Cross-platform co-op between PS3 and PC/Mac planned for Portal 2

Developers at Valve have confirmed that part of their announcement regarding Steam support for PS3 is plans to work on cross-platform co-op gaming between the PS3 and PC/Mac for Portal 2.

[Donny]

very interesting, valve you have done a great job.

[Legosz]

Imagine the possibilities for other Valve games....
left 4 dead 3...

[InfectedDK]

And CS?
This is really great!

[WhittO]

Guess we will see if having a keyboard and mouse really does make you a better player than using a controller haha

[AtatakaiSamurai]

Imagine the possibilities if a talented developer house like Valve created a game for the PS3 utilizing blu-ray, HDD space, cell technology and upped their own game by developing a gaming engine specifically for the PS3 hardware.

Just imagine the insanity of what could be produced. Imagine the possibilities indeed.

[R0me]

"Guess we will see if having a keyboard and mouse really does make you a better player than using a controller haha "

Agreed, many people still believe it, I wish I could see their faces.

[tdrules]

you can't deny a mouse is more precise, whatever you prefer to use is of course your choice and many find a controller more natural.

Of course Sony/MS/Nintendo have realised that people want more precision hence the bumming of motion control.

[Charmers]

@ AtatakaiSamurai - Not sure what your point was with this :-

"Imagine the possibilities if a talented developer house like Valve created a game for the PS3 utilizing blu-ray, HDD space, cell technology and upped their own game by developing a gaming engine specifically for the PS3 hardware.

Just imagine the insanity of what could be produced. Imagine the possibilities indeed."

Valve already develop for the most technically sophisticated platform on the planet, that being the PC. So I fail to see what extra the PS3 can bring to the party if Valve are already developing on technology far better than the PS3. Gabe even stated that Portal 2 will be the best CONSOLE version but it will not beat the PC version. So if you are so concerned with what could be done with fantastic tech then you need to get a PC or does that only apply when you are talking about the PS3 ?

[WhittO]

Ye using a mouse is more precise, but after using a controller for so long to play games (because my old PC used to turn itself off before even attempting to play games lol!) it feels like the mouse is TOO precise/sensitive and is harder for me to keep it stable when aiming for head-shots etc now.

Plus, it's annoying to have the keys on the keyboard all over the place and sometimes difficult to reach or pressing wrong key (even though you do get used to it), just feels more clunky ha.

But, I hate using controllers for other games, like RTS games.

[evrfighter]

ew I don't wanna play with controller users. They'll end up slowing me down.

[The Wood]

mouse and keyboard fanboy

[karl]

thought about cheaters? they will come to ps3 along side PC

im just saying cuz is a real problem.. not that i wouldnt love more ppl.. sounds awesome but well.. i already said it..

[WhittO]

haha how good would it be if one of there was a multiplayer mode for PS3 V PC!
Would be interesting to see the result.. No doubt people would cry unfair play due to assisted aiming etc if lost.

[karl]

spending my last bubble on u...

Now imagine MOUSE VS MOVE!!

hahaha that would be cool

[kunit22c]

legosz, you got me excited.. PLEASE VALVE! make Left 4 Dead 3 on PS3! That is the one franchise I definitely want!

[nveenio]

With Move, Mouse/Keyboard won't have an advantage.

[Kleptic]

@charmers...easy dude...its still Valve...and its still Source...They aren't ringing out modern PCs in any real fashion...and haven't developed any rendering tech recently that can't be played on a business laptop from 2005...

and recent press releases by Valve have stated exactly that...Newell said 'I didn't get into this business because of a hardware fetish, I got in it to create great games that as many people as possible can play'...easily sounds like common PR to dodge the 'selling out' label...but their business model holds true to that single statement...

so as far as PC being the most 'state of the art gaming machines'...yeah...but ONLY crytek is bothering to push them...the rest of the development world is simply digging in and staying competitive with relatively old technology...thats what Epic is doing with UE3...thats what Valve is doing with Source...and thats what most developers are doing with their own proprietary engines developed earlier this generation...games like killzone 2 and uncharted 2 look absolutely awesome, but the engines they run on will be around for the rest of this generation without question...source just happened to be finished, at least for the debut title, a few years before them...

