EA slicing up PC Orange Box, Spore-ing by Holidays

Publisher to unbundle Valve's FPS megacompilation into individual retail SKUs; reaffirms 2008 release for universe-building sim.

EA's post-earnings conference call yesterday yielded several interesting nuggets of information. Capturing the lion's share of attention for many was EA CEO John Riccitiello's off-the-cuff confirmation that Harmonix's popular four-piece rhythm game Rock Band would roll onto the Wii. The game found great success, with 1.5 million units sold across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 2 editions released last year.

Although a good deal of the call dwelled on console updates, Riccitiello also offered up a few tidbits for those concerned about the most venerable of gaming platforms, the PC. When asked about another possible delay for Will Wright's much-hyped and heavily anticipated Spore, Riccitiello said, "We will tell you it's going to be before the holidays. This is one of the titles we pay enormous attention to for all of the obvious reasons, and we're very, very bullish."

Riccitiello also expressed interest in busting Valve's critically lauded Orange Box up into individual offerings. "From our EA Partners business we're...unbundling Orange Box and releasing separate PC SKUs: Half-Life 2, Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress."

The components of The Orange Box--that is, Half-Life 2, its first two follow-up episodes, puzzle game Portal, and multiplayer-oriented Team Fortress 2--can currently be purchased as stand-alone products through Valve's online distribution service, Steam. EA, which acts as Valve's retail distribution partner for the game, confirmed yesterday that The Orange Box had attained platinum status in the publisher's third fiscal quarter, having sold more than 1 million copies across the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

138 Comments

  • daysanew

    Posted Feb 11, 2008 10:52 pm PT

    I can't wait for spore, and I'm glad they are taking their time with this game, getting things to really work. This extra time they have taken will help ensure we are getting a great game (and telling game developers to think more outside the box). Of course they could just change the name to Halo 4, then it can suck and it'll still sell great and gave reviewers will give it a 10/10

  • NukeU

    Posted Feb 9, 2008 10:48 pm PT

    STOP DELAYING SPORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've waited 4 years for this game, and I want to play it, now!

    The orange box is pefection, though. Best thing to happen to Half Life, ever.

  • tkulchawick135

    Posted Feb 9, 2008 8:44 pm PT

    Kind of ridiculous how some of you say "God about time they split this up. I only want episode 2 and portal. I would rather pay 40$ or 50$ for two games because i already have HL2 and HL2:EP1, instead of getting 5 games for 50$" Well, i bought orange box over steam and i didn't expect much out of TF2, like most of you. Because i got the whole box, TF2 is my favorite part of the package. Don't shun a game you haven't tried. It was a game that was in development for like 9-10 years, and additional game-play is currently being added via steam updates. Also, if you purchase the game over steam, you can give the games you already have as gifts to someone else. I traded my HL2 game over a online game trading site for another game i didn't have. Even if you get the hard copies of the game, you can still trade away your old copy of HL2 and EP1 over the net, or sell it on ebay!! some people don't understand the value of the orange box. Take advantage of it!

  • Fade2gray

    Posted Feb 9, 2008 6:06 pm PT

    Spore: Coming Christmas 2010!!!

  • ignamatador

    Posted Feb 5, 2008 12:17 pm PT

    Spore it's going to be history of the evolution games, i think

  • Razzi65

    Posted Feb 5, 2008 1:57 am PT

    looks like SPORE will bore everyone...
    or not??

  • cdodo

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 8:41 pm PT

    yay!! spore!!!! ...is it spring, summer or winter holidays??? :3 yay!! another delay!!!!!!

  • tlow0678

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 2:15 pm PT

    "out before the holidays" So basically another delay for spore........

    Now i need to go cry to myself in a corner

  • TallicaFan2005

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 1:53 pm PT

    Congrats to Orange Box.... Portal is one of the greatest games ever made.

  • Talnar85

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 9:41 am PT

    They say spore will be out before the holidays but which one?

    I really hope they get teh creature demo out soon so we can see how it will be.

  • markevens

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 9:19 am PT

    Looks like EA is pushing Spore to meet their desired release time. Must suck for will wright to work for EA.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 8:55 am PT

    It would cost $80 just to get all of the Half-Life 2 content (including Episode 1 and 2). Team Fortress isn't worth $30 on it's own - maybe $20. Poral is okay at $20.

    This worries me that EA will charge more than what is charged on Steam for the discs. I would prefer to just get the whole package as it is a better deal.

  • Lordofultima

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 3:38 am PT

    That's good news. Valve makes a game like no other. If they reported on Steam sales I bet things would sound a bit more exciting.

