Valve is behind some of the most beloved video games of all time, but the Portal series is arguably the company’s magnum opus. The Portal games have it all: clever puzzles, witty writing, and enough depressing lore to fill a Dark Souls world bible. However, despite the Portal franchise’s popularity, we’ve only received two Portal games (and a spin-off meant to advertise the Steam Deck). This unfortunate reality disappointed many gamers and helped spawn the joke that Valve is allergic to the number 3. However, we now seem to know some of the more practical reasons why Valve never worked on Portal 3.
Not too long ago, Simon Parkin, host of the My Perfect Console podcast, interviewed the writer of Portal 1 and 2, Erik Wolpaw. Parkin began the interview with the question on everyone’s mind: Where is Portal 3? Many outlets, including PCGamer, have noted that Wolpaw has tried to...
Not too long ago, Simon Parkin, host of the My Perfect Console podcast, interviewed the writer of Portal 1 and 2, Erik Wolpaw. Parkin began the interview with the question on everyone’s mind: Where is Portal 3? Many outlets, including PCGamer, have noted that Wolpaw has tried to...
- 4/12/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Matthew Byrd Jan 4, 2019
One of Valve's most notable writers has apparently returned to the company.
Erik Wolpaw, has seemingly returned to Valve after apparently having left the company in 2017 to work on Psychonauts 2.
The discussion surrounding Wolpaw's return began when Reddit user Trenchman noticed that Wolpaw's name appears in the credits for Artifact (Valve's recently released Ccg title based on Dota 2). Given that there had been no formal announcement of Wolpaw's return to the company at that point, or even vague hints, his inclusion in the game's credits struck many as being odd.
At the time, there was some discussion regarding whether or not Wolpaw had perhaps worked on Artifact in some capacity during his time with Valve. However, Reddit user Trenchman actually reached out to Gabe Newell's Valve email address and was informed that Wolpaw had indeed returned to Valve. Trenchman has posted screens of the email...
One of Valve's most notable writers has apparently returned to the company.
Erik Wolpaw, has seemingly returned to Valve after apparently having left the company in 2017 to work on Psychonauts 2.
The discussion surrounding Wolpaw's return began when Reddit user Trenchman noticed that Wolpaw's name appears in the credits for Artifact (Valve's recently released Ccg title based on Dota 2). Given that there had been no formal announcement of Wolpaw's return to the company at that point, or even vague hints, his inclusion in the game's credits struck many as being odd.
At the time, there was some discussion regarding whether or not Wolpaw had perhaps worked on Artifact in some capacity during his time with Valve. However, Reddit user Trenchman actually reached out to Gabe Newell's Valve email address and was informed that Wolpaw had indeed returned to Valve. Trenchman has posted screens of the email...
- 1/4/2019
- Den of Geek
Former Valve writer Jay Pinkerton has returned to the company in an undisclosed role a year after he left, according to PC Gamer.
Reddit user OWLverlord spotted Pinkerton’s name listed on Valve’s staff page in the “Other Experts” category on Sunday. Pinkerton is perhaps best known for co-writing “Portal 2” with former Valve scribe Erik Wolpaw. He also reportedly worked on the “Team Fortress 2” comics and the “Left 4 Dead” series.
Pinkerton was one of several high-profile departures from Valve in recent years. Wolpaw left the developer in February 2017 and is now reportedly working on “Psychonauts 2” with Double Fine Productions. Another writer, Chet Faliszek, left in May 2017. His credits include two “Half-Life” episodes, the “Portal” series, and the “Left 4 Dead” series. He’s now working on a new project with Bossa Studios. “Half-Life” writer Marc Laidlaw left Valve in 2016 after 18 years because he wanted to go back to writing original stories.
Reddit user OWLverlord spotted Pinkerton’s name listed on Valve’s staff page in the “Other Experts” category on Sunday. Pinkerton is perhaps best known for co-writing “Portal 2” with former Valve scribe Erik Wolpaw. He also reportedly worked on the “Team Fortress 2” comics and the “Left 4 Dead” series.
Pinkerton was one of several high-profile departures from Valve in recent years. Wolpaw left the developer in February 2017 and is now reportedly working on “Psychonauts 2” with Double Fine Productions. Another writer, Chet Faliszek, left in May 2017. His credits include two “Half-Life” episodes, the “Portal” series, and the “Left 4 Dead” series. He’s now working on a new project with Bossa Studios. “Half-Life” writer Marc Laidlaw left Valve in 2016 after 18 years because he wanted to go back to writing original stories.
- 7/30/2018
- by Stefanie Fogel
- Variety Film + TV
Double Fine head honcho Tim Schafer took to the stage at tonight’s The Game Awards ceremony in order to announce that the long awaited Psychonauts 2. However, in order for the title to see a release, it will first need to be partially funded through the crowdfunding site Fig.
Taking place following the events of the original Psychonauts, the game will see protagonist Raz begin his career at Psychonauts Headquarters. However, upon becoming a fully licensed agent, Raz soon realizes that the Psychonauts agents already in place need his help. During the adventure, we’ll get further information on Raz’s family, and will once again jump into the minds of new patients.
Seeking to raise $3.3 million, which will then be matched by Double Fine and outside investors, Schafer spoke about why now is the time for Psychonauts 2 to finally be created.
