Valve surprised (?) us all at Microsoft's E3 press conference by announcing Portal: Still Alive for Xbox LIVE Arcade. At first thought, that rang some bells regarding past statements made by Valve's marketing director, Doug Lombardi. However glad you may all be to be getting some more cake soon, know this: It's really some rather stale cake with new frosting on the top. Both Kotaku and I managed to get some information on the "new" game during our sessions with the company at E3, and what they had to say may disappoint you just a little.

You see, Portal: Still Alive is not a new game. It's not a prequel. It's not a sequel. It's not an episodic release continuing the story. It's the original Portal that you all know and love from last year, but offered up as a download-only product...and with "extra content."

The main idea is that this is Portal available as a download, and there is additional content as advanced challenges that will be available to you after you finish the critical path of the game.

Awwe. However, take note. Valve also stated when asked about the future of the Portal IP, that there definitely is more to come, and that they will be announcing something in the near future.

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IMTHEONEKILLINU said:

For me, this sux. I own the game so why would I want to buy it again just for the "extra content"? They need to release the extra maps for people who have the disk, then I'll be happy.

July 18, 2008

furio311 said:

as much as I would like to be able to buy the extra content on its own as DLC, I would imagine on xbox live marketplace it would be a disaster for msft. People buying the wrong version, calling and complaining etc etc..

July 18, 2008

Raining Light said:

Well this is good for me. Now if I could only get through those advanced levels.

July 18, 2008

JoeSetsFire said:

I missed the boat on the original Portal. This is a great opportunity to get in on the act and enjoy it. If it includes the original levels it will allow me to get stuck into not only what the early adopters enjoyed but something new as well! Remember, not everybody got Portal the first time around...

July 19, 2008

Arkonian said:

when is this released? or is it already

July 19, 2008

haukke said:

from the coverage at e3 it is no surprise.they way they were talking about it they never said it was new or anything just portal on xbla.still good either way.new achievement and a few new things.

July 19, 2008