  • Kelemhuma

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 1:12 am PT

    Dude a lot of people already own Half life 2 and episode one. I am one of those people who bought these games when they first came out. I dont want to pay 50 bucks for team fortress 2 and half life 2 episode 2. I sure as hell dont like downloading from steam. I like having hard copies of my games. Shure Orange box is a terriffic deal for those who dont own any of the games. All I realy want out of that box is episode 2 could care less about team fortress 2 or portal. so this is good news for some of us who where looking for individual boxed episode 2. which has not been available. Episode one sold for $20 bucks at Frys when it first came out. That shure as hell sounds a lot better than $50. It was like they were punishing the people who already owned first two games by trying to get them to drop 50 for expansion and new mutiplayer. By not giving them the choice. Good news good news finally!

  • SpinoRaptor

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 11:14 pm PT

    Stupid Move from EA. Just stick with the orange box. They will charge you the same price anyway.

  • TurambarGS

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 10:46 pm PT

    Nah, I don't want Portal or Team Fortress. I certainly don't want HL2 or Episode 1, cos I already own both of them. The only piece out of the allegedly value packed Orange Box that I want, is Episode 2. I'll buy it stand alone (FINALLY, grrr Black Box) when it is a boxed PC release... the whole only Orange Box release concept really annoyed me.

  • Spyhunter_101

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 9:03 pm PT

    my guess is they will be 29.99

  • ShockerX01

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 8:25 pm PT

    Best buy the Orange Box people, before EA starts ripping you off.

  • LordGavo

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 8:19 pm PT

    Damn EA. Always finding ways to rip us off.
    EVERYONE BUY THE ORANGE BOX NOW!

  • DarwinBC

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 8:17 pm PT

    Sounds like they're trying to push spore in to the market. Hope EA doesn't screw it up.

  • augustoc2001

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 5:14 pm PT

    Stop making money and start making good games!!!

  • TongLong

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 3:30 pm PT

    Blah blah blah, money, money, money, business, business, business... Is EA coming out with anything new and innovative, or are they just going to continue to release reports about how much money they make by selling us gamers the same, repackaged stuff over and over again?

    OB was a great package deal, they must have realized the error of their ways and decided to make more cake...

  • AceCometh

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 3:23 pm PT

    Busting up the Orange Box is a cheap way to make more money. The idea that they're thinking about doing that is just plain sick.

  • Vash67

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 2:22 pm PT

    I think this is a good idea IF the price is right. I am not a FPS fan so obviously getting the Orange Box isn't a purchase I'd make. But all the acclaim Portal has recieved made me curious about it. So I'd buy Portal if it was just that game. But for a reasonable price. Like $10-$20.

  • swordwarior

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 1:53 pm PT

    I'm not sure if this has been said, but another reason it's good to dissect the games is because some people cant buy M games. This way people that really want to buy portal or what ever games are rated T have that option.

  • Colonel_Cool

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 12:29 pm PT

    I read somewhere that Spore could be delayed till sometime in '09, but this is good news that its coming out this year.

  • johnny27

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 11:05 am PT

    i thuaght the oj box was a great idea and im expecting valve to do a similiar thing with hl2 episode 3

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 11:05 am PT

    @gelatinguy ... No it was a very cleverly thought plan and i believe Orange Box was the best package in years. But it is always better to give consumers even more choice and that is what they are doing right now by dissecting the Games into individual SKUs.

  • gelatinguy

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 7:14 am PT

    I'm glad they're slicing up the Orange Box for different reasons. I was at Toys R Us one day and the man in front of me was wondering which 360 games to get. The clerk suggested the Orange Box. The guy said "Oh, I don't want a bunch of demos, I want a full game."

    I think while it was great for us who knew what the Orange Box was, many average joe consumers take a look at that box and think it's a collection of mini-games, or just a collection of crappy games. Isn't that the norm when it comes to collections anyway? You certainly don't expect 3 of the offerings to be brand new and great games. From a marketing standpoint, it was really bad to put all the games together. Good thing enough gamers knew what the Orange Box was, but now the not-so-hardcore can try the games out, and hopefully with some sort of "Platinum" title on the box.

  • Metallicadam379

    Posted Feb 3, 2008 1:13 am PT

    Since you can already buy them separately on computer through steam, why would they waste money splitting it up on the PC. Why don't they split them up for the console. At least that would be more worth it considering those who just want to play Portal on consoles have to buy the whole pack(It isn't a bad deal, but for those who just want to play Portal).

  • Nitecrawler1282

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 11:18 pm PT

    I just got the orange box today just so i dont have buy them separate and waste more money. damn people!

