Portal 2 Free DLC Announced

Valve officially announces plans for the first DLC for Portal 2, their puzzle/platformer sequel, which will be a free release on all platforms, adding new test chambers, leaderboards, challenge modes, and more. As was revealed earlier this week, this downloadable content is expected this summer (Valve Time). Here's word:
April 29, 2011 - Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress, and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the first game add-on for the year's highest rated multiplatform game, Portal 2, is in development and targeted for this summer.

Portal 2 DLC #1 will offer new test chambers for players, leaderboards, challenge mode for single and multiplayer modes, and more.

Targeted for release this summer, Portal 2 DLC #1 will be offered free of charge for the PC, Mac, Xbox 360, and PS3.

Portal 2 was released April 19 and currently holds a Metacritic score of 95%, making it the top rated multiplatform game of 2011. Portal also captured the number 1 chart position in the UK, Germany, and the Nordic countries during its first week of availability, making it the fastest-selling Valve release since Half-Life 2.

A hilariously mind-bending adventure that challenges you to use wits over weaponry in a funhouse of diabolical science, Portal 2 features expansive single and cooperative multiplayer game modes.
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32.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 30, 2011, 06:35
32.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 30, 2011, 06:35
Apr 30, 2011, 06:35
 
Jerykk wrote on Apr 30, 2011, 01:25:
I agree with complaints that Portal 2 was too easy but easier than Portal 1? Really? The first 15 chambers in Portal 1 were basically tutorial levels. Hell, you don't even get a fully functional Portal gun until the 11th chamber, I believe. Only the last four chambers offered any challenge whatsoever. Portal 2 had a much more consistent difficulty level which, while still too easy, was more challenging than the majority of Portal 1. The co-op levels are also harder than the single-player levels and do require some twitch skills.
As for the DLC, I wouldn't expect too much. Keep in mind that each chamber is going to be bottlenecked by consoles so they aren't going to require crazy twitch skills. If you want truly challenging maps (both in terms of puzzle-solving and twitch skills), you'll have to wait for the community maps.

What he said.
Um .. Behind you...
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31.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 30, 2011, 01:25
31.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 30, 2011, 01:25
Apr 30, 2011, 01:25
 
Portal 2 turned out to be much easier than Portal 1, requiring no twitch whatsoever, and no challenge maps, so I was sort of disappointed in the game. (Though the dialogue was, of course, brilliant.)

I agree with complaints that Portal 2 was too easy but easier than Portal 1? Really? The first 15 chambers in Portal 1 were basically tutorial levels. Hell, you don't even get a fully functional Portal gun until the 11th chamber, I believe. Only the last four chambers offered any challenge whatsoever. Portal 2 had a much more consistent difficulty level which, while still too easy, was more challenging than the majority of Portal 1. The co-op levels are also harder than the single-player levels and do require some twitch skills.

As for the DLC, I wouldn't expect too much. Keep in mind that each chamber is going to be bottlenecked by consoles so they aren't going to require crazy twitch skills. If you want truly challenging maps (both in terms of puzzle-solving and twitch skills), you'll have to wait for the community maps.
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30.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 30, 2011, 00:31
30.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 30, 2011, 00:31
Apr 30, 2011, 00:31
 
I expected challenge maps, too, since they were a fun part of Portal 1, and Portal 2 cost twice as much.

Portal 2 turned out to be much easier than Portal 1, requiring no twitch whatsoever, and no challenge maps, so I was sort of disappointed in the game. (Though the dialogue was, of course, brilliant.)

The free DLC challenges will ease some of the bitterness over the easiness of the game.
29.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 21:47
29.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 21:47
Apr 29, 2011, 21:47
 
loomy wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 20:53:
the game wasn't done on time. they de-scoped it and are releasing the leftovers later. this is not really a gift.

I thought everyone expected Portal 2 to have/get challenge maps, since Portal 1 got them. A lot of people were hoping this would be included in Portal 2, but I don't know why anyone would think that this wouldn't be free. The only concern is that people (or even Valve) might point to this expected content to try and quiet people who want more stuff.
28.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 20:53
28.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 20:53
Apr 29, 2011, 20:53
 
the game wasn't done on time. they de-scoped it and are releasing the leftovers later. this is not really a gift.
27.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 20:42
27.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 20:42
Apr 29, 2011, 20:42
 
Nice one Valve, leading by example as always.
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26.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 20:41
Prez
 
26.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 20:41
Apr 29, 2011, 20:41
 Prez
 
Very cool. This is how you get people to buy your paid-for DLC.
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25.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 20:28
25.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 20:28
Apr 29, 2011, 20:28
 
Great news. I am eating my words here, because I genuinely thought it would be more hats and crap. Kudos Valve.
24.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 18:32
Rilcon
 
24.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 18:32
Apr 29, 2011, 18:32
 Rilcon
 
finga wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 17:55:
Rilcon wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 17:11:
There's an MS rule where you can't offer something for free on one console and charge for it on the 360.
You sure? As Valve explained it with a piece of Left 4 Dead DLC, they wanted to release it for free on all platforms, but Microsoft wouldn't let them, so the PC (and PS3?) versions were free, while the 360 version of that DLC cost money. I believe it was $7. Admittedly, it's been a couple of years since then, so maybe things have changed.

AFAIK PC is never counted in for these platform exclusive things. L4D1/2 also has no PS3 version. Might be an old rule though, I haven't touched console DLC for some time.
23.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 18:21
23.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 18:21
Apr 29, 2011, 18:21
 
And if you don't have the game yet, Lamestop is selling the console version for $40 and the PC version for $30 starting tomorrow.
Good luck finding a Lamestop that stocks the PC version, though.
And K-Mart will have the console versions for $35 next week...

