And consider this....the console version is inferior, it doesn't hold as many players and there's much more lag, not to mention that users can't create their own maps or put skins on the weapons and characters, and the PC version is actually cheaper when you first buy it, plus free updates!! We have to pay so much extra money for the crappy version when someone could simply play the PC version and have an experience that is ten times better...the only reason I'm anchored down to the 360 version is because my friends are on there and I don't know if my computer can run it. If it wasn't for that, I would've taken off a long time ago.

DrowningInMercy

@Quicksilver4648: LOL if you're a troll, good one. If not...

New laptop? That can't run TF2? What the hell was it, a 9 inch ultra-portable?

My little white MacBook with integrated graphics can still run TF2 at low detail. And that's not even booting through XP, I use Crossover (loads XP software while still in OS X). I played it that way for four months while overseas.

This game is extremely scalable. I say you should give it another shot!

el_gordo

Obligatory yay it's coming to 360, boo for paying for it post.

JN64Lover

So I guess M$ is officially going back on their policy of "no content that is free on another platform shall be for sale on the XBLM"

That's sad to me. Valve works hard to provide value to their customers, and microsoft is just walking all over that.

As for the issue of who determines pricing, the publisher determines pricing, however, since ms is distributing the files, they have a big hand in the decision. In this case, MS is the "store" that the "product" is carried in. Do you know of any stores that aren't in business to make a profit? Nope - and that's what's going on here. MS knows this will be a popular piece of content, and they want to cash in, plain and simple.

What The Geek

@chuffhoncho: Oh I've read about that, seems they picked some "wrong patch" model or some BS, that is set in stone apparently and nothign could possibly change it... So they just have to charge 10$ for it? I'm constantly trying to figure out what I'm paying for on Xbox live, shoddy lag and bug ridden games right out of the box or listening to some highballed frat boy telling me to suck his junk.

SinisterSkull

Given that I feel Orange Box was a pretty great value, I'm okay with paying for the updates. And I'm excited for the new content.

Team Fortress 2 came out at a time when there were just too many great multiplayer shooters released for the Xbox 360 (e.g., Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, etc), and it kind of got lost in the mix. I hope this update peaks people's interest and gets players back into Team Fortress. I never got half of the achievements for that game, and I'd like to get back into it.

DugDawg

@Toasticus: Just to correct myself, it turns out the PC and 360 versions were self-published by Valve. I had thought they had a publishing agreement with EA but handled development of all but PS3 version. So if it isn't Valve behind this, it's definitely Microsoft. Not cool.

@theuglyteradon: Yeah, it usually ensures I'll play a different online multiplayer game for my fix until the DLC goes free. This is such a kick in the pants though that I'll probably just not go back to the game at all on 360. I was willing to overlook the awful laggy mess that was TF2 360 at launch and assume they've straightened it out by the time I get around to picking it up again, but that and this together makes for a one-two combo in the crotch that will keep the game on the shelf.

Toasticus

@hahnchen: @Mr.DuckSauce: Valve developed it, but EA published the console versions (and actually ported the PS3 one), so, they're the ones responsible for pricing :P

CockroachMan

Well you have to consider how big each of these updates is, ranging from 100-300mb.

When all 9 classes are done it will probably be a GB. I assume Microsoft gives them the option to pay a fee for the bandwith (ala demos) or charges for the content.

azz0r

I'm excited about finally getting the new updates but I sure hope they give us some patches to fix all the skywalking and such.

...Although, it is fun to play against a team of cheaters that skywalk and spawn camp and still kick their asses! :D

CommenterKeen

Well...color me happy. I've been waiting for the TF2 updates for the 360 for sometime now.

Chromeo

@Toasticus: But it isn't, microsoft have the final word on paying or not, more likely a incentive towards m$ since it is easy money on a famous IP.

Mr.DuckSauce

The most exciting part of this post is that there's more Left 4 Dead info coming.

Freaknut

@Toasticus: Although I'm a big X-Bot, I completely agree with you. I really just wish these updates would stay free... otherwise I'll just wait for it to drop or hit the magazine discs. So far that strategy has worked for just about every Ubisoft game.

theuglyteradon

@sobjw: I was under the impression that was only for MS-published games, which it would make sense for. Forcing other publishers to charge a certain amount is not cool.

Wait. EA published the 360 version. Is it EA who's really behind making Valve charge for this?

Toasticus

"Given that Valve is being forced to charge for the update..."

What? Is Microsoft behind this? Man, that's awful. MS is really developing a tyrannical reputation when it comes to DLC. They should at least let Valve charge some bare minimum 80 points or something if they're concerned about offsetting DLC infrastructure costs. Beyond a minimum charge it should be up to the publisher.

Toasticus

@CockroachMan: Ea made only the ps3 version, not 360. Valve made the 360 and pc version.

Mr.DuckSauce

Well I'll probably be buying this on PC now...

theuglyteradon

@CockroachMan:No, 360 TF2 was developed by Valve.

hahnchen

@Quicksilver4648:What spec is your laptop? Can you not even get it running on low details? If you ask around the Steam Forums, you'll find some performance tweak configs for low spec machines, not sure if it stoops down to Intel integrated graphics or whatever it is you have though.

hahnchen

@MeanMF: Those free updates were only free with MS's approval. Whether or not content is free is up to MS. If they want a price tag, it gets a price tag or else they won't let it be released on XBL.

deadjesterx

@CockroachMan: But isn't EA in charge of Burnout as well? Their updates are free and HUGE! There's definitely something fishy going on.

chuffhoncho

@SinisterSkull: Microsoft is making them charge for it. Or so says the article. At least they're offering it to those who paid for the 360 version of The Orange Box.

chuffhoncho

Ok, people, just remember that the one in charge of the 360 and PS3 versions is EA, not Valve :P

CockroachMan

@MeanMF: Microsoft can tell you to do whatever they want. This isn't the first time someone has tried to give away stuff for free and been forced to charge for it.

sobjw

Having to pay for an Xbox Live subscription and additional content sucks.

