Portal 2

[zerosum]

[nCogNeato]

Boxart.  A little uninspiring, I think. But the game will no doubt be awesome.

That's pretty lackluster.  I liked the old mockup better ...

[GamerMan316]

Portal 2 PS3, PC connectivity confirmed
Crossplatform play and free Steam version for PS3 owners

It looks like the definitive version of Portal 2 on console WILL be the PlayStation 3 edition, after Valve's announced a roster of connectivity features between PS3 and PC.

First up, the PlayStation 3 version of Portal 2 will ship with cross platform play, Valve's announced, allowing PS3 users to play with PC and Mac gamers.

Persistent cloud-based storage of save games and cross platform chat with PC and Mac users is also confirmed for PS3.

Even better, Valve has revealed that PS3 users who link their PSN and Steam accounts will be entitled to a FREE download of Portal 2 on the PC, which sounds like a fantastic, co-op encouraging deal to us.

"PS3 gamers will be able to simply drop the Blu-Ray disc in the PS3, link to their Steam account from inside the game, and all their Steam friends (on PC and Mac) will be visible and accessible for chat and game invites," said said Josh Weier, project lead on Portal 2 at Valve.

"We made a promise to gamers at E3 that Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3 would be the best console version of the product," added Gabe Newell.

"Working together with Sony we have identified a set of features we believe are very compelling to gamers. We hope to expand upon the foundation being laid in Portal 2 with more Steam features and functionality in DLC and future content releases."

Valve revealed its partnership with Sony at E3 2010 and called the PS3 'the most open console'.

[nCogNeato]

Holy S***!

That is awesome!

I hate to say this, but I think this will be the first multi-platform game I buy for PS3.

[GamerMan316]

Holy S***!

That is awesome!

I hate to say this, but I think this will be the first multi-platform game I buy for PS3.

Not bad considering how much Gabe Newell hated the PS3 not so long ago, he's since seen the light.   

[GamerMan316]

Valve: PS3 Steamworks could extend to more titles
VP of Marketing hopes benefits will spread

Valve is making noises that suggest a wide-reaching Steam service on PS3 (as on PC and Mac) could be on the way in the future.

Speaking to ARS Technica, Valve's VP of Marketing Doug Lombardi responded to the question of the service being added to games beyond Portal 2:

"We are hoping other titles will benefit from the Steamworks tools and services we've created for Portal 2 PS3, but we don't have anything to announce today."

It's that kind of answer that makes us think we can expect more PS3 Steamworks announcements and compatibilities in the future, though.

Of course, Valve's Gabe Newell shockingly aligned PlayStation 3 version of Portal 2 is the best on any console.
Also during E3, Valve's Erik Johnson told us that we could see other Valve titles being migrated to the PS3 thanks to the inclusion of Steam on the platform.

"Sure, it's possible," he said. "We're focused on Portal 2 right now though."

Whether Lombardi has Valve titles exclusively in mind when he talks about the spread of Steam on PS3 we don't know but, judging by its operation on PC and Mac, the studio will be looking for all kinds of titles to take to Steam.

[nCogNeato]

Sony is doing something great, and Microsoft is getting left behind.  Get on board MS!   

[GamerMan316]

Portal 2 co-op screenshots land
Partner up for a bit of puzzle solving

EA and Valve have released these Portal 2 screenshots showcasing the game's new co-op mode, which sees players take control of two self-aware robots before being put through more tests by GLaDOS.

They're a cute little duo named Atlas and P-Body, and players of the original Portal might have noticed that they started life as a personality core and a turret before going on the run.

[GamerMan316]

Valve: PS3 hacks 'won't have any impact at all'
Portal 2 writer says developer is isn't concerned about PS3 security

Portal 2 developer Valve isn't worried at all about the implications of the latest, potentially irreversible PS3 hacks.

In fact, Portal 2 writer Chet Faliszek doesn't think they'll have any impact on the game whatsoever.

Last year Valve described Sony's PlayStation 3 as 'the most open console', but since the machine's core was exposed by hacker GeoHotz, it's perhaps now a little bit too open.

Faliszek isn't worried though, telling CVG that the hacks are of no concern for Valve.

"We'll be fine," he said. "Bad for [Sony]. I mean, you know, no-one likes to see that but we have no concern, we're not worried about it for Portal being on the PS3."

When we asked Chet whether he thought Valve would still be able to protect the integrity of its games on PlayStation 3 he replied with confidence: "I don't think it's going to have any impact at all."

Valve confirmed a roster of connectivity features between PS3 and PC for Portal 2 last week after describing the PS3 version of the game as the best console version in June last year.

[GamerMan316]

Portal 2 mod content available on all platforms
Mod tools exclusive to PC

While the 360 version of Portal 2  won't come bundled with the mod creation tools that the PC version will, Xbox fans won't be left out in the cold when it comes to playing  content made by other players. In an interview with NowGamer, Valve's Chet Faliszek has confirmed that "the content is agnostic, and so we will be seeing that on all the platforms".

He goes on to say that "depending on the platform you're on I should say, will depend on how we're delivering it". Which means we'll probably be seeing the best levels bundled up and placed on XBLM, rather than through Steam like the PC, Mac and PS3.

"There's a lot of value in engaging the community because they're smart, they're thinking of really cool things and we want to be able to have everyone share that". We can't wait to find out what sort of cool stuff modders have in mind when the game launches in April.

