HL2 preload begins Aug 17th

[Tom]

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31245&page=1&pp=15

Basically, for steam users, their computer will begin preloading textures, sounds, etc, stuff that won't change between now and the game going gold. Its a good plan, to ease congestion on the steam network when the game is released.

Hopefully, it means that the game isn't far away

 

[mank!]

Will you still be able to buy HL2 on CD then?

 

[Tom]

Yeah, but I think the price of the game over Steam will be cheaper for us (makes more profit for them as well). Valve say that the release date will be the same for all versions.

 

[nath]

For *us*? I'm not on steam - I have no idea what it is, someone please explain :\

I do own a legitimate copy of Half Life, I've just not used it in years.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Will Steam just do this automatically, or will we need to tell it to start?

RB

 

[Tom]

Nah, it will just do it automatically.

Nath, steam is a content distribution system for games on the HL platform. Basically, if you want to play any HL mod online now, you have to do it through Steam, as WON no longer exists.

Any new patches, new versions of cs, etc, they are all done automatically through Steam, without user intervention.

www.steampowered.com free download if you own HL.

 

[Bodhi]

Hmmm, download bits of HL2 or buy all of Doom 3.




That is a toughie.....

 

[nath]

lol, come on John - don't you ever get bored of being so damned obnoxious?

And that's not an exlusive or, either.

 

[wyrd_fish]

teh CS Source beta preloads soon as well \o/ (for all of you who have a HL2 voucher(moi \o/) from ati or are on there internet cafe program)

 

[nath]

OK I understand the concept of Steam now - but what's this about HL2 gradually coming down through it? What, you'll slowly install it via Steam, or it'll be an update for Half Life or what?

 

[fatbusinessman]

lol, come on John - don't you ever get bored of being so damned obnoxious?

Stupid question. This man is the physical embodiment of obnoxious

 

[old.user4556]

Imagine:

"Gabe Newall confirmed today that the second part of the streaming HL2 install, due to be delivered via steam, has been delayed"

Man, the uproar .

 

[Tom]

OK I understand the concept of Steam now - but what's this about HL2 gradually coming down through it? What, you'll slowly install it via Steam, or it'll be an update for Half Life or what?

It will install much of the game that will not be affected by any changes to the release candidate (which is being tested now). Textures, music, things that don't tend to be bugged. Basically, if everyone starts downloading huge chunks of this stuff before the game is released, it will make life easier for the network when the game hits the shelves.

It also serves the purpose of testing the limits of the steam network. If the network fails this test, its less annoying for people than it would be if the network failed on release day. Counterstrike source is also being loaded via steam onto certain computers, so its really a very good way of seeing how Steam can hold up when so many people are downloading from it.

This isn't an update to HL1, its a totally new game, and yes you'll have to pay for it. AFAIK the encryption on the pre-loaded content is 32-bit, and totally secure, so you won't be able to see hacked images and stuff

 

[mookie]

Counterstrike:source is cs with the hl2 engine yes? is it a mod like the first cs was for hl1 that will be freely downloadable or is it a standalone product? if so whats the cost?

also, if i have a free hl2 voucher from my ati graphics card, will i be able to use that to get hl2 on release day from steam, instead of sending off all sorts of shit and proof of purchase to ati in the US and waiting 6-8 weeks for the cd to get to me?

 

[nath]

So basically you can actually buy HL2 from steam - when it's fully released, will you be able to download a package that you can burn to CD so you can uninstall/reinstall without the need for a net connection?

 

[Tom]

Yeah, you can burn all the cache files from the steam dir onto a cd or two. You can't play the game without a CDkey though (just like HL1).

 

[nath]

Sounds good. It's always nice to have the box etc, but I have plenty of DVD cases and a decent enough printer, so I'll just make it look authentic. Any idea what it'll cost on steam?

Tbh - I think cheaper games sans media could be the way forward. I'd probably have bought Doom 3 if it was available on the day of release that way.

 

[Bodhi]

Bittorrent > Steam.

 

[nath]

Bittorrent > nil.