I'm assuming that the 360 audience for TF2 is tiny compared to the PC right? Having a non-free content pack is just going to fragment the audience more.

I hope that Valve will give some of this content away for free. Players should not be missing out on great play modes such as Payload.

hahnchen

How are they being forced to charge for the update? There have been free updates for other games from other publishers.

MeanMF

@Quicksilver4648: So it's pc gaming fault for your ignorance for not understanding computer requirements, oh then, might as well blame games for teen violence.

Mr.DuckSauce

oooo, $10 whole dollars! That's really going to bust the bank!

Seriously, though, I can't wait for this update. I have been logging a lot of time with the 360 version these last few months after I got burned out on COD4 and some fresh content is just what the doctor ordered...

jslay012

But then again...this is going to be awful. To get all the updates for all nine classes, if they run at $10 each, and are released in groups of three...that will be $30 to get all the content for The Orange Box...maybe I'll just skip this, that is too much of a rip off. Hopefully they make it so that you have to pay at first then make it free later.

DrowningInMercy

The value definitely exists to pay $10 for an update of this nature, but I probably won't purchase simply because it's Microsoft forcing them to charge.

Omnimon

@DrowningInMercy: Over a year now? Nice exaggeration. The Orange Box for 360 released October 9th. More like you have been playing for 10 months.

Quicksilver4648

@SinisterSkull: Oh wait, you have to pay for it? And 10$ too? For patches and dlc pc gets for free? Way to make me feel like I got raped buy the Orange Box for the 360 valve. I hope they stay the fuck out of the console market. For 20$ I can buy the whole game, get the dlc for free on steam and still play it on my hdtv.

SinisterSkull

Aww I don't want to have to pay for the update, damn you Microsoft!

lantus

I will gladly pay for it via DLC for the 360. I bought Team Fortress 2 for my laptop and to this day it remains unplayable because of my specs which I can't upgrade. Wasted $30. I hate PC gaming.

Quicksilver4648

@DukeOfPwn: That's not funny. Me and that guy from Canada found someone else to play on the 360 too...

AngryEddy

Thank god. Maybe they'll fix the lag too.

SinisterSkull

I finally managed to upgrade to the PC version this week... and now this. Argh. I still have plenty of friends that rope me into 360 matches, and I'm going to be expected to buy this. ;_;

Mainman

Ow wow, I can't wait! I have been playing the same 2-3 maps for over a year now!! I hate the fact that we have to pay for something PC owners get for free...but who am I kidding? I'm definately going to buy it, Team Fortress 2 is online perfection.

DrowningInMercy

Now the console players too can know the joy of endless pyro and heavy spam.

GregoriusH

If only companies all thought like Valve and didn't constantly try to get money from us... What a life that would be.

King of Fun UK

The two people in the world who play TF2 on console and not PC will be excited for this one.

DukeOfPwn

lol @ "paying" :P

CockroachMan

I still haven't played this yet, will get round to it some day... Hell, I only started playing GoW online this week, and I've had it since release. After 20+ days of CoD4 I might have finally had my fill (for a little while anyway).

Herr Duckmouth Von Twirlenkiller

hehe have to pay for it...
*snickers*

CrimsonAngel

don't be sorry Michael, I'm used to Valve shitting on the PS3.

Jun581 won't give you tree fiddy!!

thank god you guys can stop complaining now! lol!!

superbryant

We can't get anything nice on the console without the PC community trying to shit on it, can we?
Anyway, I did a little happy dance to mark this occasion.

viewtifultoe

Ahh, this is good. I'm getting a 60GB Xbox 360 after the price drops, and I'm getting the Orange Box with it.

BluFire

CRY SOME MORE!!!!

RadicalAns

no love for PS3? oh well i'll just continue pirating all their games.

animexplorer

@Hansel: I got it because I have several friends on Live and I had such high hopes for it being the "next biggest" multiplayer experience that I didn't give it a 2nd thought, I mean it's Valve right? And I'd near enough beaten HL2 on the pc years ago, but I wanted Portal. It just seemed like such a good idea at the time.

SinisterSkull

@Mr.DuckSauce: People truly don't recognize that valve did everything on the pc and 360 versions while ps3 was purely EA.

Mr.DuckSauce

@Toasticus: wow, that sucks for 360, now people can't complain about 360 lag since tf2 doesn't have dedicated servers, it's all console host side, I was wondering why my friend complains when playing gears about host advantage.

Mr.DuckSauce

@jslay012: Thanks, will be happy to send you an invite.

DugDawg

@Scipher: I thought so too, but it turns out that's a misconception. Valve handled publishing for the PC and 360 versions as well as development.

@Mr.DuckSauce: Last I checked, it was player-hosted P2P; no dedicated servers. Some games on XBL do have dedicated servers (like BF:BC) but this ain't one of them.

Toasticus

@Herr Duckmouth Von Twirlenkiller:
god of war does not have online. oh you mean Gears of war?? then put "gears" DAMMIT!. GOW or GoW = GOD OF WAR, gears or GearsOW = Gears of war

lilkao

YYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSS

*DOES HAPPY DANCE*

This, is something I want to spend my money on.

tooji

It's beyond me why anyone would get TF2 for consoles if they have perfectly good PC to run it. TF2 as other Source based games don't require much from the hardware.

