Portal 2 due out this Christmas

By Tom Bramwell Published 5 March, 2010

On PC and Xbox 360.

Update: Valve's Doug Lombardi has told Eurogamer that the game's due for PC and Xbox 360.

Original story: Valve has officially announced Portal 2.

The game is due out this "holiday season" ("Christmas" in old money) according to the developer.

Platforms were not mentioned.

The first Portal came out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 as part of The Orange Box, and then came to Xbox Live Arcade in the form of Portal: Still Alive.

Check out our Portal review for a reminder of what made it so lovely.

Valve has been hinting at Portal 2 for a while, even updating the original game's end sequence in a patch.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (80) 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • darleysam #1 2 years ago

    'tot he developer'

    Either way, excellent.

  • AaronTurner #2 2 years ago

    Absolutely awesome news.

  • beef_spread #3 2 years ago

    I was hoping it would have been CS:3D

  • ChthonicEcho #4 2 years ago

    Valve ends speculation.

    No. No, not really. The ARG continues, seeing as some letters in the announcement post were underlined, forming a new BBS login, providing more enigmatic text and ASCII art.

  • wizlon #5 2 years ago

    Get in! So Valve have been doing something recently, I thought they'd all gone on holiday!

  • Nanocrystal #6 2 years ago

    However did the first game not get 10/10??

  • thewool #7 2 years ago

    Wot no HL2-EPIII :0(

  • hiddenranbir #8 2 years ago

    I know it is valve and all that but I really felt Portal was just right as it was. A good stand out title and all that.

    Be interesting to see what they're going to do as a follow up.

  • Vermillion3000 #9 2 years ago

    I'll be there.

    If it's more of the same I'll be happy.
    If it's radically different I'll be happy.

  • patchbox360 #10 2 years ago

    can't they use that gun to port from this christmas to next month

  • Markitron #11 2 years ago

    Hopefully this will be cross platform PSN/XBL/steam budget release, I dont think I want a 10 hour portal. Was just nice the way it was

  • StooMonster #12 2 years ago

    Portal was a fantastic game, and with these updates I am tempted to play through it again in anticipation of Xmas 2010 and Portal 2. :D

  • CaptainQuint #13 2 years ago

    I just hope they can hold off the rust and squeaks from the Source engine for another few months.

    Portal was good though.

  • X3Entente #14 2 years ago

    im not going to lie, im slightly disappointed, i really wanted Half life 2 episode 3 *sulks some more*

  • Artemus #15 2 years ago

    Any chance of an Orange Box 2 with Portal and HL2 Episode 3? Seems like we've been waiting forever for that one. Remember the interviews when Valve said going episodic meant not waiting as long between games!

  • somnolentsurfer #16 2 years ago

    After everything this week, they didn't confirm it for Mac?

  • Iain815 #17 2 years ago

    I think it's safe to assume they've decided to skip Episode 3 and do a full on sequel.

    Well, I bloody hope they have.

  • ChthonicEcho #18 2 years ago

    @somnolentsurfer

    Macintosh is a personal computer.

    Edit: http://en.wiki pedia.org/wiki/Macintosh

    Edit2: Okay, you caught me, it's a lawnmower.
    Edited by 2 at 05/03/10 @ 21:43

  • Der_tolle_Emil #19 2 years ago

    Well I'm buying!

  • Eraysor #20 2 years ago

    Even from the beginning I've been skeptical about episodic gaming. Look where SiN Episodes went, and now Episode 3 appears to have been lost to the sands of time.

    Nevertheless, I am really looking forward to this. More hilarious GLaDOS quotes please!

  • coolbritannia #21 2 years ago

    Awesomes. Cake or GTFO.

  • raion #22 2 years ago

    Hell Effing Yeah!

    @hiddenranbir: I can understand that. In fact, I'd be perfectly satisfied if it turned out to be just an expansion pack with more levels. Actually, I can't imagine anything else the could do with it. And that's why I'm the gamer, and they're the developers. Come on, we're counting on you! Don't make it turn out to be a one hit deal.

    *goes of singing the song. you know.*

  • makeamazing #23 2 years ago

    So it seems there not making it for PS3, man Valve sort yourself out.... seriously not only is it taking you forever to release HL ep3, and if your not being paid to stay exclusive, get with the times and make stuff for the PS3.

  • ChthonicEcho #24 2 years ago

    Posted this on the forums, might as well post the links in here, as well.

    Seems Portal 2 is likely to have co-op.

