Transmission Received Created 14 years ago2010-03-02 13:52:50 UTC by Daubster Daubster

Created 14 years ago2010-03-02 13:52:50 UTC by Daubster Daubster

Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 14:04:26 UTC Post #279399
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/98776-Crazy-Valve-ARG-Teases-Portal-2

Apparently the new Portal update has revealed a bunch of cryptic multi-layered clues, information and what seems to be an overall incredibly well thought-out scheme from Valve to properly build up to something big coming in the nearest days.

From hidden images in sound files, to morse code, and all the way to an old 80s modem set up near Valve HQ, transmitting ASCII pictures of test chambers, Vortigaunts and more.

Whenever the community cracks/decodes one layer of information, more transcend from it. It just keeps getting more and more interesting.

It better be good, Valve. I'm thinking new hats for TF2/L4D2? Episode 3/Portal 2?
Discuss.

EDIT:
Summary of things discovered so far
Daubster DaubsterVault Dweller
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 14:09:24 UTC Post #279400
been following this since the update.

Spent 3 hours getting the new achievement hoping for some secrets to be answered but no - it's just an achievement. (although it was fun to replay Portal with another puzzle element in each test chamber.
Archie ArchieGoodbye Moonmen
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 14:11:24 UTC Post #279401
I just love it when they actually expect you to think. Games with actual puzzles have been pretty much dead for the past 10 years or maybe even more.
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 14:14:15 UTC Post #279402
Disagree.

see:

Portal
Braid
Eets
On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness (eps 1 & 2)
Psychonauts
Sam & Max Episodes
World of Goo

I'm sure I'm missing some.
Archie ArchieGoodbye Moonmen
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 14:21:57 UTC Post #279403
Yes, also KGB. But this appears to be much more than that: It extends beyond the natural environment of the game - your computer - and makes you think (literally) outside the box. Of course, I haven't seen the clues that lead someone to dial to that telnet/whatever line, but this could go much further.

Only Notpron has got me stuck for weeks without a clue of what to do next. And this is doing the same (to others, not me), and it's only a diversion instead of part of the actual game. It's more like an easter egg that leads you to uncover some conspiracy.
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 14:25:17 UTC Post #279404
A good summary of everything discovered so far.
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169027
Daubster DaubsterVault Dweller
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 17:10:39 UTC Post #279406
I love it all.
Luke LukeLuke
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 17:36:59 UTC Post #279407
Quote from those threads :
My brain is going to explode, this is what Valve has been working on for the last several months, this one update :furious:
Seriously, they'd better make an Episode3 announcement.
Striker StrikerI forgot to check the oil pressure
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 18:27:04 UTC Post #279409
From the third page:
I wonder if Adam Foster is behind this, it sort of reminds me of the ARGesque puzzle he originally did to promote Minerva on his website. He works at Valve now after all. His mod was all about radio transmissions and coded messages and stuff too.
This guy is right, Not only did Valve hire Adam Foster, but he's working on
Episode 3!
They're toying with us, then they're going to announce it.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 20:37:15 UTC Post #279423
The thing I don't get with this pic:
User posted image
Why is everyone saying that pic bottom-left-centre is Vortigaunts holding hands? Looks nothing like them. Could they be Portal's unseen military androids?

Their design seems silly enough to fit into the Portal universe. Don't know if I'd want them turning up on the Borealis in Episode Three, though.
Strider StriderTuned to a dead channel.
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 21:09:02 UTC Post #279424
Expanded ASCII:
User posted image
Anyway, they look more like robots. And if they're not, you'd still be crazy to say those are vortigaunts.
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 21:46:55 UTC Post #279425
This is why i like Valve. I just love the suspense.

Im at User posted image
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 22:13:52 UTC Post #279426
User posted image
I see a medkit, and two robots holding hands, and a Combine Dropship with the troop container flying off, and a heart, and science, And what looks like they may be areas in Episode 3. And that one looks like a doggy!
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-02 23:48:42 UTC Post #279427
I don't see the medkit.