Hansel

So now the console players will get the maps, they will get the modes, they will get the achievements, they will get the weapons, they will get the back burner, they will get the flaregun, they will get the natasha, they will get the sandvich

... but they will also get the pyro/medic/heavy spam farming for achievements while a 13 year old pyro ruins it for everyone while shouting profanity.

Davizias

EA had nothing to do with the 360 version... that is why PS3 updates for Orange Box are always in limbo. If Microsoft forces Valve to charge for the update, the community is going to be cut in half, making it even harder to get into a good game.

Personally, I am not entirely fond of all of the updates that Valve did. I tried out Team Fortress 2 on pc and they put health packs and ammo crates right outside the intel room on 2fort. Now enemies can easily refill on health in your own basement. Tweaks like that change the way the game plays completely, and not exactly for the better.

Ed_209

@Mr.DuckSauce: CockroachMan is right in a way - true Valve developed the PC and 360 versions, but EA publishes the 360 and PS3 versions. The publisher probably has the say on what to charge, in this case.

Scipher

I honestly couldn't care less lol, there will never be a Valve created game in my house. I don't support devs who can't broaden their horizons.

Morne

mornelithe

How is the console version of tf2 run? xbox has their own servers running? Because the pc version is, you either rent a server or make your own from your own computer or a server computer as long as it's powerful to run without problems. The pc version has full control of it's server's if people get out of line with insults and racism, so any griefing is kick or ban for you.

Mr.DuckSauce

waaaaahhhhhh!!!!! no ps3 update yet

Awoken

I'll probably end up buying the PC version before (if ever) a PS3 update is released :\.

spyker3292

@DugDawg: You might be surprised at how many people play the 360 version. I never have trouble finding a game and play a couple times a week, at least.

Shoot me a friend invite if you want to get in on some good games and work on those achievements!

jslay012

@Toasticus: 360 and PC version is published by valve, Ea is ps3.

Mr.DuckSauce

Yes, called it (a mere 2 days ago in the sandvich post)! Don't mind paying at all, it will be a bargain. The 360 servers will be packed plus we'll get all the new weapons, maps, and achievements. Easily worth it.

BOINK!

the-hypnotoad

I'm so excited about this. I can't stand the setup for the PC version, so I do 360. This is super sexy.

Bladeshot

@Wolfers:

What!? you haven't got the heavy update yet! Look at what you're missing!

+ Watch video

Davizias

Man some days being a PC gamer is just top shelf.

The money spent making a gaming computer (read: only $300 more than I would have spent on a normal computer) is easily refunded when there's:

No charges for DLC
No charges for playing 90% of games online
No need to buy controllers

WiNG

"Update" and "fee" don't go in the same sentence together... what the hell!

Thief

I'm crying with tears of joy right now. I was about to buy it for the PC, but now I don't have to. Thank you Valve...you and Bungie are the greatest game developers EVAR!

Luffay

That's pretty cool. Though I admit, I haven't even downloaded the heavy update yet.

Wolfers

im only worried that i'll be one of the few people who have actually brought the DLC content =/
otherwise im PUMPED

Naif

@animexplorer: yeah no kidding. Ive got a 360 too but I play my games on PS3 and all this negativity they show towards it makes me mad. One of the main reasons I hate Valve, also because Half Life just doesnt do it for me.

Scott3D

@Rectangle: Likewise. I got a beefy C2D 8800 rig at home, but it's for personal 3D art stuff, not gaming. And I even have it hooked up to my entertainment center for the occasional downloaded movie (via Netflix or Amazon), so it's not that. There are lots of little factors that usually make the 360 version of a game more enjoyable to me despite having a rig that can run Crysis at high settings.

Toasticus

@RadicalAns:

YOU DID WELL!

Davizias

@viewtifultoe:

It's sweet, sweet revenge :P

ImmortalZ

@Mr.DuckSauce: Why? I already said I prefer to game on my 360 than on my PC. The 360 is just so much easier all around than using a PC. No configurations to worry about. No resolutions to set. No settings to tweak for optimum performance.

I use PCs all day long. I don't want to use one all night long, too.

Rectangle

"Given that Valve is being forced to charge for the update,"

Thats why I sold my 360, well the nickle and diming and the 3 RRoD's I went through...
No, it own't "break the bank" but the problem is you guys keep thinking its ok.
Quick math, 50 bucks for live and 10 for the update = one new whole game you could of had not to mention all the other little "it won't break the bank purchases" you are spending your hard earned money on.
MS is making them charge you for the update, and they want to give it to you for free? No thanks.

Now to go get some heavy achivements on the PC... for free. sammich time!

bayn

@Rectangle: Then Connect your 360 controller to the pc, simple as that, if it's not compatible to the controller then get a program like xpadder to fix that for you.

Mr.DuckSauce

I sent Valve a e-mail a few days ago quite a lengthy one asking if they would release any info on if they would be bringing updates to the 360.

And as a 360 gamer playing this game to this day I am extremely happy after playing the PC version at a friends knowing we will get this content :D

flukielukie

@Hansel: I have a Core 2 Extreme Quad, and I still prefer gaming on my XBox 360. I don't have a 7.1 home theater audio system connected to my PC. Nor do I have a 60" TV connected to my PC.

And I hate using a mouse and keyboard to game. I much prefer a controller. I used to love the mouse and keyboard, but now I prefer to game with a controller in my hands.

Rectangle

That sucks that they have to charge for it. Good for 360 TF2 players though I guess. $10 for all that isn't too bad.