    [link url=http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/20 10/03/05/Portal-2-For-Two.aspx
    ]http://ga meinformer.com/b/news/archive/2...[/link]

    http://por talwiki.net/index.php/APF_Images

    Edit: Gamestop removed the co-op confirmation; probably because GI is meant to have exclusive rights to publishing P2 info.
    Edited by 1 at 05/03/10 @ 22:38

  • uglygamer #25 2 years ago

    2010 could easily be the best year for this generation for videogames and with news like this it just gets better.
    Edited by 1 at 05/03/10 @ 20:08

  • Mark1412 #26 2 years ago

    As much as it probably pains PS3-only owners not to be able to play the games of one of the best developers on the planet, at the end of the day it's Valve's call which consoles they develop on and if they can't maintain their high standards on the PS3 or it's not worth the production costs, that's their resolve. Nothing to do with getting with the times. No different to developers only making games for PC.

  • wellzy4eva #27 2 years ago

    I'm surprised they haven't outsourced HL2-EPIII to someone else as it's obviously low on their priority list (At least Portal 2 and probably L4D3 will be interesting)

  • arcam #28 2 years ago

    There has been nothing, not a single game, with the amount of wit, charm or sophistication since Portal. Truly the high-water mark for gaming in the last decade (all IMO of course).

    And yes, if any game was worthy of a 10/10, it was Portal. When, on a ten-point scale, you can only find a difference of one point between the latest batch of Resi Evil 5 DLC and one of the greatest games ever made, something is wrong with your scoring system or your thinking system ;)

  • Zaltan #29 2 years ago

    Do Valve think that we're going to forget about Episode 3? "heres and another L4D, and a new Portal! You really liked those, that'll do you..." No Valve NO - Give us EPISODE 3!

  • seanthejackal #30 2 years ago

    its coming out on PS3 as well

  • morriss #31 2 years ago

    No it isn't.

  • geeza2020 #32 2 years ago

    Sweet Jesus!! This is the best news i have heard in.. well, it seems like forever!

  • thewool #33 2 years ago

    Now I might be talking cack here and completely deluding myself.... but I think Ep III is going to be more epic than we think it is.

    The last I remember reading, Gabe hinted at 'something' relating to it, but then that something was never heard of again. Personally I think it's going to be the equivalent of a full game rather than just an episode. Reason being, it's been stated that III will be the end of that story arc so there are a lot of loose ends to tie up.

    Either that or they're trying to 'crowbar' Gordon Frohman into the story line somewhere.

    >>>>> trundles off to read Concerned again...

  • gjgjg #34 2 years ago

    pukes with excitement


    FINALLLYY

  • DrStrangelove #35 2 years ago

    Oh yes.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #36 2 years ago

    I think it will be almost impossible to really replicate the feeling of #1 but Valve hardly used up all the potential of the portal mechanics. Even if the sequel has just puzzle rooms I am really looking forward to it.

  • FirewalkR #37 2 years ago

    Lol, you'd think they were done with this "only on" crap for good since everyone and his dog knows it'll also come out on ps3. Hell, if there would be a Wii HD by then it would also come out on that.

  • somnolentsurfer #38 2 years ago

    @ChthonicEcho
    :-P Well, clearly. But an announcement that a game is coming to "PC" doesn't normally imply it'll be released for OS X.

  • ChthonicEcho #39 2 years ago

    @somnolentsurfer

    Hence why it's more correct to say 'Game X is coming to Windows'.

    'Sides, it's highly likely this will be released on a Mac. Steam's coming to Mac, Left 4 Dead is coming to Mac, and it's possible TF2 and Portal are, too.

  • Collymilad #40 2 years ago

    "So it seems there not making it for PS3, man Valve sort yourself out.... seriously not only is it taking you forever to release HL ep3, and if your not being paid to stay exclusive, get with the times and make stuff for the PS3."

    And the fact they don't make stuff for PS3 while not being paid to do so is a detriment to them in what way?

    I respect them for not putting out shit on PS3, rather than doing so and screwing people over.

    They don't like the PS3 architecture, it's a perfectly valid reason not to develop for it. Would you rather they went on a money grab as Sega did with Bayonetta?

  • siro #41 2 years ago

    Portal is great and all, but I'm with the "where's my Episode 3, I want that first" crowd.

  • makeamazing #42 2 years ago

    They don't like the PS3 architecture, it's a perfectly valid reason not to develop for it.

    Seriously, Do you really believe that...lol.

    Are you saying that i am not allowed to be disappointed that a game that i have the first version for (Orange box) is not coming out on the platform i own. its funny that people cannot even show disappointment on a forum without someone having a go.

    Edit, so i get minus for saying i want good games on the PS3, seriously someone needs to get out more or something
    Edited by 1 at 06/03/10 @ 10:52

  • Windypops #43 2 years ago

    I daresay they'll farm out the PS3 version to another developer like they did with Orange Box. There'll be a wait, but a PS3 version is inevitable.

  • trip919 #44 2 years ago

    Good news, nothing but good news!

  • Rack #45 2 years ago

    You can be disappointed, but it should hardly come as a shock. SImilarly I'm disappointed Heavy Rain hasn't been announced for the PC but I'm hardly surprised.

