Valve seems to be cutting back on their use of physical packaging matter as of late. Already rolling out games via Steam on a regular basis, the company is really spearheading the push for digital distribution of content.
In line with that attitude, they have canceled one of the two retail packages originally planned for the release of Half Life 2: Episode 2. The Orange Box (which be available for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3) will still find its way onto store shelves, containing Half Life 2, HL2: Episode 1 and 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. The Black Box, however, which would have contain the last three items on that list, won’t see the light of day.
Doug Lombardi, Director of Marketing, told IGN: "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."
Of course, everything will be available (minus the trip to the store) via Steam.
Reporting by Eddie Inzauto and Billy Wang
