Valve Cancels Portal 2 E3 Event For A "Surprise"

[Vyzov]

Found over at 1up.com (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179578):

Dear Subject Name Here,
Aperture Science is pleased to inform you that we have partnered with Valve to announce the gala CANCELLATION of the June 14 Portal 2 event at the Regal Theater. The event will be replaced by a surprise. And even though the cancellation of the event certainly counts as a surprise, we are pleased to further announce that the cancellation of the event is not THE surprise. However, per International treaties regarding the definition of the word "surprise", of which both Aperture Science and Valve are signatories, the time, date and content of the actual surprise will only become available as you experience the surprise.
If you'd like to ask fruitless questions about the E3 Portal 2 surprise or, more fruitfully, schedule an appointment to attend a Portal 2 screening at the Valve booth during E3, please contact Valve's Special Envoy to Surprises, Doug Lombardi.
Thank you for <<RECORD SCRATCH!!!>>
PS: The surprising record scratch is also not the surprise.


What could the surprise be? A possible Half-Life 2: Episode 3 announcement? Or could it be an announcement of Half-Life 3 on a new engine? I honestly can't think of anything that Valve could be doing that would be bigger then Portal 2. Wildly speculate away!

[MagGnome]

I can't wait to see what this is! It would be great if they announced Half-Life 2: Episode 3 for release this year along with Portal 2.

I can dream, right?

[Gorvi]

Hopefully they'll actually officially announce the PS3 version that was leaked in that UK mag a month or so ago.....

I'd like to see an Episode 3, though, I really thought HL2 and the Episodes were pretty mediocre until the later half of Episode 2. To me, that's when it went from some good ideas in an average game to being genuinely something to get excited about.

[Dukefrukem]

It's not Episode 3, it's fuckin Half-Life 3!!! With Counter Strike 2 and Portal 2!!!!!!!!!!!!

ETA, Summer of 2012

[Pigeon]

Maybe it's going to be that Portal 2 is complete and will be available at that time? /longshot

[BigJonno]

It's not Episode 3, it's fuckin Half-Life 3!!! With Counter Strike 2 and Portal 2!!!!!!!!!!!!

ETA, Summer of 2012

Why did you have to ruin a perfectly good idea with mention of Counter-Shite?


(Yes, I know. I couldn't resist. I'm sure I'm owed one.)

[violent]

Episode 3 or announcement that Portal 2 has been delayed a year, then the conference being interrupted by Glados saying it is now available on Steam.

[Dukefrukem]

Why did you have to ruin a perfectly good idea with mention of Counter-Shite?


(Yes, I know. I couldn't resist. I'm sure I'm owed one.)

Look at my xfire (http://www.xfire.com/profile/dukefrukem/). What you call Counter-Shite will consume my PC gaming for the next 4 years.

[aVaKus]

A new engine announcement would be great. I remember them showing off source many years back and being completely blown away.

Considering that the only thing released about Episode 3 over the past 2-3 years has been one concept art shot, my guess is: No Episode 3, Portal 2 will be last game released from Valve running on source, Half-Life 3 on source2 to be released fall of 2011.

[Dukefrukem]

Half-Life 3 on source2 to be released fall of 2011.

You give them waaaay too much credit. Or are you saying that's when they'll "say" it will be released, and then delayed to 2012?

[BigJonno]

Look at my xfire (http://www.xfire.com/profile/dukefrukem/). What you call Counter-Shite will consume my PC gaming for the next 4 years.

Wow. I went through a stage of playing loads of CS back in the day, but I find it completely incomprehensible that people still play it now. How does it not get boring?

[Dukefrukem]

Wow. I went through a stage of playing loads of CS back in the day, but I find it completely incomprehensible that people still play it now. How does it not get boring?

Oh I stopped when TF2 was released. But that shows you how much I played. That hour I played in the past week was because theres gonna be a new update for CSS and I wanted to see the changes.

[aVaKus]

You give them waaaay too much credit. Or are you saying that's when they'll "say" it will be released, and then delayed to 2012?

It's just my guess on the announcement.

Though, given on what happened with HL2, they may SAY it will be released this fall, but then be delayed til next.

