Portal 2

[sambo]

Valve has issued an update for the PC version of Portal that has introduced a series of mysterious clues. It's possible to read them as signs of the imminent return of GlaDOS.

The update, which was implausibly labelled as "changed radio transmission frequency to comply with federal and state spectrum management regulations" introduced a new PC achievement for Valve's Steam service called Transmission Received.

This is unlocked by moving the radios you find in the game to certain locations, where they broadcast 26 different codes. PC modders have also discovered Morse Code-encrypted files in the game's source code.
It's currently being investigated by Valve's massive Steam community, which means it'll probably be solved with in the next 24 hours if it hasn't already been while this message is being typed. The keyboard warriors at PC Gamer have noted down a few of the translations so far.

These include the following tidbts, which all lend themselves rather nicely to the notion that GlaDOS is, yes, still alive.

Interior transmission active
External data line active
Message digest active

System data dump active
User back up active
Password back up active

There are also some encoded images which you can take a look at.

Portal 2 was accidentally confirmed by Valve's Kim Swift in an interview not long after the first game's release, and a sleuths later turned up a casting call that suggested the game would star the deceased founder of Aperture Science. A release this year makes sense; Valve has managed to release one game per year since it got over the initial unpleasantness of Half-Life 2, and it's definitely not doing L4D3 - Chet Faliszek said as much at X10.

We'll see what GDC brings. In the meantime, the first person to start making oh-so-witty references to the cake being a lie gets stabbed. Just saying.

[sambo]

Valve has released an update for Portal, which makes the ending longer and significantly changes it.
The original Portal ended with you waking up outside before fading to black but the new ending adds a few extra seconds.

You have hear a robotic voice saying "thank you for assuming the party escort submission position" before you're slowly dragged away.

Hint that Portal 2 will be announced soon? It's definitely the biggest clue so far. Here's the new ending:

[nCogNeato]

I read the Kim Swift (the creator of Portal) recently left Valve to work for Airtight Games (Dark Void).

What a dummy.   

[Failed]

Today Valve confirmed the speculation with this very brief press release:

Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Left 4 Dead, Counter-Strike and Half-Life) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced Portal 2 for shipment this coming holiday season.

EDIT:
Bonus stuff -
GameInformer will have an exclusive with cover etc in April's edition.
Gamestop already have it for sale
Features single and multiplayer co-op modes. The single-player portion of Portal 2 introduces new characters, new puzzles, and larger chambers.
Both the Single and Coop stories will be different.

[GamerMan316]

Portal 2 'Valve's best ever game'
Gabe Newell talks up studio's newly-announced sequel

Valve boss Gabe Newell has called Portal 2 the best game the studio's ever made.

Speaking at GDC, Newell said it was "pretty clear, just internally" that the title was Valve's best yet - even outdoing Half-Life, Team Fortress and Left 4 Dead.

He added: "Portal really seemed to resonate. We got the signals that we wanted - this is what people liked; this is what people didn't like. And to us, it was like, 'OK now we know how to take this big,' so that's what we're going to do with Portal 2."

Valve's Doug Lombardi said earlier this week that the original Portal was a "test bed" while the second title in the series will be "a game".

[nCogNeato]

Portal 2 'Valve's best ever game'

Unlike many publishers and developers, Valve is well known for their subtle and non-hype marketing tactics.

For Valve to go on record and say "Portal 2 is our best" ... I believe it.  I am quite excited for this game now.   

[DFUSIONITE]

BEST NEWS EVER! loved the first one, can't wait for the second now

[Maibs]

[Astrex]

Portal used to give me a real bad headache, and makes me dizzy 

[GamerMan316]

Portal 2 coming to E3; Valve hosting event Monday, June 14



The hints were all there, but a recent invitation from Valve confirms it: Portal 2 will be at E3. Hosting a press event at the Regal Theater in the LA Live Event Center the night of June 14th, Valve will give those lucky enough to have that press card in their wallet (attend 12 events and you get a free sandwich!) a look at the game.

No word on what parts of the game we'll get to see, but anything at this point is welcome ... mostly because we haven't seen anything yet.

[sambo]

Valve has cancelled its E3 event for Portal 2.
Instead, Valve has said "the event will be replaced by a surprise."

The event cancellation, delivered in the event of an Aperture Science memo, drops no hints as to what the surprise actually is. There are a few possibilities, ranging from the possible (Half Life 2 Episode 3 announcement) to the unlikely (Left 4 Dead 3 confirmed).

What do you think it will be? More importantly, what are you hoping for?

[nCogNeato]

... There are a few possibilities, ranging from the possible (Half Life 2 Episode 3 announcement) to the unlikely (Left 4 Dead 3 confirmed).

lol

I think L4D3 has a better chance of appearing at E3 2010 than HL3E3.  My grandchildren will play Half-Life 3-3 when it releases 2 days after my death.

[DFUSIONITE]

so what? no portal 2 

[GamerMan316]

so what? no portal 2 

Portal 2 Delayed?!?

In yet another bizarre announcement Valve appears to confirm the delay of Portal 2...

It's getting pretty hard to determine exactly what Valve's been up to after a series of cryptic announcements, cancellations and general furtive behaviour.

However it seems things have just got a little stranger.  Announcing the latest news, alongside Aperature Laboratories LLC, Valve has appeared to confirm the delay of Portal 2 into an unspecified point in 2011.

Divulging that "public safety" was a factor in the decision, representatives from both companies stressed, "that even though Portal 2 will arrive slightly later than planned, all life on earth won't instantaneously stop as every molecule in your body explodes at the speed of light, which is what would happen should a rip ever appear in the fabric of Valve Time."

"Also, the game will be even better," they added.

We're still not entirely sure whether to take this on face value; one thing's for sure, Valve certainly appear to be ramping up for something very special.

[GamerMan316]

Gabe Newell appearing at Sony's, yes Sony's, E3 Conference.