What does Kyle mean over at [H]ard|OCP (about bundle)

[Zebo]

Half-Life 2 Bundle:




Half Life 2 will be shipping IN THE BOX (This has now officially changed to COUPON IN THE BOX - 10/01/03 - Kyle) with the 9800XT AND the 9600XT. This is the full retail version, no demo, no shareware, this is the retail version of the game. This is big news folks, especially on the 9600XT. At $199 that is a very appealing offer for many.

With the recent delays reported by ShackNews we are unsure of how the game will actually be supplied at the time of writing this.

Also this is a worthy mention as well. While we have been specifically told of the game shipping with the newer XT cards, the slide above seems to hint that all Radeon branded cards from ATI might be shipping with the game. When we asked ATI about this, they said it was a possibility but the details were not far enough along to comment on it.

Coupon? Does this mean you'll have to send away for the game or take the coupon to register for free game on the spot?

 

[Corporate Thug]

possibly redeamable at local B&M like bestbuy or something like that

 

[Zebo]

Sho better be or not much of a "bundle" if you ask me since I won't be waiting.

Man you have a lot of posts 50+ a day, your eyes must be on fire and a serius case of carpel

 

[MDE]

A coupon is better than nothing at all. At least they aren't holding the cards back for the game's release.

 

[tenoc]

The coupon may also be usable for down-loading - although that might not be a great option for dial-up folks.

 

[Pete]

It sounds like you'll have to mail away for the game, and pay for shipping. This potentially makes it a not-so-great deal, depending on how much they charge for shipping.

 

[DefRef]

It'd be funny if all the ATI fan chimps rush out to buy the 9800XT to get the coupon for whenever Valve decides to start practicing basic network security and while they were waiting, the NV40 comes out and rules the Universe and owns ATI. Heh.

 

[GiBro]

Check it out!

One way or another, people who buy the XT series will get a free copy. Either from D/L, mail, or wutever. Does it really matter??? Its a free copy. 60-70 bucks saved!!

*fixed link

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: GiBro
Check it out!

One way or another, people who buy the XT series will get a free copy. Either from D/L, mail, or wutever. Does it really matter??? Its a free copy. 60-70 bucks saved!!

*fixed link

uh...$49.99 USD

and download is bad idea

 

[Pete]

Actually, Nordic Hardware (in their 9800XT review) made it quite clear that ATi will only be including the single player portion of HL2. MP will require a separate purchase, it seems. And we all know a big part of why HL is so popular is the incredible range of quality, free mods. We'll see what Valve does with HL2's MP portion....

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: GiBro
Check it out!

One way or another, people who buy the XT series will get a free copy. Either from D/L, mail, or wutever. Does it really matter??? Its a free copy. 60-70 bucks saved!!

*fixed link

Yes it matters. I want a full retail copy of the game the day it's released. With a manual.

1. If it's D/L, while presumaby could be same day, a signifigant percentage will not even be able to get it because they don't have broad band and server loads. But certainly no manual and no disk. IMO this is half-assed not half-life.

2. Mail" In addition to extra shipping charges, which really does'nt make it "free" or "bundled" IMO, you have a signifigant and unknown wait time which is unacceptable when you non card buyers are playing it buy simply going to Best Buy and I'm not.

I need a 9800pro anyhow but with this news I see little reason to wait for the "bundle" and will probably order the 9800 after reseaching which manufacture is best and simply buy a full retail version of HL2 the day it's released. Which i'm sure wil make ati and valve happier, more $, anyway.

 

[WicKeD]

Originally posted by: MonkeyDriveExpress
A coupon is better than nothing at all. At least they aren't holding the cards back for the game's release.

Thank god they are not holding the cards back, or they would be waiting till April 2004 to sell them.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Pete
Actually, Nordic Hardware (in their 9800XT review) made it quite clear that ATi will only be including the single player portion of HL2. MP will require a separate purchase, it seems. And we all know a big part of why HL is so popular is the incredible range of quality, free mods. We'll see what Valve does with HL2's MP portion....

heres hoping it wont be evil
heres guessing that it will be though...

 

[GiBro]

I highly doubt the version that comes with the cards will only be single player. If it is, this is where Ive heard that the steam method would apply to this, thus the first reason of having HL2 pushed back. (before this hack issue). I've also read somewhere that the coupons will have a scratch portion in which once scratched there will be a key for you to use when/if you download patches to make your copy multi player.

When i said $70 i meant CDN dollars... not us.


But seeing that everyone is saying that this will be pushed back, i mean waaaaay back... maybe nothing at all now.