Is it better to buy HL2 online or in stores?

[jman19]

I'm really only interested in HL2 and CS:Source at the moment, so I'd be looking at the Bronze package. Is there a reason to download it off Stream and play it over having the physical copies and disk?

 

[BlueWeasel]

I think the Silver Package thru Steam is the best value. You get the original HL with the expansions/mods plus HL2, CSS, and Day of Defeat when it comes out.

If you're certain you only want HL2 and CSS, then either the Bronze package or retail version is fine. But, expect to have to pay to get DOD if you ever want to play it.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I think the Silver Package thru Steam is the best value. You get the original HL with the expansions/mods plus HL2, CSS, and Day of Defeat when it comes out.

If you're certain you only want HL2 and CSS, then either the Bronze package or retail version is fine. But, expect to have to pay to get DOD if you ever want to play it.

Well, I guess I may want DOD eventually. I suppose I'm just unaccumstomed to the idea of not having a physical copy of the software you're buying. Is buying and downloading this game off Steam a mostly trouble-free process, and if I do buy it off of Steam, is there an easy way to make a copy of the game to a CD/DVD? Thanks.

 

[LeonarD26]

I'm curious too. Newegg has the retaiil version for $29.99 now. That's a great deal. When the deal with DOD?? Thanks!

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I think the Silver Package thru Steam is the best value. You get the original HL with the expansions/mods plus HL2, CSS, and Day of Defeat when it comes out.

If you're certain you only want HL2 and CSS, then either the Bronze package or retail version is fine. But, expect to have to pay to get DOD if you ever want to play it.

Well, I guess I may want DOD eventually. I suppose I'm just unaccumstomed to the idea of not having a physical copy of the software you're buying. Is buying and downloading this game off Steam a mostly trouble-free process, and if I do buy it off of Steam, is there an easy way to make a copy of the game to a CD/DVD? Thanks.

Yep, it was pretty trouble-free for me when I did it around Christmas and backing up to a DVD was pretty easy. I installed HL1, all it's expansions, HL2 and CS:S, and then created compressed RAR files from the Steam data files.

After compressing them, I was able to put all the RAR'ed files on a single DVD. Now, if I ever have to reinstall from scratch, I can simply copy the data files back into the Steam directory. That way, the only thing that has to be downloaded is updated patches and new files. Check out the Steam website and forums for directions on how to do this.

I've heard a rumor that DOD might cost those with the retail or Bronze packages $10 bucks or so...but I don't know if that's a fact or not.

If you don't care about the HL1 files, then the $30 HL2 retail package at Newegg is an excellent deal.

[EDIT]
Forgot to mention that the newer versions of Steam have a backup wizard for doing just that. Just select whether you are backing up to CD or DVD, and it will backup up the data files for the selected size. Back when I first backed it up, this feature wasn't available.

 

[Bateluer]

I believe Valve gets almost all the profit when you purchase a copy through Steam, as well.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I believe Valve gets almost all the profit when you purchase a copy through Steam, as well.

yea i would think so also since they dont have to pay publishing fees to get it on steam

 

[Mik3y]

i dont think the new dod will be coming out. it's been like a year. friggin A. i've been waiting for it since i got HL2.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Get it thru STEAM, get the silver package, it includes everything in Valves catelog. Bronze is only HL2 and CS:Source. Much better deal to get silver. If you buy the retail version you will have to have the CD in to play it despite the fact that it works thru steam. You can even download it thru steam when you buy it and burn it off to CD/DVD if you like to have a hard copy.

 

[etalns]

Buy it online, extremely painless process.

It's also better, because if you ever lose the physical game you're SOL, whereas, with steam you can just download it again.

Not to mention, it's good to support the companies that actually design the game!

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Qosis
Buy it online, extremely painless process.

It's also better, because if you ever lose the physical game you're SOL, whereas, with steam you can just download it again.

Not to mention, it's good to support the companies that actually design the game!

instead of the company that trys to steal ownership of the game from the makers via lawuit

Text

 

[PlasticJesus]

A minor point I know, but it's been many months since you've had to have the disc in in order to play the retail version.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: PlasticJesus
A minor point I know, but it's been many months since you've had to have the disc in in order to play the retail version.

True that...When HL2 first came out I bought one retail (CE)version and one through steam. It was an absolute major annoyance (to me) that the retail version required the CD to play but the downloaded version did not. They rectified that inequity within 2 or 3 weeks if I remember correctly.

Also, if you buy the retail version and do lose the CDs, you can STILL always download the game as well as play the game from any internet connected computer anywhere via logging on to your steam account. Same is true for the downloaded version.

One more point to correct some misconceptions here...any version you buy is easily backed up via a built-in utility provided by steam. You can back up your game files to your hard drive and/or burn them directly to DVD or a multi-span set of CDs. It walks you right through the process. Of course, since you can always download your games from any internet computer anywhere at any time, backing up your game files only serves the purpose of not having to download them again.

The only other issue to consider when deciding which version to buy is if your ever want to sell the game. I think Valve says you can't resell, but that's up to you. People have sold their game,but keep in mind that you have to provide them with your steam account information (whether it's retail or downloaded), username and password which they would then change. A buyer might prefer to get a retatil set of CDs and packaging from you.

All in all, it's probably easier (and perhaps a better deal) to just get the downloaded version.

 

[luigi1]

Just to chime in. I bought through steam on line and went through a hard drive format after. If you remeber your user name and email name/password steam will reinstall all that youve bought (in the background no less). I am very sastified with the way steam operates and consider it safer than having a cd and you can burn a cd if you want. I consider it a no brainer. If you want these games steam is the way to go.

 

[jman19]

Thanks everyone for your advice, looks like I'll be purchasing through Steam :beer:

EDIT: Got the Silver package, HL2 is updating as I type this :thumbsup: