If you’re into ads, then check out this Orange Box trailer.

Both Half-Life 2: Episode Two and Portal have started pre-loading through Steam on customers’ computers, according to Valve. The idea of pre-loading is to gradually download a game in advance of its release; however, the files are encrypted and can only be unlocked on the day of the game’s release. Buying a physical copy sidesteps the pre-loading process, but even then customers of either medium have to activate the games through Steam to play them.

The Orange Box, which includes the two aforementioned titles as well as Team Fortress 2, will be released on PC and Xbox 360 on October 10, next Wednesday.

In an IGN preview it has been confirmed that the PS3 version of Half-Life 2: Orange Box will arrive weeks later after the PC and Xbox 360 versions are released on October 10. No specific reason was provided for the delay.

Their preview of the game has them describing a new section of the game involving the ever-lovable Alyx and a combine advisor. They have a video of that segment, which I have embedded below. The rest of their preview talks about the Xbox 360 version of the game, as well as the PS3 version of Portal.

I don’t usually post links to game movies anymore, but this is Portal we’re talking about! To be included with Half-Life 2: Episode Two, when it’s released this Holiday season, Portal is a game that pushes the idea from Prey much further.

Available in two resolutions, the clip can be found on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Computer Games.ro, FileFront, Filecloud, Gameguru, GameSpot and Worthplaying.

BIG Valve news today! For your sake, the whole thing has been bulletized:

• Half-Life 2: Episode Two, due for release this Holiday season, will be released simultaneously for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

• The next-gen console versions will see enhanced versions plus all Half-Life 2 back content, including Half-Life 2, Episode One and Team Fortress 2.

• This brings us to the revelation of Team Fortress 2, which everyone thought became dead eons ago. Apparently, the game is alive and kicking, and will feature a somewhat-cell-shaded-cartoonish approach, looking a lot like No One Lives Forever and ’60s spy flicks (see image). Players will be able to choose form a range of unique character classes such as medic, spy, sniper, or engineer and must work together to complete a variety of tactical objectives.

• Valve also revealed Portal, a new type of single player game that has a “portal gun” for a weapon. This will change the way players approach, manipulate and solve puzzles in a given environment with the new gun that will let them shoot portals onto walls, objects, and, well, everything!

Concluding their announcement, Valve stated that new videos from Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2 will be released sometime next week.