CCCombobreaker

har? hard.

basseman

it´s just that doing som few clicks ain´t har don´t really need to do it either. It works without.

basseman

This will probably be free eventually. The problem I see with it is, people who don't buy the DLC will not be able to play on the same servers as those who do, so it's going to split the online community a bit.

davo123

I spent a couple years of my life running a HL server, fighting hard cheaters (aimbots, wallhacks, etc), soft cheaters (skins, textures, and models), and griefers (blockers, team killers, public chat spammers, etc). I'm not going back. The PC version could be free, but I wouldn't play it. While the TF2 situation on the 360 is sad, it's better than the alternative.

ckrueger

@Rectangle:
Just because you wasted money on buying a Quad Core does not mean you can game. I can safely bet that you do not know a whole lot about computers, you would have posted more important information, and you would also know how to to have the setup you want with little to no effort. Hell I could assemble an entire computer, and have it set up to a tv and monitor, with game controller and everything the way you want in less than 3 hours approximately.(hell the only reason we have to add an extra hour to that is so that windows can format itself) Educate yourself and read about PCs, but if you don't want to bother that's fine stick to console. Just don't blame PCs for your ignorance. (I'm sounding overly harsh don't take that as like insult, I know ignorance has a negative connotation to it, but nothing else seems to fit, though I do hate it when others make ridiculous claims, lord knows I'm trying to ignore the troll who "bought a new laptop" up there)

I think everyone loves Valve. They really do try their best and honestly this only proves it. I wonder why it isn't even coming to PSN though? hmm

Covert_Knight

@viewtifultoe: Yeah, the endless gamer wars get tiring, but as an old PC gamer myself I can see people wanting to rub some noses in things when they get the chance. There is a vocal part of the console fan base, not to mention the game media, who are cheering on the (nonexistent imo) death of PC gaming.

I imagine some of the posters you are referring to are trying to even the score. It's not big and it's not clever, but if you make people feel put upon for long enough you shouldn't be surprised when you get a reaction.

hardlylikely

Yup, I won't be holding my breath for this on PS3, though it will at least be free if / when it does arrive. :0)

ThursdayNext

@basseman: You're right, we're too lazy. We should work harder for our fun. :P

Toasticus

@superbryant:
Nope, not yet, sadly. We still have to ay for it for some unexplained reason. PC players get all this and more for free.
On the other hand, it's not like anyone could say the Orange Box was a rip off, since it gave us five incredible games, even if one is unfinished on the consoles.
I'm glad I got it for the Xbox and not the PS3, since Valve shows no desire of doing anything with the PS3.

Anyway, I'm still gonna stick to Warhawk for my online multiplayer action. One of the best online games I've ever played.

FreakyFavabean

$10 for free content? Ouch.

Gofthick

I'm starting to look more and more toward a Ps3 with this kind of microsoft bullshit. Pay for Live? Then pay for free updates

JayTapp

Yes, Valve's hatred of PS3 borders on ridiculously silly, but let's not get carried away, chums. It's no reason to shit on a great studio that has the best system for online distribution out there right now. I have a PS3 as well, but I'm crying no tears over this because I bought the Orange Box on PC. Where it belongs. And like el_gordo said, even Mac owners (like me!) have no excuse for having done otherwise.

Grave

can´t stand the setup for the pc? it´s a few clicks?! it´s not like you have to write some code or something. People really are annoyingly lazy. But thats nothing new.

basseman

I imagine the heavy's are gonna have a blast with that hand to hand update. I really have to get TF2 for my computer sometime when I get the chance finally.

Kiyosuki

man i hope so happy at this news that i registered just to comment, team fortress 2 is one of my favourite games on 360 and ive been hoping to get the new maps and updates for so long because my pc is bad for games. i am more than happy to pay for it because it beats the other option of having to upgrade my pc which would be too expensive. oh man thank you valve, now please release counter strike source for xbox live aracade :D oh man i cant wait oops that was not medicine

fakeplasticlung

4 hours until TF2 free weekend :) Anyway, I'm sick of how VALVe is touted as one of the best developers around but they can't figure out the PS3 when so many many other devs can. Get off your lazy asses VALVe, you'll make more money...

tironabardheblu

@Pantsman: If Valve were *really* trying to get money, they'd be releasing all the updates as they're done and charging for both XBOX and PC versions - which they aren't. "Building customer loyalty" doesn't go as far toward making money as looking out for #1.

Exhibit A) Microsoft. Consumer loyalty? Not as much. Making money? You bet.

antialias02

Heh the community for this game is quite funny, you see some regulars in the servers which is nice.

flukielukie

@bysty: Valve is a PC developer, not a console developer. It's a marvel to me that the Orange Box ever graced something that wasn't a desktop.

And besides, EA developed the PS3 version - Valve didn't really have anything to do with it.

In all seriousness, Valve hate is the last thing this thread should be seeing. They're a great company making great games, and in this case they're trying to do the best for the consumer .... yeah, it releases later, but it will end up being far cheaper.

In the grand scheme of things, I'm sure they'd want the same releases to come out for the PS3 edition eventually as well, but there are likely roadblocks right now.

antialias02

hell yes!!! Finally!!! about time!!!! Yeah!!! whoo whoo!!!

emeraldgsl

@King of Fun UK:

I hate to break it to you, but this is Valve trying to get money from us. They're just doing it in a much smarter way than most companies. By releasing lots of free stuff, they build their reputation and customer loyalty, so that we'll be more likely to buy stuff from them in the future.

Pantsman

@Rectangle: Well there you go, heheh. Nice rebuttal.

Toasticus

Well, maybe people will buy the PC version of L4D now. I'm sure that'll be updated for free too later on.

turtlesorpenguin

@Covert_Knight: And that's after how many years of assembling PCs and researching cost-effective upgrades? Also, you don't know what else he does on his PC -- presumably he didn't set it up primarily for gaming, since he has a distaste for PC gaming. That quad core you call a waste of money could easily be quite useful for non-gaming tasks that he built the PC for in the first place. I wouldn't jump so quickly to labeling someone as ignorant.

Toasticus

exuberance :D

NiceGuy8618

I am excited for this but having to pay sucks.
Thinking I may upgrade the PC, buy TF2 for it and then play for free.
Cost more yet somehow makes me feel better.
(Cause man, I hate paying MS for updates and maps.)

Numerous

@Covert_Knight: "Just because you wasted money on buying a Quad Core does not mean you can game. I can safely bet that you do not know a whole lot about computers, you would have posted more important information, and you would also know how to to have the setup you want with little to no effort."

Dude, I'm a microprocessor engineer. Let me know when you know what a TLB or directory cache do or how a branch predictor works. So whatever you just "safely bet," kindly hand it over. :)

I built both PCs I have in my house.

One of them is a dedicated home theater PC with 1.3TB of hard drive space for movie storage and a 200 disc firewire DVD carousel. That PC only has a Pentium 4 in it, though. I have a Core 2 Duo E6700 waiting to go into it, but I need a new motherboard. This PC has a GeForce 6600GT, which is also in need of an upgrade. This PC is connected to my 1080p 60" TV via a DVI to HDMI cable. I use the optical out of the motherboard to bitstream compressed Dolby Digital and DTS audio from DVDs and the recorded TV from my ATI HDTV Wonder to my receiver.

The other PC is the Core 2 Extreme Quad 3.0GHz with 1.8TB of hard drive space and 3GB of RAM. This PC has a GeForce 7900GS video card. Great for the time, but it has seriously been surpassed. Still, it ran HL2 Episode 1 just fine.

And I still prefer gaming on my XBox 360.

Rectangle

I fucking hate Valve. They make amazing games, tease PS3 owners with Orange Box, release a sub-par version, and then ignore the console from then on.

The have serious pretensions.

bysty

You all complain when you have to pay $10 for something that PC gets for free.

You all endlessly complain that it's more expensive to play games on PC than it is consoles, yet you'll shell out $10 here, 10 there for Xbox Live content, and pay the $50 year for Xbox Live, when it's all free on PC.

You say GTA IV isn't worth playing on the PC because it comes out ~6 months later than the console version, yet you have no problem in this case where these updates have been easily available on the PC for awhile now. And for free.

You don't like playing PC games because apparently it's difficult, overbearing, and expensive. Yet you have now come to accept console games with mandatory installs, game patches, and downloadable content for a premium price that should be in the game from the beginning.

You think playing PC Games is frustrating because you have to sit at a computer desk using a mouse and keyboard, yet you refuse to acknowledge the easy and obvious facts that A) You can hook up a PC to and HDTV with little effort, and B) You can use an XBox 360, PS3, PS2, or whatever other controller you want on the PC just as easily.

The lack of education and rational thought hurts my brain. One of these days, you'll realize you're being totally controlled by the console market, where as PC Gaming has so much freedom to do whatever you want. One of these days.

mva5580

@antialias02: Oh, I agree. I adore Valve games. But my PC is old and I got so very excited when they announced Orange Box for PS3 but they have consistently ignored the console now and it makes me regret ever purchasing that version. It's certainly not helping customer retention, at least on the PS3 side. I would be wary to purchase again from them in fear of once again getting burned.

And yes, EA developed the PS3 version, but it is an original Valve IP and they had to license the product out. A poor version of a Valve game, no matter who actually developed it, reflects poorly on Valve. Whoring out your product to the highest bidder is not always the best business strategy.

bysty

by the way left for dead looks promising. Co-op is usually funnier than against people.

basseman

hmm, counterstrike and day of defeat. 2 games that began as mods.

basseman

@tironabardheblu: There's a significant difference between "figuring it out" and "not making the effort because they have better things to do". Like DLC, L4D, HL2:Ep3, and, of course, Portal 2. Among others, I'm sure.

antialias02

@DukeOfPwn: I bought it on console. But I guess I must admit I hated it, and sold it to a friend for $35. You guys got me excited for nothing. And it wasn't the controls, it was the games. Counterstrike and Day of Defeat is win though. Counterstrike also runs fine on WINE, a lot of games do.

Shockadin

@Hansel: PC elitists -.- No, because most of PC gaming requires windows, it requires me to go to the dreaded side of my dual boot with ubuntu.

Shockadin

@pisseddog: *EA not valve

pisseddog

@CockroachMan: valve is only in charge of the ps3 port.

pisseddog

OMG. Yes !!!1

God thank u !!1 U r the man

Hellicus

I dont think MS is making them charge, but probably EA. Only reason MS decided to charge for Gears and Halo DLC is cause they were the publisher.

KaoKing

@Rectangle:
You have no idea, how many people I've heard say "I got a quad core yet I can't game" or something along such similar lines. What is more likely to happen, me come across a teenager on Kotaku posting out of his rear? Or a micro processing engineer who knows what he is talking about? I would most likely assume the former over the latter, wouldn't you agree? I assumed, my mistake and I easily admit that.

Also, as any one of us, no matter how good at our professions we may be, we have to realize that we must maintain being knowledgeable on recent computer parts and bargains. I mean you can get an 8800 GTS 512 for like what $150? It's a pretty cheap upgrade which would have substantial performance boost. Though the 9800 GTX is what I'm looking at for bargain prices. Look I'm no micro processing engineer, but I am taking Computer Engineering in college, and while I may not know a lot, you have to admit, a geforce 7900 with a quad core? That's no good for gaming, or at least, not getting the most out what you have. Doesn't take an engineer to see that. The Quads came out far later than the 7 series cards. I'm guessing you upgraded the cpu on that rig? Because it wouldn't make much sense to build it from the ground up like that. (and honestly the quad came out far later than the 7900) And for a gaming rig, why would you need 1.8 TB again? I'm guessing you put 3 600gb hard drives in RAID 0? And what about ram frequency? That's just as important as any other specs, I mean if that's bottlenecked no wonder you would prefer console. Gaming should run smoother and better on a computer.

