So it turns out Gabe Newell wasn’t kidding when he said the PS3 version of Portal 2 would be the best console version, as Valve has just confirmed that it will feature cross-platform play with PC & Mac owners. Also on the cards is cross-platform chat, as well as “persistent cloud-based storage of PS3 saved games”.
In addition to that fantastic bit of news, the PS3 copy of Portal 2 will also come with a key for the PC & Mac version. Valve head honcho, Gabe Newell, had the following to say:
“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.”
Let’s try and keep any mention of cake to a minimum, shall we?
Source: VG247
jayjay119
So what about the 360 version, does it already have this function or will it be left out in the cold.
On another note, you can almost hear Gabe Newell wincing in pain every time he says something good about the PS3.
TheLig
From the sounds of it this is a PS3 specific moist slice of win. There would be no way of incorporating cross console play so I guess you have to make a choice when implementing this kind of addition. And also, Newell actually sounds quite excited about this. It’s a surprise considering how much of a tool he was like a year or so ago.
Stef Nighthawk
MS has always made Live a closed market with a lot of restrictions. A service like Steam has no chance to be allowed on Live.
jayjay119
Ah ok, thanks. I’ve never played on live so I didn’t know it’s restrictions.
gazzagb
I’m going to use a word that I haven’t used in a long time to describe this: wicked!
XisTG
That about sums it up!
TSBonyman
Gosh, that does sound rather good! Cross-platform is a surprise too.
Stef Nighthawk
Considering how Portal 2 is relying on the Steam platform I don’t really find it a surprise. Cross-platform seems to be a main feature of Steam. And knowing how Sony is more flexible in allowing a service like Steam on their console I applaud it.
Jim H [Teabags]
A pretty awesome feature, and it will be interesting to see how often the PS3 and PC community put their heads together when the game launches.
Tuffcub
Well that’s a kick in the teeth for Microsoft, you can play Windows Vs PS3 but not Windows Vs Xbox.
AcidCrashX
I’d love to get Move supported levels (perhaps the same ones the Hydra is getting on PC?) but this news is flipping awesome. super excited to get this!
Foxhound_Solid
Great News :-)
Pete_UK
I’ll just leave this here
http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/6075/1217664-gloriouspcgamingrace_super.jpg
smokeybeef
This was announced at the same time wasn’t it?
They definitely mentioned PC/PS3 cross gameplay, not sure about mac.
Still it’s all good news. Let’s hope all these hacks don’t affect more games doing this.
smokeybeef
*announced at the same time as they announced Portal 2 on PS3 I mean
TheLig
Just out of interest. In terms of the cloud saves. Does it mean that if steam had some down time we wouldn’t be aBle to continue playing or would there be some sort of local save in addition. Also, if valve pull an EA and close the server 18 months from now, would be lose all of our progress. I’m not wanting to be negative about a revolutionary idea, just considering the practicalitys.
Kovacs
I’m pretty sure all cloud saving (regardless of whether it’s Valve’s or not) uses a local save that is then periodically backed up into the Cloud. If the Cloud goes down, you continue to save locally, and when it’s back up, it syncs.
Note: I’m basing this on what I know about cloud-computing. It could be different (though I doubt it.)
Kamokazi-UK
That’s exactly how it works. Steam syncs as you close down the game on the PC