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Home Valve updates

Portal: Still Alive details
9:24 AM on 07.20.2008, Brad Nicholson 49 comments

Portal: Still Alive details photo
     Valve

When we last left Portal: Still Alive, we were very unsure as to what the XBLA title would contain. Valve was cool enough to tell us that Achievements were confirmed, but not much else. GameSetWatch was able to corner Valve’s Doug Lombardi and get a few answers.

The game is indeed a standalone version of the Portal sold with the Orange Box set, with several new levels. These newer levels will not feature any sort of story elements associated with the original game, including GLaDOS’ murmurings. Also, Still Alive is set to be an XBLA exclusive, which doesn’t mean much considering the way Final Fantasy XIII showed us how exclusivity can change hands quickly.

There is also mention that all of the new levels are apparently going to come from Portal: The Flash Version MapPack, which is a Portal enhancement from the popular flash game. This is especially interesting considering that the flash version of Portal is simply a fan created game. Regardless of the validity of the new map offerings, I’m sure we’re all excitedly waiting for the next incarnation of Portal on XBLA.


Next page: More Portal stories




Ali D's Avatar
Ali D at 07/20/2008 09:30
Y0j1mb0's right (again). If it's just the same game with some extra levels, big deal. Portal is great, but I don't think I'll get this.
RJG's Avatar
RJG at 07/20/2008 09:37
They'll probably be available for free on Steam later anyway. Nothing worth buying a console over.
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 07/20/2008 09:37
They should just offer it as a patch to the original game in the Orange Box instead of making us buy the whole game all over again.
Spotlight51's Avatar
Spotlight51 at 07/20/2008 09:51
This is going to be the first arcade game im accually excited for, i loved Portal for the orange box,
13thDragon's Avatar
13thDragon at 07/20/2008 10:10
It has achievements?!?!?!?

NO WAI!!!!!
Christiangamer's Avatar
Christiangamer at 07/20/2008 10:22
Lame.
tgammet's Avatar
tgammet at 07/20/2008 10:27
@RJG no man, that's the crazy part. It's all available for free right now for PC players. Hell, I downloaded those levels weeks ago when it was released to the public. Of course this is Xbox and you can't give players any DLC for free.
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 07/20/2008 10:29
This is what I expected it to be.
Shin Oni's Avatar
Shin Oni at 07/20/2008 10:46
not lame for me. Seeing I don't want Orange box.

but that's after I found out how behind they were on TF2 updates.
DaedHead8's Avatar
DaedHead8 at 07/20/2008 11:15
I'm disappointed by this. I was hoping for some sort of continuation of the story, even if its entirely different characters. Also, I agree that it should just be patched to the orange box, I don't want to pay 800-1200 ms points for a new game when I could pay 200-400 for a portal map pack.
xe-cute's Avatar
xe-cute at 07/20/2008 11:52
This is so lame.


I love portal for PC. I am even waiting for a cheap 2nd hand copy of the orange box for xbox360 to do it all over again along with HL & TF.

But ffs they know how to rip xbox360 fans off. I certainly will not be buying it....

They should of simply did a new ORIGINAL NEVER SEEN BEFORE map pack which could be used stand alone for 600 M$ points or added to orange box for 200 M$ points if you own it.
GohanGVO's Avatar
GohanGVO at 07/20/2008 12:00
Once again, the PC proves triumphant in the eyes of Valve. ;)
mistic's Avatar
mistic at 07/20/2008 12:12
DO WANT DO WANT!!!!

can't wait to play some more portal!
sbshootme's Avatar
sbshootme at 07/20/2008 12:37
<nelson>*points finger* HA HA<\nelson>
I played this months ago. For free! "Exclusive", I'm laughing my ass of.

I love being a PC gamer even more right now.
naia-the-gamer's Avatar
naia-the-gamer at 07/20/2008 12:40
I still haven't had a chance to play anything in the Orange Box yet, so this seems pretty ideal.

I'm just going to wait for this version and pick that up.

But I can understand why some may not want this.
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 07/20/2008 12:48
What MS really need to do is allow publishers/developers to have their own 'storefronts' and certify their own content and community stuff. MS might like the money but lame practices like operating a closed network that requires companies to pay even to patch games isn't going to do them any favours in the long run. After seeing the fiasco that is the Orange Box on the consoles I'll be getting games I can (especially games with a strong mod community) on the PC.

If this is the map pack based on the free flash version that did actually have a story to it, with extra voice work so I can't see that being included if the voice/story comment is accurate.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/20/2008 13:11
I can't believe people are suddenly lashing out at this. Valve didn't have to make this, you realize? We can either sit around waiting for Portal 2, which will arrive God-knows-when, or we can choose to enjoy a few new maps. I mean, give me a break, people. Did you really expect this to be a full-blown sequel, when they said it wasn't going to be a full-blown sequel?
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/20/2008 13:12
"Valve didn't have to make this"... if they didn't, take out "make" and replace it with "release."
Danmartigan's Avatar
Danmartigan at 07/20/2008 13:23
I loved portal. I will probably break down and get this.

