There is something interesting happening in the gaming industry right now.
Valve software is using the hype around the release of Portal 2 to promote a selection of indie games available through steam.
The idea is if enough people buy and play games from the “potato sack” http://store.steampowered.com/sub/7586/ they’ll release Portal 2 early.
It’s an interesting strategy, using excitement for a long anticipated product to push 13 titles by independents.
The execution has been great. The community first got wind that something was up on the 1st of April, when they were playing these indie games and Portal 2 themed levels started popping up. They could then follow clues in those games to clues in the real world! It seems quite intricate http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1824635
Then supposedly once enough clues we found Glados@home came online. The idea then being that if enough people played the Portal2 themed content we could reboot Glados sooner.
I must say at first I was offended that they wanted me to spend more money and time to try and get portal 2 early. But hearing the Defence Grid guy having a conversation with Glados was just too funny to miss!
It’s a very interesting promotion and reinforces Valves position as a leader in the ongoing development of gaming in an online world.
Oh yes just FYI - that title won't make sense to anyone but the person to whom it does.
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