Couple of Questions

[Code_Zero]

Hello Fellow Half-Life2 Fans,
I have a couple questions regarding the game, it's distribution methods, and its speculated performance.

My first question is about the retail version of HL2. I was about ready to pre-order HL2 from Amazon (for $50) when I read a story about only some versions being modable. Will I be able to run mods with this version?

My second question is probably asked too often. Does anyone have any information on a possible Counter-Strike port to the Half-Life 2 engine? If it ever comes, it will look great.

My last question is the typical "will this game run on my system" question. I was reading some specs for the game, and someone said that it's going to require 2Ghz! Here's what I have:

Dell Dimension 4300 - 1.6Ghz
768MB DDR2100
2x 120GB IBM Deskstar's
Overclocked ATI Radeon 9500 Pro (for some reason ATI's drivers recognize it as the 9700 Pro...don't ask me why)
2Mb Fiber Optic net connection.

I'm just wondering if it's worth getting if I again don't meet the specs for Half-Life (couldn't run Hl1 very well on my 200mhz P2). Thanks for all the help!

Code Zero

 

[The Dark Elf]

Originally posted by Code_Zero
Hello Fellow Half-Life2 Fans,
I have a couple questions regarding the game, it's distribution methods, and its speculated performance.

Originally posted by Code_Zero
My first question is about the retail version of HL2. I was about ready to pre-order HL2 from Amazon (for $50) when I read a story about only some versions being modable. Will I be able to run mods with this version?

the "wallmart" version is single player only and wont run any mods or multiplayer. the normal version will be able to run mods and multiplayer and single player. A third version is the same as the normal one, but with a bunch of extra's and I've heard only available on DVD, but I'm not sure about that bit. Will probably be in a fancy box aswell

Originally posted by Code_Zero
My second question is probably asked too often. Does anyone have any information on a possible Counter-Strike port to the Half-Life 2 engine? If it ever comes, it will look great.

There probably will be one, AFAIK there's a HL1 port being done properly for it, so chances are CS will make it over eventually

Originally posted by Code_Zero
My last question is the typical "will this game run on my system" question. I was reading some specs for the game, and someone said that it's going to require 2Ghz! Here's what I have:

Dell Dimension 4300 - 1.6Ghz
768MB DDR2100
2x 120GB IBM Deskstar's
Overclocked ATI Radeon 9500 Pro (for some reason ATI's drivers recognize it as the 9700 Pro...don't ask me why)
2Mb Fiber Optic net connection.

You might want a faster system for the best results, but I'm not an expert on that, your best bet is to search through the hardware and troubleshooting section of the forums, while nobody knows the exact minimum/recommended specs, they've come up with the average that should run it without problems.. but until Valve confirm it we really wont know.

Originally posted by Code_Zero
I'm just wondering if it's worth getting if I again don't meet the specs for Half-Life (couldn't run Hl1 very well on my 200mhz P2). Thanks for all the help!

Code Zero

HL2 will certainly be worth getting. It will run on lower end systems, just wont look as visually impressive. But considering the other games on the horizon, if your a big gamer you'd probably benefit in the long run by upgrading in a few months to be able to play all the others like Stalker, Far Cry, DoomIII and of course Half-Life 2 in the way they were meant to be played.

 

[ray_MAN]

[1] There are only two versions moddable. The Multiplayer and Single Player version and special edition version. The special edition version will most likely be released after the regualar versions.
[2] (I keep talking about the stolen files even though I've been asked not to)
[3] Should work top notch on your computer.
Well, hope that helps. :cheers:

 

[Mr. Redundant]

I agree with everything Fenric had to say except:
your rig is powerful enough to run Hl2, easily.
you may want to consider a mobo/cpu upgrade or even a VGU upgrade, but I would hold out till something is actually released.

I upgraded back in MAY, thinking HL2 would be out soon, If I had saved my cash I could have gotten double what I have now for half the price. :/

Welcome to the forums sir

 

[Code_Zero]

I'm not an über-serious gamer just to let you know, I just enjoy playing with friends on the weekends. I really don't care if EVERYTHING doesn't look 100% like it's supposed to, I'm used to it. The only thing I'm trying to avoid is the CPU lag of death, like you'd get if you tried to run CS 1.5 on a 133. As long as it plays smooth, I'm happy as a clam.

