News

Valve unveil "cross platform play" for PS3 and PC with Steam
Posted: 18.01.2011 10:56 by Simon Priest Comments: 12
PS3 Portal 2 will introduce Steam on a console for the very first time and supports cross platform multiplayer and chat, plus cloud-based storage.

PC, Mac and PS3 gamers can enjoy each other's company with Portal 2. Those who buy the PS3 copy also get a free key for the PC/Mac version.

"We made a promise to gamers at E3 that Portal 2 for the PS3 would be the best console version of the product," said Valve's Gabe Newell in a press release. Linking your PSN and Steam accounts gets you a free copy of the game if you bought it on PS3.

"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."

"We designed the Portal 2 PS3 experience to be very straightforward for gamers," chipped in Portal 2 project lead Josh Weier.

"PS3 gamers will be able to simply drop the Blu-ray disc in the PS3, link to their Steam account from inside the game, and all their Steam friends (on PC and Mac) will be visible and accessible for chat and game invites."

Valve's come a long way since those 'we hate PS3' days. Portal 2 releases on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC April 21st. See the trailer below for what's in store.

Comments

By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 18, 2011
herodotus
Actually, for one who is dead against multiplatform, (though it is the future of gaming...at present, anyway) I rather like this idea. We get to play with our console brehteren...should be fun.
PS. "Half-Life: Episode 3"...please.
By JonahFalcon (SI Elite) on Jan 18, 2011
JonahFalcon
Old news. This is basically Valve's way of forcing Steam on the PSN, which is a huge mistake on Sony's part, allowing Valve to get their tendrils in their Marketplace. Microsoft knows better than to let THAT happen. lol
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 18, 2011
herodotus
Sony see the obvious monetry value of such a move, and that's what it comes down to. Like it or not, Steam is fast becoming very much the go-to centre for digitally distributed products and for other retail Pubs looking to link in with the Steam platform (Creative Assembly and Ubisoft to name two). In ten years Steam may no l,onger exist, but I'll bet there is a universal gaming platform in place that links all systems just like it is trying to do.
By JonahFalcon (SI Elite) on Jan 18, 2011
JonahFalcon
Monetary value? For Sony? How?
By Wowerine (SI Elite) on Jan 18, 2011
Wowerine
Good work Valve.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 18, 2011
herodotus
@Jonah
For one thing, it gives Sony the opportunity to open itself up to a wider Western audience, which has been it's stated aim all this fiscal year.
By hellweed (SI Core Member) on Jan 19, 2011
hellweed
Good work with coop PS3 and PC. I dont dream it is possible with sloth of most today progrtammmers. It is true about that PS3 version will be best console.
By Wowerine (SI Elite) on Jan 19, 2011
Wowerine
PC gamers are so gonna own the PS3 players :)
By hellweed (SI Core Member) on Jan 19, 2011
hellweed
Hehe. But its co-op not versus. Its first sign and maybe other devs do same. And then PC gamers will own PS3 gamers;).
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 21, 2011
herodotus
Just because the hit-boxes in FPS's on PS3 are way bigger, the graphics inferior and the controls about as second-nature as a third hand, doesn't necessarily mean they will lose or lag behind in Co-op. They will of course...
By Revan (SI Elite) on Jan 21, 2011
Revan
I've never used Steam. So no big deal to me.
Portal 2 looks like kinda interesting though...
By Wowerine (SI Elite) on Jan 21, 2011
Wowerine
I know you never used it Revan! Too bad because it really is good. Cheap. And most of the time everything works as it was meant to work :)