Portal: Attack of the FAQ

Strafe_Left · 09-18-2006, 09:41 AM

Portal: Attack of the FAQ

The purpose of this FAQ is to hopefully answer most of your questions about Portal, so that you don't have to make countless threads asking the same questions again and again.

Please do not post if all you want to say is 'I already knew that' or similar. You will be reported for SPAM.

What is Portal?
Portal is a Game made by former members of a videogame design college called 'Digipen' and lead by Kim Swift, who now work for Valve. It is a puzzle game heavily involving the use of portals, using the first person perspective. You play as an as yet unnamed male protagonist with a bald patch, and dressed in what appear to be orange coveralls. The main concept behind the game is that you are a test subject, under the employment of 'Aperture Laboratories'. Apparently, you are testing a new gun for them called the 'Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device' (ASHPD).

Portal is the 'spiritual sequel' to Narbacular Drop, an indie game made by Digipen in 2005, and has been confirmed to take place in the Half-Life universe.

Narbacular Drop?
Drop is a first person puzzle game. The team who created Drop is now working for Valve to make Portal.

Using blue and orange portals (placed with the left and right mouse buttons, respectively), you must traverse levels to the exit, where you start a new, more difficult level.

Half-Life universe?
Yep. Although we don’t know where and when exactly it will take place, in an interview with IGN, Kim Swift confirmed that Portal is indeed in the Half-Life universe. This revelation has prompted a lot of speculation, including talk about the GMan being involved, and talk about who the bald guy you play as could be.

But for all anybody knows, Portal could take place on the Moon 100 years before the Black Mesa incident.

OMG! ASHPD = Adrian Shephard!11
Congratulations, you have a basic grasp of the English language. OK, sarcasm aside, this is an interesting coincidence. A lot of people are speculating the much-anticipated return of everyone’s favorite Opposing Force Marine. I think it’d be pretty cool to see how they’d implement this, but until Valve say something, I’m going to say ‘no’ to this one.

Update: It has since been confirmed that Portal will feature an entirely new chracter. So no more theories about it being Adrian or Kleiner or whoever please

So when’s it being released?
Short answer: With Half-Life 2: Episode 2
Long answer: Episode 2 is slated for the end of 2006. Portal will be released in a pack with Episode 2. The pack will include Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2.

[Update] Currently slated for release on October 9th 2007.

Is the portal gun a gravity-gun?
In the interview with Kim Swift, she says that the portal gun is a "slightly less powerful gravity gun to allow players to easily pick up objects and toss them through Portals". ‘TH3_L33T’ says that you press ‘E’ on your keyboard to pick up objects. This would probably be a 'third' firing mode of the gun.

Is it single or multiplayer?
Right now it’s only been confirmed to be single player. However Kim Swift said that there are lots of good ideas for multiplayer modes. It wouldn’t surprise me to see puzzle-related multiplayer, sort of ‘who can get to the end first’, but I don’t really think a deathmatch idea would really work. Another idea would be co-operative play, where a team of perhaps four players try to complete complex puzzles that can't be completed with only one player.

How long will the game be?
According to the IGN interview, the game will take around 3 hours to complete. This isn't set in stone though, as some players will take longer to complete it, just as others will complete it much more quickly. Custom content will also add a lot of extra play-time to the game. There are also some ideas for multiplayer, which would further increase the ammount of time that people play the game for.

Useful Links
IGN’s interview with Kim Swift regarding Portal.
Some stills from the Portal trailer
The Narbacular Drop website.
Valve Developer community page about Portal.
Wikipedia page about Portal.
Steam Portal trailer. (Requires Steam to view)
Portal trailer on Google Video.
Custom maps for Narbacular Drop.

Special Thanks
Sierra Oscar: Motivation, some formatting help.
v.dog: For the custom Drop maps link.
TH3_L33T: Generic information.
ajinbc: Spelling correction.
Lunchtimemama: Thread title.
Grunteh: Information correction.
Naurgul: Additional information.