Gee, I wonder where they're going with this. Are they stuck yet?
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 00:00:54 UTC Post #279428
I started the portal accomplishments. Man some of those transmissions are creepy.
Tetsu0 Tetsu0Positive Chaos
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 00:04:50 UTC Post #279429
<3 military androids.

D

Captain Terror Captain Terrorwhen a man loves a woman
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 05:14:50 UTC Post #279430
Daubster DaubsterVault Dweller
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 08:36:29 UTC Post #279431
I don't see the medkit.
Far right. It's not quite straight, and a bit too thick, but it does look like a combine medkit.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 12:16:55 UTC Post #279433
wow. you know your a nerd when you get to see these pics of Portal 2... or did I miss something? :P
Unbreakable UnbreakableWindows 7.9 Rating!
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 12:31:40 UTC Post #279434
Yeah, those graphics are cutting edge!
Rimrook RimrookSince 2003
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 13:43:05 UTC Post #279436
Just wait.. If something goes wrong I'm sure Keanu Reeves will save the day!
TheGrimReafer TheGrimReaferADMININATOR
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 15:47:33 UTC Post #279440
Just completed Portal but i've missed 5 transmissions. Darn.
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 16:00:34 UTC Post #279441
@Jeff: I read the mystery thread in the Steam forums earlier and I agree with the Steam forumers in that the thing far right in the picture is an isometric perspective room with a pipe coming out spewing out stuff, rotated 90 degrees clockwise. That doesn't look like a medkit to me AT ALL.

I've seen so many references to Windows 3.11 yet noone appears to have noticed: There was Windows 3.11 for workgroups, so this may be implying Portal 2 will have teamplay multiplayer. Is it such a stretch?
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 20:31:34 UTC Post #279444
I thought the 3.11 was in reference to March 11th, when Gabe is getting his GDC award (and hopefully announcing something!).
Strider StriderTuned to a dead channel.
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 20:51:22 UTC Post #279445
Stu: Yeah, I guess you're right, on second glance. Still, when it's not magnified, it does resemble a medkit. Kinda.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 21:54:11 UTC Post #279446
New update to Portal has a new ending!!!!
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 22:20:39 UTC Post #279447
Really?

I bet you only see it once you get all the transmissions.
I've just found another radio that i missed in previous playthrough. :)
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 22:23:33 UTC Post #279448
TELL US MORE!
Valve are making the wait between games exciting. What a great time to be a PC gamer...
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 22:56:34 UTC Post #279449
They updated the game a second time a few hours ago. See youtube for the new ending, it's only that last 5 seconds that's changed.
Penguinboy PenguinboyHaha, I died again!
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-03 23:44:53 UTC Post #279451
Yay! Found all the radio's and received all the transmissions!
User posted image
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-04 00:46:05 UTC Post #279452
Good!

...

...

...now what?
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-04 00:55:28 UTC Post #279453
Now we do it like they do on the Discovery channel.
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-04 02:36:43 UTC Post #279454
Get horny now.
Luke LukeLuke
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-04 11:07:35 UTC Post #279462
whistles Bloodhound Gang tune
monster_urby monster_urbyGoldsourcerer
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-06 09:06:37 UTC Post #279514
I've found all but 4 of the transmissions.
I'm pretty sure I've found all of them in the test chambers, so I could be just missing a few in the part afterwards.
Jessie JessieTrans Rights <3
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-06 09:34:00 UTC Post #279516
I played through and got the transmissions today, to restore my 100% achievement progress in Portal.
Good way for Valve to get people replaying older games! I bet that Adam Foster was an integral part of this Portal ARG, he did a few for his Minerva mod and they were rather similar. Also, some of the stuff uncovered in the game linked back to him directly.
Penguinboy PenguinboyHaha, I died again!
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-06 10:30:58 UTC Post #279517
Posted 14 years ago2010-03-06 10:46:47 UTC Post #279518
They're all good, but the Francis one is the best.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
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