all I am saying is that Valve remained on PC as long as possible because of its open nature...not because of its unparalled power in modern rigs...and its very obvious now that most of what is happening with valve and sony is related to how closed xbl and the 360 is...and what valve can do for a console community with features of steam...is unquestionably awesome and new...PS3 and PSN already proved with UT3 that its an excellent platform for free UGC and mod support...just a matter of getting as many developers as possible to see that, and take advantage of it...Valves a big one, a lot will follow...and it usually takes a once PC centric developer to really understand how important free UGC is...

[TheDeadMetalhead]

I figured this would happen. This means Valve will do this for their other multiplayer games, too. Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress 2, although Valve would probably have to release a PSN version of TF2 because of how bad EA wrecked the port.

At the same time, this also puts pressure on Microsoft to allow Steam on 360. Remember, Valve wants Steam on XBL, too, but there's no way Microsoft would allow Steam on XBL for free, But this way Microsoft will almost HAVE to allow it. And if they do, you know what that means?

PC/Mac/PS3/360 cross-platform online.

Meanwhile at Valve...

[Charmers]

@ Kleptic I was merely responding to AtatakaiSamurai ridiculous post that some how if Valve made use of the cell and blu-ray things would be mega wonderful and we would all have fluffy little bunny rabbits come to stay and the world would be ever so nice etc etc.

Valve are already developing on the most technologically sophisticated platform on the planet so we already KNOW what valve can do if they are given the right resources. So it is ridiculous for AtatakaiSamurai to suggest that just because the PS3 has "cell and blu-ray" Valve will be able to do something technologically "advanced" if the developed just for the PS3.

As for Newell saying :-

'I didn't get into this business because of a hardware fetish, I got in it to create great games that as many people as possible can play'

Hm that's odd didn't he have a major problem with PS3 hardware ? Oh yeah he bitched and moaned about the hardware calling it a waste of space. Now all of a sudden it's not about the hardware it is about creating great games. I mean come on Gabe pull the other one it has got bells on. I am a PC gamer and I can smell a sell out when I see one, the only question in my mind is just how much Sony had to pony up to make Gabe completely do a 180.

It is no big deal to me though the only Valve franchise I was interested in was Half Life and they don't seem to be doing anything with that franchise any more so I couldn't really care less. As a PC gamer I find Valve becoming more and more irrelevant to me by the day.

[sikbeta]

@InfectedDK

OMG! Counter Strike would be a total Blast!!!

[evrfighter]

I already use my mouse and keyboard against controller via xim. Trust me you guys would be crying for them to keep us away from you guys. Tbh if my cs crew played with me it wouldn't be fun. You can't have fun when it feels like your opponent can't fight back.

[MexicanAppleThief]

I don't know any PC people to play it with but this is a very big WIN right here folks. Hopefully PC-PS3 relations will be at an all time high, but am I being over optimistic?

[PoSTedUP]

PS3> PC<---sucks
...........^lame

idk, you tell me.

XD jk i <3 PC too

[secksi-killer]

thats a classic right there. perhaps they can become allies in the console wars lol and team up against the dreaded xboxers !!

that comment is just too good! thank you for making chuckle and cringe at the same time.

anyway, i dont know if this is a good or bad thing. i played shadow run quite alot, and there used to be many pc gamers on that aswell. i dont personally think that they improved the experience one bit

EDIT below: and???

[solidt12]

Hey if this is true then we will be able to meet new people who play PC.

[PoSTedUP]

my comment above was meant for humor, sori some of you got offended, for i was offended a little also XD.

[secksi-killer]

dont worry, your comment was an obvious joke..unlike the person aboves lol

[zeeshan]

I am not into L4D at all but CS ah yes! I want CS on my PS3!

[sikbeta]

Me too man, CS will be Huge on the PS3!!!