----------

1) This post is unfinished. I will continue to add to this post when I feel there is something that needs to be added. If you have something else that you think needs to be added, or spot any mistakes, please feel free to PM me about it.

2) My previous account (Suede) was banned(?!), so this is the new one.

3) I'm sort of slowly updating it now. Bit by bit.

Strafe_Left · 09-18-2006, 09:44 AM

Sierra Oscar · 09-18-2006, 01:57 PM

Ah so all is normal again

Contact me if you need this space

Strafe_Left · 09-18-2006, 02:42 PM

Will do

I promise to update this tomorrow, as i'm only in college for an hour. Although I will be expecting you to remind me

v.dog · 09-18-2006, 02:58 PM

better maps list.

smash · 09-18-2006, 03:37 PM

New preview from CVG:

http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=146130

Sierra Oscar · 09-19-2006, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smash
New preview from CVG:

http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=146130

Nice thanks, good read

Strafe_Left · 09-19-2006, 05:31 AM

I guess I'll update this then. After I have a drink.

Sierra Oscar · 09-19-2006, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Strafe_Left
I guess I'll update this then. After I have a drink.

Excellent

You know we should set up some sort of FAQ department just like the "Hardware Department" in Hardware, so that a few members could edit the FAQ's if some were away ect

Strafe_Left · 09-19-2006, 06:53 AM

You'd get all the n00bs messing stuff up though. I won't even mention the terrible spelling and grammar.

Sierra Oscar · 09-19-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Strafe_Left
You'd get all the n00bs messing stuff up though. I won't even mention the terrible spelling and grammar.

Mate, i mean only mods and a few members dedicated to FAQS qould get access to the account

Strafe_Left · 09-19-2006, 09:44 AM

Oh OK. Sorry, I don't feel too good. I think I have smallpox or something.

Sierra Oscar · 09-19-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Strafe_Left
Oh OK. Sorry, I don't feel too good. I think I have smallpox or something.

Oh ok sorry

mishakoz · 10-16-2006, 09:55 PM

"when's it being released" should be updated....

