The Steam Deal Thread V2 - Dig into those holiday games. V3 thread coming soon!

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Welcome to the Steam Deal Thread V2! You can find the V1 thread (2010-July 2011) here. Read post #2 of this thread for Steam FAQs and more.

This is a Wiki post. Please read this
We appreciate you helping keep this thread up to date. The sales change virtually every day so no one person has the time to update them all. If you notice a game is no longer on sale, feel free to delete its line from the sale list. Of course, if you see a game is on sale, add it to the list. Make sure your changes match the thread's format! For example, every game that's on sale is part of an unordered list. When adding a game to the list, copy an existing line and update the link, title, and prices. That way, the format stays correct. Do not list percentages off! We list the original price and the sale price here. If you have any suggestions for major changes to the post/thread, PM me (EastX) about them.
for instructions on updating the thread.

Steam Games and DLC on Sale - Updated 2/12

Preorder Deals - Updated 2/12

Group Buys - Updated 07/23

Several multiplayer Steam games are available in 2-packs or 4-packs. These packs offer a discount over buying multiple copies of a game separately. We also maintain group buy trade threads for several games, so please use those threads if you're interested in setting up a group buy.

Free Stuff


There are several free games and mods on Steam. These are a few choice ones; you can find a full list here. Note that free games are not permanently attached to your Steam account like actual purchases would be. You'll need to manually download a game again from the website if you uninstall it.
Past Special Sales


Visit www.steamgamesales.com to check previous sale prices on Steam games. We do keep track of some older sales here though:
Steam Retail Key List

What is a CD key and where can I find it?

The CD Key is a serial number with a combination of 13, 18, or 25 letters and numbers - it can be found on a sticker inside your game's case or printed on the game's quick reference card.
The CD Key acts as your proof of purchase for the game - Steam Support may ask for it if you need to establish your ownership of an account. It is recommended that you keep your CD Key in a safe place to ensure the security of your account.

Which retail CD Keys are accepted on Steam?





All retail Valve games and a number of third-party games can be registered to your Steam account. All of the following games can be registered through Steam:
  • Valve CD Keys in this format: ####-#####-####
  • Valve CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Valve CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • AI War CD Keys in various formats
  • Aliens vs. Predator (2010 Release) CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Alpha Prime CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Audiosurf CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • BRINK CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is not accepted on Steam
  • Cities in Motion CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Civilization V CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Commander: Conquest of the Americas CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Cricket Revolution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dark Messiah CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dark Messiah Multiplayer CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dark Messiah CD Keys may also have been printed incorrectly, please see the Dark Messiah article
  • Darksiders CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: The number 2 and letter Z may look very similar.
  • Dawn of War II CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dawn of War II - Retribution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Defense Grid CD Keys in this format (Direct2Drive only): 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Duke Nukem Forever CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Empire: Total War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-DDEFGH3-IJK4L-MNOPQ-RST56
  • F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • F.E.A.R. 3 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Fallout: New Vegas CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Football Manager 2009 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2CD3FGH456I7JK8LMNOP9Q
  • Football Manager 2010 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2CD3FGH456I7JK8LMNOP9Q
  • Football Manager 2011 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Front Mission Evolved CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Global Agenda CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: Keys purchased directly from the Global Agenda website cannot be registered on Steam.
  • GTI Racing CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • GTR Evolution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Homefront CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Humble Indie Bundle in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Humble Indie Bundle 2 in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Humble Indie Bundle 3 in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Just Cause 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: Please input all O's and 0's as Q's for Just Cause 2
  • Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Killing Floor CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • King Arthur - The Role-playing Wargame CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lara Croft Guardian of Light CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • The Last Remnant CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lionheart: Kings' Crusade CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lost Planet: Extreme Condition CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lost Planet: Colonies Edition CD Keys are not accepted on Steam
  • Mafia 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Magicka CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Metro 2033 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • MLB Front Office Manager CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Mount & Blade CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Mount & Blade: Warband CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • NBA 2K9 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Napoleon: Total War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Order of War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Prey CD Keys in this format: AAB1BB2C345CDD6E E7
  • R.U.S.E. CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: R.U.S.E. keys from Ubisoft's Digital River service are not accepted on Steam
  • RACE - the WTCC Game CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • RACE 07 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Ragdoll Kung Fu CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Railworks CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Red Orchestra CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Rogue Warrior CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • SiN Episodes: Emergence CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Saint's Row 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Serious Sam HD CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Shattered Horizon CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • The Ship CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Ship Simulator Extremes CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Silent Hill Homecoming CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Sniper: Ghost Warrior CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Space Trader CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Speedball 2 - Tournament in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Star Trek: D-A-C CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • STCC - The Game CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Super Meat Boy CD keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Supreme Commander 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Torchlight CD Keys in this format: 1ABC-D3FG-4567-JK8L
  • Note: Only keys purchased directly from Runic Games or Perfect World prior to May 19th, 2010 can be registered on Steam.
  • Total War: SHOGUN 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Unreal Tournament 3 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2-3FGH-456I-K8LM
  • Velvet Assassin CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings in this format: AB-1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM
  • Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • X3: Terran Conflict CD Keys in this format: 1ABC-D3FG-4567-JK8L
  • Zeno Clash CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
Opposing Force CD-keys cannot be registered through Steam. Opposing Force was included in a retail Half-Life package. The Half-Life CD-key included in the package will unlock all of the games in that package, including Opposing Force.
Note: Only the retail games listed above can be registered through Steam. No other retail games can be registered and downloaded using Steam.

