Contents of the Retail Box

[Narcolepsy]

This thread is kind of spammy, so I'm posting it in the spam forum.

Can someone please confirm that there is indeed: (1) no manual in the box (2) paper cd slips (3) an unarchival quality box? I was counting on getting the retail version for the archival quality of the cd case and box, but that might be a moot point.

If you can confirm these three points, Valve might be getting some money from me tonight. :bounce:

 

[SIN55]

It's all true

 

[Spartan]

The EU version comes on one DVD.

 

[SIN55]

yeah, here in North America, the retail is a normal game box

-inside it is 5... yes FIVE cd's in paper envelopes
-a 1 page quick reference guide with brief installation instructions and the flip side of it has the default key mapping
-an ATI 20$US mail-in rebate for one of their cards.

That's it... Honestly I'm very shocked at how cheap this packaging is. I expected at least a jewel case or a damn manual. Had I known that before, I would've purchased it from STEAM.

I don't know who to blame about this, Vivendi or Valve...

 

[affen]

My retail is DVD, the case is a slim DVD case, has no manual but contains a quick reference card. And I got a T-shirt with it. I thought that was only for the collector's edition, but I got one too. It's black and has a white HL²-logo on it.

 

[Sushi]

It's all true. The collector's edition seems like it could be worth the extra money since you actually get, well, stuff with it.

 

[Pulsar]

Does the Retail Collector Edition have DOD Source?? Please someone answer.

 

[JackV]

Don't get the collectors edition. You're far better off buying the silver edition on steam for $20 less. Plus the collectors edition doesn't have Day of Defeat.

I'm thinking of returning mine, paying $80 for HL2 and not even getting everything that's supposed to be included with it is absolute BS.

I'm only worried that if I do that and my computer explodes will I be able to download it again? And for how long? What if I get a new computer? I remember purchasing a CDkey for Quake when it came out to unlock the shareware. After I had to reinstall it, the key didn't work and I had to beg the tech support guy to give me another key without buying the game again.

To this day if I want to play Quake I have to borrow my friends CD.

 

[Sean]

Don't get the collectors edition. You're far better off buying the silver edition on steam for $20 less. Plus the collectors edition doesn't have Day of Defeat.

I'm thinking of returning mine, paying $80 for HL2 and not even getting everything that's supposed to be included with it is absolute BS.

I'm only worried that if I do that and my computer explodes will I be able to download it again? And for how long? What if I get a new computer? I remember purchasing a CDkey for Quake when it came out to unlock the shareware. After I had to reinstall it, the key didn't work and I had to beg the tech support guy to give me another key without buying the game again.

To this day if I want to play Quake I have to borrow my friends CD.

You can download it as long as your steam account is active - as many times as you want, on as many computers as you want. The games you buy are bound to your account.

You'll have a tougher time returning open software, though.

EDIT: I believe this also applies to the retail version. That CD key is all you really need.

 

[StardogChampion]

I got the retail DVD version. The only things inside the box were the DVD and 1 slice of thin paper with controls on one side, and installation instructions on the other side. Very sucky.

The box is a standard DVD type case. Like this - http://www.bibra-online.de/movie/dvd/case-amaray1-big.jpg

 

[Narcolepsy]

Well, thanks for the advice, but I got the boxed version this afternoon. Surely enough, it's pretty pathetic, but the game makes up for it - WOW! :bounce:

 

[SIN55]

do they sell 5/6 CD jewel cases in stores??

 

[Gelob]

Maybe in SOME stores.I have seen them though.Better idea to find a friend who bought the Microsoft Encarta Series.They have like 7 discs and all come in one case.