My specs:
E6750 Oc'ed to 3.2ghz
Geforce 8800 GTX Oc'ed by MSI
650 watt psu (overkill but I'm covering myself)
X-Fi Soundblaster Soundcard
2 gb of DDR2 1066 Ram (yeah this is my weak point, but I was thinking about going to DDR3 if I get a 790i)
and my WD VelociRaptor HD will be coming soon! =D (regular 320gb hard drive at the moment, I don't need a lot of space)

I run TF2 at max settings without sweating it at 1600 resolution, just the way I like it. And yes I do own a 360, I honestly only use it for games that I can't get like Crackdown! I LOVE me some crackdown I'll admit.

Covert_Knight

poor valve has to take our money against their will. Hopefully this means people will start playing this again for a little while.

dubbfoolio

Not to knock Xbox Live but how are some of you so happy to pay $10 for something we PC owners of the game have been recieving for free? You already paid $10 more for the game than we did, now you're ok with paying an additional $10 for content we already had a few months ago. I don't understand that, but I do know this is exactly why Xbox Live will never become a free service. When Microsoft and other Publishers can get away with charging you a convenience fee for free PC Content why bother ever giving it you for free? You guys are more than happy to pay for it just to have it on a console, especially consdering the Xbox 360 is pretty darn close to PC Architecture as is so i doubt it took very much work for Valve to push that convert button in the dev tools kit for the new TF2 content on Xbox.

nine07

@Covert_Knight: I'm just not that into updating my PC's graphics anymore. I have a 360 and a PS3, and I haven't gamed much on the PC since I got the 360.

I got the 7900GS when I bought the Core 2 Duo. Haven't upgraded it since. I got the Core 2 Extreme Quad for...well, you'd get one too if you could get it for the price I did. ;)

As for hard drives, I have 2 400GB drives in Raid 0 with a 1TB backup drive in the computer for the whole house. My wife has a photography business and shoots in raw a lot, which eats up space.

I've tinkered with computers since 1982 or so. And I gamed on PCs for years. I still like gaming, just not so much on PCs. I just don't like the relentless upgrade path. I'd rather spend that money on games.

Rectangle

Valve hates the ps3 ;_; damn them

Anyway, how will this update work for the 360? I mean all those updates that we have gotten since the release of the game have changed a lot. Not only weapons/achievements but bugs in maps, bugs in the game itself, damage done, etc...

so will there be now 2 versions of the game where people have this and don't have this update? Or will all people get this update but will have to pay to unlock it?

Shad0X

That's great! But I get the middle finger by owning a ps3! Thanks Gabe!

TheCleaningGuy

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Darth_X

I've been playing and enjoying TF2 on the 360 for a while now, but if they're going to charge for free updates I'll probably just buy the PC version instead. How ridiculous, there has been *some* free stuff on live like that Cold Storage map for Halo 3.

Darlan

I bought the 360 version of The Orange Box yesterday at WalMart for $19.99, because of a mistake in their advertised price. It is actually $29.99, which is still a great price considering it was one of the best deals in gaming at $59.99 when it was released.(well the PC and 360 versions anyway)

I have had the PC version since it launched, but I am just tired of dealing with all the crap that comes with PC gaming. Oh and I absolutely love Xbox Live. Yeah, it sucks for paying for this DLC, but I don't mind it, and Valve will make it worth the money. It is more of a convience fee to me.

Bii-Nii-Wii-Nii

@mva5580:

Thats a very valid argument....you've swayed me man I'll look into getting a gaming PC.

ZenGaijin

@Rectangle:

Hundreds more I think not. I built a computer recently for everyday use as well as for some graphic and video editing work. I also wanted to play some games so I also bought a video card.

I got an 8800 GTS which can be had for under $200 today. That video card is the only difference between a pc and a gaming pc.

Stop being such a troll and pushing that outdated stereotype about PC gaming.

okkervil

@nine07: "Not to knock Xbox Live but how are some of you so happy to pay $10 for something we PC owners of the game have been recieving for free?"

How are you so happy to game on a PC that cost hundreds more than my XBox 360? :)

Each platform has its pluses and minuses. You just chose different minuses than console owners do.

Rectangle

@Rectangle:
I see, I find the upgrading fun personally, but I've always been nerdy like that. And yeah I would hope a micro-processor engineer could get a cpu cheaper than I could. I build computers for people, nowhere near an expert or anything but I got more experience than a lot of forum noobs.

The only thing that bugs me, is that people think if they can't play at max settings they have to upgrade their computer, while a console game isn't playing what the PC max settings are.

The update does suck a bit only for the reason everyone is playing heavy to get the unlocks. Of course within a few weeks it'll be back to normal.

Covert_Knight

I expect it is $10 (£5) for everything in one simple pack. But this is great news! Finally us 360 owners get the updates we have been waiting for! Now I don't have to get it on PC and play a laggy version! (Laggy as my pc is only just up to playing it...)

CrazyBlue

I love that it was free for the PC but in all honesty I would have gladly paid $10 for the content. I paid $10 for a BF2 booster pack and that came with way less content.

The PS3 is difficult to code for unlike the PC and 360. Valve is a small team with so much on their plate. It's not surprising they didn't want to take on PS3 development as well.

