Most of you will have found out via Steam by now but for those who are experiencing the "reconnection needed" bug, here is a small news story, Half-Life 2 Pre-Orders are happening as we speak. Allow Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of Half-Life 2 Gold merchandise... reads the notice on Valve's Steampowered website.
Valve are shaking their finger at doomsayers who were claiming that the feud with Vivendi would delay the release of Half-Life 2, by putting the game up for Pre-Order through Steam in 3 different packages. This, of course, if the pre-order is an authorized move and not some form of pressure tactic that Valve has come up against Vivendi. It would be unfortunate if the latter is the case since that would mean that H-L 2s fans are being used as a means of securing funds and/or pressure against their publisher. A happier thought however, is that Valve and publisher have reached some form of, initial at least, agreement and are planning a spectacular release for Half-Life 2.
According to gamers who have already pre-ordered the game, the process is fairly smooth and once finished, allows the user to immediately access CS:S, while Day of Defeat : Source and Half-Life : Source are marked as Coming Soon.
Valve have included however, a disclaimer which reads This is an unreleased product and will be made available to purchasers upon its release. The release date for this product is uncertain and purchasers should not rely on any estimated release date.
For those of you interested, the Half-Life 2 Pre-Order options are as follows:
HALF-LIFE 2 GOLD (USD 89.95)
INCLUDES:
- Half-Life 2
- Counter-Strike:Source
- Half-Life 1: Source
- Day of Defeat: Source
- Valve's back catalog available.
HL2 Merchandise:
- HL2 posters (3 total)
- HL2 hat
- HL2 soundtrack
- HL2 sticker
- City 17 postcard
- Prima's HL2 strat guide
- Special collector's box
- Chance to win trip to Valve!
HALF-LIFE 2 SILVER (59.95)
INCLUDES:
- Half-Life 2
- Counter-Strike: Source
- Half-Life 1: Source
- Day of Defeat: Source
- PLUS: Valve's back catalog available on Steam!
HALF-LIFE 2 BRONZE (USD 49.95)
INCLUDES:
- Half-Life 2
- Counter-Strike: Source
To pre-order Half-Life 2 folloe the download link above. Be warned, watching Half-Life 2 servers popping up everywhere around you while the game is not yet available can be very frustrating.