Other Keys that can be redeemed on Steam (CAG tested & verified)
5.gif

The Ball (bought @D2D and tested by voken)
 
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[quote name='pROvIs']This has been a disturbing trend lately. It seems that many games are going with a more console friendly inventory management system which equates to absolutely awful management on PC. The most tragic one in my opinion is Dungeon Defenders. Its basically a loot driven mix of an action rpg and tower defense but It is extremely hard just to compare two items side by side.[/QUOTE]

I played the Amalur demo on :360: and believe me when I say the inventory management is friendly to absolutely no one.
 
Nobody knows how to do a good UI any more. And usually the ones like Skyrim are awful even on consoles.

I understand that we aren't exactly talking tab A goes in slot B here, but come on guys.

Solar 2 is dumb stupid fun. I liked it and can't for the life of me explain why because it embodies almost everything I don't like about reductive indie games, but I enjoyed it for the 3-5 hours I bothered with it.

Dustforce performed as I expected. It seemed competent but I've been broken from any obligation to speedrun so the game holds no value to me. Also, holding up to wall run feels about as natural as trying to work the stick with my tongue.
 
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[quote name='JustYourAverageJoe']If that was implied in something I wrote, I apologize. I wasn't trying to be snarky or condescending or such to you or anyone else, just stating my thoughts. If it's about my statements on MW3, well, I still think it's an awful game. ;)[/quote]
My brain has been acting like the warranty has expired on it these past couple of days. Forget I made that barb and generally assume every other word I write is the ravings of an even more incoherently moronic me than usual.


I'm not disagreeing with you per se, just the general assertion he made that indie games can't, or won't, ever be as good as AAA games. As you say yourself, in every genre or medium there are both good and bad specimens, and I'd absolutely agree (AYIM, for example, is awful.) I'm trying to say that such a generalization is wrong, and explain how it can be wrong through what can cause indie games to be good, i.e. the creative design solutions to indie-scale problems. If you absolutely disagree that the limitations or challenges indie games face can or may lead to a better game, well, we'll just have to agree to disagree. But I should clarify I definitely don't think that's always the case, or even the case the majority of the time. I'm just saying that it does, sometimes, happen.
Click to expand...
It depends on what you value in a game, but in nine out of ten cases, I'd rather have the polish driven by retail, published game expectations than the often-reductiveness (And often wrongfully celebrated reductiveness) of indie games. I love both to death but I'd rather have a game built like Dead Space 2 than a game built like VVVVVV any day of the week.
 
Amalur is basically a hybrid of Fable, a console version of World of Warcraft and a few sprinklings of Divinity 2. The character systems looks solid enough, the combat feels sufficiently weighty (if a bit overkill with crazy moves, quick time event finishers, and cut scene take downs), the world -- while a bit 'on rails-ish/corridor like -- seems impressively large when you compare the area in the tutorial to the full game map, the dialogues are pretty bland, and the quests seem fairly generic. The UI is pretty horrible but, even worse, it just looks horrible. Like Mount & Blade level horrible. Not that it's a huge issue but it seems laughable that they want $60 for a game that has the production values of a $30ish title... which... coincidentally enough... is about the maximum I'd pay for it.

But, let's face it, the reality of game pricing today is that the $60 price point is only for the truly impatient and/or misguided who simply must have the TF2 hats, bonus DLC, whatever is included that helps them to justify overpaying. Most of us can wait a month or two for the inevitable sale/price drop.
 