  • RedSparrows #46 2 years ago

    Right - I liked Portal, and thought it was witty, inventive and fantastic. But I never found it to be the best thing evarrrrr.

  • Monkey_Puncher #47 2 years ago

    Good, would love to see Counterstrike on Arcade as well though..

  • Jackface #48 2 years ago

    Holy Crap, that's quite a long time away to start trailing it now. Still, nice work. Not sure I can see how they the concept can expand into a full game without the novelty wearing off but looking forward to seeing how they try.

  • coderkind #49 2 years ago

    Loved Portal. Loved it to bits. Great news :-)

  • gjgjg #50 2 years ago

    ur on white frank

  • imamazed #51 2 years ago

    Sweet Zombie Jesus, awesome news.

  • Nuada #52 2 years ago

    So does anyone honestly believe that this game will be out this 'holiday season'?

    It'll not, you know.....

  • roz123 #53 2 years ago

    considering they have already announced 2 player co-op on gameinformer (where there is also a couple of pictures showing its based out doors in a forest environment) i will be up for that £100

  • Ryboy #54 2 years ago

    Oh fuck me yes! YES! YES! YESSSSSS!!!!

  • andywilkie35 #55 2 years ago

    Well butter my arse, can't wait

  • tiny_Eggy #56 2 years ago

    @ makeamazing : welcome to eurogamer. :D

    Nice. Valve only develops for the xbox because it's a cheap and dirty port friendly.

  • Monkey_Puncher #57 2 years ago

    Yes, cheap and dirty port friendly...oh hang on a sec, I'd say the Orange Box on PS3 felt more like a cheap and dirty port....

  • Shakey_Jake33 #58 2 years ago

    Why are people being voted down just because they are requesting a PS3 version? It seems like a sensible request, and Valve's outspoken snub of the console deserves to be recognised.

  • Ryboy #59 2 years ago

    Three Steps to Epic Un-Fail.

    1. Sell PS3.
    2. Buy a PC.
    3. Play Portal 2 PROPERLY.

  • evilrobot #60 2 years ago

    So.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #61 2 years ago

    If you think that Portal was just a tech demo then you either never played through the whole game or you're an idiot.

    Personally I'm guessing you're both.

    That 'Tech demo' had one of the best endings to a video gamer ever.

  • Galathorn #62 2 years ago

    Original? Yes, but the worst game from valve so far imho. I'd rather have some shovelware like The Sentinel... Yes, I'm an old fart.
    All the tastes are in nature... Have fun guys.

  • Shakey_Jake33 #63 2 years ago

    @Ryboy - All that just to play one game? I mean, I agree that Valve games are best played on a PC, but not to that extent.

  • themorganator #64 2 years ago

    @makeamazing

    Why don't you buy a 360 then? The PS3 version of the Orange box was easily inferior and Valve have stated publicly that they're not going to develop on the PS3. If you want to play the game, get the console! Even it does get ported to PS3 by a third party, it won't be as good as the 360/ PC version so it's a no brainer.

  • drumbaby #65 2 years ago

    Oh Valve, with this PS3 cuntishness you are spoiling us.

  • MacLucio #66 2 years ago

    Mac version confirmed by Game Informer april issue! Yeah!

  • makeamazing #67 2 years ago

    @themorganator

    Seriously... get yet another console... that isnt the answer. And the Orange box was fine, yes there was some lag in HL, but seriously Portal is not what you would consider high end AAA... it worked perfectly well in the Orange box.

    I have no issues with a company making PS3/Xbox only if thats what they have been paid to do, or alittle like that motorbilke game, where the company is so small they cannot afford to make multiple titles (dev kits are expensive as well as the different code bases).The PS3 is a perfectly good machine and there is no practical reason why it shouldnt come out on it, especially if the rumour above that its coming out on Mac is true (or perhaps that is an April fools).

    If you have an Xbox, great for you, but us 30 million PS3 users deserve alittle more effort dont you think?
    Edited by 1 at 07/03/10 @ 12:50

  • bioreit #68 2 years ago

    @ makeamazing

    "If you have an Xbox, great for you, but us 30 million PS3 users deserve alittle more effort dont you think?"

    I agree with that point, but Valve have had very little public support from PS3 fans - all they get is griping from their least important (in terms of income) market segment. Why should a company which is so familiar with PC and 360 architectures spend huge amounts of money on investing into really getting to grips with a very different set of systems, merely so it can get a comparatively much smaller group of consumers, which will never really give them any kind of worthwhile return on that investment?

    If (probably when) the PS3 market dominance repeats that of the PS2 and the PS1, Valve would probably change their tune, especially as Sony's relationship with developers has come on leaps and bounds in the last year or so (from their previous stance of pretty much "well, we've given you the devkits - get on with it then", compared to Microsoft's huge library of assets and enormous back-end support and assistance).

