Portal free until September 20

i was hoping to learn more about science for free on Xbox 360, ends up it is only free on steam. that sucks

FOR SCIENCE!!! :D

@Snaptrap I agree with you about the fact that you need to install Steam to play L4D, etc., which is the same with EA. If you buy a BF3 copy, you're obligated to install Origin, even if it is a retail copy and not a digital one. But I do see a difference between Valve and EA. Valve is the publisher AND the developer. This means that if they want to make more money, they should sell it on D2D. But this is their choice, being the developer. EA, in contrast, isn't the developer (well, they own DICE, so BF3 doesn't suite this case). It is just the publisher. And as a publisher I expect them to push every game as much as they can. This is because it'll give more revenue to the developer. Not selling a game on Steam, which is the biggest digital service in the market, is hurting the developer. Maybe they don't care, but I think that the developers would have liked to have their games sold everywhere. Steam changed the way I by games. If I used to buy 2-3 gamer per year, today I buy many many more. It is convenient, mostly cheaper, and the community is great. This is why I appreciate Steam and Valve.

VALVE - You are doing it right

@M-S-M-S Yes but I don't see Portal or Half-Life being sold through D2D. Valve seems to keep their games exclusive to their service. It's how these companies gain customers. I have nothing against Steam or any other digital distribution system but if I buy a game through a retailer I would like it to be separate from that system. I don't care for having to use Steam for games I didn't buy through Steam. Services like this shouldn't be crammed down someones throat in order for them to get the game they want which I'm guessing is what EA is doing with Origin.

@Snaptrap Of course they have the right to create their own service. Competition is always good. But, as I've mentioned, the fact that they are the publishers, they should try to sell as many copies as possible, so the developer will receive their share. Denying from a game to be sold on one of the largest digital distribution services is bad for the developer (although it seems they're doing great with BF3). As for your problem, I must admit I had only a minor payment problem with Steam, and they fixed immediately. One friend of mine had a similar problem to yours (bought a game to a friend, and it was put in his account) was solve quite fast. Hope it'll work better next time.

No account too.

Anyone else having trouble creating an account? No free game for me I guess.

@M-S-M-S It's their right to create their own service for their games. I think Steam support is average. I tried to get them to transfer a game that was accidentally applied to the wrong account and they said no. They wouldn't even remove the game at all from the account. When I pay for a game it should be my right to have it deleted. At times it seems like they don't even read my problem and just give me an automated response instead. I only use Steam for RailWorks 2 and Portal but other than that it's a useless service that grants little control to it's members. That's why is use D2D so I don't have to deal with that garbage.

@captain_hitec I don't know what do you mean with your claim that Valve can do anything with the games being sold on Steam... What can they exactly do? Actually, Steam allows the developer to patch their games instantly, and the user doesn't need to search for it. Origin does the same, I think. I agree that competition is always good, but I don't think that Steam as a monopolistic status. Yes, it is the most popular (for good reasons), but you still have GOG, Impulse and D2D, which are doing great. And now you even have Onlive. And if Steam had a monopolistic status, they wouldn't have constant sales. For me it is more inconvenience. I have all of my friends on Steam, I wrote some reviews there, I have a lot of games there, and I enjoy the experience. I just don't see why should I be obligated to install yet another client, when I'm happy with mine. Again, if EA was the developer, they could do whatever they want with their titles. But as the publisher, I expect them to sell their games everywhere. And has I wrote in my previous comment, their excuse of not selling their games on Steam is pathetic and untrue, in my view.

@captain_hitec Actually, my response clearly showed you that I'm not "one of the little babies". I gave you a legitimate point, which is different from your point of view. But it is still legit. As for your comment. Yes, EA can promote their games on Steam. As an example, Activision gave a free copy of CoD 4 if you pre-purchased MW3. Tripwire gave you a discount if you pre-purchased Red Orchestra 2 and you own RO1 (which I did and have). And this are promotions that were offered in the last week or two (which you probably know, as a Steam user). I agree with you that EA took their games out of Steam because they didn't like Steam's way of doing business. Which is to take a cut of the cake, or the wanted some money for DLCs (which EA wants all the share). This is logic for EA, but I want to remind you that EA is the publisher, and they should try to promote the games they publish on all the platforms, especially on the most successful one, for the developers sake.

I got it few days ago. It's awesome. Haven't played it much yet though, not enough time. But I'll play it again soon.

Sweet! I never played the first. Going to download this afternoon! Thanks Valve!

@M-S-M-S HA! Exactly what I thought, you're one of the little babbys who are still whining about EA pulling their games off Steam. In what way does it disadvantage you? You probably still have to pay as much for your games as you used to pay, and EA's even giving away free games if you pre-order on Origin... Can't you just accept it? I think the best reason for EA pulling their games off Steam isn't money, but how Steam works... Valve can do anything with the games being sold on Steam, and that's not how it works. The games are published by EA, and not by Valve. Now, EA can encourage people pre-ordering stuff by giving away free games... Could they do that on Steam? It's a good thing that EA is trying to stop the highly monopolistic position of Steam. And for those who are whining about Steam being better then Origin, I partly agree with you, Steam is better, I use Steam all the time, but Origin is still in beta. After all, if Origin would be exactly like Steam, you all would still be whining because of it being a copy of Steam. So to make this short, I never barely use Origin, and always use Steam, even on a daily basis. But I don't get why you're all whining, because, and here comes the question again ;) In what possible way does it disadvantage you? Because it doesn't disadvantage me in any way at all. @deedaw "anyone who misses out on BF3 because they don't like Origin needs to be mentally looked at" heheh, true dat.