[quote name='pROvIs']This has been a disturbing trend lately. It seems that many games are going with a more console friendly inventory management system which equates to absolutely awful management on PC. The most tragic one in my opinion is Dungeon Defenders. Its basically a loot driven mix of an action rpg and tower defense but It is extremely hard just to compare two items side by side.[/QUOTE]

I have to agree with you. I really liked Dungeon Defenders but the loot stuff was awful! It's really annoying to try and see what was better than what you were wearing.
 
[quote name='pROvIs']This has been a disturbing trend lately. It seems that many games are going with a more console friendly inventory management system which equates to absolutely awful management on PC. The most tragic one in my opinion is Dungeon Defenders. Its basically a loot driven mix of an action rpg and tower defense but It is extremely hard just to compare two items side by side.[/QUOTE]

Amen. Completely killed the game for me.
 
Also, if I could make a suggestion. Do NOT waste your money on Nation Red. I got it for $2.00, and I felt ripped off. Holy hell I don't see how Steam allowed this to be sold there. It has the depth of a web browser flash game, and its about that much fun (meaning 10 minutes and you'll never want to play again). I think the only reason its popular is because of the catchy title and the fact that it has zombies.

My first true regret on Steam. And to be upset over TWO DOLLARS says a lot.
 
[quote name='Lazer77']Also, if I could make a suggestion. Do NOT waste your money on Nation Red. I got it for $2.00, and I felt ripped off. Holy hell I don't see how Steam allowed this to be sold there. It has the depth of a web browser flash game, and its about that much fun (meaning 10 minutes and you'll never want to play again). I think the only reason its popular is because of the catchy title and the fact that it has zombies.

My first true regret on Steam. And to be upset over TWO DOLLARS says a lot.[/QUOTE]

I actually enjoyed Nation Red. Robotron with Zombies....added perks for leveling.
 
[quote name='Lazer77']Also, if I could make a suggestion. Do NOT waste your money on Nation Red. I got it for $2.00, and I felt ripped off. Holy hell I don't see how Steam allowed this to be sold there. It has the depth of a web browser flash game, and its about that much fun (meaning 10 minutes and you'll never want to play again). I think the only reason its popular is because of the catchy title and the fact that it has zombies.

My first true regret on Steam. And to be upset over TWO DOLLARS says a lot.[/QUOTE]

Well for me, it's a very enjoyable game. For $2 to be upset? You can't be for $2. At least in my opinion.
 
[quote name='lupe guillotine']Well for me, it's a very enjoyable game. For $2 to be upset? You can't be for $2. At least in my opinion.[/QUOTE]

Solipsistically pwnt?
 
[quote name='Lazer77']Also, if I could make a suggestion. Do NOT waste your money on Nation Red. I got it for $2.00, and I felt ripped off. Holy hell I don't see how Steam allowed this to be sold there. It has the depth of a web browser flash game, and its about that much fun (meaning 10 minutes and you'll never want to play again). I think the only reason its popular is because of the catchy title and the fact that it has zombies.

My first true regret on Steam. And to be upset over TWO DOLLARS says a lot.[/QUOTE]
Different strokes...

I've played for 36 hours and I really enjoy the sublime trinity of weapons, perks and power-ups.
 
[quote name='Lazer77']Also, if I could make a suggestion. Do NOT waste your money on Nation Red. I got it for $2.00, and I felt ripped off. Holy hell I don't see how Steam allowed this to be sold there. It has the depth of a web browser flash game, and its about that much fun (meaning 10 minutes and you'll never want to play again). I think the only reason its popular is because of the catchy title and the fact that it has zombies.

My first true regret on Steam. And to be upset over TWO DOLLARS says a lot.[/QUOTE]


I think the overwhelming majority of people who buy the game seem pretty happy about it... at least from what I've read. I think it's all about expectations. What were you expecting out of it? I don't really see how to make a game like Nation Red any better. The graphics are pretty great, easy pick up and play, great variety of weapons, obscene amount of power ups, increased difficulty, etc.

Also, to keep things in perspective, when I was a kid I dropped way more than 2 dollars at the arcade in a span of ten minutes, so I'd say even if it kept you entertained for only ten minutes you didn't do so bad.
 
[quote name='Drabelincoln']I actually enjoyed Nation Red. Robotron with Zombies....added perks for leveling.[/QUOTE]

Maybe it isn't for people who either don't remember or have never played Robotron, Smash TV, or other games like those (Gummy Bear Apocalypse anyone? Ok, I will stop advertising a game I worked on).

I will say though, depending on the screenshots and or videos you see it can be quite misleading in what the game actually is. You normally don't see many of these type of games that have cut scenes or screen caps of cut scenes (By cut scene I mean that one video in the game) that make it look like it might be Resident Evil.