I'm sure the extra content will come to the PS3 eventually, it will just be delayed because they will have to hand it off to someone else to publish. I'm sure it will be something they charge for as well.

The only downside of charging for it that I see is that it fragments the community. Anyways I would really recommend buying it.

okkervil

Hate to say it, but I'm GLad I own the PC version...

ViRiS

So Valve is going to continue to smack us console users around for another few months?

ZenGaijin

More like next year, according to Valve Time.

Dekabreak

@hahnchen:

its not tiny we have lots of people still playing the game but conpared to the pc version though i dont know, all i know is that im happy to pay 5-10 dollars for updates after having to wait so long

joeyoe31

I prefer and do play it on my PC, yet it still irks me that Valve hates the PS3 so much. I usually love the Valve team but they've lost a lot of my respect with their irrational disdain for the PS3.

Đipic

Yeah, M$ just loves to charge their customers for free stuff and services. The best part was when they were trying to charge PC gamers for online play with GFW-Live LOL.

neojam

I wouldn't really mind paying for this since I love the game a lot. I had been thinking about buying it for the PC though so I will see what the price is like. Since they aren't giving out all the class updates at once I imagine 2-3 of these XBL packages will be released. So I will see what the price is like and go with the cheapest. Right now im going to take an educated guess and say I should play it on PC.

Seriously I suck with a mouse to aim :) I will get better eventually haha.

Refused

It's encouraging to see console owners finally getting angry about having to pay for DLC.

They only get away with it because you let them do so in the first place. Good to see y'all making a stand. Fight the power!

w1nters

@basseman: As this whole scenario shows, sometimes there are huge differences between versions of the game, such as how updates are handles and server convenience. Better to buy a better version of a game you've played and know you will continue to love than to buy a new shitty game.

Darlan

Wait, they're still charging for the update? Lame. Stick with the PC version.

jackydoe

why do people buy the same thing.. twice!?! from my point of view it just seems stupid.
i thought about buying mgs for gamecube, cause it was a newer version of mgs to ps\pc. but in the end i had already played the game. Cause i don´t need to fill my home with more then one version of a game.

basseman

As long as the PS3 version gets the updates for free, I don't care how long I have to wait.

PissedPS3Fan

@basseman: I guess some folks just ain't cut out for fiddlin with them newfangled compu-trons.

GustoGaiden

@el_gordo: 70% of Laptops these days have utter shit video cards, that can't play Portal, much less TF2

HikariOblivion

if you have a pc capable of playing it, why not get that version instead? or wan´t to play with a controller, then plug it in.
and as some people are saying, if people are buying, minor things like maps.
Of course some developer will charge for it, there is a solution. Don´t pay for it, that´s all.
Even if i bought a game that was inferior, and i had a system with a better version. Probably still wouldn´t buy the better version, because i already have the game.
well people do what they wan´t, in the end.

basseman

it does suck how we have to pay for updates to a game we payed 10 dollars more for :(

but i still want updates, if u have a shitty pc and u cant get a new one then ur screwed and have to stick to consoles so im kinda stuck here

but i do still want updates so im gonna buy them i hope there free that wud be nice :) but its microshit so yah

joeyoe31

@PissedPS3Fan: Likely it won't get it at all, because apparently someone at Valve had his parents murdered by a PS3 or something

HikariOblivion

2,500 XBL points confirmed?

GamingNinja

I think one way to look at it is that the 360 is lucky to even get the updates. I don't know for sure, but having checked out the amount of PC servers available on a given day there are way, way way, more people playing on the PC than 360. So thanks Valve, sure I'll toss you a few buck for the updates since you took a lot of time to make them even if you want me to have them for free and Microsoft is making you charge.

color_guru

figures

VixDiesel

BEST. News. Ever. People can piss and moan and ignite the pc versus console debate, and I could care less. I'd pay 100 bucks for this update and wait another two years. I just want it, period. Mister Lombardi, I could kiss you.

monkeysaresilly

This is the best news for me!!!
I was waiting for something like this since, well since the goldrush update!
I dont care if I gotta pay for them I love this game so much I would buy it again just for the updates, THANKS VALVE!

HELLSRIDER

Yeah they're being forced to charge just like Criterion was forced to charged for their awesome updates. Yeah like EA had to charge for conquest mode in Battlefield right? Oh wait......

Why is is that Criterion has more clout than Valve? If they are being forced to charge then why are others in the same situation not? I guess it could be because Microsoft is far more lenient on EA and with games like Prey and Kane and Lynch the free packs will be downloaded by less people.

Sathan

What? $20 more and you can just buy it on PC instead. Silly Xbox 360 owners, computers are better.

Joeigglypuff

@exion:

It's EA's fault, not Valve's.

arstal

as an owner of the PS3 version, I'm getting ever increasingly tempted to mail a gift wrapped turd to valve.

exion

@Sathan:

Indeed. We're hearing Valve PR right now. I wouldn't take that blindly. I highly doubt that MS forced them to offer it for pay, AND forced them to charge $10 for it.

If you take everything Valve tells you at face value, I'm sure they've got a bridge they'd be happy to sell you, too. Although I heard a PC user got the bridge for free....

ckrueger

Are they going to fix the netcode? Maybe add split-screen to keep down the network stress? I would prefer that. It's annoying lagging through or dropping connection every other game.

Do this before I even think of buying any DLC.

Xiedo

@ckrueger:
[www.shacknews.com]

If you cant remember, peeps at Epic said the same thing about MS and about being forced to charge for update they wanted to release for free.

neojam

@Mainman: Make new friends.