Valve could do this with Half Life 1 someday... lol!! Actually, it was Portal who made me into Steam community; now my credit card works mostly for Valve!

Hahaha. As much as I love Valve this is clearly just a stunt to get more folks to buy Portal 2.

@earlmccormick88 Heres the link: http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflife2episode2ob/video/6180869/the-orange-box-video-review-1?tag=summary%3Bwatch-review

@earlmccormick88 Yes the orange box offers all the HL2 episodes up to date, portal and team fortress 2 which is an online shooter. Check out the game review on gamespot. type in "Orange box" on the search up top ^^^^^^^.

Thanks Gamespot for finding this, i wouldn't of known this. Currently downloading just in time aswell =].

I warn them about Portal's storyline, though. It's fine for the right age but could be disturbing otherwise.

This game is good but it's no Oregon Trail.

wow people, Steam has been out or over a decade.... Origin has been out for about 6 years or so? So it makes sense that Steam would be a little better than Origin, doesn't it? Also, EA announced that you HAVE to have Origin for BF3... so if you are complaining then just get over it, because anyone who misses out on BF3 because they don't like Origin needs to be mentally looked at

@captain_hitec @Snaptrap The reason is that EA, in my view, has played it "dirty" regarding Steam. They claimed that they removed their latest games (Dragon Age 2, Crysis 2, BF3, and probably every other future game EA will publish) from Steam because the want to be "in direct contact with their costumers". I even read this statment from DICE manager, which Origin is great becasue they can do this. Of course this is nonsense and the reason is that they want to push their own service, Origin. They want more $$$. One of the great things about Steam is the community, the support, and the fact that you can patch your games constantly (Red Orchestra 2 is being patched on a daily basis...), and sell DLCs with no hassle - direct contact. So EA's claim is ridiculous. This is fine if they were the developers. Developers are entitled to do with their game whatever they want - sell it on local stores, or sell it everywhere. But when the publisher stops selling their games on one of the most popular digital distribution service, it hurts the developer. I know that everybody is in for the money, but EA's move just seems too greedy for my taste. On the other side, even though it is sometime a marketing stunt, I have the feeling Valve always seems to be doing the right thing for gamers, and they don't give you the feeling they screw their own costumers just for a few more bucks. But this is my opinion.

SCORE!

I bought this game a month ago. Can I get a refund now that it's free?

this is why valve rocks.

I got this game on The Orange Box... I beat this and I'm half way with Half-Life 2. Are the other games in The Orange Box good too?

Steam has changed the way I play games. I probably have downloaded more free games from steam than paid downloadables from PSN or XBLA. This game is too good not to play, let alone for FREE!

For those of you who are not sure is it free or not. The price still stands there, just click install or download and it will start downloading for free.

Spacerac, Huh? PS3 free PC? Portal TWO? ...

F*** YEAH! Valve is awesome ha ha ha.

I have the Orange box but, I will still get this.

Just got it for free. I'm set for a while.

so funny...i just beat the game...the ending was so funny. now i want to play portal 2.

Sweet, I just registered my PS3 free PC Portal 2 copy.

I would have loved this kind of thing when I was in school. "OK kids, your homework for today is to go home and download this free video game. Play it long, and study it hard because there will be a test.".

Is this a US only deal or what because it's still got the regular price my end.

how do i get it for free on steam?

hmm, I am a PS3 gammer but i just made a steam account and am downloading this now. too bad I cant get it for PS3 for free.

Teach them the laws of physics to violate them HILAriously in the sequel!

FREE PORTAL sounds great - considering pretty much everyone who was gonna play it already bought it. Thing is, as a science teacher, I really doubt I could use this as a teaching tool. #1 Portals violate numerous laws of physics. They allow momentum to be created from nothing. #2 Conservation of momentum could be taught when using fling jumps, but, that's about it. I would actually prefer to use PORTAL: flash version because #1 It will work on just about any computer and #2 kids can play it in school or at home. The puzzles are very challenging there.

i can get this for my ps3 how? i thought steam was for pc

@k16campbell I freaking love companion cube

Downloaded yesterday, completed today. Fantastic game free or not.

@SquareEnixFan13 Make sure you have no game file fragmentation, if you do, run a defrag. But most likely you need to re-install, and after you install, click on the game- select "properties" than select "local content" and then click "verify integrity of game cache." it will systematically check all your portal files, find out which ones didn't install right, and fix em' up for ya'. Enjoy!

I freaking love Valve.

@M-S-M-S Why always EA? How silly...

@SquareEnixFan13 It happened to me the first time I tried to download it. I tried it a second time, and it worked fine. Keep trying, and hopefully it will work.

Say , is it true that we can't use mods on this version of Portal and we have to buy the game instead?

Downloading the game right now!