ATI Half Life 2 offer: CD vs. Steam

[Brett Tyre]

I just visited ATI's Half-Life 2 offer website. Apparently, if you want the
CD, you have to fill out the form with your credit card information (you pay
for shipping).

In addition to that, you have to MAIL them a copy of the certificate that
came with your video card, plus the ORIGINAL UPC from the ATI Box -not a
photocopy.

The website gives conflicting information: delivery of CDs is 8-10 weeks
after the 16th; however, when you choose a shipping option, one gives 2-3
weeks, and the more expensive one gives 1 week for delibery. Now is it 8 -
10 weeks, or as little as 1? Maybe they mean their distribution centre will
get the CDs 8 - 10 weeks from the 16th, and then at least another week for
shipping.

It looks like I will be getting my HL2 from Steam anyway, because when I
signed-up for the offer back in January, I was not informed that I would
need my UPC. I though all I had to do was sign up and I would be shipped a
CD when the game was released -after all, they did not need my UPC for the
Valve Premier Pack, why would they need it to ship me a CD that I believe I
have already requested?

I'll give their hotline a call tomorrow and figure this out.

 

[Mike]

I've got the ATI voucher as well and I'll probably get hl2 through steam
because I want the silver pack. But I'm waiting to see how people make out
backing it up. I've read that all you have to do is backup the files you
download on dvd which is fine, but I want to see if anyone gets into trouble
this way when they actually do it as opposed to being told to do it. i
reformat somewhat regularily and it takes me months to finish a game so this
is important to me.
I still prefer a pressed cd (or even better dvd) but it seems to be easier
to download from steam especially considering the silver package.
Mike

 

[Jamie_Manic]

I've got the ATI voucher as well and I'll probably get hl2 through steam
because I want the silver pack. But I'm waiting to see how people make out
backing it up. I've read that all you have to do is backup the files you
download on dvd which is fine, but I want to see if anyone gets into trouble
this way when they actually do it as opposed to being told to do it. i
reformat somewhat regularily and it takes me months to finish a game so this
is important to me.
I still prefer a pressed cd (or even better dvd) but it seems to be easier
to download from steam especially considering the silver package.

I'm pretty sure you will be allowed to upgrade your store bought copy
through steam.

I have an ATI coupon as well and through all the BS they have for getting an
actual copy of the game, particuarly the delivery time, it's just not worth
the trouble. Steam is pretty painless. Backing up works fine too -

http://www.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=151953

 

[Tom Brown]

I've got the ATI voucher as well and I'll probably get hl2 through
steam because I want the silver pack. But I'm waiting to see how
people make out backing it up. I've read that all you have to do is
backup the files you download on dvd which is fine, but I want to see
if anyone gets into trouble this way when they actually do it as
opposed to being told to do it. i reformat somewhat regularily and
it takes me months to finish a game so this is important to me.
I still prefer a pressed cd (or even better dvd) but it seems to be
easier to download from steam especially considering the silver
package.
Mike

Backing up works fine. You can do it yourself with Nero or whatever, backup
all Steam apps at once using the built-in utility, or back up each
individual game.

 

[Mike]

Thanks for the link, I'll check later:
vBulletin Message
The forums couldn't handle the excitement and are taking a little
breather. See www.steampowered.com for news. Thanks!


heh.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[SteveK]

I just visited ATI's Half-Life 2 offer website. Apparently, if you want
the CD, you have to fill out the form with your credit card information
(you pay for shipping).

In addition to that, you have to MAIL them a copy of the certificate that
came with your video card, plus the ORIGINAL UPC from the ATI Box -not a
photocopy.

The website gives conflicting information: delivery of CDs is 8-10 weeks
after the 16th; however, when you choose a shipping option, one gives 2-3
weeks, and the more expensive one gives 1 week for delibery. Now is it 8
- 10 weeks, or as little as 1? Maybe they mean their distribution centre
will get the CDs 8 - 10 weeks from the 16th, and then at least another
week for shipping.

It looks like I will be getting my HL2 from Steam anyway, because when I
signed-up for the offer back in January, I was not informed that I would
need my UPC. I though all I had to do was sign up and I would be shipped
a CD when the game was released -after all, they did not need my UPC for
the Valve Premier Pack, why would they need it to ship me a CD that I
believe I have already requested?

I'll give their hotline a call tomorrow and figure this out.

http://forums.viaarena.com/messageview.cfm?catid=34&threadid=61774&enterthread=y

 

[Nerdillius Maximus]

Vivendi really screwed the pooch on this one, and guess who gets to suffer?
That's right...the consumer. SS,DD.

 

[Brett Tyre]

As expected, getting Half Life 2 through Steam was not so easy.

Started pre-loading at 2130 PST last night, checked at 0700 PST this
morning, it had only reached 17.5%. When I can home at 1630, it has
obviously halted at 17.5%, and now I can get back onto Steam but when I
browse games and click "download and install" nothing happens.

 

[Noozer]

In other words, give them your cash and HOPE you MIGHT be able to get to
play.

 

[Brett Tyre]

Maybe I should e-mail them and ask what it will take to play a game I
technically purchased 11 months ago....

 

[Andrew]

As expected, getting Half Life 2 through Steam was not so easy.

Started pre-loading at 2130 PST last night, checked at 0700 PST this
morning, it had only reached 17.5%. When I can home at 1630, it has
obviously halted at 17.5%, and now I can get back onto Steam but when I
browse games and click "download and install" nothing happens.

Why didn't you do the preloads weeks ago? I did and had the game
working 20 minutes after the game was unlocked.

 

[Brett Tyre]

I was under the impression I wouldn't have to jump through all these hoops
to get the CD. I was led to believe that when I signed up for the Premier
Pack I was also signing up for Half Life 2 on CD and it would simply be
shipped to me upon release.

Had I known I would have run into all these problems, I would have preloaded
weeks ago.