Our fans constantly ask us to make Psychonauts...
Taking place following the events of the original Psychonauts, the game will see protagonist Raz begin his career at Psychonauts Headquarters. However, upon becoming a fully licensed agent, Raz soon realizes that the Psychonauts agents already in place need his help. During the adventure, we’ll get further information on Raz’s family, and will once again jump into the minds of new patients.
Seeking to raise $3.3 million, which will then be matched by Double Fine and outside investors, Schafer spoke about why now is the time for Psychonauts 2 to finally be created.
Our fans constantly ask us to make Psychonauts...
- 12/4/2015
- by Eric Hall
- We Got This Covered
Last night, Nyu's Game Center played host for a talk with Erik Wolpaw. You undoubtedly know Erik's work as one of the writers behind "Portal" and the recently released "Portal 2." But he's been writing awesome words for way longer than that. Years before entering the game development community, he created the much-revered site, Old Man Murray, which brought a refreshing and hilarious take on the world of video games.
Last night's talk, however, was all about "Portal 2," and Wolpaw opened up about several fascinating insights into the development of the game's story and characters.
One element I've always been curious about was the lack of development of Chell as a character. Chell is the voiceless protagonist of the "Portal" games, and despite a few glimpses of her when crossing through portals, you never really learn much about her. As a character, Gordon Freeman of the "Half-Life" franchise is a smorgasbord...
Last night's talk, however, was all about "Portal 2," and Wolpaw opened up about several fascinating insights into the development of the game's story and characters.
One element I've always been curious about was the lack of development of Chell as a character. Chell is the voiceless protagonist of the "Portal" games, and despite a few glimpses of her when crossing through portals, you never really learn much about her. As a character, Gordon Freeman of the "Half-Life" franchise is a smorgasbord...
- 5/6/2011
- by Russ Frushtick
- MTV Multiplayer
With the release of Portal 2, game developer Valve has followed-up the critically acclaimed original with more head-bursting puzzles, fanatical computers, and immersive story. We spoke with lead writer Erik Wolpaw, designer/engineer Jeep Barnett, and VP of marketing Doug Lombardi to find out how they created the setting of the game, what drives their innovative storytelling techniques, and more. Warning: beware of Spoilers.
Fast Company: When the decision was made to go ahead with Portal 2, what was the first challenge you faced?
Erik: Probably the first challenge was, "What is Portal 2?" We actually went down this path in the very beginning where we thought that maybe Portal as a franchise is less about portals--which sounds crazy in retrospect--and more about introducing a new puzzle mechanic. And the common theme was Aperture Science, this kind of funhouse of science. We actually mocked up a version of Portal 2 that didn't actually have portals.
Fast Company: When the decision was made to go ahead with Portal 2, what was the first challenge you faced?
Erik: Probably the first challenge was, "What is Portal 2?" We actually went down this path in the very beginning where we thought that maybe Portal as a franchise is less about portals--which sounds crazy in retrospect--and more about introducing a new puzzle mechanic. And the common theme was Aperture Science, this kind of funhouse of science. We actually mocked up a version of Portal 2 that didn't actually have portals.
- 4/28/2011
- by Kevin Ohannessian
- Fast Company
When it comes to high-profile game design studios, few are as acclaimed as Valve. They've turned out the "Half-Life" games, "Team Fortress 2" and "Portal," each one an exemplar of playable fiction that nearly everyone cites as must-play titles. Though the formative ideas in Valve games are strong--silent characters that stand in for the player, storytelling through environmental design, sardonic humor--there isn't a lot of transparency as to how they actually come about. Games just seem to come out of Valve, fully-formed and nearly perfect. People work on them, yes, and even when you know their names, it's still hard to pick out exactly how they contribute. That's not a bad thing. In a business where creativity happens by committee, there seems to be a true streak of collectivism at Valve.
Another thing about the creatives in the video game medium is that not very many individuals break out to become creators of real renown.
Another thing about the creatives in the video game medium is that not very many individuals break out to become creators of real renown.
- 3/17/2011
- by Evan Narcisse
- ifc.com
Ever since the dawn of "Portal," the prospect of that gameplay with a second person is just slightly mind-bending. It seems the reality is just as mind-bending, as I attempted to survive a handful of "Portal 2" co-op test chambers with Valve's Erik Wolpaw.
Co-op features a completely different story and set of challenges from the single-player game. When teaming up, you'll control one of two robots...one made from an old GladOS personality sphere and another made from a broken-down turret. Your character doesn't affect your abilities, though, as both robots act exactly like the hero did in the original game.
Which means both robots can fire two portals each. So you can have a total of four portals running at once, and each robot is free to use the other robot's portals. Hopefully you're beginning to understand just how complicated this can become.
Thankfully Valve is known for its game balancing,...
Co-op features a completely different story and set of challenges from the single-player game. When teaming up, you'll control one of two robots...one made from an old GladOS personality sphere and another made from a broken-down turret. Your character doesn't affect your abilities, though, as both robots act exactly like the hero did in the original game.
Which means both robots can fire two portals each. So you can have a total of four portals running at once, and each robot is free to use the other robot's portals. Hopefully you're beginning to understand just how complicated this can become.
Thankfully Valve is known for its game balancing,...
- 6/16/2010
- by Russ Frushtick
- MTV Multiplayer
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