Overall, I really enjoyed the game. I think, coming from a few puzzle rooms with a short story tacked on at the end that was tossed into a multi-pack release, they made a phenomenal push at making the sequel a true "game."

If I had one gripe, it was just regarding the pacing/progression. Loading up Portal 2, I was ready to see what could be really done with this world and, outside of five minutes of story, I was dropped straight back into puzzle grinding. There was nothing wrong with that, but I did have a small "That's it?" moment with regards to the story.

From there, I was thinking it was just going to be puzzles when the second round of puzzles started growing the story element. I probably enjoyed this portion of the single-player game the most - we were starting to see new mechanics in (relatively) harder puzzles coupled with nice bits of story.

At that point, I had reached the top and I was expecting further progression...but then it just kind of went back to some more puzzles. It was just like "Before you can beat the boss, do a third round of puzzles." Then you just do the puzzles and aim for the moon in regards to how quick you can kill the boss. And any more story? Nope, you two and done and gone. Likewise, I think they could have spread out the new items more from start to finish so you were always dealing with something new around the corner.

Lastly, I realize they had a significant uphill battle, but that was the best song they could come up with? I'm glad to be alive, but it would be great to be humming an equally memorable tune as well.

For those that want only puzzles, I think that's probably the hardest thing for them to focus on. With the new tools they gave us, a lot of rooms would be stupidly easy if the ability to use them was not limited to select areas. After all, look at how easy one room was with only some white paint.

Returning my lemons,
Ray

This comment was edited on Apr 29, 2011, 18:27.
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22.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 18:11
22.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 18:11
Apr 29, 2011, 18:11
 
Creston wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 18:05:
After they put up 85 dollars worth of horse armor on day zero, I didn't really expect this to happen, so respect where it's due. Good job, Valve.

Creston
But see, everyone else in the other thread already told you that's bullshit because they already did the exact same thing with Team Fortress 2.

Anyone who expected them to charge for this is frankly too cynical to deserve the privilege of playing games.
21.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 18:05
21.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 18:05
Apr 29, 2011, 18:05
 
After they put up 85 dollars worth of horse armor on day zero, I didn't really expect this to happen, so respect where it's due. Good job, Valve.

Creston
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20.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 17:55
20.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 17:55
Apr 29, 2011, 17:55
 
Rilcon wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 17:11:
There's an MS rule where you can't offer something for free on one console and charge for it on the 360.
You sure? As Valve explained it with a piece of Left 4 Dead DLC, they wanted to release it for free on all platforms, but Microsoft wouldn't let them, so the PC (and PS3?) versions were free, while the 360 version of that DLC cost money. I believe it was $7. Admittedly, it's been a couple of years since then, so maybe things have changed.
19.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 17:46
19.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 17:46
Apr 29, 2011, 17:46
 
Microsoft has always allowed for at least one free piece of DLC. This is no different.

The next updates will doubtlessly be free too on PC and PS3, maybe not on 360 though.


Hilarious how many people thought that they would charge for this.
18.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 17:11
Rilcon
 
18.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 17:11
Apr 29, 2011, 17:11
 Rilcon
 
There's an MS rule where you can't offer something for free on one console and charge for it on the 360. So yeah, it going through Steam on the PS3 (and thus "free" for Valve as they don't have to pay Sony for the bandwidth) means Valve is not allowed to charge for it on the 360.
17.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 16:28
17.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 16:28
Apr 29, 2011, 16:28
 
No Steam on X360. The way that Valve has gotten around charging for some DLCs on Xbox Live! is that if you don't offer new achievements, Microsoft doesn't require you to charge money for it. Or at least this is how it's worked for Orange Box/TF2.

I suspect it might still be the same.

Regardless, I always buy my Valve games on the PC through Steam (save L4D2, which I bought in store as it was cheaper than on Steam), so I have Portal 2 on my PC.
16.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 16:16
16.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 16:16
Apr 29, 2011, 16:16
 
nin wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 15:39:
necrosis wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 15:29:
I think the reason that this is free on everything (specifically 360) is because the update will come through Steam not XBL.

360 doesn't use steam, does it?

I'm betting Microsoft will force them to at least make it gold membership exclusive (but they'll still call it "free"). And yes you're right, MS refused to allow Steam on the Xbox 360.

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15.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 16:08
15.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 16:08
Apr 29, 2011, 16:08
 
An easy to use editor would be nice, although I'm not sure how good of a puzzle I could come up with. Maybe a maze!! I used to think I was good at making maps and had all these ideas in my head, but every level I made in BUILD was embarrassing.

I realize why people hate on Valve - they make pretty much the best games, and people can't handle it when a company/person/athlete is kicking ass. It's really a sign of insecurity. People aren't satisfied with their own lives, so they negative nancy on any and everything, but especially stuff that represents "win".
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14.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 16:00
DG
14.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 16:00
Apr 29, 2011, 16:00
DG
 
Since some DLC is announced already, I'm going to reach some more and suggest what could be awesome is an easy, WYSIWYG type map editor.
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13.
 
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced
Apr 29, 2011, 15:51
13.
Re: Portal 2 Free DLC Announced Apr 29, 2011, 15:51
Apr 29, 2011, 15:51
 
Verno wrote on Apr 29, 2011, 15:44:
I agree with everyone else who said that there should have been more portal surfaces so it was less obvious what you needed to do all the time. I suspect that's a result of focus testing with the lowest common denominator, something Valve is quite fond of doing

Yeah, it seems like valve has an over-emphasis on the Steam-stats and they want everyone and their moms to finish every level of every game they make, desperate not to make things frustrating for some players. And thats fine for a SP story, but they could have done a challenge bit.
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