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Portal 1 has sold four million, excluding Steam sales
With an auspicious beginning at the Independent Games Festival Student Showcase in 2006, a small game -- named Narbacular Drop -- from a group of DigiPen students went on to inspire an industry darling. Several oft-quoted lines of dialog and millions of "The cake is a lie" jokes later, Portal was a resounding critical success when it launched inside The Orange Box, also home to Half-Life 2, its two follow-ups, and Team Fortress 2. You knew about the acclaim, but you may not have known that it has moved approximately four million copies in the past four years. What's really surprising, however, is that Valve reached that sales mark without including the numbers for Steam -- numbers that would muddle the accuracy of that four million in terms of actual sales, given that Valve has offered the game free through Steam at various times. It's also unclear whether that number includes individual copies of Portal sold at retail, the Xbox Live Arcade release (Portal: Still Alive), or any other sales channels. We've reached out to Valve for clarity on the total sales of Portal, but for now, four million is nothing to sneeze at -- especially considering the game's humble origins.
Hyperspace Beacon: Homage to we hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will
One of the best compliments you can give a creator is to make an homage to his work. The title of one of the Hyperspace Beacons was an homage to TOROCast articles. It's a way to tell the creator, "You're doing a good job. Keep up the good work." Not to mention, homages are a lot of fun. In fact, my first published work was an homage to the work of Charles Dickens. I wrote a story about what happened to the Cratchit children. But what happens when an homage goes too far? Every once in a while, the Hyperspace Beacon takes a side track and asks about ideas that should end up on the cutting room floor. We all know games have concepts that just don't work. Star Wars: The Old Republic will be no exception. This little humorous segment is called We hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will -- or WHTNMIISWTORBKOLIPW, for short. Follow me after the break to see what "homageneous" ideas should never make it into the release of SWTOR, but knowing our luck, they will anyway.
These talking GlaDOS Curiosity Spheres probably want to kill you
"Well, you found me. Congratulations. Was it worth it? Because despite your violent behavior, the only thing you've managed to break so far ... is my heart. Maybe you could settle for that and we'll just call it a day? I guess we both know that isn't going to happen."
This is a triumph: Orange Box goes on sale for $9.99
It doesn't take an MIT genius to figure out this equation: (Half-Life 2 + Half-Life 2: Episode One + Half-Life 2: Episode Two + Portal + Team Fortress 2)3 = ? The answer is: "a pretty amazing deal." For this weekend only, you can pick up all of these games with a 66% discount. Visit Steam and you'll be able to download all of these games for only $9.99. If you're one of the, oh, three Joystiq readers who haven't picked up The Orange Box yet, then you have no choice but to take advantage of this offer.[Via Big Download]
Big changes headed to TF2, Xbox update still in the works
In a fairly exhaustive article from The Escapist, a few details regarding the future of Team Fortress 2 have been revealed. As players might expect, class updates -- akin to the previous updates to the Medic, Heavy and Pyro classes -- are foremost on the list. Specifically, the Scout is the next up for tweaking. Other updates include a new map for the Payload game type and possibly even an entirely new game type, which the article refers to as "very different."Sadly, the article doesn't detail when (or if) these updates will ever make it to the ailing Xbox version. Perhaps tellingly, the article refers to the upcoming 360 update, which is set to include all the PC updates released so far, as one of "a number of side projects" Valve is currently working on.[Via Joystiq]
Valve "actively working on" 360 Team Fortress 2 update, still no date
Hey, remember waaaay back in August when Valve announced that an update would be headed to the Xbox 360 version of Team Fortress 2 before the year was out? It loos like we'll be waiting a little longer. Valve updated the world on the status of the update in a recent (and short) entry on the official Team Fortress website. It said, quite simply that the company is "actively working on a massive 360 update" that will include "pretty much everything" that the company has released so far for the PC version. Oh, and about that release date: "We'll provide you with a rough date when we have one."[Via Joystiq. Thanks, krazyman]
Top 5: Games Wii Are Jealous of
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Top_5_games_that_should_be_on_Wii'; Rejoice, Wii-owners. You posses the only (un-modded) home console capable of hosting the greatest gaming catalogue of all-time. The Virtual Console's ability to provide an extensive back catalog coupled with the retail and WiiWare releases of Nintendo's latest instant-classics makes your system the inarguable flagship of Nintendo gaming. It's quite an amazing accomplishment: stuffing such immense gaming potency inside one little white box (save for disk space, you freakin' otaku). Yet it'd be foolish and utterly fanboy-ish to act as if Nintendo were the all-powerful supreme chancellor of gaming. They are considered the best by many, but Nintendo is not the only company that creates amazing titles. Many of these come from third parties. Despite claims to the contrary, third party relations appear to be proceeding very well on the Wii. However, through a combination of first party titles on other systems as well as numerous issues which affect third party efforts, we must face the truth: good games sometimes go to non-Nintendo systems. Madness, right?! Here's our Top Five games that we wish Wii had. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
Valve's Doug Lombardi admits PS3 success, 're-evaluating' development
So, looks like Valve cannot ignore the success of the PS3 anymore. Gabe Newell, head of the critically acclaimed studio sparked a bit of controversy when he repeatedly attacked the PS3's difficult development architecture, calling it a "waste of time." His studio refused to work on a PS3 version of The Orange Box, leaving it to EA to do the eventual PS3 port.However, it looks like the continued success of the PS3 has the studio taking back some of his words. "We're always evaluating what's happening in the marketplace and certainly something that's happening in the last couple of months is that Sony's managed to sell some boxes," said Doug Lombardi to CVG. "So whether or not you like developing for that platform, if they've got millions of people connected to that platform and buying their games you have to take it seriously."While there's "zero chance" for a PS3 version of the upcoming zombie multiplayer game Left 4 Dead this year, there's now a "50-50" chance that it will happen some time next year. While we're fans of Valve's work, we're not entirely sure if the PS3 audience will welcome them with open arms.Update: Huge mistake folks. The headline says Valve's Gabe Newell, when it was in fact, Doug Lombardi that made the comment. We apologize for the mistake -- the article has been corrected.
