EA Plans to Split ‘The Orange Box’ Three Ways
By Stephany on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 12:03 PM PST In Computer, Electronic Arts, Game Companies, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Games, Valve
Yes, Steam did it first, but if you are one of the few out there who do not use Steam – you had to buy The Orange Box in its entirety. EA is now jumping on this idea and giving PC gamers not fond of Steam the ability to purchase each of the three games individually. Sorry console users, you are out of luck.
During a conference call to investors, EA revealed that the titles previously packaged inside The Orange Box are all expected to be available in stores before the end of March. No pricing details were announced, but if EA goes with Steam’s current pricing, you might be able to get Portal for $19.95, Team Fortress 2 for $29.95 and Half Life 2: Episode 2 for $29.95. I wonder if gamers can thank EA’s low sales for this new opportunity? If so, it may actually be a decent way for EA to recoup some funds off this cash-cow since they reported a $33 million net loss for Q3 2007.
Thanks: VideoGamer.com
This is a great idea. If I didn’t already own The Orange Box, I would have most definitely purchased Team Fortress 2. I wonder why they can’t separate them for consoles. I’d purchase TF2 on one of my consoles as well. It’s just that good.
q[I wonder if gamers can thank EA’s low sales for this new opportunity?]q
Judging by the dozens of unsold Oranges Boxes that can be easily found at all of my local retailers, I think the retail sell-through (boxes actually sold to customers) on the Orange Box was terrible. My local Best Buy still had over 25 copies of the Orange Box this past week leftover from Christmas, and I’ve never seen that many copies of any one game box at that store ever.
It doesn’t surprise me though. There’s simply not enough new content in the Orange Box to justify $50. Plus once you factor in the fact that it requires Steam and as such it’s nothing but a subscription game in disguise where you pay upfront, it doesn’t surprise me that Call of Duty 4 is the FPS game that is flying off the shelves instead.
Dont complain Phil Migrowen, us aussies pay double then you do, yet i still pay for this, because its great, with plenty of content as most reviews said. $50 is nothing compared to $100.
“not enough new content”
All I can say is LOL