[trancefreak]

pretty sure valve will include m/kb support.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

Well, Unreal Tournament 3 had it. It's practically guaranteed (this is VALVE we're talking about).

[GVON]

because it's steam run,CS could technically be bought off PSN,or like MGS4 online,using the ingame browser,even the PS3 browser.
MGS4 online beta only used PSN for downloding the client,the actual game data (even now) is done like a torrent.

[raztad]

"something the team is gunning for." We also confirmed with Valve developer Mike Dunkle who said "The plan is you will be able to play between console and PC."

I dont want to get too excited about this just yet. If Valve get this running (balance is a huge problem) it would be something huge.

[Raf1k1]

Yeh balance is an issue. You could have KB&M support on PS3 but not everyone is going to use that. Or maybe they think that Move is good enough to keep up with the mouse?

[kanetheking]

better for me i all ways get bored of games wen i win.so i take down everyone with my sixaxis.

[k2d]

I already support Steam on the PC!

[Blacktric]

Should I say sucker punch to the nuts?

[Charmers]

wrong place.

[PoSTedUP]

WOW. PS3: it only does huge leaps in gaming. : D !

[Elven6]

PC and console playing together is nothing new, the Dreamcast and PC could do it with games like Quake 3 (you could use keyboard and mouse on the DC too). With GFWL you can play cross platform with XBL users as well.

That being said, if they actually made it backwards compatible with older Valve games, or multiplatform games in general, that would be amazing!

[JustTheFactsMr]

You can use a keyboard and mouse on the PS3. It's up to developers if they want to enable it.

[tdrules]

yeah but you probably don't do you.
a feature that isn't widely implemented is not a feature its a bullet point

[JustTheFactsMr]

"a feature that isn't widely implemented is not a feature its a bullet point"

Um no it's a feature implemented in the game that implements it. Duh. Like mods.

Or did you mean like the Facebook service that is freely available on the internet but XBL Silver users can't access. That kind of not widely implemented?

Or on-line gaming? That kind of bullet point? Certainly not widely implemented like PSN where it is actually a feature. By your own definition. LOL.

[GVON]

"You can use a keyboard and mouse on the PS3. It's up to developers if they want to enable it. "

Or buy this when available
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[BlackKnight]

You guys realize why MS/Xbox has done it right? MS is competing with steam on the PC with Windows live games. They also are selling games like steam (DD=digital distribution) and allow you to be on the same friends list as xbox players.

Ever heard of shadowrun? You can be on the 360 and play against PC players with that game since xbox live is just the console section and windows live games is the PC section. MS won't go with Valve's steam because Microsoft has their own. Several other games on PC like Gears 1 and others are also windows live enabled which means when on xbox, you can see your friends playing the game and message them and such.

Do I wish this steam thing was also on xbox? Hell yes. But I am just pointing out what Valve meant about PS3 being more open. MS doesn't want to let Valve encroach on their PC community of windows live games. PS3/Sony had no such setup on PC game interactivity. Now they do with steam, there was no way Sony would use Windows Live games, lol.

Gotta look at the big picture.

[JustTheFactsMr]

Much of that is true.

I also think he was getting at the bigger picture of what isn't available on the 360 because it is more closed in several other ways.

1. Browser. Valve sites, stats etc would be available without requiring a custom XBL interface. Valve can create what THEY want and change it without needing approval etc.
2. Browser also makes lots of other non-Sony content available for free. Like game mods.
3. Game mods. Sony is fine with them. MS is not.
4. Blu-tooth peripherals don't require a license fee for a proprietary peripheral connection.
5. Divx certified device integration.

So the bigger picture is more than just the Steam integration in one game when it comes to being more open.

[KILLERAPP]

Awesome!

[Tony-A]

Definitely hyped for this one!

[Pandamobile]

Wow, cool. So 3 of the 4 platforms get to play together.

Sorry Xbox.

[UnwanteDreamz]

Anyone know how many games do this?

Just wondering

[phinch]

I think

[maddhatter123]

guess not.

