Valve Announces Half-Life 2: Episode 2 Release Date

Valve Software has confirmed that the studio's upcoming Half-Life 2: Episode 2 title will be released for all platforms on October 9.

The retail package, known as the "Orange Box," will include Half-Life 2: Episode 2, the long-awaited Team Fortress 2 and the puzzle game Portal, as well as full versions of Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode 1. The same package will be available over the Steam digital distribution network, which will also offer the games individually. A planned "Black Box" retail package which did not include previously-released Half-Life 2 material was canceled in May.

The news follows persistent rumors in May that the PlayStation 3 version of the game would be delayed until sometime in 2008. Half-Life 2: Episode 2 is scheduled to ship for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms.