Half-Life 2: Orange Box opening October 9

Valve will ship its PC, PS3, and 360 shooter compilation in the midst of the crowded fall season.

Gamers wondering what to do between Halo 3's September 25 release and Grand Theft Auto IV's October 16 ship date got their answer today. Valve Software has confirmed to GameSpot that it will release Half-Life 2: The Orange Box on October 9, putting it at the front end of an increasingly crowded holiday release season.

Half-Life 2: The Orange Box is being billed as a new way of selling games. The bundle compiles the critically acclaimed 2004 game Half-Life 2 with its Episode One and Episode Two (2007) expansions as well as two other games--the resurrected and reimagined Team Fortress 2 and the new dimension-hopping title Portal. Earlier this year, Valve canceled plans to release Half-Life 2: The Black Box, which consisted of the PC versions of Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal.

Half-Life 2: The Orange Box will be distributed by Electronic Arts via its EA Partners program. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions will retail for $59.99, while the PC edition will run for $49.99. The game has not yet been officially rated, though Half-Life 2 was rated M for Mature when it was released. GameSpot's previous coverage has more details on the games.

267 Comments

  • Brad2theBone237

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 6:50 am GMT

    Even if you are only remotely interested in Half-Life 2, this is one of the best deals I've ever seen. I would've paid $59.99 for Team Fortress 2 alone.

  • TEX-MEX

    Posted Jul 1, 2007 5:10 pm GMT

    They have annonced that the PS3 version is ready for release but that they havent finnished the 360 & PC version and they want too release them all at they same time... Soo thats said for the PS3 , lol.

  • SpeedMan72

    Posted Jun 28, 2007 9:47 pm GMT

    omg reckeweg u have never played half life and u call ur self a gamer!
    u havent lived till u played half life!

  • stenfisk

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 11:18 am GMT

    Reckeweg get thees games for your xbox 360 they are awesome!

  • timdabrat

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 5:44 am GMT

    Finally, a set date. huzah!

  • myketuna

    Posted Jun 20, 2007 5:24 am GMT

    reckeweg... hell yes.

  • Cobra5

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 10:00 pm GMT

    I'm glad that Console gamers are getting a chance to play the Half-life series now, personally its my favorite first-person-shooter franchise.

  • reckeweg

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 11:49 am GMT

    I have never played the half life series at all. Is this a worthy game to get for my 360

  • mister_dan

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 11:30 am GMT

    I think this is one of the most anticipated titles of the year because of the reputation and praise its prequels have recieved. I'm really looking forward to it myself... especially Team Fortress 2 and Portal. I think it makes the pack just that little bit more special!

  • mad0260

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 9:44 am GMT

    half life is home on pc, its not competing with those console games even though it comes for consoles too. I cant wait to see what happens with the story next...

  • NakedSnakeSS2G

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 7:27 am GMT

    I already got HL2 it will be a waste of money for that but I guess I can sell the cd key to someone.

    GT4 HALO3 will be much better than this though

  • andrew_ribbons

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 4:14 am GMT

    I'll probably get TeamFortress2, Episode 2 and Portal all through Steam either as a bundle, or seperately. They're all good games. Also, if i buy the retail edition, i can sell the licences for HL2 and Episode 1, to a friend who i know wants to buy them off me, as i'll offer than discount over Steam. Then he can get Episode 2 off steam. Either way, i'm getting these games, Valve never fails to make fantastic games, which don't just look great, but are FUN!

  • RobertBowen

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 3:28 am GMT

    I don't like Halo or the GTA series, so I won't be distracted at all when I play Half-Life 2: Episode 2. It's a shame they decided to ditch the Black Box, because that was the one I would have bought. I already have Half-Life 2 and Episode 1, so I don't really need to buy them again. As someone else said, bundling everything in a larger box seems to go against the idea of episodic content as well.

    I'll probably just get Episode 2 via Steam on its own now, and not bother with TF2 or Portal - if that's an option.

  • KandyKornMan

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 9:51 pm GMT

    yes I agree with you ldonyo and whoever else says its a bad idea.ive bought all the sam and max episodes only because its cheaper.didnt the sims have all these expansion packs with the original.then they decided to have them all in one package.if I can get episode 2 by itself then ill be happy.this does go against the episodic content way of distributing games.but wil episode 3 be the only thing out later I hope so.or will there be another box deal with hl2 again.

  • ForsbergFan21

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 2:53 pm GMT

    What happened to the Half-Life 2: Platinum?. It contained HL2, HL2 Episode 1, CS Source, DoD Source and HL1 Source etc but yet, this new nasty orange box doesn't contain DoD:S, CS:S and HL1: Source and to be honest, this is actually the reason why I haven't bought HL2 yet. I knew this would be coming after seeing how many bundles there were for the original HL even tho sierra published it back then but as we all know EA, they like milking some of their favorite franchises and releases every other year.

    Sorry, no complete package=no sale.

  • BILLNYE6983

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 2:41 pm GMT

    Sydwynder, "Are they serious? Releasing this game right between Halo 3 and GTA IV? Arguably the 2 biggest franchises in gaming today? People aren't going to need to find something to do in the weeks between Halo 3 and GTA IV, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PLAYING HALO 3 EVERY CHANCE THEY GET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, some planning on EA and Valve's part would have helped.........seriously this makes no sense.........."

    Well it's simple, first off GTA is a different genre, so fans will buy it no matter what, and Halo blows balls compared to HL... NOW does it make sense... I'm so happy there is now something shut up obnoxious Halo fans...

  • zaman48

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 2:22 pm GMT

    i dont mind this whole package thing at all, saying that the only game out of these i've ever owned is Half life 2. very good deal to me, and if you JUST want episode 2, you can still get it via Steam if your PC can run it. and i kinda doubt cs will ever come to consoles, dont think it would work well with a controller...