Doesn't really matter when it's released (or what it is), it'll be a polished and great experience that I know I can expect from Valve.

[Xerxes]

Orange Box 2!

[TheKeck]

Maybe it's going to be that Portal 2 is complete and will be available at that time? /longshot
That was the first thing that popped into my head.

[pomeroy]

announcement that Portal 2 has been delayed a year, then the conference being interrupted by Glados saying it is now available on Steam.

That would be awesome/hilarious.

[MosBen]

I thought it was somewhat confirmed that there would be no Episode 3, but rather that the story would be continued (concluded?) in Half-Life 3. I could be completely making that up though.

[Voodoo]

Since Episode 3 has a great deal to do with Aperture Science, I don't doubt this surprise will have something to do with a box set of them both and some other items we haven't made privy to.

[TheKeck]

Since Episode 3 has a great deal to do with Aperture Science, I don't doubt this surprise will have something to do with a box set of them both and some other items we haven't made privy to.
Team Fortress 3!!!

Coming your way Fall 2021.

[Chimpbot]

If there aren't any hats involved, I don't care.


I'm hoping it'll end up being a Team Fortress movie. Do want.

[Food Nipple]

I'm betting this has to do with Icefrog's team at Valve, maybe their project is going to be bundled with Portal 2.

[hunterx280]

I thought it was somewhat confirmed that there would be no Episode 3, but rather that the story would be continued (concluded?) in Half-Life 3. I could be completely making that up though.

I think it was the other way around. There was no Half-Life 3, only Episode 3.

[Dukefrukem]

I think it was the other way around. There was no Half-Life 3, only Episode 3.

But then Newel lcame out around this time last year and said they were re-evaluating the "episodic" strategy, which led people to believe Episode 3 was squashed and they were creating a full length game.

[Bone]

Wow. I went through a stage of playing loads of CS back in the day, but I find it completely incomprehensible that people still play it now. How does it not get boring?
I played for a long time too. If you find a good server and play with the same people it can still be a blast.

[hunterx280]

But then Newel lcame out around this time last year and said they were re-evaluating the "episodic" strategy, which led people to believe Episode 3 was squashed and they were creating a full length game.

Huh, must have missed that one. I would love a full length game. It makes more sense for them to do full games considering they work in their own time stream.

[Sl1pstream]

A Valve themed Jonathan Coulton album.

That or Portal 2's release is during E3.

[Spectre-7]

Come on, guys. They're obviously going to announce Left4Dead 3, due out this August.

I can't believe I was the first one to go there.

Since Episode 3 has a great deal to do with Aperture Science, I don't doubt this surprise will have something to do with a box set of them both and some other items we haven't made privy to.

The Purple Box... coming Winter of 2018.

[Dukefrukem]

How did I miss that? Of course that's what they're doing.

[Karmakin]

I could actually see Valve pulling off a surprise release like that. Well, that would be if they could ever complete a game in a timely fashion.

[DoctorFinger]

Portal 2 and the next Half-Life going console only

[Dukefrukem]

I'd never play video games again if that happened

[Pigeon]

Portal 2: OnLive exclusive!

[kyrieee]

Wow. I went through a stage of playing loads of CS back in the day, but I find it completely incomprehensible that people still play it now. How does it not get boring?

If it's fun after the 100th hour on the same map why wouldn't it be fun after the 1000th? I don't get tired of playing Tennis either, for example. It's just stimulating to the brain on some level. The pace probably helps too, you're not actually in combat for the majority of the time and there's a wait when you die. That always leaves you hungry for more kills. I know I get more burned out on pure deathmatch games where kills mean less

[TheKeck]

Coming your way Fall 2021.

I can't believe I was the first one to go there.

... coming Winter of 2018.
But not the first one to go there. :cool:

[Spectre-7]

But not the first one to go there. :cool:

Yours is 3 years later, so mine is clearly first.

