HL2 is avail. for steam preLoading

[P5-133XL]

HL2 is now available (Hurray!) for PreLoading through Steam (Yuk). If you are interested in HL2 or its variations (Counter-strike) then this will be the quickest you can get it. You will also want to DL it now before the massive rush.

[Mercutio]

I'm waiting for a box I can buy in the store.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY deeply hate Steam. I despise the reliance on a high-speed internet connection and the assumption that I want to constantly download their updates. I hate its moronic interface.

What if I like the game as it was two patch-levels ago?

I realized last week I have four of the ATI coupons for HL2. I've decided I'm not going to use any of them. If I'm forced to do anything more than activate the boxed copy online, I'm taking the goddamn thing back.

[Handruin]

Is it a demo available through steam, or something else?

[freeborn]

From what I've read its the sounds, artwork, etc. No executable yet. Still, I'm debating beginning the download since it is about 2.3 GB and that would take a bit of time to download.

Free

[freeborn]

I'm waiting for a box I can buy in the store.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY deeply hate Steam. I despise the reliance on a high-speed internet connection and the assumption that I want to constantly download their updates. I hate its moronic interface.

What if I like the game as it was two patch-levels ago?

I realized last week I have four of the ATI coupons for HL2. I've decided I'm not going to use any of them. If I'm forced to do anything more than activate the boxed copy online, I'm taking the goddamn thing back.

Out of morbid curiosity, what is there in existence today be it hardware or software that you do not hate? 8)
Free

[Mercutio]

Um... I'm alright with screws.

Usually.

[P5-133XL]

Even when they decide to drop down into something that is particularly hard to see/remove?

[Mercutio]

See, that's when I feel the need to visit storageforum to make yet another of my famous "anti-Philips-Head" rants.

[Handruin]

I was able to DL HL2 today. It's torture to have it on my system and not being able to play it...

[Mercutio]

Er... my understanding is that you have a bunch of model and map files. No executables.

I don't know how much models and map files are without a game to go with.

[Handruin]

I have no clue what was downloaded from steam, I thought it was the game.

[freeborn]

Er... my understanding is that you have a bunch of model and map files. No executables.

I don't know how much models and map files are without a game to go with.

Yep, that's what I heard as well. Saying that though, I let my computer download it while I was out running errands so the preload is ready and waiting on my gaming rig now. Hopefully the executable portion is small when they release and I can be up and running quickly. I also hope that they will offer a "Download now and we'll send you the box later" option but we shall see.

Free

[Handruin]

I didn't read up on it until now. The pre-load downloaded the file named "base source shared materials.gcf" which is just a shy over a gig. I'll probably still buy the retail box, just because I'm a freak like that. Man if this comes out tomorrow...I already took Tuesday off from work, that would be very nice.

[sechs]

This is better than shipping a piece of crap in a box and patching it. Now people download crap that can't even remotely run and wait for the "patch" to make it work.

I was at the last "company" meeting for EA.com before it was assimilated back into the rest of the company. One of the questions during asked was, "When do we expect to begin delivering regular [not specifically online] games via download?" The response was, "We've looked into it, and, basically, why would you pay money to spend two hours, at best, downloading a game, when you could just pop over to the store to buy it?"

[Handruin]

http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/18/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm


Valve announced Monday that "Half-Life 2," one of the year's most anticipated titles, would go on sale worldwide Nov. 16.


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