  • FAMILYGUYFAN17

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 12:54 pm GMT

    looks cool. im gonna have to buy that and GRAND THEFT AUTO IV.

  • Snake329

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 11:59 am GMT

    You get, what, 4 and a half games for the price of one? Count me in!

  • tayloramp609

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 11:26 am GMT

    No Half Life (1) Source, no CSS, DODS, or RO, no Lost Coast? No sale.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 11:06 am GMT

    That's an awesome deal!!

  • majin_vegeta300

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 9:10 am GMT

    october 9th, 2008 that is, then it will get delayed till June 5th 2009, and finally be released in November '09

  • Fire_of_Contee

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 8:02 am GMT

    I'll be all shot out after Halo and Half life on my 360, but i refuse to get GTA, i don't know, i've never really gotten into the series so technically i have room for another game in the September/October timeframe.

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 5:55 am GMT

    I give up on Half-Life and Valve a long time ago. Can't stand the big guy. He is full of crap. Stream will kick Retailers @rse. Nvidia are crap. PS3 suck! Just shut up and make games, BIG guy. Repackage two years old games while other developer move onto new IP. What is Orange's chance of standing up to Halo3, GTA and MGS. It is a bad sign for stream. Retailer's revenge. ahhahaaa

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 5:36 am GMT

    good price (PC) for a bundle of fun.

  • ldonyo

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 5:35 am GMT

    New way of selling games my ass. It's just a way of forcing people that already have HL2, and probably Episode One, to buy them all over again. If you can't get Episode Two a la carte vie Steam, then I won't be getting it at all. The whole point of episodic content is to buy the new content as it comes out, not buy everything that has already been released again just to get the new content. Valve has borrowed a page from EA's "screw the customer" play book on this one.

  • amogley

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 3:39 am GMT

    A date for the diary ... heard some really good things about episode 2 and Portal looks pretty novel. Looking forward to some Valve goodness.

  • Marill

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 11:33 pm GMT

    Halo who?

  • judge__judy

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 10:30 pm GMT

    I'd get half life 2 over halo anyday. I don't think I'll even buy a halo game ever and I'd say GTA4 is a far bigger franchise then halo and I will most likely get that too. Anyway I hope they put counter-strike source up for download or something(AND FREE) for PS3 and 360 half life 2 owners. But then again it might be totally killed playing with a controller. What was the xbox counter-strike like on a controller?????

  • vandrius

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 10:20 pm GMT

    Its because Halo is crud, and Half-Life is gold. Team Fortress 2 will eat Halo alive, over-hyped piece of MS doo-doo that it is.

    Go cry, nancy girls.

    *hides under a fire blanket and cackles madly*

  • CowbellFanatic

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 10:15 pm GMT

    I'm getting all 3.

  • DarkDamo

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 8:57 pm GMT

    GTA the biggest franchise....sure mate. I'll give you Halo (mostly) yet I wont give you GTA.

  • Sydwynder posted Jun 17, 2007 8:40 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Sydwynder

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 8:40 pm GMT (hide)

    Are they serious? Releasing this game right between Halo 3 and GTA IV? Arguably the 2 biggest franchises in gaming today? People aren't going to need to find something to do in the weeks between Halo 3 and GTA IV, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PLAYING HALO 3 EVERY CHANCE THEY GET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, some planning on EA and Valve's part would have helped.........seriously this makes no sense..........

  • Kamui_basic

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 8:12 pm GMT

    So can we still get a stand alone version of Episode 2 for $19.95??

  • mkurts

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 8:08 pm GMT

    Great big cashcow on the way for Valve.

    More money, less innovation.

  • RoC1909

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 7:04 pm GMT

    @kappareign

    Amen. While I understand the concept of developers / publishers wanting to get games out while people are willing to spend money more on others than themselves, the Holiday season has become so competitive that I can't see how they lose 'some' money on competitors getting their product 'to the shelves' before others. Quite strange how the retail / sales side of the business works OR how their mindset is.

  • jaredcrazy3232

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 7:02 pm GMT

    DROOL!!!!!!!!.... though i am sad to see that the black box is no more

  • SythasVC

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 6:29 pm GMT

    I haven't played HL2 yet for some reason. Nice to see it coming my way on PS3.

  • pyrobrand

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 6:25 pm GMT

    that's when people ARE short on cash, right after the holiday rush. the idea is that everybody wants a piece

  • kappareign

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 5:25 pm GMT

    im so sick of the holiday rush in gaming. it just causes a game drought early the next year. wouldnt it make more sense to release a game when theres less competition and people wouldnt be short on cash?

  • sguint-eyed

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 2:46 pm GMT

    PSdual, its the black box that doesnt have the hl2 and ep1 copies in it...the orange box has all 5 games

  • PSdual_wielder

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 1:36 pm GMT

    uhh, they canceled the black box? then a lot of ppl would have an extra copy of hl2 and hl2 episode one.

  • Demmi_Argo

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 12:18 pm GMT

    Digi_dragon, calm down. Read a book, and learn how to write properly. You're not making any points and if you keep acting like that you're going to get banned or suspended.

  • 705H1R0

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 12:08 pm GMT

    yesyesyesyesyesyes! can't wait! I almost want to say there's too many games coming out in the fall....almost.

    mrgiggles92, that's a good question, I'm wondering about that too...

  • SilentHillX

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 12:04 pm GMT

    It will indeed be mine on Oct. 9th

  • Darius_Dante

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 11:17 am GMT

    That's going to slaughter my bank account, but I honestly don't care... I just want those games!

  • apcobaba046

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 10:12 am GMT

    i'm waiting it a long time and now don't know can i wait again...

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