I went into the demo not expecting the game to be what it actually was. It was a slight turnoff to be honest.
 
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[quote name='Kaltic']Maybe it isn't for people who either don't remember or have never played Robotron or Smash TV.
[/QUOTE]

Maybe, but I sure don't consider people like that to actually be people. Troglodytic homunculi, maybe, but not people. ;)
 
[quote name='Lazer77']Also, if I could make a suggestion. Do NOT waste your money on Nation Red. I got it for $2.00, and I felt ripped off. Holy hell I don't see how Steam allowed this to be sold there. It has the depth of a web browser flash game, and its about that much fun (meaning 10 minutes and you'll never want to play again). I think the only reason its popular is because of the catchy title and the fact that it has zombies.

My first true regret on Steam. And to be upset over TWO DOLLARS says a lot.[/QUOTE]

I regret... paying only a few bucks for the game. I'm honestly surprised to see such a negative opinion of Nation Red. Did you expect it to be a different genre or something?
 
Honestly anyone who bought Nation Red without knowing what it was first has only themselves to blame. It's pretty obviously a survival arcade shooter type game. I got around 40+ hours out of it and still revisit it from time to time. It's probably one of the most supported games on Steam with the developers regularly communicating on the forums and adding a ton of updates, patches, and content since it's release nearly two years ago.

I could argue a game like Derp Space... er... I mean Dead Space has zero depth but of course not many people would buy into that since it has cut scenes and high end graphics. Funny enough I wouldn't buy it for $2 dollars. Hell, I didn't even waste my Amazon coupon code on it to get it for free.
 
I am surprised people like it so much lol, I guess to each their own!

Nah I just expected it to be what it was. Top down shooter, maybe Smash TV style gameplay. I just didn't see the light in it, like I said to me, it looks like a pretty internet browser flash game. And I also thought the leveling and character classes were a little pointless too. Leveling up isn't really rewarding since the perks are random, so its literally a choice of random bonuses, most of which do next to nothing. That and I felt like there was no difference between the classes, I know the stats are different, but to me they feel too much the same. No need to attack me for my opinion, I love stupid games, I love very simple games, I love pointless time waster games, but to me, this was over the top repetitive after 5 minutes, and I put in an hour.

But hey I'm glad you guys are enjoying it! I guess I'm the oddball opinion here lol
 
[quote name='Lazer77']I am surprised people like it so much lol, I guess to each their own!

Nah I just expected it to be what it was. Top down shooter, maybe Smash TV style gameplay. I just didn't see the light in it, like I said to me, it looks like a pretty internet browser flash game. And I also thought the leveling and character classes were a little pointless too. Leveling up isn't really rewarding since the perks are random, so its literally a choice of random bonuses, most of which do next to nothing. That and I felt like there was no difference between the classes, I know the stats are different, but to me they feel too much the same. No need to attack me for my opinion, I love stupid games, I love very simple games, I love pointless time waster games, but to me, this was over the top repetitive after 5 minutes, and I put in an hour.

But hey I'm glad you guys are enjoying it! I guess I'm the oddball opinion here lol[/QUOTE]

Perks are only random because you're playing in Random Perks mode.

Strategic Mode allows you to pre-select your perks.

The perks are actually all quite different. For example, one sets zombies on fire if you're close to them and one lets you reload faster. There are quite a few of them though, and they are all very specific in purpose, so is it possible you didn't know what they do? This may help: http://nationred.wikia.com/wiki/Perks

What Nation Red doesn't do very well is explain itself. The developer released a pretty bare-bones game originally, and has grown it steadily over the years until it is now bristling with options and modes. The lack of documentation and confusing menus don't help.

I'm not arguing with you about your opinion. I just hate to see a real quality game like this get overlooked because it isn't always terribly clear what things do.
 
Nation Red is good for what it is, especially when you can often get it for $2 or less, but I'm also surprised that some people are so into it. I don't regret the purchase, but I spent about 20 minutes playing it and never went back.
 
I didn't "get" Nation Red at first. I bought it cheap, played through the story mode and felt pretty unfulfilled. I suppose doing every level on mega-easy does that.

I left it alone until it came on sale last weekend and everybody started raving about it again. So I gave it a crack on the never-ending "random perk mode" and I must say I had a blast. I think I lasted around 10 minutes, and I was genuinely chuffed to see that I'd got #2354 on the Steam leaderboards. Normally there's an extra digit on my ranking :D

All in all, it's mindless fun. I'll be playing more of it.
 
