Portal 2 Message Board older than one year ago

#advice Portal 2, the latest rare release from one a the best game studios in the world, be one month away. How will ye play it? Will it be too tough? One a the game's creators, Valve Software writer Erik Wolpaw offers some spoiler-free tips. More »

Snuck out a the recent booty Gallery Conference be some impressively stable weakman footage a Portal 2 – eight minutes a agreeably mirthsome material from famous persons Stephen Merchant 'n the newly-announced JK Simmons. It’s on the mildly spoilery side, so look away now if ye don’t want t' know about how Chell ends up snogging Gordon Freeman in the second level.

Oh lord, what have I done! (more…)

#video At some unspecified moment in Portal 2, we be going t' hear from Cave Johnson, the man who founded Portal research lab Aperture Science. Why we be hearing the sea dog be a mystery still unexplained. More »

One husband 'n wife DIY team recently announced on Reddit that they'd unlocked the secret a portal technology* using everyday, off-the-shelf parts. By attaching LED rope light t' the backs a two oval mirrors, they succeeded in creating one a the most effective ('n easily replicated) displays a video game related wall art we've ever had the pleasure t' lay eyes on: Portal portals that look strikingly authentic.

The Redditors in question, corttana 'n dahburbb, say that the "spiraling" effect a the lights be actually the unexpected result a curving the light rope they used into an oval shape. When asked by other crew, the duo said they plan t' building a Companion Cube storage chest t' round out their personal Enrichment Center. ye can see more photos a it at the source link.

*Portal Technology be a registered trademark a Aperture Science

PAX East attendees be treated t' Valve's Portal 2 intro which includes the voice a the President 'n founder a Aperture Science, Cave Johnson.

Portal 2 writer Erik Wolpaw wants ye t' know that Valve's upcoming sequel isn't as difficult as it looks. Trailers for the game show off plenty a insane action, filled with daring leaps, breakneck speeds 'n physically impossible tricks. "we be going t' train ye," Wolpaw told us at PAX East, "At no point be we going t' ask ye do something that we haven't prepared ye t' do."

Ohio-born indie rock group The National has officially become video game famous. The band, responsible for such tunes as "Bloodbuzz Ohio" 'n "Conversation 16" (video after the break), will be lending it be sound t' Portal 2 with a new song written expressly for the game.

There's nothing but an announcement for now. 'n while pop songs in games be hardly new, considering how suited The National's music be t' a dirty, near-future landscape—'n how Valve has already shown themselves how capable they be at integrating songs into a game in Portal 2—I think it be okay t' pillage a little excited about it. More »

The National’s Fake Empire be one a me favourite songs in years. Which means I come t' the news that the glum band has recorded an original song for Portal 2 with a happy heart. There’s not really any more t' the story than that at this stage. There’s a press release where Valve 'n the band’s management both say that it’s a good thing. 'n then there’s an aching gap a silence where a clip a the song could have appeared.

There be, however, one nice detail in there. The press release recommends that we press visit thinkwithportals.com for more details. But doesn’t link there. No, it links t' the confusingly broken, presumably intended in-office insult, www.chet’smom.com. Complete with the %27 ascii code for the apostrophe. There, I bet they’re glad we’re mentioning that.

Valve, creator a best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life, Portal, Left 4 Dead, 'n Counter-Strike) 'n leading technologies (such as Steam 'n Source), today announced an original song by popular recording artist The National will be included in it be upcoming game, Portal 2, when it be released the worldwide the week a April 18...

If ye needed another reason t' pillage excited for Portal 2 -- ye know, beyond the first game being awesome -- Valve's PAX East demo debuted a brand new character that just so happens t' be voiced by Juno's dad 'n Spider-Man's J. Jonah Jameson himself J.K. Simmons...