Code Zero

 

[Mr. Redundant]

you should be able to run it as smooth as a babies bottom no worries.
as you said, you dont mind it not being 100% because you arent one of the gfx intensive guys (like me ) and with that in mind, you will run the game splendidly.
at around mid range gfx options.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Originally posted by Code_Zero
I'm not an über-serious gamer just to let you know, I just enjoy playing with friends on the weekends. I really don't care if EVERYTHING doesn't look 100% like it's supposed to, I'm used to it. The only thing I'm trying to avoid is the CPU lag of death, like you'd get if you tried to run CS 1.5 on a 133. As long as it plays smooth, I'm happy as a clam.

Code Zero

well I'd think if you turned some of the cpu intensive extra's off then yeah I reckon you'd be able to play it well enough. Wont look as nice but yeah it'll play smooth I'd reckon, no problem.

 

[RandomPING]

The different types are:
1) you can pay 10 dollars a month for the right to play the game, then you download it of off steam. It validates your copy over steam each time you play it, and you can download it on as many computers as you want, but only one copy may be running at a time. This includes single player and mulitplayer

With this option you also get access to all the latest valve created mods for free rather then having to pay a small charge for those extras. Community created mods are still going to be free though (unless they strike up a deal with valve to be part of the subscription)

2) Walmart one, single player only, I don't believe it runs mods. Also cheeper then the full game.

3) Regular version, full game, mulitplayer abilities, only difference is it's one payment of around 50 dollars and you buy it at the store. You may have to pay extra though for valve created mods. (Ex. If they mod the original Half Life using hammer, an updated version of team fortress or counter strike.)

*) There is also supposed to be a limited edition version comming out, but it's supposed to be the same as the regular version with perhaps an extra mod and a poster, and maybe a plush toy, or like an extra DVD that has a behind the scenes info. It's unsure what exactly is going to be in that, but it's basically option 3 with some special extras.

You'll be able to run very well with those stats. With the 9500 pro (or 9700 pro) you should be doing just fine, the game is much more dependant on the GPU and Ram rather then the CPU, and is better suited for the Raedon series of video cards.

To give you a feel for how well you're doing with your system, it can be scaled down to run smoothly on a 800 Mhz system with 250 mb of ram and a TNT2 card. So you're going to be fine, especially if you're only running on the DX8 paths.

I might be a little off on some of my information, if I am feel free to correct me, but i'm pretty much in the ballpark on most of this info.

 

[Sparta]

Does anyone know for sure if anybody is modding HL1 for the Source Engine?

 

[Shuzer]

Originally posted by Sparta
Does anyone know for sure if anybody is modding HL1 for the Source Engine?

It looks as though it is

 

[The Dark Elf]

Originally posted by Sparta
Does anyone know for sure if anybody is modding HL1 for the Source Engine?

I was going to, so asked Gabe before I started just incase, he said "That one's already taken care of."

Which is good news if their doing it, or if the guys who did Op4 are doing it.

 

[Shinigami]

Well, I killed Nihilanth with a crowbar... Maybe I'll get to kill him with the letter F this time?

heheh..

 

[Code_Zero]

So does this mean that Counter-Strike is going to be a retail game now, and not have a free version? That would make me sad

All in all, I watched the video trailers about 100 times today, just to get my hopes up for the best game of 2004

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[destrukt]

On xbox its only Retail, computer it will stay free. But CS:CZ will cost you money.

Your computer is fine to play HL2.

AMD 1.2ghz DURON
256 DDR (slowest ddr speed)
geforce fx 5200 non ultra ran the hl2 beta fine (not me, just somebody did).

 

[Code_Zero]

Has anyone seen where you can pre-order the HL2 collectors edition? I've only been able to find the standard retail version for around $50.

Thanks,
Code Zero

 

[The Dark Elf]

Originally posted by Code_Zero
Has anyone seen where you can pre-order the HL2 collectors edition? I've only been able to find the standard retail version for around $50.

Thanks,
Code Zero

hmm can't say as I've seen it advertised anywhere

 

[iamaelephant]

I'd say Valve probably hasnt finalised what will come with the collectors edition, maybe they still arent sure about the format it will come in (DVD or CD), so it's possible that it cant be pre ordered because it is yet to be priced.

 

[The Brick]

Originally posted by Code_Zero
My last question is the typical "will this game run on my system" question. I was reading some specs for the game, and someone said that it's going to require 2Ghz! Here's what I have:

Dell Dimension 4300 - 1.6Ghz
768MB DDR2100
2x 120GB IBM Deskstar's
Overclocked ATI Radeon 9500 Pro (for some reason ATI's drivers recognize it as the 9700 Pro...don't ask me why)
2Mb Fiber Optic net connection.

