GlaDOS be jammin'

[Nate]

Valve has released a new patch for Portal on Steam, and the patch notes say only that it has "changed radio transmission frequency to comply with federal and state spectrum management regulations." A curious note, especially since Portal, as a computer game, doesn't actually transmit anything over the radio. That got the forum train a'moving on the Steam boards, and they eventually discovered that radios have been added to each level of the game which, when carried to the correct spots in each level, will tune in a series of coded messages. Connecting to all (or any, according to some reports) of the 26 messages in the game will supposedly unlock a new hidden achievement called "Transmission Received." At least, we think so -- as of this writing, no one seems to have unlocked it yet.

Some of the messages are morse codes that range from the technical ("External data line active") to the silly ("Beep beep beep beep"), and some are encoded images of numbers and equations ("B.dA=3"), but the whole thing appears to be hinting that AI antagonist GLaDOS may have transmitted information or part of herself out of the Aperture Science facility before the first game ended. Which would probably mean that a sequel reveal is imminent. We'll stay tuned for more information -- we didn't really expect to hear from Valve at GDC next week, but a Portal 2 reveal would make our San Francisco visit that much nicer.

View the original post to see links to the stuff people have found/worked out.

[Havoc]

Interesting. I'm very curious to see what people found and what it will eventually lead to. This seems kind of insignificant to just be a random extra to the original game.

[dripik]

Portal
- Changed radio transmission frequency to comply with federal and state spectrum management regulations

Yep, I guess it's time for another go at Portal.

[Mac Sirloin]

I hate Valve. They keep doing cool shit like this but the lack of anything pertaining to the 360 update is such a pisser.

[Jordan]

Agree Kastere, I'm disappointed the 360 version didn't get this. Ah well, can't wait for Portal 2.

[OANST]

I am what you might call excited.

[Josh]

Agree Kastere, I'm disappointed the 360 version didn't get this. Ah well, can't wait for Portal 2.

Something tells me Portal 2 is Portals 'episode three'.

In other words, we just have leaked info and one bit of art until 2045 when they both come out.

Edit: This may help. http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Aperture_Science_Radio

[OANST]

It seems to imply that there will be an announcement on March 11th.

[Nate]

My gut feeling is that updates for the 360 have a lot more beaurocracy and red tape surrounding them than ones via Steam, seeing as the latter is owned by Valve. So either it just wasn't worth the effort for a two week long joke thing, or it's just delayed in the process and might still happen.

[mlg man]

I cant wait for portal 2! But, how is valve going to make the story line. what i mean is. Glados is back, but is there another character. I wonder who will replace the girl in portal 1.

[OANST]

I wonder who will replace the girl in portal 1.

Her name is Chell, motherfucker. Damn!

[Havoc]

It would be interesting to see what the story is going to be about. The original testing facility is either destroyed or completely abandoned, so it does suggest the next part will be somewhere in the outside world. Possibly on the borealis (sp?) and that the storylines will come together at some point.

[AlienMagi]

I am definitely not in the mood to go through the game all over again I'm afraid.

[Wings of Fire]

What a shame for you.

I actually got to Portal exceedingly late, only managed to play and beat it in December, but a second one would be much much more than welcome.

[Josh]

It would be interesting to see what the story is going to be about. The original testing facility is either destroyed or completely abandoned, so it does suggest the next part will be somewhere in the outside world. Possibly on the borealis (sp?) and that the storylines will come together at some point.

It involves Aperture CEO Cave Johnson, so he's either a new AI or Portal 2 will be a prequel.

[Xavier]

I am what you might call excited.

It appears I'm in the same state of mind.

[MeechMunchie]

Interesting. This is the most compelling in-game/out-of-game link I've see since the 'cjohnson' graffiti. Man, I was so excited when I found that.

[dripik]

In the meantime, a new update has been released.

Portal
- Added valuable asset retrieval

Portal gets updated quite frequently nowadays.

[OANST]

The new update has Chell crawling away from the wreckage at the very end of the game. Also, she seems to obtain a Half-Life health meter.

[Mac Sirloin]

Crawling?
looks more like she's being dragged.

[OANST]

Crawling?
looks more like she's being dragged.

Oooohhhhh..... Maybe that health meter was supposed to show Gordon Freeman dragging her away.

[Josh]

What? What fuckery is this?

*goes off to play Portal*

[MeechMunchie]

I heard a robot voice and mechanically whining legs. Is that significant?

[OANST]

I should really stop watching these things with the sound off.

[Josh]

Thank you for assuming the party escort position.

[Nate]

Also, she seems to obtain a Half-Life health meter.

What? When? Where?

[OANST]

Bottom left hand of the screen. It says that she has 100 health.

[Bullet Magnet]

[Nate]

I can't see any health meter.

[Pilot]

Aww, I thought this had to do with DOS games.