preload?

[Tyguy]

what does that mean? im new to the forums, can ya tell?
thanks

 

[geekusa]

it means that they are loading part of the game that is with out a doubt finished into steam.

 

[JackKerouac]

It means Valve will be sending some of the files for half- life 2 to your computer early, the files that don't change so that they wont have to do it all at once.

 

[pixartist]

pre = before
load = download

so you download content before the game is released to stretch the server load...

 

[ComradeBadger]

It's the preliminary loading of content onto your computer, ready for activiation at the proper time.

 

[poseyjmac]

someone should make a sticky that explains what preload is

 

[SMT]

Valve is essentially (with your permission, of course) handing you a padlocked suitcase containing Half-Life 2, and implying that they will provide you with the key sometime in the near future.

 

[kkevin666]

Valve is essentially (with your permission, of course) handing you a padlocked suitcase containing Half-Life 2, and implying that they will provide you with the key sometime in the near future.

Its to make you think the release is sometimes soon - of course
this is true as its valve doing this.

 

[Some_God]

pre = before
load = download

so you download content before the game is released to stretch the server load...

Newb friendly explanation... I commend you.

 

[smacky]

someone should make a sticky that explains what preload is

make a sticky for 3 idiots out of a million ?

 

[JackKerouac]

I wouldnt exactly call people that don't know what preloading is idiots, its rather new to the gaming place.

 

[Zeus]

A preload is something that probably isn't going to happen today.

 

[poseyjmac]

make a sticky for 3 idiots out of a million ?

no much more than that. when people come to the forum, they see us talking about preload, but we aren't always repeating what it means.

 

[JackKerouac]

Why do you say that? all the other preloads didnt happen till like 9 eastern time, what makes you think valve suddenly broke off that chain and decided to release at a random time.

 

[ThaDon]

well I bet the word is in the directionary

 

[poseyjmac]

because valve has broken a lot of chains

 

[JackKerouac]

True but i still think they will come through tonight, some way or another.

 

[Tyguy]

First of all, Calling people idiots makes you look really smart....Secondly, these forums are used to answer questions, not to be a "tough guy"....
thank you to everyone else..

 

[Tyguy]

so whats the point in that, why not just install it when it comes out?

 

[Beast206]

It's simply easier on the bandwidth to parse out smaller units as they are available. *shrug*

 

[poseyjmac]

you could wait till it comes out, but then you would have to download it anyway if you purchase through steam, so people want to get it early. thats not the biggest thing though. it signifies hl2 is coming along, and there will be HL2 files(non-beta) on our harddrive for the first time ever. it tells us despite all these delays for the past year, the game is coming along