The Half-Life 2 pre-load has begun..
 

Or it will once the servers are less busy.

Yes. HL2 is now available for pre-load from Steam. Which means the release is imminent. It's just textures, audio and what ever other files that wont be changed during final testing but it's a good sign that's it's comming soon!

Yeah, it was pushed back to November. :)

I'm actually 1% glad (and 99% sad) that Half-Life 2 hasn't been released yet, for the simple fact that Steam is probably alot better now then it was in September 2003. I haven't installed it yet, but I frequent (as a lurker, mostly) the Steam forums and the general volume of 'I hate steam' posts has steadily declined.

Also, have you guys seen the new binks, of ravenholm and tenements? Drool-inducing.

And now a question: How many people are willing to download the game instead of buying it at a store and have something tangible (ala manual, CDs, etc)? Is the only benefit of doing this not needing to pre-order and wait in lines/get up early to get to the store to buy the game?

I will be buying it over Steam.
I dont need to waste paper and plastic to get data...

I was lucky enough to get the pre-load before the servers were overloaded :)

got my ATi voucher so theres no need to buy it in stores unless cs:s isn't included with the copy the ATi card voucher holders get.

When I went to pre-load (late last night)I got a message stating that the servers were busy and to try back in an hour. I haven't attempted it again. My question is since I haven't downloaded anything through Steam before if I pre-load but then decide to just buy a retail copy is the pre-load directory easily recognizable for deletion? I'd hate to think of 1 gig of HD space being just taken up for a program I'm not going to activate through Steam. Hmmm.

Hercules....what directory does the pre-load wait in?

hl2 goes gold monday.

now we wait, patiently

Sorry about the delay...

X:\Steam\SteamApps\base source shared materials.gcf

What's the point of pre-loading HL2 from Steam? If its not the game, whats the point? Thanks

Mahler, for the most part the preload is for those who plan on buying the game through Steam via that nice little piece of plastic in your wallet. There are also people who have the ATI voucher card for free HL2, and they would also be the people pre-loading.

Thanks Hercules.

No word yet though on price structure from Valve :|

Does anyone know what file the preload went in? I want to listen to the sounds, to see if they are decent. I am a complete nerd.

The files are encripted. You wont be able to access anything from it till you buy it.

If I preload it, will I be able to salvage the files and re-use them if I decide to format? I don't like the idea of downloading a game everytime I format my PC.

Im just going to wait for the full release. I don't like to get preloads and such.