Portal
News, coverage and analysis tracking Portal across the outlets.
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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.
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 better
A 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 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.
Long Before Friendslop, Portal 2 Made Co-Op Cool
Portal 2's 15th anniversary is being celebrated by reminiscing about its innovative cooperative mode, which predated many modern social gaming trends. The game's dual-protagonist co-op campaign, featuring unique puzzle mechanics and charming characters, is highlighted as a precursor to current "friendslop" and co-op-focused titles. The article also notes its early cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation 3 as a remarkable feat for its time.
Enjoying Valve's famous paid "vacation in Hawaii," engineer jokes he's "in a dark room like a vampire" on Github anyway – a fitting use of Steam bucks
Valve engineer Fletcher Dunn confirmed he is enjoying the company's paid Hawaii vacation while working on his laptop, sparking discussions about Valve's unique company culture. The article contrasts Valve's employee perks with recent layoffs at Epic Games and examines the intense fan investment in Valve due to Steam's dominance in PC gaming.
Some takes don't age: Back in 2009, a creative director warned about the risks of 'obsessively self-referencing' existing hit games
In a 2009 interview, Paul Barnett, then creative director of Warhammer Online, criticized the industry's tendency towards 'design memes' and 'obsessive self-referencing,' warning that replicating successful formulas stifles innovation and funding for new ideas. He also discussed the distinction between games as art, design, and business, emphasizing the importance of the business aspect for long-term studio sustainability.
Best Games Under 5 Hours That Are Actually Worth Playing (2026) | TAG
This article highlights several games that can be completed in under five hours, arguing that shorter experiences offer significant value and impact. It features titles like What Remains of Edith Finch, Florence, and Portal, detailing their playtime, price, and platforms, and emphasizes that brevity does not equate to lesser quality.
The Marketing Mystery: How Does Steam Actually Promote Itself?
This article explores the unique and largely invisible marketing strategy of Valve's Steam platform. Despite hosting over 100 million active users, Steam relies on organic growth, community engagement, and its essential role in PC gaming rather than traditional advertising. This approach has made the platform indispensable, turning users into advocates and embedding it deeply into the gaming culture.
The makers of 1000xRESIST just unveiled Prove you’re human, and it’s giving very prescient banger
Sunset Visitor, the developer behind the acclaimed sci-fi narrative game 1000xRESIST, has unveiled their new title, Prove You're Human. This upcoming sci-fi adventure tasks players with confronting an AI that believes itself to be human, featuring a mix of 3D environments and live-action footage. While no release date has been set, the game is expected to continue the studio's tradition of original storytelling.
Valve rumoured to be working on 'SteamGPT' AI bot for support and anti-cheat functions
Reports suggest Valve is developing an internal AI tool referred to as 'SteamGPT', potentially for customer support and anti-cheat functions. While the exact implementation remains unclear, references in source code indicate Valve is exploring AI for tasks like handling support queries and analyzing player data.
Why Gabe Newell Quit Making Games (It's Weirder Than You Think)
This article explores the unique leadership challenges faced by Valve co-founder Gabe Newell, stemming from his immense influence and the company's flat organizational structure. Newell's attempts to be an equal team member were often hindered by employees' deference, leading him to step back from direct creative input. This shift, while intended to foster autonomy, is argued to have contributed to years of project cancellations and creative stagnation at Valve, with the company only recently showing signs of renewed focus with titles like Half-Life: Alyx and Counter-Strike 2.
Half-Life & Portal Writer Says Itd Be Silly Not To Look Into Generative AI
Erik Wolpaw, a writer for Half-Life and Portal, revealed that Valve has been exploring the use of Generative AI for research and development. He believes it would be unwise not to investigate the potential of this technology.
Half-Life & Portal Writer Says It’d Be “Silly Not To Look Into” Generative AI
Writer Travis Howe stated that it would be "silly not to look into" generative AI for game development. He also revealed that a team had previously pitched a fan-made remaster of Jak & Daxter to Sony, which involved creating an animated sequence to showcase the updated visuals.
Former Half-Life 2 writer calls out Epic CEO Tim Sweeney over layoffs, says Valve boss Gabe Newell is "better" than him at making "as much money as possible," anyway
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek criticized Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney over recent layoffs, questioning employee motivation and comparing Epic's actions unfavorably to Valve's employee retention. Faliszek highlighted that Valve, despite operating Steam, has fewer employees than Epic and suggested Gabe Newell is more adept at generating profit while still fostering a positive work environment.
Half-Life 2 Writer Says Valve Is Quietly Testing Generative AI for Game Writing
Valve is reportedly exploring the use of generative AI in game development, with veteran writer Erik Wolpaw confirming that a small group is experimenting with the technology. Wolpaw believes AI is currently not capable of creative writing but could potentially enhance dynamic NPC interactions in games. The company's approach is described as informal and exploratory, focusing on understanding the technology's possibilities rather than immediate integration.
Half-Life 2 Writer Says Valve Is Quietly Testing Generative AI for Game Writing
Valve is exploring the use of generative AI in game development, with a small group of developers experimenting with the technology. Writer Erik Wolpaw stated that AI is currently not adept at creative writing but could potentially enhance dynamic NPC interactions in games. The company's approach is described as informal and exploratory, focusing on understanding the technology's capabilities rather than immediate integration.
Valve veteran slams Tim Sweeney and Epic Games for laying off 1000 people while making 'as much money as possible… and hey Tim, Gabe's better at that than you'
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek criticized Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney for recent layoffs of over 1000 employees, questioning the motivation for hard work at the company. Faliszek contrasted Epic's actions with Valve's approach to employee retention and rewards, suggesting that Epic's practices damage the industry's passion and care. Epic Games did not directly respond to Faliszek's remarks but pointed to a previous statement addressing the layoffs.
Valve Is Experimenting With GenAI To Help With Situational Dialogue, Half-Life 2 Writer Says
Valve is experimenting with generative AI for situational dialogue in games, according to writer Erik Wolpaw. While acknowledging AI's current limitations in creative writing, Wolpaw believes it could assist in generating character reactions based on in-game events. This exploration comes amid broader industry discussions and controversies surrounding AI in game development, including its use in art and potential impact on jobs.
Half-Life 2 writer Erik Wolpaw says some people at Valve are looking at AI tools, but he's not "worried about AI taking over creative writing" anytime soon
Valve writer Erik Wolpaw stated that while a small group at Valve is exploring AI tools, he is not concerned about AI replacing creative writing in the near future. He believes current AI is still incapable of producing compelling storytelling and that its application in simulating character reactions in games is an area worth investigating.
Portal writer Erik Wolpaw is "not worried about AI taking over creative writing," but it could be the straight-faced foil to GTA's chaos
Portal writer Erik Wolpaw is exploring the use of generative AI for NPC reactions at Valve, though he finds the technology "scary." He is not concerned about AI replacing creative writers but sees potential for it to serve as a foil to chaotic game elements like those in Grand Theft Auto.