[quote name='Mooby']Not that it's a huge issue but it seems laughable that they want $60 for a game that has the production values of a $30ish title... which... coincidentally enough... is about the maximum I'd pay for it.

But, let's face it, the reality of game pricing today is that the $60 price point is only for the truly impatient and/or misguided who simply must have the TF2 hats, bonus DLC, whatever is included that helps them to justify overpaying. Most of us can wait a month or two for the inevitable sale/price drop.[/QUOTE]

The $60 price point on PC games really annoys. Back when the price was increased on console games, the reasoning was the licensing fees, which made sense. It also took place as the console generation changed, which made it easier to swallow. For PC games, there's absolutely no reason to increase the price by 20% other than pure greed on EA, Activision, etc.'s part. It's not like graphics on PC games have substantially improved in recent years since a majority of the titles asking the $60 price point are ports.

I was sort of considering getting Amalur to support one of the developers I've posted on a messageboard with, but when I saw the $60 price, there was just no way. Not going to pay a $10 surplus just because EA decides I should. Fortunately, PC games go down in price fast.
 
The $60 price tag is ridiculous I agree. I plan to get KoA, but will probably get it by getting a person in the UK to buy it since it is around $46-47 after currencies. I really liked the demo and I want to support a new studio that obvious has talent.
 
Sonic sale on Steam! Generations is 14.99, the other games are slashed in prices too (Sonic Adventure DX ia ~4.49)

Also, Sonic CD and Sonic 4 are up. Kind of want to double-dip on Sonic CD......
 
Sonic Generations will be $14.99 next week on Amazon - to those with coupons that will make it around $10 + it activates on Steam. So hold off if you have a coupon and want Sonic.
 
[quote name='anarchyoblivion']Sonic Generations will be $14.99 next week on Amazon - to those with coupons that will make it around $10 + it activates on Steam. So hold off if you have a coupon and want Sonic.[/QUOTE]

Wasn't it $10 in the Steam holiday sale, or was that $15?
 
[quote name='topplehat']Wasn't it $10 in the Steam holiday sale, or was that $15?[/QUOTE]

It was $10 and some change during the holiday sale, and worth every penny.
 
[quote name='topplehat']Wasn't it $10 in the Steam holiday sale, or was that $15?[/QUOTE]

It was $10.19 as a Daily Deal during the Holiday Sale.
 
Alright so I got Tiny Bang Story from the Daily Deal the other day.

Gave it to my girlfriend and she loves it. She's a fan of puzzle games (Layton, Picross, etc) so it's right up her alley.

Just a recommendation!
 
[quote name='BigSpoonyBard']It was $10 and some change during the holiday sale, and worth every penny.[/QUOTE]

the PC Port is very good. It has a few quirks (I had an issue with the config program not working, and sometimes the game doesn't save but that might be an issue of something else..). but it runs at 60FPS on my computer on most levels -- Except Chemical Plant (I think the Hedgehog Engine just can't render all that water effeciently -- it lags hardcore on the PS3 too!).

For 10 bucks, I'd totally jump on it. Generations is fantastic. To me, it was only usurped by Rayman Origins.
 
I'd like to add a +1 for recommending Sonic Generations to peeps. It was a damn fun ride, and I had a genuine smile almost the entire way through. The final boss was incredibly rage inducing (It's rather ambiguous on how you actually beat him), but that and Chemical Plant's slowdowns would be my only grievances against the game!
 
[quote name='Cantatus']The $60 price point on PC games really annoys. Back when the price was increased on console games, the reasoning was the licensing fees, which made sense. It also took place as the console generation changed, which made it easier to swallow. For PC games, there's absolutely no reason to increase the price by 20% other than pure greed on EA, Activision, etc.'s part. It's not like graphics on PC games have substantially improved in recent years since a majority of the titles asking the $60 price point are ports.[/QUOTE]Because it doesn't cost anything to convert a console title to the PC? It's not as if there's a difference between developing a title for a fixed platform with known hardware components vs. a random hodge-podge of CPUs, video cards, OSes, speeds and memory supplies, etc. Oh, wait...

Publishers don't just type:

cd gamedir
make pcversion
goto PROFIT!

...and cash the checks. Take a look at this video for some sorely needed perspective on game prices: http://youtu.be/MWUT2aPdiMc Adjusted for inflation, games are actually CHEAPER now.

Patience is crucial to being a CAG. Who pays full price on release day and then whines about it here? The thing is, you barely have to wait to save a bundle. I got Deus Ex: Human Resources for $10 a mere FOUR MONTHS after its release, saving 80%. Duke Nukem Forever Balls of Steel was 80% five months later. Halo 3 and Reach Legendaries were $60 less than six months after people paid $120-$150. Crysis 2 PC DL will be $10 on Saturday at Amazon, 10 months after release, but it had already been available for less than $25 from Origin for several months.