It will run fine on your system. But if you think you should upgrade, the best you can upgrade is your CPU. Your radeon is fast enough for a while (especialy if it's a 9700pro). And for the physics you need a fast CPU. Just a tip.

 

[iamaelephant]

I think the 1.6GHz is sweet for HL2, I dont see it needing any more than that.

 

[Shuzer]

Originally posted by iamaelephant
I think the 1.6GHz is sweet for HL2, I dont see it needing any more than that.

Maybe if you don't want max details.. lol

 

[el Chi]

Does anyone know if it'll be particularly explicit as to what version is in what box. If, through my own clumsiness, confuzzlement and package similarity, I buy the non-moddable version there'll be hell to pay. Grrr.

 

[iamaelephant]

Personally I think it's a stupid idea to release a SP only, non-moddable version, but thats just me. I'd say it will be quite clear which one you're buying. Just go for the Collectors Edition

I hope the Collectors Edition comes to New Zealand.

 

[hinson]

So how much will the SP + MP edition be?
i wanted to get the Collectors Edition but it's a bit too expensive.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Originally posted by hinson
So how much will the SP + MP edition be?
i wanted to get the Collectors Edition but it's a bit too expensive.

standard version will likely be the usual price. Collectors Edition I've heard different guesses on that, probably quite a bit, for a game, but maybe no different to buying a DVD boxed set, maybe a tad more than that deluxe collectors 5 DVD LotR's two towers edition

 

[Shuzer]

Originally posted by hinson
So how much will the SP + MP edition be?
i wanted to get the Collectors Edition but it's a bit too expensive.

SP + MP = normal game price ($50 or so USD)
SP only = less than normal (probably $30ish)
Collector's Edition, which has SP + MP + extras = more than normal (probably around $70ish)

 

[hinson]

okay thanks
anyways we all have to wait and I may get it in May after exams.
Hating being a student gamer. >_<

 

[crabcakes66]

Originally posted by Shuzer
Maybe if you don't want max details.. lol

I doubt very many people will be able to play with all settings on max.

 

[Shuzer]

Originally posted by crabcakes66
I doubt very many people will be able to play with all settings on max.

err.. heh, how do you figure? I'm pretty sure Gabe said a 2.2GHz with a radeon 9800 would run just fine at max details without aa/af, don't quote me on that though, I might've mixed stuff up in my head

 

[Dr. Freeman]

Originally posted by Fenric1138
hmm can't say as I've seen it advertised anywhere

it hasn't been.. but when i went to pre-order my copy of HL2, i had a talk with the salesguy about the few different versions of the game that may be available..

anyway, his response was that CompuCentre customers are first priority to them and those customers would get to choose which version was desired.. so when u go to pick up ur copy, u pay the difference then.

this was a satisfactory answer, now i won't be worried about which version i'll be getting.

if any of u haven't pre-ordered (or have and need this mess cleared up) and want to, go to ur local games store and talk to the sales pple first.. it doesn't make sense to be pre-ordering a copy of a version u don't want.. best to know before u spend the cash.

 

[MultiVaC]

Originally posted by Shuzer
err.. heh, how do you figure? I'm pretty sure Gabe said a 2.2GHz with a radeon 9800 would run just fine at max details without aa/af, don't quote me on that though, I might've mixed stuff up in my head

I quoted you

2.2 ghz sounds about right, but I think he said a 9700.

 

[Shuzer]

Originally posted by ElFuhrer
I quoted you

2.2 ghz sounds about right, but I think he said a 9700.

Ah, yeah, I remember now.. because I have a 2.083GHz and a 9700 OCed to pro and at the time I was thinking that's pretty much the same system in the grander scale of gaming (slightly slower processor, slightly faster graphics card)

So yeah, ever since then I've assumed that a large majority of the HL2 gamers will be able to run at max detail without aa/af

 

[HybridM]

The majority of Half-Life 1 players (who are most likely to buy HL2) do not have systems that good.

 

[Xaxor]

Originally posted by RandomPING

*) There is also supposed to be a limited edition version comming out, but it's supposed to be the same as the regular version with perhaps an extra mod and a poster, and maybe a plush toy, or like an extra DVD that has a behind the scenes info. It's unsure what exactly is going to be in that, but it's basically option 3 with some special extras.

Plush toy? Of what? A headcrab? Won't get along with any other plush toys.