Steam's holiday sale boasts 10-75% off everything

by Ross Miller { Dec 26th 2008 at 5:30PM }

Steam is having a rather tantalizing holiday sale from now until January 2, with everything in the store 10% to 75% off. In case you missed it the first time, Team Fortress 2 is back down to $10. We recommend picking up BioShock if you've never played it, now only $5. The Valve Complete package is 25% off, now only $75, and the id Super Pack -- which nets you every single id title before Quake Wars -- is just $35. Our holiday money is officially spoken for.

Tags: holidaze, holidaze-2008, steam, valve

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

syrik zero @ Dec 26th 2008 5:33PM

Those are some crazy insane great deals. Can't pass those up

JerJer @ Dec 26th 2008 11:59PM

not to hijack the first comment or anything (actually...yeah. i am.) but here are some other good ones that are significantly slashed:

portal - usually $20, now $5

counter strike source - usually $20, now $10

unreal pack (UT, UT2, UT '04, UT3, UT GOTY edition) - usually $40, now $20

bejeweled - usually $10, now $0.99

indigo prophecy - usually $10, now $7.50 (i dont care what the price cut is on this game, but it's there and it's awesome so buy it)

anyway, just to help those who dont want to check ^_^ cheers.

jorojoserojas @ Dec 26th 2008 5:35PM

It's times like these that I wish I were a PC gamer.

mismajor99 @ Dec 26th 2008 5:49PM

it's always a great time to start! Love 'em all, like most PC Gamers do, and you'll even more games to look forward to each year

El Capitaine @ Dec 26th 2008 10:47PM

I really wish I was a PC gamer...

the only problem is the cost.

Although I do suppose the cheaper software costs and versatility of a PC gaming computer (as the PC platform is much wider - it has STEAM, but then also plenty of other games, and a HUGE back catalog). However, to play the newest games, one has to constantly buy new components. I bought my Xbox 360 in 2005 for $400 and it can still play the newest games without a hitch (albeit with a few free exchanges due to RROD). My PC that I bought for $600 in 2006 now tanks with every new release. No, it certainly cannot play Crysis. I tried the GFW-LIVE version of Gears of War. To get 30 fps, I had to turn every AA and detail option off, and run at a paltry 400x300 resolution.

End result? I'll stick with console gaming. I'd rather the developers having to optimize their code to make their game work with my system, rather than me having to pay to make their game work.

Jeff @ Dec 27th 2008 12:44AM

I bought my PC 4 years ago for $1600, and I can still play all the newsest games at 60 FPS with anti-aliasing. I've also consistently paid only $50 for games at release, and usually get new games for sub-$30 if I'm willing to wait for a sale that occurs a week or two after release, and I've bought plenty of games for under $20 not long after release.

And if I wanted to be a dick, I could be getting all of my games for free.

Sure it ends up costing more, at least in terms of hardware, but if you add the cost of a console to the cost of a new PC... that's basically the cost of a great gaming PC.

johnohara @ Dec 27th 2008 12:48AM

Pick up the Valve Collection. They have made some of the best PC games of all time and the games in that pack date from 1997 until now, you're sure to get a bunch of stuff that will run on your machine.

Haggard @ Dec 27th 2008 1:36PM

Also you need a HDTV to fully appreciate a console.

You can get a PC monitor for £100 which already has more pixels than the usual 768 horizontal line models.

Dustin @ Dec 26th 2008 5:40PM

damn fine. Ill get bioshock. hopefully my new MBP wont get the black screen of death like it does with CSS cause of the faulty 9600m GT's nvida is making.

Trulz @ Dec 26th 2008 5:46PM

Haven't had that problem with any games on my MBP, but Bioshock ran great on it at good settings.

You're making the right choice.

syrik zero @ Dec 26th 2008 5:55PM

I work in the Apple warranty dept. if it's a known issue there might be a "recall" type thing for your macbook pro if it's a faulty video card

WorMzy @ Dec 26th 2008 10:43PM

Just get a PC.

slycooper_rocker [anti-panda death murder squadron force five] @ Dec 26th 2008 5:47PM

tf2 for $10? bioshock for $5?! my computers might not be able to run both perfectly but i can't pass this up!

Wiinterfang @ Dec 26th 2008 5:50PM

What it's exactly Steam?

zodduska @ Dec 26th 2008 6:38PM

water changed to this form by boiling, extensively used for the generation of mechanical power, for heating purposes, etc.

Wiinterfang @ Dec 26th 2008 6:40PM

I see but what does that has to do with PC's?

zodduska @ Dec 26th 2008 6:49PM

Oh! http://store.steampowered.com/about/

Wiinterfang @ Dec 26th 2008 6:51PM

I'm kinda slow, is it like Netflix but for games?

Lee @ Dec 26th 2008 6:52PM

Whats Netflix?

Slashee the Cow @ Dec 26th 2008 7:13PM

Steam is a digital download service for PC games, like Xbox Live Arcade, the Wii Shop Channel or whatever. You buy the game, download it, then play it.

Reader @ Dec 26th 2008 7:24PM

Steam is what every PC game should be on.

Wiinterfang @ Dec 26th 2008 8:41PM

Sounds good, what benefits does it have compared to the disk based games? price? does it lack those annoying DMR?

uranutan3 @ Dec 26th 2008 10:40PM

There's DRM in that unless you set it to offline mode beforehand, you need to be online to play any game from Steam, multiplayer or singleplayer. However, you have an unlimited amount of installs and you can install Steam on any number of computers to download and play your games.
And it's a lot more convenient than driving to Gamestop.