Publisher greed isn't why games are $60. That people are willing to pay $60 for games is why they're $60. If you could command a 20% higher wage from your employer, would you not do so because it would be greedy? Didn't think so. Don't like higher prices, DON'T PAY THEM! Wait a while and save a pile! Buy used. Use B2G1 deals to lower the per unit price. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO PAY FULL LIST PRICE AND NO ONE HAS EVER DIED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET A GAME ON LAUNCH DAY!!!
 
[quote name='DirkBelig']Because it doesn't cost anything to convert a console title to the PC? It's not as if there's a difference between developing a title for a fixed platform with known hardware components vs. a random hodge-podge of CPUs, video cards, OSes, speeds and memory supplies, etc. Oh, wait...

Publishers don't just type:

cd gamedir
make pcversion
goto PROFIT!

...and cash the checks. Take a look at this video for some sorely needed perspective on game prices: http://youtu.be/MWUT2aPdiMc Adjusted for inflation, games are actually CHEAPER now.

Patience is crucial to being a CAG. Who pays full price on release day and then whines about it here? The thing is, you barely have to wait to save a bundle. I got Deus Ex: Human Resources for $10 a mere FOUR MONTHS after its release, saving 80%. Duke Nukem Forever Balls of Steel was 80% five months later. Halo 3 and Reach Legendaries were $60 less than six months after people paid $120-$150. Crysis 2 PC DL will be $10 on Saturday at Amazon, 10 months after release, but it had already been available for less than $25 from Origin for several months.

Publisher greed isn't why games are $60. That people are willing to pay $60 for games is why they're $60. If you could command a 20% higher wage from your employer, would you not do so because it would be greedy? Didn't think so. Don't like higher prices, DON'T PAY THEM! Wait a while and save a pile! Buy used. Use B2G1 deals to lower the per unit price. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO PAY FULL LIST PRICE AND NO ONE HAS EVER DIED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET A GAME ON LAUNCH DAY!!!
 [/QUOTE]

I agreed with you until you had a stroke at the end and went all caps. On a side note: I would pay $60 for Deus Ex: Human Resources no question. I imagine a stealth game starring Sterling Archer and Pam.
 
[quote name='Relysis']I agreed with you until you had a stroke at the end and went all caps. On a side note: I would pay $60 for Deus Ex: Human Resources no question. I imagine a stealth game starring Sterling Archer and Pam.[/QUOTE]

I could not stop laughing at that last line. Dayn-ja-zooooone!
 
When I saw that Sonic games were on sale, I thought I'd finally get to use one of my coupons, 25% off SEGA titles.

But I own all of the older Sonic games in collections and the like, making Sonic 4 the only one of interest... and it's neither on sale nor compatible with the coupon since it's technically only released today, despite being a game released last year.

Some day I'll use one of these coupons. Some day.
 
[quote name='anarchyoblivion']Sonic Generations will be $14.99 next week on Amazon - to those with coupons that will make it around $10 + it activates on Steam. So hold off if you have a coupon and want Sonic.[/QUOTE]

don't the coupons stack from the steam holiday sale now tho? so it'd only be $7.50 with a 50% off coupon? If I find a coupon I'll definitely pick it up! :p
 
Hey, what do you know? Those Steam coupons will come in handy to me after all. I was kicking myself for passing on Sonic Generations during the Steam sale (thought it'd come back on the last day) and traded for a 50% off coupon. Suppose this makes that streak of 20+ coal that came to no good sting a little less.

[quote name='DirkBelig']Because it doesn't cost anything to convert a console title to the PC? It's not as if there's a difference between developing a title for a fixed platform with known hardware components vs. a random hodge-podge of CPUs, video cards, OSes, speeds and memory supplies, etc. Oh, wait... [/quote]

Obviously, but what happened in recent years that suddenly made this millions of dollars more expensive to where EA and Activision need to charge $10 a more on every copy on the game, while so many other companies are still somehow able to manage at the $50 price? It's not like they were giving PC games away for free up until now.

Publisher greed isn't why games are $60. That people are willing to pay $60 for games is why they're $60. If you could command a 20% higher wage from your employer, would you not do so because it would be greedy? Didn't think so. Don't like higher prices, DON'T PAY THEM! Wait a while and save a pile! Buy used. Use B2G1 deals to lower the per unit price. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO PAY FULL LIST PRICE AND NO ONE HAS EVER DIED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET A GAME ON LAUNCH DAY!!!
Click to expand...