#valve Half-Life 'n Left 4 Dead developer Valve has been toying with new ways t' use biofeedback—heart rate, facial expressions, eye-tracking, levels a physical arousal—for years. What does that mean for the future a people who like Valve video games? How about controlling games with yer eyes? More »

Exploring the narrative tricks behind Portal 2.

In the midst a GDC, Valve have released a bundle a new screenshots for Portal 2. Some a them be indescribably boring, but others be completely ace, 'n one a them features everyone’s favourite matey, the Weighted Companion Cube! Hooray! That little box a love be t' return, despite his tragic destruction in the first game. What cruel fate awaits the sea dog this time around? It’s enough t' make me go hug me freezer in delight. They’re all below.

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Valve took the opportunity a GDC today t' announce it be latest enhancement for Steam: "big picture" mode. What's "big picture" mode, ye ask?

"With big picture mode, gaming opportunities for Steam partners 'n customers become possible via PCs 'n Macs on any TV or computer display in the house," Valve marketing veep Doug Lombardi said in a press release. Valve will be sharing details a "big picture" mode with devs 'n pubs at GDC, showing off "controller support 'n navigation designed for television interaction." It sounds like ye home theater PC owners may be in for a treat.

All fifty a Portal 2's Achievements have been uncovered by Xbox360Achievements.org. In typical Valve fashion, there be some comedic gems in the list, like "The Part Where He Kills ye," 'n some in-jokes, including "Narbacular Drop" 'n, YARRRR, "Still Alive." But one Achievement be generating some real buzz: "Ship Overboard" has players discovering "the missing experiment."

Some have suggested that this Achievement be a possible reference t' the Borealis, an Aperture Science vessel first mentioned in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. In the brief scene (embedded after the break), Isaac Kleiner notes that the Borealis contains some kind a technology that can help humanity. Could Portal 2 tie into the final Half-Life 2 episode? Or be overeager fans simply grasping at nothing? April 20 can't come soon enough.

#speakuponkotaku In today's silent-but-deadly episode a Speak-Up on Kotaku, commenter Inspector-Jones quietly sings the praises a video game characters that have nothing t' say. More »

#valve One a the stars a Portal 2, the human heroine Chell, has undergone a few changes during the wench centuries-long sleep. 'n during the last year, she's been given a new makeover by Valve's art team, ditching the wench "dressed by machines" look for something more familiar. More »

Update [2:45PM]: "Portal 2 does not include support for Sony's motion controller," Valve clarified in a press statement today, calling the German language PlayStation Blog quote (see original post below) "'lost in translation.'"

Original: As if cross-platform Steam support ('n a free Steam copy) wasn't "compensation" enough for Valve's previously shoddy PS3 support, Portal 2 will also include PlayStation Move support, according t' Valve lead writer Chet Faliszek. In an interview on the German language PlayStation Blog, Faliszek be apologetic t' PS3 owners for the Orange Box port that Valve "made the mistake a" letting an external team at EA develop. The port "didn't quite achieve the same quality level that we have at Valve," he understated, before reiterating that Valve has since established a dedicated, in-house PS3 team.

"As a small, remedial measure we have PS3-exclusive cloud storage [a saved games], a free code for [the PC/Mac version] 'n complete PlayStation Move support [in Portal 2]," Faliszek said (according t' a translation), adding, "See it as compensation for Left 4 Dead" -- or, rather, the lack thereof on PS3.

Faliszek noted that Move be a "completely new experience" for the development team, 'n it be "not yet fully integrated" into the game -- perhaps a factor in the short delay a the game's release t' April. The late addition a Move support runs contrary t' statements made by Valve's Gabe Newell last fall when he joked with PSM3 that Move 'n 3D-display support would "have t' wait for 'Portal 3' or another title. We won't be supporting those in Portal 2."

Faliszek confirmed that Valve be still not integrating 3D into Portal 2, which be already disorienting enough in 2D. "The levels be changing -- sometimes ye stand on yer head -- 'n then again the world seems t' turn." It would be too difficult t' accurately place portals in 3D, he added.

