The highly anticipated PC version of the Black Box bundle of Half Life 2: Episode 2 which includes both Portal and Team Fortress 2 as well has been nixed. This bad news means gamers will only have the Orange Box version to choose from, where it contains the original Half Life 2 as well as Half Life 2: Episode 1 in addition to Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. For those who have no inkling of what the Half Life sequel ensues, now would be a good time to pick up the Orange Box when it is released. For those who already have Half Life 2 and Episode 1, the inclusion means you have a couple of Christmas presents to give away later this year to the less fortunate.

The Orange Box Half Life 2: Episode 2 bundle will retail for $49.99 for the PC edition, but owners of both the Xbox 360 and PS3 will have to pony up an additional $10 for their copies. I suppose you’ve got to fork out more to keep up with being “next gen”, despite the fact that games on the computer have generally bested their console counterparts in terms of graphics. Let’s not even get into gameplay issues between consoles and PCs as PCs definitely fare much better in terms of control thanks to the venerable keyboard and mouse combo.

According to Doug Lombardi from Valve, “Those who purchase the PC version of The Orange Box will get three separate Steam product codes: One for the three new games, one for HL2, and one for Episode One. This way a PC Orange Box owner can give away their Half-Life 2 or Episode One unused Steam product codes if they don’t need a copy of those games. We are excited to deliver the highest value of new gaming content ever offered in one box.”

Source: Joystiq

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