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Portal 2 Gets Release Date

Posted by Soulskill on from the it's-been-a-long-time dept.

AndrewGOO9 writes "After what has seemed like an eternity since Valve initially announced a sequel to their lauded puzzle title Portal, a release date has finally been attached to the game. Originally slated to be released before the end of the year in time for the holidays, Valve instead opted to delay the game, citing reasons such as, 'making games is hard' as well as continuing their tradition of releasing games when they're finished as opposed to rushing them out the door. Either way, mark your calendars for February 9th, 2011, and in the meantime, brush up on thinking with portals." There's some new gameplay footage available, and Valve announced that Stephen Merchant will be lending his voice to the game.

16 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. This will probably just make it more successful by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Release Date is a Lie! (I just had to ;)

    People will want this game so bad that once it finally comes out, it will be a very-hyped event, drawing more people to buy the game.
    That said, it's good to see that they are taking the time to make a worthy successor.

    1. Re:This will probably just make it more successful by EvanED · · Score: 4, Informative

      The Release Date is a Lie! (I just had to ;)

      More likely than I'd like to admit, unfortunately.

      IT'll be interesting to see if they make it.

  2. So.. by mikkelm · · Score: 4, Interesting

    .. where is Episode 3?

    1. Re:So.. by eln · · Score: 4, Insightful

      They want to make it longer than the first 2 episodes, because the last 2 were short

      That's all well and good, but the stated reason for releasing episodic content was so they could get shorter games out more frequently. Instead, we get shorter games that take forever to come out just like the longer games did. I get the feeling that Valve is fantastic at game development and unbelievably shitty at project management.

    2. Re:So.. by imakemusic · · Score: 3, Informative

      I get the feeling that Valve is fantastic at game development and unbelievably shitty at project management.

      Maybe it's the lack of management that makes their games good? From what I've read about Valve the people that work their don't have specific job titles, they just work on what needs to worked on or what they want to work on. Which would mean people only work on games that they actually care about, which would mean they actually try to make them good rather than just throwing them out of the door.

      Also, it's worth remembering that Valve is a relatively small company. There's been no news on Ep3 because they've been busy making Left 4 Dead 2, Portal 2, Steam for Mac (and working on Steam for Linux or so I hear) and updates for Team Fortress.

      --
      Brain surgery - it's not rocket science!
    3. Re:So.. by washort · · Score: 4, Funny

      shut up, don't distract them from adding more totally sweet hats to Team Fortress 2

  3. Re:i'm looking... by WhitetailKitten · · Score: 5, Funny

    While you wait, please enjoy generous refreshments of candy and disappointment. Just kidding. The candy is also disappointment.


    /* I don't think Portal 2 will be considered a disappointment. I just think that's something GLaDOS would say. I also totally stole it from a site's 404 page ages ago but I can't remember from where. */

  4. Portal 2! by DrugCheese · · Score: 3, Informative

    Portal was one of the funnest games I have played in a long long time. Very creative and original. And Funny. And free! (I got it on the Steam free weekend giveaway)

    --
    *DrugCheese rants*
    1. Re:Portal 2! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That "free" stuff got me too. I downloaded it without charge, surcharge, tariff or tax. And you know why it was free?

      Because now I can't wait to open my coffers for the next game. They have called this one a "full" game, and "the best game we have ever made". From the makers of TF2.

      Open my coffers? Open my veins. DO WANT. (Damn you, free. That's the first taste, you clever bastards.)

      (DO WANT)

    2. Re:Portal 2! by txoof · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Portal was one of the funnest games I have played in a long long time. Very creative and original. And Funny.

      Part of the huge enjoyment for me was the twisted and black humor. GLADOS' accumulating lies and unhinged personality were a huge part of the enjoyment. The addition of an unhinged and slightly psychopathic computer added a great story to what would have otherwise been a puzzle/platformer.

      The game mechanics and physics were a treat too. Along with great level design, Portal has to be one of the most unique and engaging games I've played in a long time. I really enjoyed that it was a FPS experience, but with limited 'S'. It's not often that my wife will see me playing a game and stop to watch more. Usually with the first explosion, she's lost interest. The clever puzzles and feats of wonder, like falling through the floor, attracted even her.

      I'm inclined to give Valve as much time as they need; I've yet to be disappointed with one of their titles. I'm ok waiting for it to be done than paying a fortune for a half finished piece of junk.

      --
      This one's tricky. You have to use imaginary numbers, like eleventeen... --Hobbes
  5. Wehn it comes to Valve these days by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 3, Informative

    I think you have to just presume that they aren't going to release anything until it actually hits the street, or at least until they announce a firm date. The problem is that they make a ton of money on Steam, so they don't have to care at all about their games business. Now while that can be good, in that they don't have to rush things to make a publisher's deadline, it can be bad because they don't have to meet any deadline, unless they set on internally. Also they with regards to their games they seem to be a little defocused lately. I don't think they know what they really want to work on, and I think it changes. They have a goal, then decide "Nah, we'd rather work on this," and shift more resources to a new project.

    So, I wouldn't build up excitement for their games, just kinda take them as they come. When they release a game, see if you think you might like it, and if so pick it up. However don't get your hopes/expectations up on a game at a given time because it may well not happen.

    1. Re:Wehn it comes to Valve these days by Gordonjcp · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The problem is that they make a ton of money on Steam, so they don't have to care at all about their games business.

      I don't know, I'd say that they make a ton of money on Steam, so they can afford to care *more* about their games business.

      Think about it - you've got Steam, people are buying games, the money is rolling in... so you can pay the developers to finish the games properly. If the release date slips, no biggie (until you get to Duke Nukem Forever timescales). The money is still coming in, the bills are still being paid. You're not under undue pressure to start shifting units. Yes, it would be nice to catch the Christmas sales, but if it takes another three months to make a game that doesn't suck and make the customers hate you, I'd rather wait.

  6. Re:i'm looking... by fractoid · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cake and grief counselling will be available after pre-ordering the sequel.

    --
    Rampant carbon sequestration destroyed the Dinosaurs' tropical paradise. I'm here to help repair the damage.
  7. Re:i'm looking... by MachDelta · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your Companion Cube.

    You monster!

  8. Re:Most excellent! by Hadlock · · Score: 3, Funny

    They're shooting for February in the attempt of making Christmas 2011.

    +9, insightful

    --
    moox. for a new generation.
  9. The real question is... by jockeys · · Score: 4, Funny

    when will it be out of beta? Will it be releasing on-time?

    --

    In Soviet Russia jokes are formulaic and decidedly non-humorous.