Portal 2 on PS3: Redeemable Steam Play copy explained

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

GZ: The PS3 version includes Steamworks functionality which, on the face of it, gives it the edge over the version 360.

JB: Uh huh, I think so.

GZ: And it also provides PS3 players with a copy of the PC version for free. How does that process work? Is there a Steam key included in the box to download the PC version, or is a copy gifted to you once you link your Steam account in the PS3 game?

JB: We're going to send out some more details on that, but when you buy the PS3 version there'll be a key code in the box , and when you first bring up Steamworks in the PS3 game, that allows you to link your Steam account with your PSN account. That's where you punch in the code, and once you've used that code it's spent. With that link, you automatically own the game for PC and you can download it on any PC or Mac that you have. If you don't have a Steam account you can instantly create one through a quick sign up, and then you can activate that later as a full Steam account on your PC.

GZ: Do you need the code to access co-op in the PS3 version, or can you simply play through PSN without touching Steam?

JB: You have to create a Steam account, which again can be via that quick create where all you're doing is clicking a button saying 'hey, I wanna play'. You don't need to input the code. You don't even need to have a full Steam account.

GZ: So someone buying a second hand copy of the PS3 version would still have access to the co-op even if the code has already been redeemed?

JB: Yes, they would.

GZ: Does that leave the system open to abuse? Let's say I want to pick up the PC version. Are there any measures stopping me from buying the PS3 version, linking the code to my Steam account, immediately selling back the PS3 game to a store and effectively getting a PC copy for next to nothing?

JB: No, I don't think there's anything that would prevent that. We're willing to take the risk that someone might jump through all those hoops to create what we think is a really compelling feature that people are going to like.

And cue abuse... **** anyone who abuses this system, Valve don't deserve that.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Damn. I hope Valve's faith in their customers isn't misplaced.

[Jen Smith]

And cue abuse... **** anyone who abuses this system, Valve don't deserve that.

That's actually pretty nice of them to do something like this. Most publishers would just want money for another copy for a different platform. To be honest though, I don't see it being abused that much.. if I were wanting to get a freebie for totally nothing, I'd just download the thing and be done with it versus going through the extra steps/cost. (Not that I'm condoning that either of course.. if they're going to go for free, path of least resistance and all that.)

[Lingwo]

Why would Valve care if someone trades it in at the store? the user would have to buy the game initially so Valve/EA will get their money then.

[andrew_f]

Why would Valve care if someone trades it in at the store? the user would have to buy the game initially so Valve/EA will get their money then.

They get only one sale when they deserve two.

[Jimmy0]

I was going to wait till it dropped in price a bit (I am very skint atm), but after reading that.... :whistle:

[jerzdawg]

I still dont understand the point of all this, why would you play the same game on two different platforms (yes I think its a generous idea but without locking down the ps3 version its just going to cause loss of sales somewhere)? I would just wait for the reviews and buy the version that gets the better review. There is no question that people are going to abuse this to get a free copy of the PC version - hopefully the trade-in value will be lower to eliminate some of the low-lifes.

[iamawesomewicked]

Well... And here I thought Valve wouldn't be this ****ing stupid.

[Singh400]

I haven't decided if I'm going to pick this up on the PS3 yet. Free PC copy does sweeten the deal, but still not sealed the deal for me!

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I still dont understand the point of all this, why would you play the same game on two different platforms (yes I think its a generous idea but without locking down the ps3 version its just going to cause loss of sales somewhere)? I would just wait for the reviews and buy the version that gets the better review. There is no question that people are going to abuse this to get a free copy of the PC version - hopefully the trade-in value will be lower to eliminate some of the low-lifes.

When it has Steam Play or Steam Cloud or whatever it is called, why not play the game on two different platforms?

From my understanding of it all, I am on my PS3 using the TV, got to a certain level, but my wife wants to watch one of her TV Shows. No problem. I quit the game, go upstairs to my PC, or hell even fire it up on my Powerbook laptop, and continue where I just left off.

If for some reason it does not work like this, especially with CoOp now being a part of it, Portal is a game that can be played multiple times IMO. I definitely played the first one on the PC and on the 360, as it is just a fun game.