[BigJonno]

If it's fun after the 100th hour on the same map why wouldn't it be fun after the 1000th? I don't get tired of playing Tennis either, for example. It's just stimulating to the brain on some level. The pace probably helps too, you're not actually in combat for the majority of the time and there's a wait when you die. That always leaves you hungry for more kills. I know I get more burned out on pure deathmatch games where kills mean less

The way I see it, there's an incredible variety of PC gaming entertainment out there, even if you just narrowed the field to multiplayer Half-Life mods. To look at all that gaming goodness and say "Nah, I'm going to play CS again" just strikes me as somewhat perverse. Maybe it's just that I don't see CS as particularly special, it's certainly not my most-loved HL mod, not by a long shot.

[TheKeck]

Yours is 3 years later, so mine is clearly first.
Three years later? You mean three years better. :p

[Banacek]

I don't care what is, as long as it's something to do with Half-Life I'm taking the week off when it comes out :)

[BigJonno]

I don't care what is, as long as it's something to do with Half-Life I'm taking the week off when it comes out :)

I hope for your sake that it's not a Portal 2 standalone release. That'll be a total waste of a week's holiday.

Okay, I'll stop making "Portal is teh short, lulz" posts now. :D

[Zanzibar]

Natal renamed GlaDOS.

[Spectre-7]

Three years later? You mean three years better. :p

Better? Pshaw. As if.

Consider this bit of biblical evidence.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Unless thou thinkest 2021 be cool. Then shalt thou burnest in the fires of hell unto eternity.

[Sl1pstream]

I hope for your sake that it's not a Portal 2 standalone release. That'll be a total waste of a week's holiday.

Okay, I'll stop making "Portal is teh short, lulz" posts now. :D

But this one has co-op! It'll totally fill up a full afternoon this time!

[TheKeck]

You best just watch yourself, for the consequences may be dire.
23 And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou 2021 lover; go up, thou 2021 lover.

24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

[Xerxes]

The Orange Box 2

Episode 3
Portal 2
Counter Strike 2
And TF2 expansion.

[kyrieee]

The way I see it, there's an incredible variety of PC gaming entertainment out there, even if you just narrowed the field to multiplayer Half-Life mods. To look at all that gaming goodness and say "Nah, I'm going to play CS again" just strikes me as somewhat perverse. Maybe it's just that I don't see CS as particularly special, it's certainly not my most-loved HL mod, not by a long shot.

You're not always looking for something new to play though, it's nice to have something you're comfortable with. CS is relaxing for me, the familiarity is part of the appeal. It's not replacing time where I'd play other games; if I weren't playing it I'd probably be doing something else entirely.

I mean, I agree that it's kinda odd to play it for so long but I know tons of people who don't get tired of it either.

[MagGnome]

Plenty of PC games have very long legs, including Counter Strike.

They are obviously going to announce that Microsoft is purchasing Valve and Steam will be integrated into Games for Windows Live.

I'd throw my computer out the window if that happened.

[Suave Peanut]

Whatever they come up with, I will probably buy it.

Unless it is Counter-Strike.

[nabokovfan87]

this is why

http://www.vg247.com/2010/05/31/mega-extreme-rumour-half-life-2-episode-three-menu-shot-leaked/

[TheKeck]

Honestly, it has to be something related to Portal, given the format they used to announce the "surprise".

[Dukefrukem]

this is why

http://www.vg247.com/2010/05/31/mega-extreme-rumour-half-life-2-episode-three-menu-shot-leaked/

owned

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=843219

[nabokovfan87]

it could always be a fake fake trying to get feedback for a "mock-up"

[inmostlight]

You all are thinking small. My prediction is that Steam client has been secretly running background processes to crunch data and perform experiments, and now Valve has used that to develop actual Portal technology.

[Banacek]

I hope for your sake that it's not a Portal 2 standalone release. That'll be a total waste of a week's holiday.

Okay, I'll stop making "Portal is teh short, lulz" posts now. :D

I'll find a way to make it last ;)

[DoctorFinger]

Derek Smart taking over as lead developer on Portal 2.

[jeffbax]

I don't see why they need a new Engine, Source is still going strong and evolving. Valve seems to be going the Blizzard route, and taking performance on all machines more important than Crysis like visuals.

[Paradox Symphony]

Half Life 3/Episode 3 gets a cancelled, Engineer update for TF2 is released, along with the new 10th class, Gabe Newell, and Left 4 Dead 3 is announced with even more black people.

