14 DAY TRIAL // Half-Life 2: The Black Box package, offering Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2, has just been officially cancelled by Valve. The only collection available now for the FPS's faithful fans will be the Orange Box of Episode 2 releasing in autumn. The Orange Box will be setting gamers back $10 more, including the original Half-Life 2 and HL2: Episode 1. IGN posts Doug Lombardi's official statement:
"The Black Box has been cancelled," said Doug Lombardi, Valve's director of marketing. "We're going to have one package, The Orange Box, available on the PC (US$49.99) as well as the 360 and PS3 (US$ 59.99). In addition to the three new products -- Portal, Team Fortress 2, and Half-Life: Episode Two -- The Orange Box will also contain the full version of Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One. Those who purchase the PC version of The Orange Box will get three separate Steam product codes: One for the three new games, one for HL2, and one for Episode One. This way a PC Orange Box owner can give away their Half-Life 2 or Episode One unused Steam product codes if they don't need a copy of those games. We are excited to deliver the highest value of new gaming content ever offered in one box."
So the Orange box will be available to purchase for $50 for PC gamers, and $60 for console gamers, owning an Xbox 360 or a PS3 from Sony. I didn't think something like this was going to happen when I got up this morning. Heck, I'd say there was better chance of Blizzard announcing Starcraft 2 as an adventure game... on the PSP. Heh! Let's just hope now that they're getting everything right over there at Valve, so fans can get their Orange Box as promised.