a mutliplayer shooter based on the Source engine, but with the engine completely redone for Cel Shading, and with completely different gameplay from any Source game thus far. According to the games industry, that makes it...a full ######ing game. $30 at least, if not a full $50 on its own, depending on who you talk to.

    Jebus, the amount of pure ######ing and moaning is enough to make your head spin, angrily.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Ep2 was going to be $20? It's $30. Portal should be $10 - 20? Well, it's $20, so I guess it's at the upper limit. And all the other multiplayer only games on the Source engine have been $20.

    And you're #######ing and moaning too.
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1649135:date=Sep 13 2007, 12:36 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 13 2007, 12:36 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649135"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->2. If my friends hadn't already bought HL2 because they're not stupid.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm sure you can find <i>someone</i> who doesn't already have it.
  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    "Wah wah wahhhh, I'm a stingy sphincter that would rather lose a limb than a buck."

    I'm going to have a lot of fun playing EP2 and Portal, TF2 will probably be a lot of fun too. I'm not going to fret about whether this deal presents the optimum amount of fun per dollar. I'll just enjoy the damn games and be on my way. I know a few people that haven't got HL2 or EP1 on their games list too, as a bonus.

    My TF2 preload finished this morning. Can't wait for monday. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    --Scythe--
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649135:date=Sep 12 2007, 04:36 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 12 2007, 04:36 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649135"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It seems like my reward for spending $70 on Valve's products...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Reward? Since when should you get a reward for buying something?
  • InsaneInsane Anomaly Join Date: 2002-05-13 Member: 605Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, NS2 Map Tester, Subnautica Developer, Pistachionauts, Future Perfect Developer
    <!--quoteo(post=1648971:date=Sep 12 2007, 01:39 PM:name=Tyrain)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrain @ Sep 12 2007, 01:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1648971"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You'll only be able to get the "free" versions from the other guys, when the orange box launches. Until then, no episode 1 hl2 for you.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I know.
  • RellixRellix Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13572Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Havent read the whole thread, but just to save some peopel buying it, every LAN cafe in the steam cafes program will also have access to the TF2 beta! But im still going to pre-order to save $5.
  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    I can't believe no one has addressed the infinitely more important question: when can I freaking play Portal?
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649235:date=Sep 13 2007, 03:59 AM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Sep 13 2007, 03:59 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649235"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Reward? Since when should you get a reward for buying something?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I was using the word "reward" ironically. Like, hooray, I get to be able to have copies of a game that I can give to someone else! As if that was anything to get excited about.
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1649311:date=Sep 13 2007, 09:05 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 13 2007, 09:05 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649311"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I was using the word "reward" ironically. Like, hooray, I get to be able to have copies of a game that I can give to someone else! As if that was anything to get excited about.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    If you have friends, it is!
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