    But then again, by the time that happens, we'll probably have the successor consoles announced and well into development, so the whole damn thing could just go round again!

    As a side-note, I think the reason you were getting down-ranked on your first comment wasn't so much to do with you wishing it was coming to PS3 as well (a sentiment I can appreciate), but that you were criticising Valve by telling them to "get with the times" - implying that it was purely down to old-fashioned or arbitrary reasons, rather than due to technical or financial ones.

  • FladgeMangle #69 2 years ago

    Valve are PC developers. Pretty good ones too. it's natural for them to port to the xbox because it has so much in common with it's more accomplished cousin.

    The PS3 requires a quite different approach and if I know PC developers like I think I do (and I know quite a few) they'll really REALLY hate that. Ironic though it might sound, PC developers are essentially luddites at heart.

    This does that, that goes there and DO NOT CHANGE IT. THIS IS THE WAY THINGS WORK. Everything else is ALIEN AND WRONG.

  • makeamazing #70 2 years ago

    implying that it was purely down to old-fashioned or arbitrary reasons, rather than due to technical or financial ones

    Well i dont think its down to technical issues. Financial, well maybe, but thats only because they havent decided to develop for it in the past. Every major games company put that investment in when they first got hold of the dev kits before either console was released. So in that case, thats why i said they need to get with the program.... but with Gabes past comments about hating the PS3, i am not so sure. So yes i agree it would cost them money, but its not like they are short of cash or anything :)

  • KayTannee #71 2 years ago

    @ FladgeMangle

    "Ironic though it might sound, PC developers are essentially luddites at heart. "

    LoLs

  • Shakey_Jake33 #72 2 years ago

    A Mac version of Portal 2 would tie in very well with the rumoured Mac version of Steam.

  • E_Goldstein #73 2 years ago

    *Un-clenches buttocks*

    Finally!

  • StooMonster #74 2 years ago

    +1 with beemoh

    The idiots who keep saying that 360 and PC have similar architecture when they do not, but have the DirectX API in common (well, one version of itanyway), should be jumping for joy at a Mac version of the Source engine as Apple's devices share OpenGL API with the PS3.

    Like Windows PCs the Mac has full version of OpenGL but the PS3 has OpenGL ES (OpenGL for embedded systems) which is also the version on iPhone; although the PS3 also has low level PS3 LibGCM library as a graphics API.

    Valve's original games supported OpenGL or DirectX rendering -- if you install Half-Life 1 from Steam right now you'll see the option in there -- so maybe ... maybe ... PS3 owners won't have much longer to wait. Hey, and in the meanwhile, why not get Portal 2 for your Mac or PC?

  • alcides #75 2 years ago

    [link url=http://www.gamekyo.com/newsfr35157_ premiers-scans-et-infos-pour-portal-2.html
    ]http://ww w.gamekyo.com/newsfr35157_premi...[/link]

    The above link contains ripped off scans from some magazine. Now, the first page lists the game for Mac, PC and Xbox 360 release. Seeing that this is Valve we're talking about, I thought this could fuel the fire about Steam releasing on Mac.

    So Mac support but no PS3 version? Cunts!.

  • darth_paul #76 2 years ago

    its also out for the mac =)

    [link url=http://www.macgeneration.com/ne ws/voir/146191/portal-2-sera-commercialise-sur-mac
    ]http://ww w.macgeneration.com/news/voir/1...[/link]

    mac steam FTW!
    Edited by 1 at 08/03/10 @ 02:08

  • bioreit #77 2 years ago

    @ makeamazing

    "So yes i agree it would cost them money, but its not like they are short of cash or anything :) "

    Irrespective of how much money they have, no-one's really going to invest in something for, say, $50 million in order to get a $40 million return and I think that's the main reason for Valve not going for PS3 too much. That and they're sticking with what they know, just like loads of developers who DID make huge investments in the PS2 have stuck with being PS3-only, simply because it fits with their programming history and culture better. Despite the fact that if they developed for PC and 360 as well, they could more than treble the size of their market, for lower costs, too.

  • makeamazing #78 2 years ago

    What so your saying they should invest in it because they wont make the profit back from one game? They do make more than one game dont they? Sorry cannot subscribe to what your saying, I really cant.

  • Invisible_Cow #79 2 years ago

    GI has a (spoiler-heavy) look at it. Nice to see the screenshots are the same pictures released in the ARG.
    To me the most interesting part is that it's set 100s of years in the future. Probably a sign that the Portal world isn't so closely liked to the Half-Life one.

  • ReaperOscuro #80 2 years ago

    Do you think that half-life 2 episode 3 has entered the limbo of never to be finished games? Surely they haventgiven up on the franchise that pretty much made them famous right? Im hoping that their going to tie the two universes together, but my hopes are slim.