[Legion]

Mods being available for 360/PS3 games is a brilliant idea. I really look forward to seeing what kind of things'll be available.

[GamerMan316]

Multiple endings confirmed for Portal 2

Portal 2 will offer two different endings, one for single play and one for co-op play, developer Valve has confirmed.

Speaking to Videogamer, the title's writer Chet Falliszek promised, "Both sets of credits [will feature something special], because we've got two credits."

He went on to explain that finishing the game should be well within reach of most players.

"The cool thing is that we'll make sure that the game doesn't get too difficult. It's more complex, but it's never so difficult that you can't solve it. You'll get to the endings. We'd hate to think that people would only watch the endings on YouTube."

If Valve wants to top the original's conclusion it'll have to pull something seriously special out of the bag. Portal's memorable end credits have now been viewed around five million times on YouTube, Falliszek noticed.

Jonathan Coulton, the composer of Still Alive, the infectious ditty that played the first game out, recently confirmed that he has written a new tune for the sequel, though he wouldn't confirm where in the game it will appear.

In a separate interview with NowGamer, Falliszek also revealed that all platforms would be getting user-generated content, including the often shut-out Xbox 360.

"The mod tools have to stay on the PC side just because there's a bunch of dependencies that require the Windows platform," he explained.

"But the content that comes out is agnostic, and so we will be seeing that on all the platforms. Depending on the platform you're on I should say, will depend on how we're delivering it."

"There's just a lot of value in engaging the community because they're smart, they're thinking of really cool things and we want to be able to have everyone share that."

Not long to wait until you can check all this stuff out. The much-anticipated sequel to Valve's 2007 first person puzzler arrives for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on 22nd April. Portal 2 will offer two different endings, one for single play and one for co-op play, developer Valve has confirmed.

Speaking to Videogamer, the title's writer Chet Falliszek promised, "Both sets of credits [will feature something special], because we've got two credits."

He went on to explain that finishing the game should be well within reach of most players.

"The cool thing is that we'll make sure that the game doesn't get too difficult. It's more complex, but it's never so difficult that you can't solve it. You'll get to the endings. We'd hate to think that people would only watch the endings on YouTube."

If Valve wants to top the original's conclusion it'll have to pull something seriously special out of the bag. Portal's memorable end credits have now been viewed around five million times on YouTube, Falliszek noticed.

Jonathan Coulton, the composer of Still Alive, the infectious ditty that played the first game out, recently confirmed that he has written a new tune for the sequel, though he wouldn't confirm where in the game it will appear.

In a separate interview with NowGamer, Falliszek also revealed that all platforms would be getting user-generated content, including the often shut-out Xbox 360.

"The mod tools have to stay on the PC side just because there's a bunch of dependencies that require the Windows platform," he explained.

"But the content that comes out is agnostic, and so we will be seeing that on all the platforms. Depending on the platform you're on I should say, will depend on how we're delivering it."

"There's just a lot of value in engaging the community because they're smart, they're thinking of really cool things and we want to be able to have everyone share that."

Not long to wait until you can check all this stuff out. The much-anticipated sequel to Valve's 2007 first person puzzler arrives for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on 22nd April.

[GamerMan316]

Achievements

[GamerMan316]

Free Portal 2 DLC detailed

Acclaimed first-person puzzler Portal 2 gets new DLC "this summer", developer Valve has announced, and you won't have to pay a penny for it.

The pack, referred to only as DLC #1, will include new test chambers, leaderboards, a challenge mode for single and multiplayer "and more".

The pack will be free to download on all platforms – Mac, PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A nod perhaps to the brouhaha surrounding the day-one paid DLC offered at launch?

Eurogamer's Oli Welsh awarded Valve's sequel a perfect 10/10 when it launched earlier this month, stating "it will no doubt stand as one of the best entertainments in any medium at the end of this year. It's a masterpiece."

[DFUSIONITE]

maker of portal 2 not concerned about ps3's security, and look at what has just happened. No good having a cross platform 'definitive' version of the game if you can't play it online! 25 million more customers personal information hacked than initially thought including users of sony's entertainment service as well as ps3 users. that's 100 million people affected. And according to the news this morning the psn network is down again in light of the new info. I'm sorry to say this, but i am VERY glad to be a 360 owner right now  Think i will get portal 2 soon as well, looks amazing.

Valve: PS3 hacks 'won't have any impact at all'
Portal 2 writer says developer is isn't concerned about PS3 security

Portal 2 developer Valve isn't worried at all about the implications of the latest, potentially irreversible PS3 hacks.

In fact, Portal 2 writer Chet Faliszek doesn't think they'll have any impact on the game whatsoever.

Last year Valve described Sony's PlayStation 3 as 'the most open console', but since the machine's core was exposed by hacker GeoHotz, it's perhaps now a little bit too open.

Faliszek isn't worried though, telling CVG that the hacks are of no concern for Valve.

"We'll be fine," he said. "Bad for [Sony]. I mean, you know, no-one likes to see that but we have no concern, we're not worried about it for Portal being on the PS3."

When we asked Chet whether he thought Valve would still be able to protect the integrity of its games on PlayStation 3 he replied with confidence: "I don't think it's going to have any impact at all."

Valve confirmed a roster of connectivity features between PS3 and PC for Portal 2 last week after describing the PS3 version of the game as the best console version in June last year.