Half-Life 2 (HalfLife 2) ATI Radeon coupon and multiplayer

[Nil Einne]

Hey all,

Does anyone know if it's true that the coupon will not give access to
any multiplayer functions? I'm aware of course that Valve is almost
surely going to make multiplayer versions of popular HL2 mods like CS2
and TFC2 subscription based, and probably HL2 it self but as with most
people, I am also quite sure that the retail version of HL2 will allow
multiplayer for a set period, probably a month. Will the coupon give
this or will it be totally single player only? Can you please give the
source for any comments if possible?

Thanks all

 

[cmptrboy2]

Subscription multiplayer?? Why would they do this when other similar games
have free multiplayer components? What incentive would there be to by the
game??

P.S. Nil sorry about the e-mail, meant to reply to group.

 

[Schrodinger]

Hey all,

Does anyone know if it's true that the coupon will not give access to
any multiplayer functions? I'm aware of course that Valve is almost
surely going to make multiplayer versions of popular HL2 mods like CS2
and TFC2 subscription based, and probably HL2 it self but as with most
people, I am also quite sure that the retail version of HL2 will allow
multiplayer for a set period, probably a month. Will the coupon give
this or will it be totally single player only? Can you please give the
source for any comments if possible?

Thanks all

IIRC there was an article in PCZone explaining that the voucher will allow
full MP access.

I have heard nothing whatsoever about the MP HL2 only being available to
paying customers after one month (i.e. those that pay regularly)

 

[Peter Lykkegaard]

I'm aware of course that Valve is almost surely going to make
multiplayer versions of popular HL2 mods like CS2 and TFC2
subscription based, and probably HL2 it self

And that's fact - ehmm not
You can make a subscription to get access to all future content/games etc
from Valve
Including beta's etc
Steam will be the delivering mechanism

Afaik having a Cyber Cafe or similar is the only case where you _have_ to
pay a monthly fee to play eg CS

Read the story in the faq on www.steampowered.com

- Peter

 

[koorb]

Hey all,

Does anyone know if it's true that the coupon will not give access to
any multiplayer functions? I'm aware of course that Valve is almost
surely going to make multiplayer versions of popular HL2 mods like CS2
and TFC2 subscription based, and probably HL2 it self but as with most
people, I am also quite sure that the retail version of HL2 will allow
multiplayer for a set period, probably a month. Will the coupon give
this or will it be totally single player only? Can you please give the
source for any comments if possible?

Not sure about the subscription, but HL2 will most likely only come
with Deathmatch and Cooperative as multiplayer options.
CS and TFC are being made as separate products now.

 

[Nil Einne]

And that's fact - ehmm not
You can make a subscription to get access to all future content/games etc
from Valve
Including beta's etc
Steam will be the delivering mechanism

Afaik having a Cyber Cafe or similar is the only case where you _have_ to
pay a monthly fee to play eg CS

Read the story in the faq on www.steampowered.com

I already checked out the fact but I'm unable to find anything which
refers to HL2, CS2, TFC2 etc. The FAQ only refers to existing products
like HL2 and mods which are unlikely to become subscription products
given that everyone will massacare Valve for trying to force people
who bought the games under the impression that they could play them
online as long as some hosted a server and they didn't let someone
steal their CD-key. HL2 multiplayer could tho given that it's a new
product. The fact that they don't seem willing to just kill the
rumours makes me think they are probably true. The rumours are
dampening some peopel spirits. It would be wise to end them so people
don't give up in HL2 if they are not through. Of course, if they are
true, and Valve reveals they are true before they finish the product,
many people might just give up on HL2.

Instead, they release the product for rave reviews, leak the product
to the warez groups but refuse presales. Then suddenly they announce
oh yeah, the games great but you will have to pay to play multiplayer.

Of course, all this is not relevant to my primary question which was
does the ATI coupon give you access to whatever multiplayer options
people who actually buy the game will get or doesn't it?

 

[Skippy]

The coupons says "...receive a free copy of Valve's full version game - Half
Life 2..."

Sounds like the multiplayer version to me...

 

[Pip]

Hey all,

Does anyone know if it's true that the coupon will not give access to
any multiplayer functions? I'm aware of course that Valve is almost
surely going to make multiplayer versions of popular HL2 mods like CS2
and TFC2 subscription based, and probably HL2 it self but as with most
people, I am also quite sure that the retail version of HL2 will allow
multiplayer for a set period, probably a month. Will the coupon give
this or will it be totally single player only? Can you please give the
source for any comments if possible?

Thanks all

From what I've heard, there will be 3 options to play Half-Life 2.
these are:

1. Full game including multiplayer. This is a standard one-off charge,
bought over Steam or on CD via a shop.

2. Subscription. This is a per month, year or whatever charge that gives
full access not just to HL2, but all Valve games that are out or
released during the period the subscription lasts. To carry on playing,
either buy the game(s) you want to play, or renew the subscription.

IIRC, there was also option 3: A crippled HL2 without multiplayer. This
would mostly be sold in the less specialised stores, probably alongside
the full version. It'd probably be upgradeable to the full HL2 via
Steam, but that's speculation. (And, IMHO, they'd be stupid not to do this)

The coupon gives the full version (option 1).