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Valve programmer Kyle Monroe, updated his personal website recently to include components he has contributed to the second unreleased Portal 2 DLC. Kyle refers to an unannounced feature which involves ‘interaction between the game client and back-end databases’ and ‘utilizing new APIs for Steam Workshop and Cloud.’
Its unclear what the unannounced feature exactly is, however the details surrounding it seem to indicate a connection with the Portal 2 Puzzle Creator. Interaction with the back-end and game client means the puzzle creator is certain to be built directly into the game itself and not a stand-alone external tool.
Other responsibilities listed by Kyle include:
Its unclear what the unannounced feature exactly is, however the details surrounding it seem to indicate a connection with the Portal 2 Puzzle Creator. Interaction with the back-end and game client means the puzzle creator is certain to be built directly into the game itself and not a stand-alone external tool.
Other responsibilities listed by Kyle include:
- Game UI to access and view the data.
- Implementation of a game system that required accessing the Steam Cloud for both upload and download of data, as well as sharing the data between users.
- New in-game elements that enhance the features of the new component.
- Integration of the new component with existing game systems and content.
An integrated game UI to view data combined with Steam Workshop / Cloud APIs also indicate that third party content will be distributed through the game itself. Using the Steam Workshop infrastructure, it is likely that users will able to upload their maps (bsp or vpk) from the puzzle creator directly into Workshop, all within the game client.
Strangely, Kyle only includes PC under the platforms for the unreleased DLC despite him having experience with consoles and Mac for Portal 2 and the Peer Review DLC. This could mean he did not work on the multi-platform elements or that the puzzle creator will only be available on PC? Who knows?
The puzzle creator is an exciting prospect for the future of modding for Valve games, even dubbed “Google SketchUp on crack.” Yasser Malaika helped develop Google SketchUp back in 2000 but since 2008 has been instrumental at Valve in developing the Puzzle Creator.