Plus supporting Valve on the 360 is the least I can do if I ever want to see new TF2 addons.
The-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 07/20/2008 13:36
If it were up to my sister she would call it "Portal: I'm Not Dead..."
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 07/20/2008 13:45
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
pedrovay2003's Avatar
pedrovay2003 at 07/20/2008 13:53
Wow, this is lame. Good to know I got all excited for nothing.
Drunken Haze's Avatar
Drunken Haze at 07/20/2008 14:16
It seems to be for people who dont have a pc and dont want HL/TF2 in with the deal. Fortunatly I am one of those crazy, crazy few.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 07/20/2008 14:23
Since my PC sucks and I don't want to buy the entire Orange Box for 360, I'm excited for this.
groudaxius's Avatar
groudaxius at 07/20/2008 14:51
Sounds like nothing to get really excited about.
Merry Ho's Avatar
Merry Ho at 07/20/2008 15:03
hopefully PSN, and as a DLC for orange box for those of us who have it
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 07/20/2008 16:18
I'm a little bit excited about this. I love portal.
musicforus's Avatar
musicforus at 07/20/2008 16:25
The Flash Version Map Pack is AMAZING. Seriously. You XBOX people should be grateful you're getting to play any of it at all.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/20/2008 17:00
@Danmartigan
Exactly. I'm hoping that, once they release a third class update, they might consider releasing a big-ass update pack on XBL. If it had the first three updates, plus a few new maps and patches, it'd be worth $10 or whatever MS charges.

And I happen to prefer FPSes on consoles, over FPSes on PCs. So take your PC elitism and shove it, people.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 07/20/2008 18:00
@Sharpless
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 07/20/2008 18:10
It's interesting that they're releasing a full version of the game with new maps added as opposed to a map pack add-on to the version that came in the Orange Box.
Danmartigan's Avatar
Danmartigan at 07/20/2008 18:25
@Sharpless
Agreed, I like the 360 for FPSs as well. I sit at a mouse/keyboard all day as it is, plus for games with vehicles and other cameras I find the gamepad makes more sense.

Yea I hope Valve does release a TF2 update pack perhaps with party support once the new party system is released. I would even purchase a stand alone TF2 like what they've done here with Portal.
xe-cute's Avatar
xe-cute at 07/20/2008 22:01
Since when was portal an FPS?

Also if you are on about TF2 or any FPS controls preffered better on console than PC then you are obviously so weird you probabaly one3 of the very few who dress to the right.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/20/2008 22:38
@Jetsetlemming
The mouse and keyboard are not superior, they are merely preference for some. I, for one, cannot operate them well at all, in FPSes. I am one hundred times better with a controller, than with a PC setup. I genuinely hate PC gamers, because they're smug, self-righteous assholes. Please don't keep the stereotype going.

@xe-cute
It's in first-person, and you shoot portals. Duh. :) Also, fuck you, you PC-sucking douchebag.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/20/2008 22:42
In case you can't tell, it's not wise to cross me with any douchebag PC elitism. I will tear your head off and fuck the hole.

Oh, and God bless.
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 07/20/2008 22:50
Sharpless, you can't say it's a _just_ a preference, because if someone were playing against you in an FPS with a kbm, they'd tear you apart. It may be _your_ preference and _you_ may be better with it, however it's still an inferior interface. Not that you'll ever listen, continue with the neck rape.

In any case, when and if TF2 ever gets an update for 360, it will be when all the new player content has been added. With Microsofts cert process, there is no reason to do anything sooner. The odds are though, that no one will care by then.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/20/2008 23:04
Dear God, what is so damn hard to understand about subjectivity? It's better for some people, but not for others. It is absolute, definite bullshit that a mouse and keyboard will ALWAYS trump a controller. I will concede, as I always have, that a mouse is easier for aiming, but that's one of the reasons I hate it -- it's cheap. PC fanboys are idiots for gloating about their better aim. It's like putting the lightgun up against the TV in Duck Hunt.

The keyboard, in my opinion, is an inferior excuse for a gamepad. Too much clutter. Gamepads condense and streamline control schemes and-...

Sweet fucking... WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAVE TO GET BROUGHT UP? I don't even like talking about this. Holy fucking hell, why do PC douchebags have such self-esteem problems that they need to crow about their "superior" platform every chance they get? Just die. I hate you people.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/20/2008 23:05
And I'll apologize now, since in a few hours I'll be wishing there was an edit button.
Danmartigan's Avatar
Danmartigan at 07/20/2008 23:14
@Wedge, xe-cute, Jetsetlemming
I don't know if I would call it inferior, but it's a different experience. For instance, what happens when you want to creep slowly around a corner with a m/k setup? You can't... because you usually run at full speed when the strafe key is pressed, so you end up dancing back and forth.

Also, how about an FPS like Vegas 2 where you have a cover system to deal with? Do you hold down both mouse buttons or bind yet another key on the keyboard in addition to the other keys you have to deal with?

Anyway, relax- you can play your PC games all you want, but don't get all high and mighty toward the console crowd. We like our gamepads and we probably always will.
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar
Kyousuke Nanbu at 07/21/2008 01:31
This is great for me, I hated the Orange Box(cept for Portal) so its nice I'll be able to get just that in the near future.
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 07/21/2008 01:36
Ah the wonderful keyboard and mouse vs. controller argument.

All I know is aiming with a controller feels horribly gimped after using a PC for years. Oh and lol @ cheap, I mean it's not like the FPS genre grew up on PCs and evolved around the controls (try playing Unreal 2k4 with a controller, haha). That most console games over the years have incorporated auto aim features tells a different story.

There are some games that maybe play better with a controller, but the convenience and customisation offered by using a keyboard is far greater for someone who has adjusteed to the control method is far greater, at least for me.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 07/21/2008 02:20
Sharpless, you ever hear the phrase "Tilting at windmills" before? This question applies to Danmartigan as well.

Furthermore, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
nebones's Avatar
nebones at 07/21/2008 05:34
Fuck yea!
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar
Kyousuke Nanbu at 07/21/2008 21:31
Why are you guys even arguing about this controller or mouse nonsense?

I won't face off against a mouse user while playing my 360 and vice versa so who gives a shit.

But yea, PC elitists can fuck off.
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