[Kleptic]

UT3 does not support PC and PS3 simultaneously...its just that the PS3 version of the game supports M/k and mods...all mods made for the PC version can be compiled through a PS3 option, allowing them to be downloaded, and installed onto the PS3's hdd...and then selected in game to play...

its a big deal UGC wise...but the game never got very popular...and the game overall wasn't that great to begin with...but far from bad...

[Mista T]

this awesome, but I wonder if you can invite steam friends to play with you even though your playing on PS3?
and is steamplay confirmed for ps3?

[Pandamobile]

I sent Gabe an email about possible SteamPlay support, but I assume that's still unannounced, or not happening. That would be a major development in multiplatform gaming (something only Valve would ever think of doing) but I think it would complicate things with Sony (i.e, PS3 licensing fees and stuff)

There could still be hope though.

I think the integrated Steam community features in SteamWorks will allow for sending invites to friends on other platforms.

Oh, and if I recall correctly, this will be the first third-party (non-MMO) to feature cross platform play. The only games I can think of that have cross platform gameplay are published by SOE or Microsoft.

@Phinch

Nope. They planned on having a cross platform UT3, but Epic decided against citing the whole update certification process that patches need to go through in order to go live on PSN.

@MRHARDON

Hacks in a cooperative puzzle game? Hah.

[BlackKnight]

I think it will be. I think steam is to PS3 as Windows Live games is to 360. You have a game like shadowrun on 360 allowing you to play with PC gamers and invite them too (The PC gamer has to logged on Windows live games to see the invite I believe).

This goes along with steam allowing "cross platform" gaming with PC and Mac. Which I find hilarious since a Mac IS a PC with just a different OS. They are both the same architecture (x86/x64), intel, nvidia, blah blah blah. I don't see it as really shocking....Shadowrun on 360 playing with PC and Portal 2 on PS3 playing with PC is more shocking/new to me.

[MRHARDON]

You know whats funny? PC can hack the s*it out of PS3, hack hack hack! So in the end its not as good as you think and im speaking the truth.

[Gawdl3y]

Is that what you seriously think about PCs? There are anti-cheat measures in place, and besides, it's CO-OP, not competitive multiplayer, so it wouldn't really matter anyways, now would it?

Google "PunkBuster"

[tdrules]

Steam has better anti-cheat mechanisms than PSN, VAC. It may not be perfect but it does a ruddy good job. also google punkbuster banlist.
Do you know how hard it is to report a player on PSN compared to Steam?

[Mista T]

yeah, with VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) they ban you

[jack_burt0n]

I was really surprised by the agency its looking really sharp and has cross play dc universe is also looking really good wonder if that has it, but SOE have been working very hard really impressed.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

if this true they better let me use The Move because keyboard/mouse is going to rape console players. Hopefully move is just as accurate as the mouse if not better. Well hopefully they add keyboard/mouse support.

[AtatakaiSamurai]

what are you talking about? Does Portal have a competitive MP mode or something? Isn't it mainly co-op?

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

Or they could just you know, have keyboard and mouse support on PS3 like Unreal Tournament 3 had.

It is fairly obvious that Sony and Valve are in talks to have Move support for Portal 2. It would flow perfectly.

[-MD-]

How is move going to be more accurate than a mouse?

[GamerPS360]

move will be nowhere close to M/K accuracy and reaction time.

[snakebite36]

That would be pretty cool to see a comparison of Move vs Kinect vs keyboard and mouse in Portal 2.

[darkdoom3000]

Im sure you can use kb/m support on Ps3 version, UT3 had it.

I wouldn't use it though, I like playing games in bed.

[jack_burt0n]

pretty sure 100% that portal will have KB/M support on ps3 but i would like move 2 they could do some really unique nice things with it.

[bryt]

yes. please.

[Dnied]

big, big news.

<3 Sony / Valve

[twostep18]

will make a great team

[ElementX]

So Portal 2 is multiplayer? I haven't been keeping up with it because I want to be surprised.

[rawrockkillz]

There is a Co-op campaign that is the same length as the single-player campaign. Although I would like to see a more expanded multiplayer in Portal 2 like 16 vs 16. That would be cool.