I haven't decided if I'm going to pick this up on the PS3 yet. Free PC copy does sweeten the deal, but still not sealed the deal for me!

To me it is an absolute no brainer. As soon as they announced it, I pre-ordered the PS3 version.

I was leaning towards the PC version regardless myself, but once I found out I could get the PC version for free with the PS3 version, absolutely no reason not to take that route. Even if I mainly wind up playing it on the PC, a free game is a free game.

I was actually going to make a poll yesterday about which version people plan on buying, as to me like I said if one has a PS3 then it is an absolute no brainer to me to get that version, but then I thought about all the variables I would need to add to the poll, and decided it was to much work for something I only have a slight interest at best. :laugh:

[jerzdawg]

When it has Steam Play or Steam Cloud or whatever it is called, why not play the game on two different platforms?

From my understanding of it all, I am on my PS3 using the TV, got to a certain level, but my wife wants to watch one of her TV Shows. No problem. I quit the game, go upstairs to my PC, or hell even fire it up on my Powerbook laptop, and continue where I just left off.

If for some reason it does not work like this, especially with CoOp now being a part of it, Portal is a game that can be played multiple times IMO. I definitely played the first one on the PC and on the 360, as it is just a fun game.

I didnt know/think it was going to work that way. I would have assumed that the save files are still limited to just the PS3 or PC version, not both. I def can see your point on multiple play throughs but it certainly doesnt make sense from a $$ point of view. that being said.. valve/steam have been successful in reviving PC game (IMO) so hopefully this all pans out for them.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

And don't forget a game like this, you're bound to get friends buying it on console and on PC!

That being said there is cross platform play with the PS3/PC & MAC versions anyway.

And yeah later down the line if you sell your PS3/some PS3 games you make some money back, where as you can't sell steam games. However wangling the system day 1/week 1 is very distasteful.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I didnt know/think it was going to work that way. I would have assumed that the save files are still limited to just the PS3 or PC version, not both. I def can see your point on multiple play throughs but it certainly doesnt make sense from a $$ point of view. that being said.. valve/steam have been successful in reviving PC game (IMO) so hopefully this all pans out for them.

I could be wrong like I said, but my impression was it supports Steam Cloud as well, which you can read up on here.

And I really think this is somewhat a move by Valve to make amends for slamming the PS3 so long publicly. Whatever their intent is, Valve or pretty smart about things, so I am sure they have a good reason behind it all.

And don't forget a game like this, you're bound to get friends buying it on console and on PC!

That being said there is cross platform play with the PS3/PC & MAC versions anyway.

And yeah later down the line if you sell your PS3/some PS3 games you make some money back, where as you can't sell steam games. However wangling the system day 1/week 1 is very distasteful.

I am definitely curious to see how the cross platform play winds up playing out (pun intended). I am sure it will be smooth and flawless, or else Valve would not have implemented it, but one never knows.

I just wish I could preload the PC version since that was announced yesterday since I get it for free with the PS3 version.

[Athernar]

Well... And here I thought Valve wouldn't be this ****ing stupid.

Uh, no.

Valve actually take the time to look into and research the market, they see entertainment as a service and not a product. Just because they don't agree with your draconian anti-consumer views doesn't make them stupid.

[Admodieus]

It's not about wanting to play the game on two different platforms, it's about owning the right to digital media on every platform I have. If we're no longer restricted to the costs and limitations of optical media, these types of initiatives should not only be explored but encouraged. I have friends on both my 360 and my PC - I wish they did a similar offer so I could play Portal 2 with both.

[Dashel]

Purchased the PS3 version though I doubt I'll ever play it there, good for the wife though. I hope this idea catches 'steam'.

[iamawesomewicked]

Uh, no.

Valve actually take the time to look into and research the market, they see entertainment as a service and not a product. Just because they don't agree with your draconian anti-consumer views doesn't make them stupid.

So what you're saying is... if every PC player, bought the PS3 version, and just kept the PC version for free... and sold the PS3 version on Ebay... That's not stupid? Just giving away free copies of the PC version?

