Portal 2 map editor coming as DLC in 2012

By Ryan Fleming October 24, 2011

Portal 2 is without question one of the best games of the year. Go on, we dare you to question it. But one of the biggest and most legitimate complaints about the game was that once you have completed each area, there was a somewhat limited replay value. Each map was a puzzle, and once you solved that puzzle, the challenge is gone.

Despite that, there was still a massive amount of content on the disc, with both a single-player and separate co-op campaign, plus Valve announced early on that not only would it release more content as DLC, but it would be free. The first batch of add-on content, “Peer Review” arrived earlier this month, and it added a slew of new co-op puzzles, as well as single player challenges.

But now Valve has announced a second DLC for Portal 2, which could blow any other DLCs out of the water: A map editor that will allow players to create their own challenges.

“This major update will feature an easy-to-use in-game map editor that will let users design, build and share their own single-player and co-op test chambers with the community, who will be able to view, play and vote on them with a simple click,” the press release stated.

Adding a map editor, as well as the ability to share custom maps with other gamers means that–in theory–there will never be a lack of content for the game. The rating system will help to push the best designs up, which will further push creators to try to top themselves and others. The possibilities are staggering.

The press release did not specifically mention what platform the map editor will be on, but neither did it say that it was PC-only, which seems to suggest that it will be for Mac, PS3 and Xbox 360 as well. Valve also did not mention if the DLC would be for sale or available for free, but our money is on it being free. No release date was given, but you can expect the map editor “early next year.”

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Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…

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