I agree some of it is because people are willing to pay it, which is why I wish game media sites would point out how ridiculous it is that they can just increase the price $10 and no one bats an eye. It makes me nervous that the next generation of consoles will increase the price of games another $5-10 and take PC games along for the ride. But I completely disagree that greed isn't also to blame.
 
In Canada several publishers started charging $70 for console games out of the blue a couple of years ago. I guess people didn't accept it cause they eventually dropped back down. Warner Brothers published games were the main offenders.
 
[quote name='TheGreatWang']That Sonic racing game looks like it could be 5 dollars worth of fun. Any opinions?[/QUOTE]

I have it for the 360. I picked it up to play with the gf at the time as well as my siblings when they came to visit. For a few bucks it is totally worth it. It is basically Mario Kart with Sega characters. it may not be quite as fun as Mario Kart but it tries and succeeds enough I would say, especially for $5!
 
[quote name='DirkBelig']
Publisher greed isn't why games are $60. That people are willing to pay $60 for games is why they're $60.
 [/QUOTE]


Bingo.
 
[quote name='Cantatus']I agree some of it is because people are willing to pay it, which is why I wish game media sites would point out how ridiculous it is that they can just increase the price $10 and no one bats an eye. It makes me nervous that the next generation of consoles will increase the price of games another $5-10 and take PC games along for the ride. But I completely disagree that greed isn't also to blame.[/QUOTE]You have no idea how capitalism and the free market system works, do you? (I don't know how old you are, but if you're younger, you've got the anti-capitalist education industry to thank for your ignorance.) You believe the only reason prices increase is "greed", but conveniently dodged my question about asking for a raise if you could.

Every time prices go up, ignorant people shriek, "GREED!!!!", as if they know something. Some years back, RAM was the cheapest it had ever been at that time, but due to increased demand prices went back up somewhat, prompting the spoiled brats to fill their diapers and scream, "GREED!!!!", and generally be annoying. I'd hate to see how they're reacting to the huge spike hard drive prices have taken in the aftermath of the floods in Thailand.

AAA game titles cost a freaking fortune to make these days and eat up years in development. Titles like GTA IV cost over $100 million to make and aren't necessarily guaranteed to hit big enough to pay back the investment costs. Look how many studios get shut down after titles disappoint in sales. Bizarre Creations is gone after Blur and 007: Bloodstone didn't sell enough; THQ is reportedly cancelling future projects in preparations of being sold; Team Bondi got shut down after shipping L.A. Noire; Looking Glass Studios, makers of the Thief and System Shock games went down because Eidos, their publisher, was tapped out propping up Ion Storm so they could make crap like Daikatana. These are just examples off the top of my head.

Game companies are publicly traded corporations with shareholders who expect return on their investments. They are NOT in the business of making as little money as possible because ignorant people don't like to pay more. With all the competition for buyer's dollars, there is an ever-shrinking window for them to recoup their costs and in the PC space, the sad reality is that piracy is a factor in their pricing. If you invested $70 million in making a game and needed to sell 7 million copies to turn a profit (just grabbing numbers for example) and know that for each copy you sell, five may be w4r3z3d - see how Demigod was killed out of the gate by pirated copies overwhelming the servers - how do you make up your investment? Some pubs like Ubisoft slather on so much DRM that they're slapping their paying customers in the face for being dumb enough to give them money, while others like Stardock and CD Projekt don't use DRM and basically pray that offering good will to customers will result in sales. The fact that people pirate Humble Bundles shows just how the REAL greed heads are the pirates, not the publishers.

Because so much piracy occurs, devs are moving to make console games because they sell more, are easier to develop (due to known hardware), and are pirated far less. This has led to Crysis 2 shipping without DX11 support when its predecessor was a title that led the DX10 charge and id making the PC version of Rage the worst one. PC gaming is getting shivved because of piracy and the prices going up are no different than stores raising prices because of shoplifting. Blaming "greed" alone is ignorant.

But here is where you have a choice: You don't have to pay the full price if you don't like it. No, you don't get to steal it online; you just have to wait and not that long most of the time. EA wants $60 for Crysis 2 and you can say no. Now, you can get it new for $40 and used for $14; cheaper from Gamefly. You have the choice to not pay more than you want. Whether it's skyrocketing production costs and piracy or greed, the solution to the problem isn't complaining, it's patience.
 
Jesus H Christ rage soapbox much?

Thanks for explaining how the world works.

