The Portal 2 hype machine continues to roll. Today, we learned of exclusive Portal 2 content in Steam's "Potato Sack" of indie games. The Sack (as I call it) contains 13 Indie games, many of which are full of Portal-themed content. Each game is totally great (or at least kind of great) on its own, even without the Portal stuff. And the price is right: $38.65 for the whole schmeil.
Here's the line-up of games with Portal 2 content that we know about:
- Bit.Trip Beat: A Portal 2-themed level, complete with GLaDOS.
- Killing Floor: A "full, free, new Portal-themed prototype level. This is a complete, fully-functional level"
- The Ball: Seven new "test chambers" featuring the "Edgeless Artifact Cube."
According to Joystiq, the following Potato Sack games have also been updated:
- Wonderful End of the World
- Cogs
- Defense Grid
- RUSH
- AaAaAA!!!
- AudioSurf
- Amnesia: The Dark Descent
- Toki Tori
That's not the only Portal 2 news out there. Some gamers who have been following along/solving the Portal ARG believe that the game will launch early for those who download it on Steam. The evidence: Downloads have already begun for PC buyers of Portal 2, combined with a few cryptic messages that suggest an early launch.
The message: As we said above, Gaijin Games updated Bit.Trip Beat via Steam with a new level “designed” by Portal antagonist GLaDOS. They also sent the following message alongside that update, according to Kotaku:
"Like the other 12 games in Valve’s Potato Sack, it is rumoured that playing BIT.TRIP BEAT between now and Portal 2′s “scheduled” release date might increase the chances that Portal 2 is released early. Interesting idea…"
So what do you think the chances of Portal 2 launching early are?
All of the best people are following Stephen Johnson's twitter feed. Also, email me if you wanna.
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Comments
Displaying 1–12 of 12
rVentura
If it's made by Valve I'm sure it's gonna be perfect. I'd play it on PC.
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Criken2.0
if its made by valve its going to be awesome
horseflesh
My guess is, knowing valve, that Portal 2 will be made available earlier if you've bought the potato sack.
VectorRoll
I would like to known about the SixSense bundle version, or the Hydra as Razer calls it. That the one I am holding out for. Playing Portal2 with that new pc motion controller looks like fun.
WISCO
As someone who is getting the PS3 version with the PC/Mac steam download code...
I say good for the current PC players. I'll see them soon enough on what looks to be a great game.
P.S.
Valve is on to something with this Free PC/Mac download code with the PS3 version.
Think how many people will be trying out Steam for the first time... then be back for more games.
Swissarmy
and here i just bought bioshock 2 for five bucks on steam. If portal comes out early I may never play bio2. OH well more cake it is then.
Madav
As far as whether I think they'll release Portal 2 early to get in better standing with their PC fanbase, well that'd be one helluva hat trick pulled on their part less than a week from launch. Near as I can tell, the release for Steam is the same as all retailers: April 19th 6 days, 7 hours and counting.
Symicide
What?
AxeX1606
The rumor is amongst SPUF members is that if it does release early, it'll be this friday. May 15th, 2011 at 9 AM. This is due to a series of emails sent from Gabe Newell of VALVe to various game websites containing images with strings of numbers on them. The images, when put together correctly form a picture of a Bathysphere and what seems to be a message hidden using the numbers. The best translation can be found here:
http://valvearg.com/wiki/ Emails_from_Gabe_Newell#Transl ation (remove the space before Emails)
There is some suspicious, out of place numbers and letters, when taken out of the main message, form "4/19/2011_7AM=4/15/2011_9AM". Looking at the release date for Portal 2 (4/19/2011 at 7AM), the two big rumors popped up, that it was either the preload date, or the ACTUAL release date. Not only did the latter make more sense due to the = in the hidden message, but now that the preload came today, its pretty much the only option left.
Many speculate this is not only a reward for the community for finishing the ARG, but also a sort of "thank you" to the Steam buyers. Some believe that the huge push for PS3 superiority amongst the console versions, and a lack of decent PC pre-order bonuses, left many feeling disappointed in VALVe. Others also believe this is VALVe's attempt at being first to release a game early, or are trying to make up for the delays this games had.
I think the one thing everyone should take away from all this is: Whether the game releases early or not should NOT take away from your Portal 2 experience. You're going to have the game by next week no matter what, be happy its not getting delayed again.
L33tcakes
oooo was about to preorder it for ps3 so i can get both versions, now im not sure
Sancho488
I got the PC version, just not through steam, and that would REALLY suck if they did that since most of my friends would have beaten the game by then without me making the CO-OP pointless
MikeCC
I hope Valve does not do that since i don't think i would like to be felt punished in a way for not having a good enough computer to play portal 2 on it.
Displaying 1–12 of 12