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.