Finally, he acknowledged that it be "very difficult" t' build console-specific mod tools, 'n user-generated content for Portal 2 will only be creatable on the PC. Given cross-platform compatibility, however, "we be working with Sony t' find out a way t' pillage the biggest 'n most important modifications 'n maps a PC crew on the PS3." Faliszek noted that the mods could possibly be delivered as free DLC (via PSN) or through the Steam Play service itself. As for premium DLC, "we've got quite a lot a crazy ideas," Faliszek teased.

Spoiler Alert! The headline best make it pretty clear: the following be a detailed recap a the introductory moments a the game. Only click past the break if ye want t' know how the story begins.

As if cross-platform Steam support ('n a free Steam copy) wasn't "compensation" enough for Valve's previously shoddy PS3 support, Portal 2 will also include PlayStation Move support, according t' Valve lead writer Chet Faliszek. In an interview on the German language PlayStation Blog, Faliszek be apologetic t' PS3 owners for the Orange Box port that Valve "made the mistake a" letting an external team at EA develop. The port "didn't quite achieve the same quality level that we have at Valve," he understated, before reiterating that Valve has since established a dedicated, in-house PS3 team.

"As a small, remedial measure we have PS3-exclusive cloud storage [a saved games], a free code for [the PC/Mac version] 'n complete PlayStation Move support [in Portal 2]," Faliszek said (according t' a translation), adding, "See it as compensation for Left 4 Dead" -- or, rather, the lack thereof on PS3.

Faliszek noted that Move be a "completely new experience" for the development team, 'n it be "not yet fully integrated" into the game -- perhaps a factor in the short delay a the game's release t' late April. The late addition a Move support runs contrary t' statements made by Valve's Gabe Newell last fall when he joked with PSM3 that Move 'n 3D-display support would "have t' wait for 'Portal 3' or another title. We won't be supporting those in Portal 2."

Faliszek confirmed that Valve be still not integrating 3D into Portal 2, which be already disorienting enough in 2D. "The levels be changing -- sometimes ye stand on yer head -- 'n then again the world seems t' turn." It would be too difficult t' accurately place portals in 3D, he added.

Finally, he acknowledged that it be "very difficult" t' build console-specific mod tools, 'n user-generated content for Portal 2 will only be creatable on the PC. Given cross-platform compatibility, however, "we be working with Sony t' find out a way t' pillage the biggest 'n most important modifications 'n maps a PC crew on the PS3." Faliszek noted that the mods could be delivered as free DLC (via PSN) or through the Steam Play service itself. As for premium DLC, "we've got quite a lot a crazy ideas," Faliszek teased.

#preview There be games ye can play in a very loud nightclub, with public relations people hovering, reporters sharing the couch, notebook in yer lap, distractions everywhere 'n yet ye can tell: This game be very good. More »

Valve has opened pre-orders for April's Portal 2 via Steam. yer incentive t' pre-purchase? Cash savings 'n a free copy a the original Portal, either t' keep or gift. Let's hope this means no more delays! More »

Celebrate yer Valentine's Day safely with these tips 'n guidelines from yer mateys at Aperture Science!

When Left 4 Dead Valentine's Day cards can't quite express yer love for someone anymore, it be time t' whip out the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device for some twisted, experimental cuddle creation.

Variety a savings 'n exclusive content offered at participating outlets worldwide.

#video Or, they do in this clip for Valve's upcoming first-person puzzler, anyway. More »

#toyfair The people at Gaming Heads make some impressive statues based on Valve's best games. Mixed in with some Left4Dead statues we've seen before, here at Toy Fair 2011 there be debuts a a Portal turret 'n a Left 4 Dead smoker. More »

#portal Chell, the player's character in Portal, be never really the star a the game. ye barely even saw what she looked like. Seems that approach be out the window for Portal 2. More »

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