Portal
News, coverage and analysis tracking Portal across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Backrooms director says Portal 2 is the "biggest inspiration" for new A24 horror movie
Director 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' 20-Year-Old Director Learned to Create in PS3's LittleBigPlanet
The 20-year-old director of the upcoming horror film Backrooms, Kane Parsons, has revealed that his creative foundation was built using PlayStation 3's LittleBigPlanet. Parsons learned about lighting and set design in the game, and also cited Portal as a significant influence on his work. The film is predicted to be a box office success, resonating with a younger audience familiar with Parsons' YouTube content.
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.
Yerba Buena, out today, is a Portal-esque puzzle platformer where your weapon of choice is copying and pasting physics
Yerba Buena, a new puzzle platformer, is now available on PC and Steam. The game allows players to copy and paste the physics and movement properties of objects onto other items, enabling unique puzzle-solving opportunities. It is set in an abandoned video game world and features a narrative about an NPC named Barb trying to save San Francisco.
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek has no interest in writing Half-Life 3: 'I don't want to touch that with a…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no interest in working on Half-Life 3 or any other sequels due to the pressure of existing lore and fan expectations. He prefers creating new characters and stories rather than revisiting established universes, finding the prospect of writing for them a "disaster nightmare."
Not only will the new Steam Controller scream at you but it can play tunes as well
A new update for Steam Haptics Singer, a project that allows the Steam Controller to play music through its haptic feedback, has been released. Version 1.11 adds support for the original Steam Controller and allows MIDI files to control the gain directly. The tool, which also works with the Steam Deck, can be used on Linux by running an executable with a MIDI file.
What are the best and worst lyrics you've ever heard in a videogame song?
This article discusses memorable and questionable lyrics found in video game music, highlighting examples from Final Fantasy XIV, Dead Island, Portal, the Metal Gear series, and Nier: Automata. The author explores how lyrics can range from nonsensical to deeply meaningful, impacting the overall player experience.
Nearly 40 years after launch, NetHack just got a 5.0.0 release with over 3,000 patch notes
NetHack, a historically significant roguelike originally released nearly 40 years ago, has received a major 5.0.0 update. This open-source project, maintained by a community DevTeam, continues its active development, building upon the legacy of early dungeon crawlers like Rogue. The game is also recognized for its historical importance, being featured in the Museum of Modern Art.
DBrand Updates Companion Cube Skin for Steam Machine | HappyGamer
DBrand has quietly updated its Companion Cube skin for Valve's Steam Machine, a move that has garnered attention from the Portal community. While the Steam Machine did not achieve widespread success, the update suggests DBrand's continued commitment to its gaming hardware accessories, potentially signaling future refreshes for other legacy designs.
Portal Fan Creates 3D Printed Companion Cube Controller Holder | HappyGamer
A Portal fan has created a 3D-printed holder for the Steam controller, designed to resemble the iconic Companion Cube. The snap-together design requires no glue and is engineered for material efficiency. The creator plans to release the STL files for free on Makerworld next week, with potential for adaptations for other controller types.
14 years ago, Valve boss Gabe Newell thought Steam would be replaced by something else in "2 or 3 years" because things always "change dramatically"
In 2011, Valve co-founder Gabe Newell predicted that Steam would be replaced within two to three years, believing that digital distribution platforms were inherently unstable. He cited the rapid rise and fall of social gaming and the unique success of the Nintendo Wii's motion controls as examples of dramatic industry shifts. Despite competition from platforms like EA's Origin and Games for Windows, Steam ultimately became the dominant PC game storefront.
Slay the Spire 2 "may not be perfectly balanced yet," Half-Life writer and Valve veteran Erik Wolpaw says, but with 1,500 hours in the first game he has no doubt Mega Crit will pull it off
Valve writer Erik Wolpaw, known for his work on Half-Life 2 and Portal, shared his thoughts on Slay the Spire 2, stating that while it may not be perfectly balanced yet, he has confidence in developer Mega Crit. Wolpaw, who has over 1,500 hours in the original Slay the Spire, is currently playing the sequel extensively, both solo and in co-op.
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.