Derek Smart taking over as lead developer on Portal 2.

gtfo

[MagGnome]

I also don't think that they need a new engine yet. Source still looks fantastic, and it runs quite well on modern systems, barring some of the weird issues that myself and others have seen with hl2.exe.

[Hotcod]

I think the quote about episodic content has been taken out of context some what. It's been clear since episode 2 that it's wasn't really working as they thought and that episode 3 likely was going to be a little different. My feeling is that episode 3 will be announced as a "full length" game to tie up the half life 2 story arc, which gives them lots of room to involve and evolve the portal side of the story. Which makes me think that we don't be getting a source 2 either. If we where I think they would have shifted portal on to it before announcing it (unless they've already done that and the few teaser screens we've seen have been on a source 2 but that makes little sense in terms of the PR we are seeing) and I think they'll save the major jump for HL and portal 3 and just go with another update and overhaul as we've been seeing over the last few years.

Which does not mean I think we are going to get an ep3 announcement as the "surprise" in this case. I just very much doubt that we will see an Hl3 or source 2 "surprise" that people are suggesting based on quotes that I have a total different reading of.

My own pet wild theory at the moment is that they will announce that portal 2 "is" episode 3. Or at lest a part of it. By which I mean they'll announce that portal 2 is deeply integrated with the story of ep3 and that there will be cross overs of a kind between the two games.

[The Continental]

The G-Man is the smoke monster/MIB.

[MagGnome]

The G-Man is the smoke monster/MIB.

Men in Black 3/Half-Life 3 crossover confirmed.

[The Continental]

Men in Black 3/Half-Life 3 crossover confirmed.Something like that...

[Wasson_]

1dK4mNYiges
...i liked it when howzer became quaid then became your exploding aunt and then became quaid again on mars.

[tacitus]

I don't see why they need a new Engine, Source is still going strong and evolving. Valve seems to be going the Blizzard route, and taking performance on all machines more important than Crysis like visuals.

I also don't think that they need a new engine yet. Source still looks fantastic, and it runs quite well on modern systems, barring some of the weird issues that myself and others have seen with hl2.exe.
For like the last year or so, some people have been ragging on how bad Source looks. I just don't get it either; it looks and sounds great on my pretty good system and it scales well.

[Whunpo]

Portal 2 = Half Life 3. That's my guess.

[Dukefrukem]

1dK4mNYiges
...i liked it when howzer became quaid then became your exploding aunt and then became quaid again on mars.

Bwhahahha 2 weeeeeeeeeks

[Narradisall]

They've announcing Portal 2 and Half Life 3 will be combined into one awesome game.

Which, in order to be given its full potential, will be split into 3 games, each covering a part of the story. The first third of a game will be out sometime in 2012.

[TheKeck]

Portal 2 is StarCraft 3.

[Khrymsyn]

Portal 2 is made of people!

[TheKeck]

Soylent Green is Portal 2!

[Thanasimos]

Portal 2 is made of people!

"Portal 2 is people!", you mean. ("We've got to stop them somehow!")

[Sl1pstream]

Whatever they come up with, I will probably buy it.

Unless it is Counter-Strike.

Counter-Strike for Mac!

Regular CS, not source.

They've announcing Portal 2 and Half Life 3 will be combined into one awesome game.

Which, in order to be given its full potential, will be split into 3 games, each covering a part of the story. The first third of a game will be out sometime in 2012.

Actually, they'll split up Portal 2's co-op mode. Part 1 will let us play as the first player while the second part will give us control over the mysterious "Player 2", who's identity will be kept a secret until the game's release.

[MagGnome]

They are going to announce that do to the overwhelming sales success of Modern Warfare 2, all future Valve titles will cost $60 and not have dedicated servers. Also, all Team Fortress 2 updates will cost $15 from now on.

[Voodoo]

Perhaps Portal 2 has to do with the activation of the Borealis while Episode 3 has to do with finding the Borealis. For instance, while you are playing Episode 3, you come across the two bodies of the people from Portal 2.

