This and That

I’ve been thinking a lot about Half Life 2 and the Steam delivery system lately. If you haven’t read by now, HL2 is available for order through Valves online delivery system: Steam. Not that you can play it yet, but you can order it. Also, Valve has decided to bundle multiple things under each Steam purchase to entice people to order it through them as apposed to traditional retailers. The upside is that you get more stuff and you get to play Counter Strike: Source now, this second, instead of waiting for the retail box to become available. The downside is that you don’t get it on a CD and, well, you have to download about 4Gs worth of game before you can play it. The retail box does come with CS:Source and the collectors edition comes with a few other things as well, but you’ll have to wait for it to ship. Buying through Steam assures that you can play Counter-Strike instantly as soon as you download it.

Now, there’s quite a large segment of the gaming population that is still, after 5+ years, addicted to Counter-Strike. Given the opportunity to play whats basically CS2 they’ll of course jump on it. I’m sure they’re playing right this second. I on the other hand, have an interesting decision to make. I could care less about CS. It’s a dated game with a dated concept and limited replay and it’s only been made “new” by a face lift and a few level tweaks. Not what I’d consider “revolutionary” by any means. HL2 on the other hand, is what I’m really after. I was saddened to learn that there will be no HL2 multiplayer and that CS was the multiplayer. That was a let down. I can remember plenty of LAN games of HL with my buds. Sure CS was fun, but if you ever got tired of it, you could just open up a can of Snarks and everything would be fun again.

So, what’s a boy to do? Order HL2 through steam or buy it in a box? Play CS now or later? Have a CD or just a download and an authorization key?

I’m opting for a box. I get the CD, which means reinstalls will take minutes instead of hours, and, since I don’t care about CS, I don’t really mind waiting. I don’t know about you guys, but for me, this falls under the “having something to open on Christmas morning” syndrome.

Moving on, let’s talk about the Red Sox. Holy crap is this going to be good. I’m as excited as I’ve ever been. Mostly because this year I’ve been paying attention and I have a full understanding of how deep the Sox bullpen is and how much the Yanks can’t hit off Shilling. You go up two games IN the Bronx, then bring it back home, it’s series time baby. I’m excited.

Locally, the Houston fans are going nuts too. They’re going to have quite a time getting past the Cards but they’re willing to give it a try. Everyone around here is hoping for a Houston-Boston World Series. I have to say I agree. As my dad always says…

I cheer for two teams. The Boston Red Sox, and anyone who isn’t the Yankess.

Amen.