Well it looks like PS3 users will be getting their own version of the Razer Hydra peripheral for Portal 2. As announced yesterday at E3, Playstation 3 owners will be receiving a new DLC titled “Portal 2 In Motion” that includes exclusive new content and takes full advantage of the PS3’s Move Controller.
As reported by Kotaku, it appears that the DLC is almost entirely made up of the same content as previously released for the Razer Hydra. Not sure who controls the price for the DLC, Sony or Valve, but here’s hoping it will be a significantly lower price than the Hydra seeing as you won’t have to buy an entirely new peripheral.
While it appears that adding the PS3 Move element to the game will make the levels more challenging, it also has already left me feeling extremely confused and wary about all the new controls. But, in the end, it’s new Portal 2 content! So for now, just enjoy this 10 minute demo video:
And go here to watch an even cooler demo video from E3.
For now the “in motion” part only applies to the DLC, but Sixense, the team working on the game, is hoping to eventually adapt the Move Controller to work with the rest of Portal 2. The DLC is expected to be released later this year, but if Valve has anything to do with it, you’ll probably see around next Spring
Straight from the new Perpetual Testing Initiative DLC comes 25 minutes of brand new Cave Johnson dialogue. Think 25 minutes is too long to just listen to something? Well, it’s not. Believe me, it’s worth it. Listen to it or YOU ARE FIRED!
This dialogue includes mentions of Doug Rattmann, GLaDOS, mantis men, and… could that possibly be CHELL’S voice I heard…?
(Source: youtube.com)
The video previewing Portal 2’s Perpetual Testing Initiative (that was removed from YouTube by the user) is back! Enjoy!
(Source: youtube.com)
Wanna see what the new Portal 2 Level Creator looks like in action? WELL HERE IT IS!!
(Source: youtube.com)
Exclusively from GameTrailers, here is the trailer for Portal 2’s “Perpetual Testing Initiative” DLC, featuring Cave Johnson himself!
Portal 2 Level Creator DLC coming out May 8th!
And it’s free! Well of course it is, because Valve is awesome.
From Kotaku:
Valve will release freePortal 2downloadable content titled “Perpetual Testing Initiative” for PC and Mac on May 8, the publisher said today.
Valve says you’ll be able to “easily create, share, and play Portal 2 puzzles” with the new DLC, which lets you publish maps directly to Steam. Other players will be able to browse, vote, and download user-created maps to play in their own versions of the game.
I’m so hacking excited!!!
From ValveTime.com:
Valve programmer Kyle Monroe, updated his personal website recently to include components he has contributed to the second unreleased Portal 2 DLC. Kyle refers to an unannounced feature which involves ‘interaction between the game client and back-end databases’ and ‘utilizing new APIs for Steam Workshop and Cloud.’Its unclear what the unannounced feature exactly is, however the details surrounding it seem to indicate a connection with the Portal 2 Puzzle Creator. Interaction with the back-end and game client means the puzzle creator is certain to be built directly into the game itself and not a stand-alone external tool.Other responsibilities listed by Kyle include:
- Game UI to access and view the data.
- Implementation of a game system that required accessing the Steam Cloud for both upload and download of data, as well as sharing the data between users.
- New in-game elements that enhance the features of the new component.
- Integration of the new component with existing game systems and content.
An integrated game UI to view data combined with Steam Workshop / Cloud APIs also indicate that third party content will be distributed through the game itself. Using the Steam Workshop infrastructure, it is likely that users will able to upload their maps (bsp or vpk) from the puzzle creator directly into Workshop, all within the game client.
Strangely, Kyle only includes PC under the platforms for the unreleased DLC despite him having experience with consoles and Mac for Portal 2 and the Peer Review DLC. This could mean he did not work on the multi-platform elements or that the puzzle creator will only be available on PC? Who knows?
The puzzle creator is an exciting prospect for the future of modding for Valve games, even dubbed “Google SketchUp on crack.” Yasser Malaika helped develop Google SketchUp back in 2000 but since 2008 has been instrumental at Valve in developing the Puzzle Creator.
“Hello, and welcome to the Aperture Science Oviparous Warming Vault. You were abandoned, because you’re worthless. You’re worthless, unloved birds with fat ugly beaks. I’m honestly impressed that you managed to squeeze those huge beaks into such tiny eggs. Yes, I’m talking to you Mr. Chubby Beak. You marshmallow— Oh! No… You’re NOT marshmallows, are you? Look at those cold avian eyes. Those talons. Those razor sharp beaks. You’re little killing machines, aren’t you? Yes… Go to sleep my little killers. Mommy’s got a big day for you tomorrow…”