Valve reiterates Portal: Still Alive not coming to PSN
Addressing flying rumors that Portal: Still Alive might be going to PSN (really now?), a Valve spokesperson confirmed what we already know: it's not happening. "I'd call that today's rumor," said the spokesperson, further explaining the possibility with a simple and direct "no." So that's that. Anyway, for those of you who don't know, Portal: Still Alive is a digital downloadable version of Portal (off The Orange Box) with extra content. It's exclusive to the Xbox 360.
Valve's Lombardi talks Portal XBLA, achievements and other platforms
Valve's Doug Lombardi (seen muzzled by an X3F sticker at E3 2008) recently cleared up some confusion regarding the content of Portal: Still Alive for the Xbox Live Arcade in an interview with OXM. "It's just a series of new challenges," Lombardi told the magazine. "[Portal: Still Alive is] another way for people to experience Portal, without having to buy the full Orange Box."We can't say we're surprised. With such a focus on story we didn't expect Valve to do anything exclusively for the Xbox that would factor into actual canon of the series.Lombardi later detailed that Valve has new projects in the works for the Xbox 360 but remain firm on its disinterest for PS3 and Wii development. It was also confirmed that Team Fortess 2 that the achievements and content added to the PC version of the game will come to the Xbox 360 at some point, when Valve has worked out how it wants to package and release that content.
No joke, it's Portal's 'Still Alive' in Japanese
Nearly every fanboy knows about Portal's hit song "Still Alive". A Jonathan Coulton original song performed by Aperture Science's artificial intelligence GLaDOS that has been so popular, it made its way onto Rock Band. Well, now Japanese and not so Japanese Portal fans can experience "Still Alive" a new way, translated into Japanese and sung by Hatsune Miku, a character voice that's included as part of the Vocaloid software package. What more can we say? It's "Still Alive", it's Japanese, it's odd and it's hella' entertaining.
Team Fortress 2 DLC details being worked out
As PC gamers have known for some time, Team Fortress 2 has been receiving some significant updates, including more achievements and weapons. For some time it was unknown what sort of release these updates would see on 360, the existence of the achievements hinting that it would see some sort of release. Speaking at EA's Spring Showcase, Doug Lombardi of Valve said that there would be details coming soon on the content and confirmed that it would be seeing release. Apparently the devs were waiting for enough new content to create a DLC "Pack", which is more conducive to the 360's downloadable content structure. Unfortunately, there is no word now as to whether the pack will be free like its PC counter-part. Hopefully the forthcoming info including good news about the DLC's pricing.
Valve: We're not PS3 developers, but Left 4 Dead might be on PS3 ... maybe
Most Valve Software fans would know well enough that the company is primarily a developer for PC games and a bit of Xbox on the side. So, it's not too startling to hear Valve Marketing VP Doug Lombardi say something along the lines of "We're not PS3 developers" -- it's just a great headline. What is interesting, however, is the possibility of Left 4 Dead, currently set only for PC and Xbox 360 release, getting ported to the PS3.Talking to CVG, Lombardi reconfirmed that Valve still sees Left 4 Dead for PC and 360 only; however, he did leave some glint of hope for a PS3 port in the future. When asked if EA would bring the game over much like what the company did with The Orange Box, Lombardi replied "Left 4 Dead doesn't have that guaranteed appeal yet - it's a new IP. If you mention a new Half-Life, people want to make as many versions of it as possible. If Left 4 Dead is big, then we may see a PS3 version later, or if and when we do a sequel, people may be more interested in that." In short, it all comes down to financial risk for whoever wants to take on the challenge of porting. As far as Valve is concerned, they're not the ones who will do it; someone else will do it if they want to, that is. Hopefully, Left 4 Dead does well on the other platforms; we could always use a zombie shooter on the PS3.