[soniqstylz]

From my understanding of it all, I am on my PS3 using the TV, got to a certain level, but my wife wants to watch one of her TV Shows. No problem. I quit the game, go upstairs to my PC, or hell even fire it up on my Powerbook laptop, and continue where I just left off.

If for some reason it does not work like this, especially with CoOp now being a part of it, Portal is a game that can be played multiple times IMO. I definitely played the first one on the PC and on the 360, as it is just a fun game.

No, Valve has said the saves are incompatible. You may be able to pick it back up on another PS3, however. Or, when it's released, maybe on NGP?

So what you're saying is... if every PC player, bought the PS3 version, and just kept the PC version for free... and sold the PS3 version on Ebay... That's not stupid? Just giving away free copies of the PC version?

Valve get paid for your purchase of the PS3 version whether or not you sell it right back.

[Athernar]

So what you're saying is... if every PC player, bought the PS3 version, and just kept the PC version for free... and sold the PS3 version on Ebay... That's not stupid? Just giving away free copies of the PC version?

Nope.

Did it ever occur to you that Valve's primary motivation is not making a profit? How many times now have they given away games in their catalogue for free? How much free content have they given away in their supplemental updates?

I am certain that Valve are intently aware that players may do that, but they know if they provide a great service to their users it only encourages additional purchases.

You might be used to being bent over backwards by companies like Activision, but that's not how Valve work.

[iamawesomewicked]

And cue abuse... **** anyone who abuses this system, Valve don't deserve that.

Source?

Here's the source for the interview...

Interview

[DPyro]

Apparently if you buy the PC version of Portal 2 you get Portal 1 free.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/620/

[Eric Veteran]

Portal is getting old and they've been giving it away for a while now (Mac Steam introduction). I'm guessing they're not that concerned, and it will probably also help spread awareness of Portal 2 coming soon! :)

[shakey]

Nope.

Did it ever occur to you that Valve's primary motivation is not making a profit? How many times now have they given away games in their catalogue for free? How much free content have they given away in their supplemental updates?

I am certain that Valve are intently aware that players may do that, but they know if they provide a great service to their users it only encourages additional purchases.

You might be used to being bent over backwards by companies like Activision, but that's not how Valve work.

This. Valve is huge now. They know how they became that way as well, customer service. No PC game company has ever offered their customers so much for so little. A lot of their games would not have been half as good if not for Valves desire to give us more for nothing. Dedicated servers, SDK Tools for all their games, Constant updates and customer feedback, and much more. They know if they can hook you with customer service, the products will sell themselves just fine.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

No, Valve has said the saves are incompatible. You may be able to pick it back up on another PS3, however. Or, when it's released, maybe on NGP?

What about this...

Additionally, players will be able to save their co-op and single-player progress in Portal 2 to Steam Cloud, and pick up where they left off on any PS3 system. The Steam Overlay will deliver Portal 2 news and announcements, and downloadable content registered on Windows/Mac versions, too.

So if one can go to their PS3 and pick up, surely it works the other way too?

Taken from here...

EDIT - Oh, I see, it only works from PS3 to PS3. Well that kind of sucks then.

Does not change my plans to get it for the PS3, but that does seem kind of stupid, if it works from PS3 to PS3, why not the other way around, especially when cross platform play is an option.

[Corris Veteran]

Wish I had the money for Portal 2, why do so many people have to have their birthdays in March/April. :(

What about this...

So if one can go to their PS3 and pick up, surely it works the other way too?

Taken from here...

EDIT - Oh, I see, it only works from PS3 to PS3. Well that kind of sucks then.

Does not change my plans to get it for the PS3, but that does seem kind of stupid, if it works from PS3 to PS3, why not the other way around, especially when cross platform play is an option.

I would assume the save formats aren't compatible between what the PS3 uses and however the PC saves will be used, they would at least would need some sort of converting between them for it to work, and then there is always the chance something could go wrong, corruption, loss of data, etc.

It would have been a neat feature, but I can see why it might not work at this point, maybe in future games or through an update or something.