Questions about HL2 and steam

[Mattigus]

I've finally decided to get the CE of Half-Life 2. My question is that if I supply Steam with a CD key for Half-Life 2, will I be able to download back-up files, or re-download the game in the event that I lose the DVD? And if so, will it be the same with CS:S and HL:S?

 

[Gotter]

Should be able to. I have my original HL CD-Key plugged into Steam and I could download and play it without installing from CD.

But if you're worried about losing your DVD, why don't you just by the Gold Steam package and get a lot more stuff for the same price?

 

[Mattigus]

Should be able to. I have my original HL CD-Key plugged into Steam and I could download and play it without installing from CD.

But if you're worried about losing your DVD, why don't you just by the Gold Steam package and get a lot more stuff for the same price?

I'm a psycho, I guess. I just have to own the box and DVD. Honestly, the only thing I want in the CE that the normal version doesn't have is the DVD, and HL:S. I'm gonna try to sell the book and shirt on ebay. I thought it was too expensive for 80 bucks, but then again, I will get 8 bucks off for working at the store I buy it at.

 

[Chris D]

Why not buy the silver edition? You get even more bang for your buck there and it includes DOD:Source.

Either way, yes, you should be able to input a retail CD-Key in Steam to download the game in the future - though actually your account should remember that you own it and the record will stay there. Even the retail edition will auth through Steam.

 

[lemmingzappa]

If you did loose the dvd, all you would have to do is keep your cd-key, and download the cache on steam, and burn it to disc.