[DoctorFinger]

Valve is being purchased by [insert favorite/least favorite publisher here[

[MagGnome]

I don't think I have a favorite publisher anymore. I guess the closest one would be Stardock, but I don't want them to buy Valve.

[The Continental]

Valve is being purchased by [insert favorite/least favorite publisher here[Steam is law, you are crime.

[Narradisall]

Portal 2 will be released in 'episodic format' with the total playtime of all the episodes coming in just about the same time as the first game.

So, 30 minutes per 'episode'.

They will be released 'regulary' on Valves time frame.

[x Returner x]

I want Counter-Strike 2 on a new engine.

[Ink Asylum]

Perhaps Portal 2 has to do with the activation of the Borealis while Episode 3 has to do with finding the Borealis. For instance, while you are playing Episode 3, you come across the two bodies of the people from Portal 2.

Known plot details indicate that Portal 2 takes place hundreds of years after the first game, putting it well past the possible timeline of Episode 3. In addition, one of the best researched Half-Life timelines (http://www.members.shaw.ca/halflifestory/timeline.htm) places the disappearance of the Borealis before the start of the original Half-Life, and the events in Portal likely happen after that game.

Although it is possible that the co-op storyline does take place before the events in Portal, back when Aperture Science was a functioning company and GLaDOS had yet to be activated.

[TheKeck]

Valve is being purchased by [insert favorite publisher here[
Valve is being purchased by Valve. :confused:

;)

[boratika]

Portal 2 is cancelled. All work on the next installment of Half Life has been scrapped to start again from the ground up.

[DoctorFinger]

They'll be staging a big budget Broadway adaptation of Portal, with Neil Patrick Harris playing the part of GLadoS

[Paradox Symphony]

They'll have Gabe Newell on stage using a Treadmill. If he looses 10 pounds in one E3 Keynote then Portal 2 is cancelled. Place your bets!

[Spectre-7]

They'll be staging a big budget Broadway adaptation of Portal, with Neil Patrick Harris playing the part of GLadoS

...and Chell portrayed by twins so they can pull The Prestige trick.

[Voodoo]

They'll have Gabe Newell on stage using a Treadmill. If he looses 10 pounds in one E3 Keynote then Portal 2 is cancelled. Place your bets!
I hear he's been finally loosing weight.

Portal 2 is cancelled. All work on the next installment of Half Life has been scrapped to start again from the ground up.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/381/wu2g.jpg

[MagGnome]

Valve is being purchased by Valve. :confused:

;)

The best acquisition ever!! :D


I hear he's been finally loosing weight.

You know I love you Voodoo, but this is probably the most annoying typo ever. I see it all the time on this site (and others), and it never fails to make me groan.

Wit that said, you're still the man!

[Pigeon]

Episode 3 is DNF

[Panthera]

The G-Man is the smoke monster/MIB.

All of whom are actually the CSM.

[Voodoo]

You know I love you Voodoo, but this is probably the most annoying typo ever. I see it all the time on this site (and others), and it never fails to make me groan.

Wit that said, you're still the man!
My grammar and spelling mistakes are unsurpassed! :D Oh, and, torchered.

[Bone]

On this very forum I've been seeing a lot of confusion over "where" and "were" and my brain has started bleeding.

[BigJonno]

They're making a movie and Gordon will finally talk. He's going to be played by Sylvester Stallone.

[Paradox Symphony]

This just in from E3:

Gabe Newell is the 4th Beatle.
yyJ48-BYb7s

[PathMaster]

Valve is buying Stardock!!!

Either Portal 2 release announcement or a game tie-in.

[AgtFox]

You know I love you Voodoo, but this is probably the most annoying typo ever. I see it all the time on this site (and others), and it never fails to make me groan.

Wit that said, you're still the man!
Epic fail with the first word in the last sentence there after noting Voodoo's typo! Unless the typo was meant as a joke that is.

Haven't read through the whole thread, did they ever announce if an overall event is still happening at the same time, but no longer Portal 2-centric or is the whole event/time outright canceled?

[MagGnome]

Epic fail with the first word in the last sentence there after noting Voodoo's typo! Unless the typo was meant as a joke that is.

Now that is embarrassing. :o