Narishma

@neojam:

Well, there are free content updates out there. It pains me to type "Occam's Razor", but if there are free updates out there, but Valve is charging for theirs, I'm inclined to believe Valve is perfectly happy to charge for the update.

ckrueger

@mizeriq: "on my SNES"

mizeriq

@Quicksilver4648: I bought Halo3 and it didn't run on my got a SNES! WOW, I HATE CONSOLE GAMING!!!

mizeriq

This is great news! We've been waiting for this for a long time and I think everyone was about to go crazy if we didn't hear official word. I don't mind paying for it either. Sure, pc gamers get this stuff for free, but as long as it's official content from the devs, I think they deserve to be payed for their trouble.

Hopefully we'll also get a patch to update the maps we already have and also some exploit fixes soon.

Bremen142

gladly pay for this initally, but I deifinitely do not want to shell out $10 a pop every time valve updates the game. That would suck. Then again, how long have console owners of orange box (there's more than two) been waiting for this anyway. *sigh*

scottieb2

@neojam: Yeah, but that is a Microsoft published game. They have a say in charging for content when they are helping to pay for it.

If epic was forced to charge for Unreal Tournament 3 content then I think you would have a point.

Sathan

@DukeOfPwn: Fuck you too, asshole. I have 20+ people on my friends list that I play TF2 with regularly.

Adrock4

Not sure why they're dragging their feet on the class updates. Paying $10 for half the classes seems like a waste, especially when most of the new maps are derivative.

Woohoo, another lumber mill and/or industrial complex.

Then, six months later, you'll be forced to pay another $10 if you want the class updates to the less nubby classes (Soldier, Demo, Sniper, Scout).

I'm not sure I follow Valve's plan to drag out the updates to make the base content more interesting, as on the PC, the game's been hemorrhaging players since launch. On Live, even more so due to wonky netcode, bad matchmaking, and less than stellar controls.

fall

I really hope that Valve monitors this thread, and if the "But w-h-y do I have to p-a-y extra?!" whiny comments exceed, say, ten, they pull the 360 update and leave the 360 players with nothing. But nothing for free, of course.

Trai_Dep

What?

Why are MS forcing them to charge for this when it is obviously free on the PC? This sets a dangerous precedent, annoys 360 gamers and basically gives all the 360 gamers another reason to go over to play PC games instead - they won't get gimped for free content.

MS, I'm begging you, please don't be this hostile to your own fanbase. It can't end well.

EdwinJ85

@DukeOfPwn: I have 8 people on my friends list alone that play the 360 version...

Murderdolls

Its disgusting that DLC has to ahve a fee. I feel sorry for the people who paid for the rarther average cod 4 maps that I got free. This DLC wont disapoint but its still a shame I can play it now and the poor guys on the 360 have to pay for it a few months down the line.

kenjara

This is how the PC updates should have been done though. Release a couple class updates at once, ones that can compliment eachother like the heavy and medic.

That way you don't have competent medics suddenly abandoning their main class to go get a bunch of heavy achievements all at once.

With all of the glitch fixes and gameplay tweaks that Valve has made to this game since launch, 360 owners that pick this up will be in for a serious treat. I can't imagine what playing this game would be like with people building sentries under the ground and griefers teleporting you to enclosed areas. Though if I only had a 360, I'd have probably given up on this game a long time ago.

FlashIV

Betting on it being free on PSN. I don't know why, just guessing.

man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.

"Hell, it's about time." *Bites down on cigar*

Dangeresque: I know Gundam is dirty but I love 00

10$ wud be fine

Lanhoj

i hope they just wait till all the classes get their updates and then on the 360.

magic1234

I was kind of hoping that TF2 gets a dedicated server update or rerelease. This game is allready somekind of bastard 360 exclusive with the way Valve feels about the PS3 :p So why not just work with Microsoft and make it really shine on Live? Remove the crap ranked matches and use a halo/cod4 party system where we can veto maps ect, ect... Then take a page from BF:BC and have 24 player (or 32 while I'm still dreaming ;) dedicated servers free of charge. Hell break down the voice chat into squads for all I care because the new live 8 person party chat will be more than enough for most people.
TF2 is an amazing game that just doesn't shine the way it should on consules >:\

Gunloc

i would pay 20$! thanks so much valve. i feel like the 360 is the whining 4 year old who wants everything his older brother PC gets, and just to shut it up, valve gives in to the angry child's demands. Oh well, whatever works :D

enchantedduck

YAY!

TF2Soldier914

Brilliant, it's only been 10 months. Boy, I can't wait to pay for stuff that should be free. This had better not start a trend and get other devs charging for updates.

The_Crotchinator

naysayers will be ignored!

very happy about this, i also have had this since it was released on the 360 and maybe played a handful of online matches, only because like others have said, way to many other games were coming out at the same time - so now it will finally get the attention from me it deserves. ... oh, and i am so not worried about the cost - right now you can find orange box NEW from $12 to $30 so the dlc cost should not be an issue for the new buyers, it all comes out in the wash.

icarusprime

Paying....

Look, here's the deal, I own a 360 and I own orange box, and I love the s**t out of TF2. And I want my TF2 updates free! If I have to pay more than $5 for this I'm not getting it, because I don't want to spending $10 to $20 every time a TF2 update comes out. Why? Well I can explain why in my declaration of what I'm gonna do:

Buy TF2 on steam for PC. I'm out $20 but I'm guaranteed to get all future updates FREE - FREE. Also don't have to pay live fees to play my favorite online game anymore.

End of story.

Kyall

@DrowningInMercy: Did you not notice they want to release them all at ones because of themselves and the customer being forced to pay?

Infamous.mpgEU

@Kyall: Hey, look, someone who gets it!

hardlylikely

@Joeigglypuff:
You best be joking.

Dekabreak