[ElementX]

cool

[Szarky]

Portal co-op!!!!!!!!!!!

[Croash]

It will be Xbox/PS3/Pc/Mac cross platform :D Now wouldn't that be great?

[darkdoom3000]

unlikely- microsoft doesnt like anything other network arcitecture besides LIVE. I'm not sure if they would want steamworks.

[DaThreats]

Only on PS3

[AK46]

This game looks so good but I really do get dizzy and nauseated playing the 1st game. How do I fix this problem, any suggestions?

[ElementX]

Just keep playing! I used to get dizzy when I first played Doom and then again when I played Descent. It goes away just keep at it. After a few days you get acclimated to it.

Maybe get those motion sickness pills from the drug store.

[AK46]

Thx, I will give gravel a shot, never thought about that. Cheers!

Thx for the suggestions boys, never heard of ginger pills, but I'll give it a try also.

[GamerPS360]

increase your FOV.

[Gawdl3y]

Which console players cannot do. Man, I feel so sorry for them.

[Nathaniel_Drake]

Buy some ginger pills, they work great

[AliTheBrit19]

Microsoft, get Steamworks for Xbox Live Gold, it makes sense.

[Elven6]

It's a pipedream but I doubt Microsoft would allow it as the defacto standard or even as an optional feature since some Steamwork features would overlap their own.

[Moonboots]

The Xbox already has everything steam offers, achievements, cross game chat, etc so the benefits just aren't there. XBL was doing it before Steam so just don't see a big value.

Even 360 vs PC cross gaming was already done with games like Shadowrun and really it didn't do much for any one.. When there are so many gamers playing a game people stop caring if they are PC or Xbox and just want to get the match going. If the match is full who cares what platform they are on?

I think some people think just because Steam would connect to PSN suddenly all the games would work. They would all need to be ported so I don't see that happening.

Gabe was clear that Portal 2 is connecting to Steamworks and people are blowing this out of proportion like every Valve product will be ported to PS3.. It's just one game for now.

Valve already supports Xbox more than any other console so I think it's all good.

[bjornbear]

Xbox Live Gold and XBL in general has been said to be restrictive.

so....nah, but i see it happening eventually (once MS realize they are missing out they'll bend over backwards for it)

[jjesso1993]

the 100 million cut really hurt them looks like the press are not getting the pay checks anymore and looks like valve are not eaither.

[GamerPS360]

Great for co-op but dualshock or even move doesn't stand chance of mouse/keyboard accuracy in competitive.
They need to bring m/k support for PS3 to keep it in balance.

[MajestieBeast]

Would be pretty cool if the dlc if their is gonna be any will be free cause it is being handeld by valve. Also someone asked Doug Lombardi if we could possibly see more steam games like counterstrike on ps3 and he was very mysterious about that so lets hope for a bright cooperation between Sony and Valve.

[You Noob]

Wooooooooooooooooo PS3 WIN

[Focker420]

"Epic What's interesting about this scenario is that it could theoretically be applied to any of Valve's online games, meaning the entire Orange Box and any other games on Steam and consoles. "

So does this mean any game available on Steam & PS3, even if its not a Valve game??? That would be f*cking epic!!

[saint_john_paul_ii]

devs would have to implement it though with Valves permission, i dont see why it shouldnt be implemented. Valve should at least convice sony to integrate Steamworks to their SDK...

[kneon]

I thought this might be what they were referring to when they said PSN was more open

[Sigh]

that is just awesome. Now add keyboard/mouse support for ps3 valve games and it's instant buy, no hesititation.

[Fireseed]

Its entirely possible that all consoles could play together I mean Xbox had Shadowgrounds and Universe at War cross console against PC. So as long as PS3 owners and PC owners connect to a single Linux server we could all play.

You know what would be funny too is if PS3 users and Xbox 360 users had custom CO-OP models that looked like Glados retro fitted the consoles into androids.

[bviperz]

You don't want to run into the Steam (PC) bviperz in CS:S. Trust me...

