Portal 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Portal 2 across the outlets.
A second OG Steam Controller prototype has been found at GoodwillA second prototype of Valve's original Steam Controller has been discovered at a Goodwill store in Seattle, seven years after a similar find. The 'Chell' prototype, believed to be from 2013-2014, features a different button layout and lacks thumbsticks compared to the final retail version. The controller was found by the father of a 14-year-old Valve fan and reportedly functions as a generic controller.
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.- Virtual Reality CheckPortal 2 has received a Steam VR compatibility rating, suggesting an upcoming launch for the virtual reality headset. This update indicates potential VR support for the popular game on PC.
Portal 2 just got a Steam Frame compatibility rating, hinting at the VR headset's imminent launchValve has assigned Portal 2 a 'Playable' rating for its upcoming Steam Deck VR headset, indicating the game will function but not at the headset's full native resolution. The rating suggests the game supports the headset's controller configuration and interface text, but the resolution limitation is noted as a drawback. The Steam Deck VR headset is slated for a summer launch and will feature standalone capabilities similar to the Meta Quest 3.
The two best years in video game history were both in the 2010s - Reader's FeatureA reader argues that 2011 and 2013 were the best years in video game history, citing a high volume of quality releases and industry-shifting console launches. The article details numerous significant titles from both years, including The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Skyrim, The Last of Us, and Grand Theft Auto 5, alongside the debut of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Gabe Newell's racecar driver son Gray Newell to compete in 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance raceGray Newell, son of Valve head Gabe Newell, is set to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. He has been part of the Heart of Racing team since 2021 and is making his debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Newell will race an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo alongside Jonny Adam and Eduardo Barrichello.
Backrooms director says Valve is an inspiration: "Don't make it if there's not a meaningful reason…Backrooms director Kane Parsons cites Valve's commitment to creating games with a meaningful purpose as a significant inspiration for his work. He praises Valve's philosophy of not making projects without a strong underlying reason, using Half-Life: Alyx as an example of a game developed to explore new technology like VR.
Backrooms director says Portal 2 is the "biggest inspiration" for new A24 horror movieDirector Kane Parsons revealed that Portal 2 is the primary inspiration for his upcoming A24 horror movie based on the viral YouTube series Backrooms. Parsons cited the games' blend of comedy, absurdity, and vast, decaying environments as key influences on his work.
Backrooms director Kane Parsons explains how influential Valve's Portal is to his work: 'I frequently have dreams where I'm just in the Aperture Science Enrichment Center'Backrooms director Kane Parsons revealed that Valve's Portal series has been a significant influence on his work, particularly the environmental design and the concept of an eternal, vast indoor space. He frequently dreams of being in the Aperture Science Enrichment Center and notes similarities between the game's setting and the concept of the Backrooms. Parsons specifically highlighted Portal 2 for its comedic premise and the subtle environmental storytelling through murals.
10 Co-Op Games Couples Actually Finish Together (2026) | TAGThis article highlights ten co-op games suitable for couples, focusing on titles that can be completed within a reasonable timeframe, typically 10 to 25 hours. It categorizes games based on player skill levels and preferences, offering options for mixed-skill pairs, experienced gamers, and those new to the medium. The list includes titles like It Takes Two, Split Fiction, Unravel Two, and Portal 2, emphasizing games that promote shared experiences and achievable endings.
We can thank a Jim Henson Company puppeteer for some of Valve's best animation workThe distinctive character animation found in Valve games, such as Portal 2 and Team Fortress 2, owes a debt to puppeteer Karen Prell, who previously worked for The Jim Henson Company. Prell, known for her role as Red Fraggle and puppeteering the worm in Labyrinth, brought her expertise in bringing characters to life to Valve, significantly influencing the animation of characters like Wheatley.
Board Games vs. Video Games for Game Night: How to Pick the Right One | TAGThis guide helps determine whether board games or video games are better suited for a game night based on group size, player experience, available time, and desired vibe. It highlights the strengths of each format, from instant setup and couch co-op for video games to equal footing and tactile experiences for board games. The Jackbox Party Packs are presented as a hybrid solution with broad appeal, especially for mixed groups.
The Age-by-Age Guide to Gaming With Your Kids (Ages 4 to 14) | TAGThis guide provides age-appropriate video game recommendations for children aged 4 to 14, focusing on games that foster shared experiences between parents and kids. It highlights games with features like simplified controls, invincibility options, and clear feedback loops, emphasizing the importance of adjusting difficulty and letting children lead the gameplay.
Erik Wolpaw, co-writer of Portal and Portal 2 adores Burnout Paradise and has 1,500 hours in Slay the Spire: 'This…Writer Erik Wolpaw, known for his work on Portal and Portal 2, discusses his extensive gaming history and current preferences. He expresses a deep affection for Slay the Spire, having accumulated over 1,500 hours, and also highlights Burnout Paradise as a game he will never uninstall. Wolpaw also touches on his experiences with Soulslike games like Nioh and Dark Souls 3, and his appreciation for the strategic depth of Slay the Spire.
The Ultimate Couch Co-Op Guide: Best Local Multiplayer Games in 2026 | TAGCouch co-op gaming is experiencing a significant resurgence, with local multiplayer games generating billions in revenue and seeing increased player engagement. This guide categorizes the best local multiplayer titles for various player groups, including couples, families, and friends, highlighting games like It Takes Two, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and the Jackbox Party Pack series. The article also discusses the historical decline and recent comeback of couch co-op, emphasizing its unique social and bonding benefits.
Gamers obsess over Valve boss Gabe Newell telling critically ill Half-Life and Portal writer Erik Wolpaw to "get better" instead of resigning, but the full story is even betterA story about Valve founder Gabe Newell encouraging writer Erik Wolpaw to focus on recovering from severe ulcerative colitis rather than resigning has gained traction online. The incident, originally documented in Geoff Keighley's digital book 'The Final Hours of Portal 2', highlights Newell's supportive approach to employee well-being during a critical health crisis.
Portal 2: Community Edition Beta is out now as a playground for moddingPortal 2: Community Edition Beta has been released, offering enhanced modding tools and capabilities for players. This community-maintained version utilizes a modified version of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive engine, Strata Source, to introduce features like DirectX 11 support, improved lighting, and increased engine limits. The beta is available for users who own the original Portal 2 and supports native Linux.
Portal 2: Community Edition promises to take the game's modding potential to new heights, and it's out in open…Portal 2: Community Edition, a community-maintained build of the game, has been released into open beta. It introduces new lighting technology, volumetrics, support for higher-resolution textures, custom campaign functionality, and expanded scripting capabilities, built on a fork of the CS:GO engine. This edition aims to enhance the game's extensive modding potential beyond its original limitations.- Portal 2: Community Edition BetaValve has released the open beta for Portal 2: Community Edition, a free modification for the original game. This enhanced version is available for PC on Windows and Linux.
15 years on, Portal 2 Community Edition just breathed new life into Valve's classicPortal 2: Community Edition, a fan-made project by 29 developers, has been released, breathing new life into Valve's 2011 puzzle game. This enhanced version utilizes the Strata Source engine, a modified branch of the CS:GO engine, to introduce significant technical and visual upgrades, including physically based rendering, improved lighting, and dynamic shadows. While not a remake of the original campaign, it offers vastly improved tools for custom content creation and is available for free on Steam for owners of Portal 2.