Portal 2 free DLC announced
Valve has announced the first DLC pack for Portal 2, which will include new test chambers, leaderboards, and a challenge mode -- all free on all platforms.
Valve teased some downloadable content for Portal 2 recently, but now the developer has gone and spilled the potatoes on the first bit of planned DLC. It's aiming for release sometime this summer, and best of all: it's free for all platforms (PC, Mac, 360, and PS3).
The first pack will include new test chambers, leaderboards, both a single- and multiplayer challenge mode, and more. The announcement didn't specify if the new test chambers will be single-player, co-op, or both, but we imagine any solo content will be roped off from the main story.
If you haven't picked up Portal 2 yet, what's wrong with you? That is to say, check out our review for Jeff's impressions of Valve's latest brain-tickler.
-
Shacknews
replySteve Watts posted a new article, Portal 2 free DLC announced.
Valve has announced the first DLC pack for Portal 2, which will include new test chambers, leaderboards, and a challenge mode -- all free on all platforms.-
-
<3 gaben
-
OH YES
-
[deleted]
-
-
Open your hole, Deathlove.
-
-
[deleted]
-
Valve's probably using their now chummy position with Sony to strong-arm Microsoft into letting them release it for free.
-
-
-
[deleted]
-
-
The internet
-
-
[deleted]
-
-
-
It really could be the end of any summer Valve wants.
-
-
-
-
-
FWP's
-
-
Well, I am kinda disappointed that they weren't included at release (but an ad for some movie was), given that almost everyone expected these would exist at some point. I'm a little more worried that they left the challenge rooms for DLC just so they could go "hey look free content" and then go back to making hats. I'm not worried they are going to start selling map packs or anything, just not make them. I mean, Valve is cool and all, but since the Orange Box (nearly 4 years ago) they have done: TF2 class updates (yay), TF2 store (boo), Left 4 Dead (yay), L4D2 instead of L4D content (boo), Portal 2 (yay) with store (boo).
-
-
I like how you list "TF2 class updates" like it was a small single patch, and don't mention that each class update contained decent game updates and/or maps too. That "yay" is a big "yay". None of those patches brought in actual revenue directly, aside from maybe new purchases from people continuing to play their (well supported) game.
Also, Portal 2 compared to Portal 1 to me feels a lot like how L4D2 feels compared to L4D1. It's an extension of the plot, some decent engine/game improvements, and totally new maps (obviously). Yet you list Portal 2 as a yay, and L4D2 as a boo. I liked all 4 games, and can't reasonably say that either "sequel" should have been free DLC. They do seem a bit large to be paid DLC too, so sequel seems to be about the right choice.
Why do you care if the game has a store? If it helps them monetize, so that they can continue making free *real* content, then what is the problem? If they DO stop making real content, we have reason to complain perhaps, but why nay-say?
And if you know anything about software dev, you should know that there has to be a code freeze at some point. They make a product they want to ship, and once it's frozen, they can just go work on the first DLC. Depending on how long of a QA/etc cycle they have, they can have that next bit of content done really fast if it's just maps/etc. I really don't see why you are even remotely complaining.-
I don't know if you remember but people were pretty upset that instead of getting free L4D content it got rolled into a not-free L4D2.
"If it helps them monetize, so that they can continue making free *real* content, then what is the problem? If they DO stop making real content, we have reason to complain perhaps, but why nay-say?"
The problem is, TF2 is the only game where they have continued making the "real" content, and even a lot of that recently has been hats and community maps.-
I don't know what your definition of "real" content is, but just taking L4D as an example, they released all of the following FOR FREE:
2 more campaigns to versus mode
a new game mode (survival)
a new campaign in co-op, versus, and survival (Crash Course)
another new campaign (The Passing)-
-
Ahh yes, was thinking Sacrifice and wrote Passing, thanks.
-
-
-
-
You are presented with the following choice:
1) Portal 2 release in April and then a subsequent FREE release of challenge maps a couple months later
or
2) Portal 2 + challenga maps all delayed until June/July.
Are you seriously telling me you'd have preferred option 2 over option 1?-
-
and then whine about it apparently
-
-
-
L4D1 got two DLC campaigns for free, bub. I bet you never even played them.
With TF2 updates alone (see: http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Patches ), I believe Valve has shown more post release support than any other PC multiplayer shooter out there, and for free.
And it's nice not to blow your whole wad at once. They spent the majority of their time creating and polishing the stuff that really mattered for Portal 2 at launch, their single player story campaign and the coop. Give people time to play the content in the box, continue to create additional content for later, release when people are done with initial content and really want more. It's not some devious scheme. -
-
[deleted]
-
-
-
-
what the hell are you smoking
-
So met me see if I have this straight - it's not that the DLC exists or comes out, it's the intent in their hearts when they conceive of it? As in, if they started working on it after the game was finished but before it shipped that's bad, and if they started working on it as soon as the game shipped that's bad, but if they waited briktal's appropriate amount of time and then released it, they'd be in the clear?
This is like arguing with Pat Robertson about abortion.-
No. I was saying that if you decide early on you want to release something later as DLC instead of at release, you just wouldn't bother working on it until you get the game done first instead of finishing them at the same time and then just sitting on the DLC.