  • Firedevilx

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 7:58 pm PT

    "Just don't rush it and make Spore one of the best games in the universe.
    "
    Yup, because if they don't, we will raise our forks and torches.

  • snowyjoe

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 7:48 pm PT

    Just don't rush it and make Spore one of the best games in the universe.

    I can wait, just take your time and make it good!

  • arch123

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 6:03 pm PT

    This is stupid! You know, with all these "yay! spore will come out this year" posts, you've missed the point: they've delayed it again. That's right: this apparent confirmation of a release soon actually pushed back the promised date. Now its "before the holidays this year" rather than q1 '09 fiscal year, i.e. April '08, which it was before this.

  • RTSownFPS

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 4:57 pm PT

    It makes me mad that they won't shut up about how "the game is completely ready, and we're just tweaking it," If it's not ready, they should just say it, and if it is ready, they should be shipping it.

  • DoctorSoctopus

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 1:08 pm PT

    I completely agree with JordanCupcakes, I'd rather have a good game later then a mediocre game now, and I want Spore just as much (if not more) than anyone.

  • damswedon

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 12:38 pm PT

    damn you will wright

  • RealDuffi

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 12:12 pm PT

    Argh, why do you always tease me with news of Spore. I end up as a withdrawal junkie everytime Spore is mentioned.

  • minhas32

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 12:01 pm PT

    PC wins

  • minhas32

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 11:56 am PT

    PC wins

  • natethemighty

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 11:53 am PT

    The orange box was great. I have it for ps3 and I must say it was one favorite christmas surprises. It all plays so well, I also have half-life 2 for pc and I went back through and played it on ps3 because it looked way better. The load times where excellent, way improved over my pc. An all around great game or should I say game(s).

  • JordanCupcakes

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 11:32 am PT

    Spore will be delayed the game is too epic for them to rush it. I prefer a well programmed and bug free game rather than a rushed poopy game(K&LM)

  • Almorac

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 11:32 am PT

    Spore-related anything? *gasp* How long has it been? At least we know to expect it in 2008, not 2009... Certainly not 2010.

  • lozandier

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 10:48 am PT

    The Orange Box on 360 is the best console version; so, Extreme124, if you dislike that version of the Orange Box, the PC is the way to go--it's the safest one to get in terms of performance anyway. If you really think the 360 version loading is "slow" (I don't have that perception with my copy), the PS3 version has much longer loads, as well as framerate issues (that is inexcusable by EA to have the PS3 version have these problems after months after the 360 version. Porting should at LEAST have the same loading and framerate consistency as the other versions available in that Gaming generation.) 360 AND PS3 version should have at LEAST the exact same framerate and loading times, but that's a mishap by EA. Orange Box is absolutely is one of the best deals the Video Game Industry seen in years; containing one of the best PC First Person Shooters of all time. By the way, Extreme124, I think dull is not the suitable word you thinking about; if it is, well, good luck finding much first person shooters that are exciting and deep as Half Life 2, Episode 1 & 2--looking at last year, I can definitely say 95% of First Person Shooters are not as exciting as the Half Life 2 Part of the Orange Box. Arguably, I don't think the best selling shooter last year (Halo 3) was not as exciting as Half Life 2, Episode 1 and 2.

  • Archon_basic

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 10:46 am PT

    If they sell Portal for less than the $20 it is on Steam then I'll pick it up.

  • BadSushi

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 10:16 am PT

    Orange Box = best game deal ever
    Spore + Prayers + No Delays = One Happy Camper

  • pizzajon

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 9:41 am PT

    I can't wait for spore on the pc and i hope it doesnt get delayed, AGAIN!! Halflife is a pure legend of a game and the orange box was a brilliant idea. I agree with XanderZane, more game developers and publishers should do that sort of thing.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 7:58 am PT

    Got the Orange Box on the 360. So I won't need to get the individual games. I think I already have HL2 for the PC, so if there is an episode 3, maybe I'll get the PC version. The Orange Box bundle was a sweet deal though. Other companies should do this.

  • Extreme124 posted Feb 2, 2008 7:27 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Extreme124

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 7:27 am PT (hide)

    The xbox 360 verson isnt great its very slow at loading and TF2 dosent work that well also it lags a lot and their is STILL voice problems with other players in the online part of the game.

    I dont think that HL or 1, 2 are that good their pretty DULL if thats a suitable word.

    They need to re PATCH that xbox 360 verson AGAIN

  • Mehfuz

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 7:17 am PT

    i still think that $50 package is great, i already had hl2 and i think only portal and tf2 are worth that money

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