This is the kind of news I’ve been waiting for. Since the announcement of Steam Cloud for the PS3 version of Portal 2, we’ve been speculating at length about what that could mean for PS3 users who purchase Valve’s next game in April. Would it mean a version of the game that covered PC and PS3? Would it mean cross platform support?
In a way, it means both. Valve has confirmed today that gamers that purchase the PS3 version of Portal 2 will not only get access to it on Sony’s everything machine – they will also receive a free copy to download through Steam on PC/Mac. This also means that both versions will support cross platform play between the two, as well as cross platform chat.
Here’s what Valve head cheese Gabe Newell has to say about it:
We made a promise to gamers at E3 that Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3 would be the best console version of the product… Working together with Sony we have identified a set of features we believe are very compelling to gamers. We hope to expand upon the foundation being laid in Portal 2 with more Steam features and functionality in DLC and future content releases.
I’ve been hoping for something like this from Valve for a long time, and I certainly would have enjoyed having this for Left 4 Dead back in the day. To me, it makes no sense to have to buy multiple versions of a game, especially when movie studios are packaging Blu-ray, DVD and digital copies of products together. As this doesn’t seem to include the 360 edition, this pretty much cements which version of the game I’m buying – PS3.
Source – VG247
As simple as this sounds, I think this is a major step in the gaming industry and it was done by 2 major companies like Sony and Valve. If this sets an example and an overwhelming number of sales probably others will follow. How many people buy various versions of the same game anyway? This only makes sense. The only letdown of cross platform I can think of right now is the battle of the consoles, more precisely PSN vs XBL. Hopefully this is the start of something beautiful.
As I was writing this post I started to wonder how we’ll be able to cross platform in co-op. I guess there is no need for dedicated servers but it would be very cool if the ps3 users could join dedicated servers.
I would love to play COD:BO with PS3 and XBOX users.
While that’s tempting, I’m still definitely getting the 360 version that way I can play co-op with my friends.
Can’t wait to play this, and obviously on PC since it’s a Valve game. I don’t really know anyone who likes Valve who doesn’t have a PC thats able to run the Source engine. But, maybe I can get my roomate with a PS3 to jump in some co-op with me.
This is a very cool step forward. This is one of the few games that would be a great test for this “cross-platform” dream. Shooters wouldn’t work, so this kind of semi-casual, co-op heavy game will be interesting.
That pretty much settles it with me. I think PS3 will be the way to go. Though, to be honest, I may get both PS3 and xbox. My friend split is massive.
Sounds great. Maybe now my uncle and I can do this (he gets anything Valve on a PC and rightly so).
WOOOOOOOO!
CAKE!
[quote comment=”15271″]While that’s tempting, I’m still definitely getting the 360 version that way I can play co-op with my friends.[/quote]
Definitely a consideration, but luckily all of us here at GS have access to PS3s and/or computers that run Steam.
Wow, I was expecting maybe cross-platform play with some caveats, certainly not free access on PC for PS3 owners. Kudos to Valve!
Greatest news all day can’t wait to buy portal 2 now.
I have been holding out on buying a PS3 because I’ve been satisfied with my 360. Well…so much for that. With an incentive like this it looks like I need to upgrade my gaming.
As simple as this is, I agree that this is a huge step for gaming. I’m curious to see how it all plays out, and if we’ll see other companies follow suit. Nice to hear that most everyone else is looking forward to getting this on PS3 as well. Makes me wonder if we’ll see the next CS game, or even HL2 Ep 3 with this kind of PS3 cross platform support.
I can see HL2ep3 or HL3 follow the same formula but not CS. CS is a multiplayer only game and one of the most hardcore there is. No way a controler can keep up with a mouse and a keyboard. Unless they enable them on consoles as well. That would change the scenario completely and frankly I can’t understand why there is no support. If cross platform is finally being considered this is one of the main features to implement at least to make it fair. Isn’t this an opportunity for Sony to make an extra buck too?
@ PPP I’ve been looking for developers to give games M&K support for ages. I hope Valve start of a trend.
Well, that confirms a PS3 purchase for me. Since I’ll mostly be playing it on PC, this is like getting two games for free, and I can play with my friends who don’t have a good gaming PC but have a PS3.
Now I need to go pick up one of those PS3 controllers with off-set analog sticks. Just can’t get used to aiming with the sticks side by side.
@Mitch you can play PS3 with the Xbox360 controller with an adapter. Maybe that is your best choice.
Ah, nice. I’ll look into that. Thanks, PPP.