Valve marketing man Doug Lombardi explains just how Steam integration, saving to the cloud and getting your free copy of the PC/Mac version works. Steam on the PlayStation 3 means “cross-platform matchmaking, gameplay, friends, chat and achievements,” Valve says, with PSN trophies and Steam achievements “earned in lockstep”.
This may be the most important part of the deal, for anyone considering getting the PS3 version with the intention of playing it on PC/Mac.
Steam on the PS3 provides access to all of these features once the player has linked their PlayStation Network account with a Steam account, which is done right within the game. A Steam user can login to an existing account, and anyone new to Steam can create an account with the click of a button.
So, there you go.
Valve Reveals Portal 2 for PlayStation 3: Steam Details [PlayStation.blog]
Batguy
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:19 AMNice to see the details all clearly explained, though you do have to dig a bit deeper to https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5477-WPJM-9388 to get the full details. Will definitely be interesting to see what kind of precedent this sets for future games, and whether it drives feature improvements in the XMB.
My only disappointment is that while both the PC and PS3 versions support cloud saves, the saves are not cross-platform.
Sam
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:45 AMCross-platform saves based in the cloud would be truely revolutionary.
Ahh well. Baby steps.
blaze0041
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:08 AM…and knowing Valve, it might be a while before that happens (It took 6 years before HL2, 4 years for HL2:EP1, and 3 years for HL2:EP2 to get an engine upgrade to enable Steam Cloud!).
Dylan Griffiths
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:22 AMI don’t see how they could be difficult to do, just make a universal save file. Or at least, make each game capable of converting the save files to the other system.
The Insufferable Señor Steengo
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:42 AMYou know, it’s actually kind of funny. I thought Sony would disapprove of Steam Cloud, seeing as how they’re offering their own cloud service via Playstation Plus… PAID service.
Ben White
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:06 AMInteresting!
I’ve already pre-ordered my copy for PC/Mac through steam – I wonder if I will be able to also download for PS3 then?
blaze0041
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:18 AMI’m afraid not.
It is important to note that only new PS3 copies of Portal 2 will come with the one-time use code to activate the PC/Mac copy, and even then, you must first link your PSN and Steam accounts by putting the disc in your PS3.
Stuart Hodge
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:33 AMSo, here’s my question. if I buy the PS3 version, and link it to my steam account and d’load it, will I be able to play multiplayer with my housemate if he’s logged in on PSN?
Matthew Buckner
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:48 AMNope…
From Batguy’s Link:
Can two players play online co-op with each other using a single purchase of Portal 2 for PlayStation®3?
Only PlayStation®3 split-screen co-op can be played using a single copy of the game. When you purchase a new copy of Portal 2 for PlayStation®3, you will receive an in-box code which provides your linked Steam account with access to your copy of Portal 2 on your computer. The game is still owned by only a single Steam account–another copy will be required to play online co-op with a friend.
Stuart Hodge
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 12:35 PMThanks for the clarification. I hadn’t heard that split screen co-op was included, so I’ll just play that
hristinho18
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 12:48 PMI am wondering if there is a way to do it, since the code seems to be on an in-box card. I have 2 PS3s, 2 PSN IDs, but only one Steam acct so far. If I buy a new PS3 copy of Portal 2, create new Steam Account on PSN #1 in setup, then put disc into PS3 #2 (linking to the PC/Mac Steam Acct that I wish to use for Portal 2, and which happens to rather conveniently have the same ID name), and THEN use code to download PC/Mac version for THAT acct.
Is this making sense, or am I missing something in my sleep deprived stupour? I am hoping this is my way of getting a fully usable ‘free’ copy. The money saved will just go on other games anyway. Yes- Im looking at you, Brink.
warden
Friday, April 15, 2011 at 12:36 AMlink with one psn account, get free PC ver, play free PC ver vs any other PSN account. It’s not like the disc is locked to one PSN account. I think that makes sense.
David Brady
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 11:57 AMNow that is fucking cool!
PSIress
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 12:35 PMWell this is the very reason I went ps3 on this one.
Michael Winters
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 2:23 PMCan you gift the pc copy to someone else?
DerangedStoat
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 5:08 PMNo, it’s just a single licence for the game, that you happen to be able to run on more than one platform.