mikesin · 10-21-2006, 09:27 AM

i like this faq

09-18-2006, 09:41 AM	#1
Strafe_Left Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Reputation: 0 Posts: 457	Portal: Attack of the FAQ Portal: Attack of the FAQ The purpose of this FAQ is to hopefully answer most of your questions about Portal, so that you don't have to make countless threads asking the same questions again and again. Please do not post if all you want to say is 'I already knew that' or similar. You will be reported for SPAM. *What is Portal?* Portal is a Game made by former members of a videogame design college called 'Digipen' and lead by Kim Swift, who now work for Valve. It is a puzzle game heavily involving the use of portals, using the first person perspective. You play as an as yet unnamed male protagonist with a bald patch, and dressed in what appear to be orange coveralls. The main concept behind the game is that you are a test subject, under the employment of 'Aperture Laboratories'. Apparently, you are testing a new gun for them called the 'Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device' (ASHPD). Portal is the 'spiritual sequel' to Narbacular Drop, an indie game made by Digipen in 2005, and has been confirmed to take place in the Half-Life universe. *Narbacular Drop?* Drop is a first person puzzle game. The team who created Drop is now working for Valve to make Portal. Using blue and orange portals (placed with the left and right mouse buttons, respectively), you must traverse levels to the exit, where you start a new, more difficult level. *Half-Life universe?* Yep. Although we don’t know where and when exactly it will take place, in an interview with IGN, Kim Swift confirmed that Portal is indeed in the Half-Life universe. This revelation has prompted a lot of speculation, including talk about the GMan being involved, and talk about who the bald guy you play as could be. But for all anybody knows, Portal could take place on the Moon 100 years before the Black Mesa incident. *OMG! ASHPD = Adrian Shephard!11* Congratulations, you have a basic grasp of the English language. OK, sarcasm aside, this is an interesting coincidence. A lot of people are speculating the much-anticipated return of everyone’s favorite Opposing Force Marine. I think it’d be pretty cool to see how they’d implement this, but until Valve say something, I’m going to say ‘no’ to this one. Update: It has since been confirmed that Portal will feature an entirely new chracter. So no more theories about it being Adrian or Kleiner or whoever please *So when’s it being released?* Short answer: With Half-Life 2: Episode 2 Long answer: Episode 2 is slated for the end of 2006. Portal will be released in a pack with Episode 2. The pack will include Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. [Update] Currently slated for release on October 9th 2007. *Is the portal gun a gravity-gun?* In the interview with Kim Swift, she says that the portal gun is a "slightly less powerful gravity gun to allow players to easily pick up objects and toss them through Portals". ‘TH3_L33T’ says that you press ‘E’ on your keyboard to pick up objects. This would probably be a 'third' firing mode of the gun. *Is it single or multiplayer?* Right now it’s only been confirmed to be single player. However Kim Swift said that there are lots of good ideas for multiplayer modes. It wouldn’t surprise me to see puzzle-related multiplayer, sort of ‘who can get to the end first’, but I don’t really think a deathmatch idea would really work. Another idea would be co-operative play, where a team of perhaps four players try to complete complex puzzles that can't be completed with only one player. *How long will the game be?* According to the IGN interview, the game will take around 3 hours to complete. This isn't set in stone though, as some players will take longer to complete it, just as others will complete it much more quickly. Custom content will also add a lot of extra play-time to the game. There are also some ideas for multiplayer, which would further increase the ammount of time that people play the game for. *Useful Links* IGN’s interview with Kim Swift regarding Portal. Some stills from the Portal trailer The Narbacular Drop website. Valve Developer community page about Portal. Wikipedia page about Portal. Steam Portal trailer. (Requires Steam to view) Portal trailer on Google Video. Custom maps for Narbacular Drop. *Special Thanks* Sierra Oscar: Motivation, some formatting help. v.dog: For the custom Drop maps link. TH3_L33T: Generic information. ajinbc: Spelling correction. Lunchtimemama: Thread title. Grunteh: Information correction. Naurgul: Additional information. ---------- 1) This post is unfinished. I will continue to add to this post when I feel there is something that needs to be added. If you have something else that you think needs to be added, or spot any mistakes, please feel free to PM me about it. 2) My previous account (Suede) was banned(?!), so this is the new one. 3) I'm sort of slowly updating it now. Bit by bit. Last edited by Jigoku : 07-28-2007 at 03:36 AM.

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09-18-2006, 09:44 AM	#2
Strafe_Left Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Reputation: 0 Posts: 457	<Placeholder incase I need it>

09-18-2006, 01:57 PM	#3
Sierra Oscar Volunteer Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Reputation: 915 Posts: 37,776	Ah so all is normal again Contact me if you need this space

09-18-2006, 02:42 PM	#4
Strafe_Left Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Reputation: 0 Posts: 457	Will do I promise to update this tomorrow, as i'm only in college for an hour. Although I will be expecting you to remind me

09-18-2006, 02:58 PM	#5
v.dog Join Date: Jun 2006 Reputation: 30 Posts: 1,243	better maps list.

09-18-2006, 03:37 PM	#6
smash Volunteer Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Reputation: 513 Posts: 24,316	New preview from CVG: http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=146130

09-19-2006, 05:31 AM	#8
Strafe_Left Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Reputation: 0 Posts: 457	I guess I'll update this then. After I have a drink.

09-19-2006, 06:53 AM	#10
Strafe_Left Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Reputation: 0 Posts: 457	You'd get all the n00bs messing stuff up though. I won't even mention the terrible spelling and grammar.

09-19-2006, 09:44 AM	#12
Strafe_Left Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Reputation: 0 Posts: 457	Oh OK. Sorry, I don't feel too good. I think I have smallpox or something.

10-16-2006, 09:55 PM	#14
mishakoz Join Date: Sep 2006 Reputation: 83 Posts: 3,560	"when's it being released" should be updated....

10-21-2006, 09:27 AM	#15
mikesin Join Date: Feb 2005 Reputation: 0 Posts: 322	i like this faq