Portal
News, coverage and analysis tracking Portal across the outlets.
Latest coverage
A24 Is Reportedly Copyright-Striking Backrooms Content It Doesn’t Own
A24 Films LLC is reportedly issuing copyright strikes against creators of Backrooms-inspired content, including artwork and games, even when the work is not directly derived from the A24 film. This has led to issues for independent creators and game developers, with Backrooms director Kane Parsons stating he is investigating the matter. The company's actions have drawn criticism, especially in light of its recent AI research partnership with Google DeepMind.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Existing Unauthorized Steam Machine Companion Cubes Are Being Destroyed After Release Fiasco
Dbrand's unauthorized Steam Machine companion cube will not be sold, and pre-ordered units are being refunded. The manufacturer is requesting that existing samples, including one sent to The Verge, be returned for destruction. Dbrand admitted to making a mistake by selling the accessory without Valve's permission, which is a violation of intellectual property.
Dbrand skrotar Companion Cube-skalet till Steam Machine
Accessory manufacturer Dbrand has discontinued its Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine less than a week after its launch. The decision came after Valve's legal department stated that the design is protected intellectual property and Dbrand lacked the necessary license. Dbrand admitted to developing the product without seeking Valve's permission first, a move that led to the cancellation of sales and a refund for all customers.
Valve just killed the Steam Machine Companion Cube
Valve has halted production of Dbrand's "Companion Cube" case for the Steam Machine, which was designed to make the console resemble the Weighted Companion Cube from the Portal games. Dbrand was denied a retroactive license by Valve, forcing them to refund thousands of orders and cease development. The company acknowledged fault for proceeding without initial licensing approval.
Company that made a Steam Machine wrap based on Valve intellectual property without asking forced to take it down
Dbrand has been forced to cancel its 'Companion Cube' wrap for the Steam Machine after failing to obtain a license from Valve. The company admitted to building the product without permission and will issue full refunds to pre-order customers. This incident follows a similar controversy in 2021 where Dbrand was compelled to remove custom PlayStation 5 faceplates due to intellectual property concerns with Sony.
Companion Cube case for Steam Machine is canceled by Valve after Dbrand bafflingly forgot to get permission to make the…
Dbrand has canceled its Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine after Valve, the owner of the intellectual property, requested its removal. Dbrand admitted to not seeking permission before production, leading to the product's withdrawal and refunds for customers. This incident follows a previous cease-and-desist from Sony regarding Dbrand's 'Darkplates' for the PlayStation 5.
Steam Machine Companion Cube case cancelled because Dbrand didn't ask Valve for permission to make it: 'We’re going to regret that decision for a very long time'
Dbrand has cancelled its Companion Cube case for the Steam Machine after Valve's legal team informed them they did not have a license for the intellectual property. Despite significant investment and sales success, Dbrand was forced to remove all traces of the product due to the unauthorized use of Valve's intellectual property.
Valve dropped that Steam Machine Companion Cube case down the legal incinerator after its makers neglected to get their permission
Dbrand has ceased sales of its unofficial "Companion Cube" case for the Steam Machine after Valve, the owner of the intellectual property, issued a takedown notice. Dbrand admitted to not seeking permission from Valve before developing and selling the Portal-themed accessory, which had become their second-most popular product launch. Valve reportedly declined Dbrand's appeal to properly license the product.
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Web port wizards have successfully created browser-playable versions of Valve's classic games Half-Life 2 and Portal. These versions leverage the Source engine and are accessible directly through web browsers, bringing these iconic titles to a new platform.
Backrooms director Kane Parsons has visited Valve, and the chances of a Portal movie happening just shot up
Backrooms director Kane Parsons visited Valve headquarters, fueling speculation about a potential Portal movie. Parsons has previously cited the Portal series as a major inspiration for his work, including his directorial debut. The visit has intensified fan discussions and hopes for an official film adaptation.
The Steam Machine's Companion Cube case is big, expensive, and based on a 19-year-old joke, so I hate how well-made it is
Dbrand has released a Companion Cube-shaped case for the Steam Machine, which is based on a joke from the game Portal. While the reviewer finds the case to be well-made with premium materials and clever design touches, they ultimately dislike it due to its significant increase in size and high price point of $100-$130.
The Top 10 Best Valve Games
This article lists the 10 best games developed by Valve, highlighting titles such as Half-Life, Portal, and Left 4 Dead. The list aims to rank Valve's most acclaimed titles across various genres.
Game Crossovers and Collaborations
Dbrand has opened orders for its Companion Cube case, inspired by the game Portal, designed for the Steam Machine. This merchandise allows fans to bring a piece of the iconic game into their setup.
Obsession Director Would Be Up For A Video Game Movie
Filmmaker Curry Barker, whose horror movie Obsession has been a major success, expressed openness to directing a video game movie. While not a heavy gamer, Barker mentioned Five Nights at Freddy's and the Uncharted series as potential projects he'd be interested in. He also discussed his admiration for Zach Cregger's approach to the Resident Evil movie and Kane Parsons' interest in directing a Portal adaptation.
How to be a dad and a gamer and still get a good night’s sleep - Reader's Feature
A father of two young children shares his struggle to balance gaming with family life, finding that long, time-consuming games are no longer feasible. He details his process of organizing his extensive game library by length to better manage his limited playtime and rediscover enjoyment in shorter, more self-contained experiences.
These are the 5 games you need to check out after watching A24's Backrooms film
Following the release of A24's Backrooms film, this article recommends five games that capture similar eerie and unsettling vibes. Titles like Escape the Backrooms and Inside the Backrooms offer multiplayer horror experiences, while Pools provides a more atmospheric, solitary exploration. Portal is also suggested due to its thematic similarities and vast, inexplicable environments, and SCP: Secret Laboratory is recommended for fans of inexplicable horrors.
Backrooms Director Eyeing A Portal Movie, But He’s Cautious About Adaptations
Kane Parsons, director of the upcoming film Backrooms, has expressed interest in directing a movie based on Valve's Portal game. While enthusiastic, Parsons is approaching the adaptation with caution, emphasizing the importance of respecting the original work. He also mentioned that the sound design in Backrooms was inspired by Portal, and the game series has been a significant creative influence on him.
Backrooms director Kane Parsons wants to direct a Portal movie
Director Kane Parsons, known for the film Backrooms, has expressed interest in directing a movie based on Valve's video game franchise Portal. Parsons cited Portal as an inspiration for his own work and mentioned his desire to bring the puzzle-platformer to the big screen. However, a Portal film has been in development hell since 2013, with initial announcements made by Gabe Newell and J.J. Abrams.
Backrooms director Kane Parsons is seemingly considering a Portal movie “with a lot of caution and a lot of…
Kane Parsons, the director of the recent horror hit Backrooms, is reportedly exploring the possibility of directing a movie based on Valve's Portal franchise. Parsons expressed interest in the project with caution and curiosity, following his success as the youngest filmmaker to top the U.S. box office.