Details of Mac support remain uncertain

One of the Valve games coming to the Mac has been confirmed as Portal 2. The information comes from a preview in Gameinformer magazine, which also cites the Xbox 360 as an intended platform alongside the main target, PCs. The game is due in the fall, though whether all three versions will release simultaneously is uncertain.

The original Portal is a brief first-person puzzle game sold in a bundle with Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Players are asked to escape the Aperture Science testing facility using a portal gun, capable of opening holes in space that allow objects -- including the player -- to pass through. Portal 2 is a complete standalone game, with more complex puzzle elements such as tractor beams and special physics-imbuing paint.

The sequel will also have a two-player online mode. Another unclear aspect is whether the game will be tied to a Mac version of Steam, the presently Windows-only framework which supports all Valve games and is used to sell many third-party titles. Elements of a Mac interface have been found within a recent Steam beta.

Update: The leaked magazine states that a Mac beta of Steam is due in the spring, with a final release aimed at May. People who already own Windows versions of Steam games should be able to download the Mac ports at no extra cost. Unlike some other online distribution systems, there is no limit to the number of times a Steam title can be downloaded by an authorized buyer.

by MacNN Staff