I do agree though that the best thing to do is simply not pay those prices if you feel a game is not worth it.

I still think the prices they are charging for lazy half assed console ports shoveled onto the PC are too much, that we shouldn't have to pay the same price for a digital copy as a physical copy, that Origin shouldn't be charging the same price as everyone else because there's no middle man (and also because it sucks and if they want my attention they need cheap prices). And you know what? If that gives you an aneurysm DirkBelig so be it.

It's an opinion, one that should be taken with a grain of salt and one that I do follow through on by not purchasing games that I feel are charging too much.

/rant about a rant

Anyhoo, I'm looking at some of those Sonic games but sheesh there are so many. It's be nice if there was a collection.

If I had to just get one any thoughts on which one should it be?
 
[quote name='Motoki']If I had to just get one any thoughts on which one should it be?[/QUOTE]
If you're up for a classic 2d sprite Sonic, i can't recommend Sonic 3 & Knuckles enough. I found that one really refined the Sonic gameplay to its greatest form, while having some of the best music and stages from the series. Plus three playable characters! =O

Well, it's my personal favorite of those offered at the very least.
 
[quote name='Motoki']we shouldn't have to pay the same price for a digital copy as a physical copy[/QUOTE]Agreed and this is a wrinkle that publishers of digital goods are going to have to get a grip on. That Kindle books can cost more than their physical counterparts is nuts, but it's the publishers' inability to see the future because they're bitterly clinging to the past. The record industry wiped itself out because it couldn't bring itself to accept that a business model built on selling plastic discs with data on them for $18 wasn't going to last forever. I used to participate on a music industry forum and I warned them that if they thought they were going to be able to charge $3 for a single MP3 because that's what singles cost and that suing Napster and taxing blank CDs would save them, they were kidding themselves. They refused to listen and, well, they are history. I tried.

Ironically, I used books and videogames as arguments as to how bass-ackwards their model was because theirs was the only entertainment product that didn't drop in price over time. Movies are $10 when they open and end up at dollar shows in a few months; Videogames are $50 at launch and become $20 Greatest Hits titles; books are $$$ in hardback, $$ in paperback and $ used. But music starts expensive and stays permanently expensive other than the baby bands that would have their first release sold for $10 and then when they took off, it and subsequent releases would have their prices jacked back up to $18+.

EDIT: Something that slipped my mind with regards pricing: There's a really important reason why digital downloads sold by EA, etc. are priced the same as physical retail copies in stores - if they were to undercut retailers on price, then B&M stores wouldn't stock their products and that's the majority of sales. If you're Beast Buy and paying $40 wholesale for a PC game that you sell at $50 but the publisher is selling it off their web site for $30, what are you going to do? You can't match them because you're paying more and even if it was equal, you've got rent, utilities and salaries for a big box store location while your supplier is selling from one warehouse.

While it doesn't seem fair that digital goods are the same price, it's unavoidable. Can't call that greed either.
 
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Sonic and Sega All Stars racing is like a smoother, quicker, but less engrossing Mario Kart. I recommend it. It's slick as hell.

Sonic Generations is tremendous fun but, yeah, that final boss is terrible and Chemical Plant is laggier than it needs to be.

Sonic 4 is garbage.
 
I bought Sonic Gens for $15, but Steam won't let me download it. I keep getting the message "No Steam Content Servers are currently configured to deliver content for this game. This will be corrected soon. Check back in a few minutes." WTF? it's been over 20 min now, what's going on?

[quote name='RollingSkull']Sonic and Sega All Stars racing is like a smoother, quicker, but less engrossing Mario Kart. I recommend it. It's slick as hell.

Sonic Generations is tremendous fun but, yeah, that final boss is terrible and Chemical Plant is laggier than it needs to be.

Sonic 4 is garbage.[/QUOTE]

I disagree on Sonic 4. It's no 2-d Genesis Sonic, but it's okay. Not worth $10 unless you're a diehard Sonic fan, but $5 or so is a great price if you've blown through the Genesis games.
 
[quote name='-Never4ever-']

I disagree on Sonic 4. It's no 2-d Genesis Sonic, but it's okay. Not worth $10 unless you're a diehard Sonic fan, but $5 or so is a great price if you've blown through the Genesis games.[/QUOTE]
Considering Generations was like $10.50 the holiday sale, about $5 is what Sonic 4 is maybe worth. It's 4 acts, each with 3 levels each (one being a boss level).

I might have to consider Sega All Star Racing, I was expecting a budget kart racer but apparently it's not half bad. Mario Kart with it's extreme level of bullshit difficulty has been pissing me off anyway.
 
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