HL2 Episode One pre-loading

Valve's announced that Half-Life 2: Episode One is now available to pre-purchase and pre-load on Steam.

Those who pre-order before the game's June 1st release date (snuck that one in, didn't they?) will get a 10 per cent discount on the $19.95 price.

Meanwhile - and frankly more interestingly - Valve's also quietly made a rather awesome addition to its online store: plush headcrabs!

Available now for $24.95, the little cuddly blighters can be seen clinging to monitors in their spare time and look rather special.

We've ordered a couple to see what they're like, although we suspect the expenses claim won't survive scrutiny.