[N4BmpS]

This is really, really huge and even that i an understatement. I always said that if Valve got serious about developing for the PS3, I'd get excited about playing their product. They are so I am. Hopefully this means the death to horribly ported games.

[belal]

with pc gamers. BUT i don't want to face them, that would be to hard lol.

[maverick1191]

all im waiting for now is L4D3 to come on PS3 then im sold

[NarooN]

Valve, will you have my babies?

[Duke Spookem]

Now I can play co-op with my friend (he only has a PC). The news coming from Valve just keeps getting better and better. This will also extend the online community even more which is a big plus.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

i really dont understand why Valve didnt get the picture in the first place, to realize that the PSN/PS3 is an open platform now, when everyone has realized this since 2007. either way, im glad they finally see the picture and are finally on board.

[StanleyCup19]

Done deal. Do it and I will buy it. Was on fence whether to get on pc or ps3...(PS3 is my main console...)

[karan8624]

Does this mean...
Co-op for future games?

THAT WOULD BE SICK

[ATi_Elite]

PS3 only owners should be jumping up and down with joy now that you guys are getting a Valve game and Steamworks. Now go beg Sony for KB/m support.

I always wanted to game against some of my console only buddies or enemies and now Valve will make it all happen. One thing though I hope Valve gives people the chance to search for PC only servers or Ps3 only servers because PC gamers using KB/m have a HUGE advantage vs. PS3 gamers using controller.

PC gamers understand why Valve is the best developer for a reason and now PS3 and MAC owners will become believers too. Say what you want but Valve listens to Gamers and that's why they make the best and most innovative games.

[Resistance]

If valve is somehow able to bring games like css or tf2 so ps3 and pc can play online together it would be pure genius. Lets hope for the best from them lol :D

[xAlmostPro]

ps3 also supports keyboard & mouse.. its just a matter of game developers implementing a keyboard/mouse control scheme into the ps3 games options.. there for you could be playing cross platform and both ps3 user and pc user are using the same controls

[SephireX]

This is excellent news. PS3 is the only console that you can play Portal 2 online with PC/MAC players. This makes the PS3 version far superior to the 360 version. It will be interesting to see whether the mouse or controller will come out on top. I guess Gabe wasn't talking trash. He meant it when he said the PS3 version would be the best console version. It will also be great to use Steam on the PS3. The PS3 now officially, does everything!

[jashmister]

as long as they don't re-release tf2 for ps3 and make it pc/mac/ps3 I'm fine
sounds like a good move by valve but if they make competitive games console vs pc it wouldn't be fun

[Figboy]

is compatible with Keyboard and Mouse.

if Valve makes Portal 2 on the PS3 keyboard and mouse compatible, i don't see the problem.

i seriously don't understand why more developers haven't enabled keyboard and mouse control on their PS3 games. it really doesn't make any sense why they don't. i highly doubt they'd have to devote an unreasonable amount of dev time to implement "Use Keyboard and Mouse" coding.

outside of Killzone (which is weighted to the feel of a controller), there's no reason why any shooter on the PS3 should lack keyboard and mouse control.

i PREFER the controller for gaming (not a fan of the keyboard and mouse setup), but when a platform has a feature that is KNOWN to be very useful to gaming, i don't see why devs don't put that in there.

[almehdaaol]

Gabe Newell can finally eat his words now.

[bjornbear]

epic

[thehitman]

That be even better idea if all major PC gamers were cross platform with the ps3. If Sony could do that the PSN will be MOUNTAINS better than XBL. Hopefully Valve brings L4D3 to the PS3 and if they do and it has cross platform play will be a huge day for gaming.

Would also like games like cod etc if they were cross platform so I can own all the PC gamers who think they have advantage because they have a mouse lol.

[danthebios]

Valve is finaly joining the future.Welcome to the future valve.

[DigitalAnalog]

SUPPORT THY MODS!!

EARTH SPECIAL FORCES....

-END STATEMENT

[menoyou]

Steam for PS3 is amazing news. Go Sony and Gabe!