X3F TV -- Points>Life: Your Own Worst Enemy
Each week, X3F tips gamers to the tricks of the trade of Achievement hording in Points>Life. Every week a new achievement is unlocked to help you continue your unhealthy obsession with the Xbox 360 meta-game.This week in Points>Life we tackle The Orange Box. While we could have copped out and threw out one of the easy achievements we tip you off on getting a hand-full of points in this fantastic compilation. Grab points in both Half-Life 2 and Team Fortress 2 by following our guide above!Music Credit:"Collateral Damage Pt. 2" by Critical Mood[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
Valve: No Portal sequel in 2008
Sad news fellow Companion Cube lovers, Valve just confirmed that gamers won't be able to experience a second round of Portal fun anytime this year. The reason? They simply don't want to make it a rush job.Speaking with Eurogamer, Valve's Doug Lombardi broke down their decision by saying that they don't want to "quickly replicate it [a Portal sequel] and stick it out there - do the opportunistic thing and cash in on it", and will instead be sticking to a formula where a Portal "successor has to be equally as revolutionary as the first." Lombardi went on to say that "you won't see a new Portal at retail this Christmas because of that. That's the trade off. People want more, but we don't want to give them more of the same right away because that would just be boring."There you have it, no new Portal funnery this year. But we have a feeling a fully beefed out and revolutionary Aperture Science experience will be headed our way come 2009.
Team Fortress 2: Meet the Scout
Brooklyn Boston born and raised let us introduce you to the Scout; one of the stars of the hit title Team Fortress 2. While you may have thought the scrawny Southie kid was another pawn in the game of tactical shooters, you'd be wrong. In the informative video above we get to learn the truth about the kid who might run like the wind, but won't back down from any fight. You might think this video is a little late to the party, but we dare you to not laugh when the Scout puts a beating on that poor Heavy.
Valve has no control over Team Fortress 2 DLC pricing
If you've been itching for new maps to annihilate your friends on with the Orange Box's multiplayer title, Team Fortress 2, you know it's just a matter of time until you get your wish. What you don't know is how much it'll cost you. Neither does Valve. Kotaku contacted Valve's VP of Marketing, Doug Lombardi, to see if their wish for free downloadable content was up to them, a result of Electronic Arts meddling, or something else. He said "The platform owner holds the final call." Which means it's up to Sony and Microsoft whether or not to offer the content for free. Anyone care to venture a guess?
Tim Sweeney's beef with Intel and PC gaming
Are PCs good for gaming? The short answer is yes, Tim Sweeney (of Unreal fame) is wrong because computers play many of the best games the platform has to offer without much struggle. Games like The Orange Box, Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, The Sims 2, Company of Heroes or The Lord of the Rings Online all run fairly well without too much muscle behind them. His primary complaint (and ours too, actually) is that integrated graphics chips which are installed on the computers that stores like Best Buy sell, are in no way capable of playing the newer games sold at the very same stores. Intel is largely to blame for this, but of course if you've ever looked into buying a brand new video card, then you know they're not the only culprits of PC gaming's issues.
Latest Team Fortress 2 update is now live [update]
Update: We're now more informed about the changes that went into effect with this latest update. Check out all the details here.Recently, Valve's magical Orange Box received a title update with its sole purpose being fixification of Team Fortress 2. Though, sadly, we don't know exactly what changes the update made seeing that Valve has no central news hub for Xbox 360 Orange Box owners. All we get are PC centric updates like this. Evil Valve. But we're guessing the update has something to do with changes that were mentioned a few months back. We're also hearing from our oh so reliable X3F tipsters that the TF2 update adds the option for 14 player games, auto-balance management and other general class enhancements. Again, we can't be exactly sure what modifications were made seeing that Valve doesn't have a central news hub. Did we get that point across yet? Ahem, Valve, we need you to update us on things like this. Mmkay? And until they do, if while surfing the internets you spot a list or breakdown of what changes were put in place with the latest auto-update, please drop us a line. Thanks much.[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
Bethesda designer creates new Portal map, Ren_Test3
Having already upped the ante in Portal challenges with Ren_Test2 in November, Bethesda's Daryl Brigner has returned with a new custom-made map aptly titled Ren_Test3. The download, available at TWHL, also includes Ren_Test 1 and 2 as well as Step, Time and Portal challenges for the maps.We haven't had a chance to play it yet (such is the crazy, fast-paced life of a blogger), so tell us what you think in the comments below. Let's hope Valve finds a way to pool some of the best custom maps for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners, too.