It's utterly turd tbh - as I said elsewhere, newsgroups > *.

 

[Bodhi]

Pfft. It's only cos your router sucks ass. You took me 4 months to get me that Wipeout soundtrack!

 

[Tom]

Bittorrent doesn't allow you to play it online. And AFAIK you need a valid CDkey to authenticate with Steam to play offline, although no doubt that will be hacked pretty quickly.

 

[Bodhi]

First things first, lol at your new description. A man with an eye for detail I see!


I had a point, then I started thinking about Doom 3 again. Hmmm.

Go Sony!


Or something.

 

[fatbusinessman]

Counterstrike:source is cs with the hl2 engine yes? is it a mod like the first cs was for hl1 that will be freely downloadable or is it a standalone product? if so whats the cost?

Yes, it's a free mod for HL2. Even better, you probably won't even have to download it - I read somewhere that Valve are planning on releasing it on the CD with HL2.

 

[dysfunction]

Yes, it's a free mod for HL2. Even better, you probably won't even have to download it - I read somewhere that Valve are planning on releasing it on the CD with HL2.

Thats very good news indeed!

Games Planet went and cancelled my Doom3 order....and their reason?

Nothing!

 

[Mr.Bee]

Counterstrike:source is cs with the hl2 engine yes? is it a mod like the first cs was for hl1 that will be freely downloadable or is it a standalone product? if so whats the cost?

also, if i have a free hl2 voucher from my ati graphics card, will i be able to use that to get hl2 on release day from steam, instead of sending off all sorts of shit and proof of purchase to ati in the US and waiting 6-8 weeks for the cd to get to me?

when i registered the voucher there were a few options, one involving sending the gfx card box serial no etc (allow for 4-6 weeks WTF?) or downloading from steam when it came out. of course I chose to download it from steam....unfortuantly I no longer have broadband so im screwed

 

[mookie]

when i registered the voucher there were a few options, one involving sending the gfx card box serial no etc (allow for 4-6 weeks WTF?) or downloading from steam when it came out. of course I chose to download it from steam....unfortuantly I no longer have broadband so im screwed

IIRC, the only options i remember seeing was to send off with PoP and get HL2 mailed you you hardcopy, or download HL1 and all the goodies from steam, now for free instead. I'll dig out the coupon tomorrow and check it out

edit

here we go

Special Offer:
When you buy the new RADEON™ 9800 XT you will get a FREE copy of Half-Life® 2 once the game is released and available through retail. Until then, Valve and ATI are offering the Valve Premier Pack free, which includes the games: Half-Life, Counter Strike, Team Fortress Classic, Deathmatch Classic, Half-Life: Opposing Force and Ricochet. This is a limited time bonus offer that expires once Half-Life 2 is available

have i read that right? either hl1 now OR hl2 whenever, or hl1 now AND still get hl2 whenever it's released?

 

[throdgrain]

Most of that stuff id free with one cd key from half life (#1)
But im pissed and cba to read all of it, so ill just say this, CS:source will be betterthan everything, HL2 included, and will keep loads of us playing for years to come
So saeth Uncle throdgrain

 

[Mr.Bee]

have i read that right? either hl1 now OR hl2 whenever, or hl1 now AND still get hl2 whenever it's released?

also says :- (from http://www.atihl2offer.com/)

...Use of the Valve Premier Pack requires an Internet connection and is subject to acceptance of the STEAM Subscriber Agreement. Of course, you are still entitled to a free copy of Half-Life® 2 when it is released.

 

[mookie]

also says :- (from http://www.atihl2offer.com/)

...Use of the Valve Premier Pack requires an Internet connection and is subject to acceptance of the STEAM Subscriber Agreement. Of course, you are still entitled to a free copy of Half-Life® 2 when it is released.

ahhh excellent. last time i tried steam it said that my CD key was already in use by some other stealing ****. may as well get a new one and play some CS for old times sake

 

[throdgrain]

Steam actually works really well 99% of the time, I have cs cs:ztfc and all sorts on it, it updates regularly, all is good