Valve talks a bit about why PS3 gets free copy of PC Portal 2:

Linky

TL:DR - "It's not two copies of the game, it's the same game"

Does this mean the people who buys the PC version will get the PS3 version for free?

No, sadly, it doesn't work the other way. (Well they haven't said it will anyway) I suppose they could do this but I think Sony would expect to be paid for each copy made. It costs valve little to nothing to unlock the game for accounts linked to PSN accounts so I don't think Valve cares about giving ppl free copies on the PC as long as they purchased something valve gets money. Well...they don't care about giving PS3 owners free copies on the PC...PC gamers need to still pay just cause.

It would be pretty awesome to see them give Portal 2 away for free on steam to everyone on the PC...that would...wow I can't even tell you how many publishers would shit their pants at that.

It would give Valve and Steam ABSURD leverage in marketing to the PC gamer audience as EVERYONE would gladly jump on board steam to get that game free and then you look at the other publishers and Grin...so you guys wanna sell a PC game hunh? Well I can sell millions of copies if you give me $20 per copy, or you can sell far less, make less money in the end, and not use me...and I'm your competition so that can't feel like a good choice either way hunh?

Does this mean the people who buys the PC version will get the PS3 version for free?

Free PC version with purchase of PS3 version makes this an easy choice. This will be the first time I buy a multiplatform game on the PS3 like this in ages. And assuming that controller bugs me I can just go play it on the PC. Will be interesting to play both versions.

That's a fair point I hadn't considered. Valve's bread and butter is Steam so I doubt they would do anything knowingly to drive users away.

Sepharo wrote on Jan 19, 2011, 01:27:
Or maybe I've got it reversed.

Maybe they're brilliantly converting droves of PS3 players to PC to see what the big deal about a mouse and keyboard is.

At the very least, they're going to have a lot of new Steam users. Those users will then start to see what Steam is all about, all the nifty features it has, all the crazy sales they do and I'm sure some will start using it more frequently. Valve is playing the long game here, and I think that's why they are willing to give up some of the potential revenue of Portal 2 steam sales for this promotion.

This comment was edited on Jan 19, 2011, 02:09.

Or maybe I've got it reversed.

Maybe they're brilliantly converting droves of PS3 players to PC to see what the big deal about a mouse and keyboard is.

I'm pretty sure Valve understands how this deal will hurt PC sales. I imagine the PC version will either cost less or have some bonus incentive to buy it instead of the PS3 version.

This PS3 bundle is a bit scary.

End of Valve as a primarily PC developer?

If every PC gamer with a PS3 buys the PS3 version (it is the obvious choice) that's going to be a ridiculous hit. Sony and Valve just crossplatformed their sales, converted a large chunk of PC players to console numbers.

But luckily Valve will have the detailed stats to analyze the amount of crossover.

Dev wrote on Jan 18, 2011, 21:56:
crossplatform play games on this generation of consoles

There's a lot of them huh?

Guess I'm buying the PS3 version. (Can I sell my PS3 and still keep my PC access?)

Welp, got my PS3 copy pre-ordered on Amazon. I mainly care about the PC version, but since it's free I'd like to see what Portal 2 is like on my HDTV.

I played the demo of Portal on the 360 and it seemed fine. I'd still rather have the mouse but Portal played a lot better on the controller than I was expecting.

Rockn-Roll wrote on Jan 18, 2011, 12:59:
Microsoft claimed that the PC gamers were too good with keyboard and mouse and the Xbox gamers with Xbox controllers weren't having any fun...they were acting like babies. The way-back machine has some details from July 2010: http://www.bluesnews.com/s/112430/pc-player-dominance-killed-cross-platform-gaming

I think its more than just MS claiming it. Everytime I've seen crossplatform play games on this generation of consoles come out that involve shooting, either the PC users are nerfed (such as more crosshair shake/drift) compared to console, or the console users are boosted (with things like auto aim assists) compared to PC, or both.

Even ported games that don't allow crossplatform multiplay together often have differences like that so that the consolers won't find it too hard or PC players won't find it too easy.

I joked about SteamPlay being offered when Valve said the game could be played cross-platform. I didn't expect them to do it, but it makes sense that Sony would allow it in a way that would make gamers more likely to pick up the PS3 version over the PC (or even 360) version.

necrosis wrote on Jan 18, 2011, 14:29:
Tho not sure why Valve can not offer a PSN code when you buy it on Steam for PC\Mac to put in your PSN account and download it.

Because Sony has to receive its license fee (those $10 price difference others mentioned).

Beamer wrote on Jan 18, 2011, 15:27:
Think about how interesting the data will be for Valve out of this.


What percentage of PS3 buyers play the game on the PC when given that as a free alternative?
What is the average ratio of time spent on the PC vs time spent on the PS3.
How many players start on the PS3, move to the PC and finish there? How many start on the PS3, move to the PC and return to the PS3?

No information is perfect, as you don't know how many people are buying the game for the PS3 and letting their brother use the PC version, but it'll still give some interesting results.

I can tell you how I will handle it. First I'll grab all those PS3 trophies and later I'll play it on the PC.

Creston wrote on Jan 18, 2011, 13:11:
From what I've seen in the trailers, there seem to be puzzles where you need to shoot a portal pretty accurately while flying in the air. The first game had several of those as well. How is that going to work on a "turn slow as shit" controller? Even with m+kb those jumps were pretty hard to pull off.

Probably the same way it worked in the 360 version of Portal. I didn't have any trouble finishing the game on PC or 360.

Where is your Jailbreak PS3 now?

I doubt that PS3 people will be able to buy a multiplayer access pass if they pick up a used copy.

PHJF wrote on Jan 18, 2011, 15:37:
Soooo, what, the PS3 version is $60 vs $50 PC?

that's usually the case.

It's always interesting when people talk costs of systems how they never seem to take into account you pay an extra 10 bucks a game (on average) on consoles...that adds up.

Can't wait for this one.

PHJF wrote on Jan 18, 2011, 15:37:
Soooo, what, the PS3 version is $60 vs $50 PC?

Would not be surprised if it is.

Soooo, what, the PS3 version is $60 vs $50 PC?