Poisoned Al @ Dec 27th 2008 5:20AM

Plus, you're not giving your money to Gamestop. Yeah there's DRM, but Valve are one of the few that have got it right. The games are tied to your Steam account, not any physical media like a DVD or PC.

Bowser Rogozhin @ Dec 27th 2008 6:54AM

Steam is a form of DRM that internet denizens seem to adore oh so much, adoration which seems a little simpleton-like when compared to disc games:

You can never loan or resell your copy, and there are no refunds. You have to install intrusive, resource heavy software to go about your daily gaming. There's also the 1984 scenario of a an omnipotent, omnipresent, corporate behemoth watching your every gaming move. Sounds like a real good deal, huh?

In all actuality, physical media is already substantially cheaper than Steam, that's not even taking into account the price deprecation that occurs over time. Plus if you're European expect extortionate pricing.

Poisoned Al @ Dec 27th 2008 9:35AM

True, but instead of butt-fucking on operating system with SECUREROM, you're butt-fucking two... assuming it lets you, which it probably won't.

Wiinterfang @ Dec 27th 2008 9:38AM

Seems like it has it's pros and cons.

WiiFTW @ Dec 27th 2008 9:40AM

"intrusive, resource heavy software" It all depends on your view. I see Steam as a very small and relatively bug-free program.

"There's also the 1984 scenario of a an omnipotent, omnipresent, corporate behemoth watching your every gaming move."

BS

"In all actuality, physical media is already substantially cheaper than Steam,"

Where else but Steam can you get TF2 for $10 and Portal for $5?

I can't speak for Europeans on pricing but for Americans Steam is awesome, especially compared to the alternatives.

Haggard @ Dec 27th 2008 1:44PM

Since the european currency update Steam has been pretty well priced here in the UK (although I've heard that it's horrible in eastern europe, where economies are weaker but they still have to pay the same amount of euros as French or German people, despite being on half the wages)

The new games are less than you'd pay in a shop (but a couple of pounds more than off amazon). And it means that the old budget games are very temptingly priced.

All in all, yes Steam has DRM, but it's DRM which rewards you for accepting it. I break a lot of hard drives, so I love installing windows, logging into Steam and having all my games just a click away from a fast download and install. Plus the friends list and chat features I use more than MSN, and the groups and events are quite handy too.

Of course, there could be large complications if Valve were to go out of business, but considering that alternative forms of DRM mean that you might need to activate a game using a server which may only be switched on for a few years - I'll take my chances and reap the benefits now.

Bowser Rogozhin @ Dec 28th 2008 12:24PM

Pretty weak argument, WiiFTW. But seeing your screen name I'm sure you're well used to weak arguments. Not a single rebuttal! Poor show. Yet, the hivemind vote you up. I'm pretty sure that's out of pity, it must be, for those meek words could not have convinced a genuine soul.

So, Comrade Hag, you enjoy paying for locked down versions of your favourite games and a MSN clone?

Haggard @ Dec 28th 2008 4:17PM

I don't pay for the MSN clone, I buy all my games from online retailers (because I like boxes). In a practical sense, games I buy off Steam are about as locked down as they are in a box. If I were to put in a new hard drive I would simply have to click install on steam for things like TF2 and only have to click once - easier than reaching up to the shelf and agreeing to a dozen EULAs.

Besides, thanks to cretinous executives and shareholders, a lot of new PC games have online activation limits, which is worse than Steam anyday.

Levi @ Dec 26th 2008 5:51PM

Good thing Bioshock is like the last game that runs on my Pentium 4 PC with AGP graphics. Got that along with H-L:Ep2 for both me and my bro. Good thing I waited until after Christmas to buy his Christmas gifts too ^_^

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Dec 26th 2008 5:53PM

I'm gonna buy Bioshock just because it's $5

JerJer @ Dec 26th 2008 5:57PM

ditto. i already played it, thought it was meh. now? it's AWESOME.

zodduska @ Dec 26th 2008 6:34PM

Its such a great deal I almost re-bought it even thought I have the dvd sitting right next to me!

I picked up bejeweled and heavy weapons at $.99 each for my girlfriend instead.

zodduska @ Dec 26th 2008 8:02PM

make that Left 4 Dead and World in Conflict too. :)

Cyro @ Dec 26th 2008 5:54PM

*Non-Related to this news.* I just saw Call of Duty World at War on Amazon selling for $34.99. so anyone interested on buying it, like me, should get it NOW!

syrik zero @ Dec 26th 2008 5:57PM

Dude, I saw that too!

Phillip @ Dec 27th 2008 12:20PM

Also, it's down to $37.49 on Steam. That's less than the Amazon deal when you factor in shipping and you never have to worry about inserting, scratching, or losing the disc.

pasta @ Dec 26th 2008 6:31PM

Damn, I wish I knew that before. I just bought Peggle Deluxe 2 days ago.

Michael @ Dec 26th 2008 7:14PM

me too, damn peggle extreme doing too good of a job advertising for it

Lee @ Dec 26th 2008 6:41PM

Time to double my Steam collection! Holy hell these are some awesome deals.

mnemo @ Dec 26th 2008 7:20PM

The prices for European Steam users are plainly a joke.

Reader @ Dec 26th 2008 7:30PM

This is practically the best time to start. You can get caught up on every Valve game in the last decade (or more?) for seventy five bucks. Quite the deal. Unfortunately for my brother, he just bought the valve pack yesterday. I got CSS/TF2 today though to play online with him. Awesome deals.