This is more of a "I hope they don't use this as an excuse to not make more content" than some kind of evil conspiracy theory.-
-
He's saying that they made the game and the DLC at the same time and then decided to stagger their releases.
a) That's probably not what happened because like most people are speculating here they probably made the DLC between the time the game went gold and now. And knowing Valve the DLC isn't quite done yet.
b) Even if that is what happened, so what? They're not charging for it. I can see getting mad over a portion of a game being cut out at the last minute to sell as more content later but he's just grasping at straws here.-
No I'm saying they didn't do that, that it is a dumb idea, but it doesn't mean they didn't decide a long time ago they wanted to make the DLC. A completely harmless scenario (and pretty likely): "Challenge maps, people liked those in Portal." "Let's focus on getting the game done and polished before we worry about those" "Ok". The most extreme scenario: "Challenge maps, people liked those in Portal." "Let's hold off on those, they can be our free content." "Ok, hand me another kitten burger."
-
[deleted]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
more content pushes back release dates you tool, you think valve were sitting on the retail release till they got the extra dlc finished?
-
-
lmfao
-
-
-
Because it would probably help extend the games life and help bring in more sales with free content.
-
-
It's not like I'm surprised by it. But I was perplexed that some people around here thought they would be charging for it. Since they have never done that unless you discount the L4D Passing debacle which MS forced their had cause they were being dicks about free content being put on XBL.
-
had = hand
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Let's put it this way - if they had to put everything into the game that they want to before they release it then they'd never put it out. Seriously. This is why TF2 took nine years. This is why EP3 hasn't even been announced.
You think there'e only been one version of DNF over the years? Shit no, they kept cramming and cramming and then the tech is out of date and they need to start over and then thirteen years later it's still not done.
Valve did the right thing here. -
now I'm sure that you're trolling. You can't even keep your story straight between subthreads
-
-
-
-
-
well done, thanks for your comment
-
Here come the test results: You are a horrible person. That's what it says! We weren't even testing for that!
-
[deleted]
-
[deleted]
-
Was the wait worth it?
-
[deleted]
-
-
-
Perhaps because it's not done yet?
-
briktal is adopted
-
briktal I just called your parents
they do not love you.
-
-
-
-
Signed. My monies to Valve if they charge, my appreciation if they don't.
-
-
-
I'm surprised it's free on the 360. PC, sure, Valve controls the platform. PS3 makes sense as it was probably part of their contract with them. But I figured Microsoft would stick to their guns.
Maybe they got so much shit over the L4D DLC not being free, plus the PS3 is a more direct competitor that now has it free, too.
I bet it's late on the 360 though - Valve can just push it through Steam when they want for the other two platforms (no idea if that's true - it could be that they still have a certification process awaiting them on PS3)-
Valve really wanted the L4D DLC to be free. http://www.shacknews.com/article/60365/microsoft-forces-valve-to-price
"On the consoles, they want us to charge money for [DLC], because that's in their model, and our model is very much more to grow the community by giving out free updates," said Valve president Gabe Newell last year. "That's harder for us."
It was speculated that the Sony deal for the PSN / Steam coupling was going to be played as a trump card against Microsoft trying to force Valve to charge for "substantially sized downloadable content". I imagine a scenario where Valve basically told Microsoft "Free, or you're not getting any."
-
-
-
Neat. This is all stuff I was pleading for in the email I sent to Valve soon after finishing the game. I'm sure I wasn't alone either and they likely had plans for this content for a while before release.
I do hope the friends leaderboards support custom maps when they release the SDK though. Otherwise, >:(-
No >:('s here
-
Serious question here, what good are leaderboards if they only work with a handful of a official maps? You'll play them for a week or two, tops. Once the best scores are posted and the individual players have plateaued, that's it. Until Valve decides to throw a few more maps our way.
Need to take advantage of all forms of replayability that are possible with this one!
I know a few indie games have managed to work leaderboards into custom, user-created content, I assume Valve will be able to do the same!
-
-
-
Portal 2 for $20 off: http://www.shacknews.com/chatty?id=25789208#itemanchor_25789208
-
Wow, that's a great deal. Glad I waited.
-
-
[deleted]
-
:( I haven't bought a game from GS since COD4.
-
really
-
-
-
-
Portal 2 for 25$ off on Amazon for PC. 15$ off for 360/PS3.
-
-
[deleted]
-
[deleted]
-
-
I WOULD LIKE TO SUCK VALVE'S DICK.
Seriously, you fuckers come to Edmonton, and I will buy you beers 'n shit. -
-
[deleted]
-
-
[deleted]
-
For the record i would have gladly paid for this DLC!!
-
Before you even know what it is...?
-
[deleted]
-
At this point I consider Valve a developer whom can publish anything they want and I will buy it. Carefully designed and made quality games that work out of the box and then top it off with free stuff in the right places. Orange box is of legendary value and a short game like Portal 2 had a hard time competing with that, so this is exactly what I expected of Valve and once again they deliver. Awesome.
-
[deleted]
-
I completely agree. Then I see DOTA 2. I'm going to need convincing with that.
-
I don't consider Valve games my favorite, but their community connection and accessibility makes them a must buy.
-
[deleted]
-
-
AMAZING! Just bought the game from Bestbuy today for $40. Great game, Great value, and it's only getting better with this DLC!
-
