As I'm sure you all have noticed, things have been busy around here with the release of the Workshop publishing platform and the Puzzle Creator.

We have setup a new discussion board for all Puzzle Creator related questions and discussion. Please try to keep all non-Hammer mapping specific questions and Workshop publishing questions in this board! In the coming days we'll be setting up more concise information - tutorial videos, screenshot threads, and so on.

EDIT 5/10
Long time Source mapper and forum contributor Mr. Happy has started a thread for hacks and protips for the new Puzzle Creator for those who want to get more involved in the technical aspects. It's only 2 pages so far but it's a great thread already. Stop by and add your info as we dissect the puzzle creator and how it works!

Speaking of the Workshop, we are working on setting up a new Workshop frontend to accompany - and ultimately replace - our existing Download Database. We will have lots more information regarding this as things move forward, but basically the idea is to urge all new map releases to be through the Workshop platform. This won't be for a while since, at present, the Workshop platform only supports singleplayer map releases. But looking towards the future, you can expect TWP's new release system to be highly integrated to the Workshop platform.

In the meantime, lpfreaky has setup a "pimp your Workshop release" thread where you can post a link to your new Workshop maps. Also here's a protip: The existing download system lets you specify an external link to a file. You can release your map using this method by using your Workshop release URL in the download's external URL!

I've also gone ahead and upgraded a new batch of members to Community Contributor. For those of you just joining ThinkingWithPortals, our Community Contributors are the purple username members who have in one way or another given back to TWP and the Portal 2 community. Maybe it was a great map release, or maybe it was being helpful here on the boards. Either way - say hi to the new kids on the block!

On a similar subject, it's about that time for another one of Djinndrache's Community Roundups where we highlight the best maps of the past few weeks. Be sure to check back when that hits!

With the new Workshop features, the new board for the puzzle creator, and TWP in general growing as a central part of the Portal 2 community, we are on the lookout for new staff members again. News posters, map reviewers, and other highly active members of the community: If you are interested in helping TWP out, let us know! Go ahead and post here and we'll be taking a look at names.

And finally, here is a video of a kitten trying to intimidate a ball.

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See you next time.

Hello everyone,

The wait is over: the second portal 2 dlc is out: The Perpetual Testing Initiative.
Help Mr Johnson out to create tests for Aperture science in the multiverse by using the in-game easy map editor. Or help him out testing them by using the steam workshop, and letting him know a test works or not .

So, boot up steam and start downloading this new DLC now! It's completely free!
Once you finish your test chamber and you want to share it with us you can use the
Promote your workshop map here thread.

Cave Johnson, back to work!

Hello folks,

Our community contributor MissStabby has made an awesome Wheatley bead for her necklace:

This is what she has to say about it:

Quote:
And its finally done!
I was carrying the idea of a portal 2 inspired piece of jewelry for months.

Eventually i noticed the model of wheatley would fit perfectly as a silver bead.
The model is based on the model from the portal 2 game,
i have adapted it so it could be cast in silver and used as a piece of jewelry.

The bead is 3d printed in wax, cast in silver and then covered in patina and outfitted with a blue sapphire.
The hole of the bead is compatible with the trollbead necklace/bracelet system.
The bead itself is 12mm tall and weighs 8 grams.

She even has made it available over at: shapeways.

Official announcement for the puzzle creator and Workshop publishing platform.

Quote:
Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the free Portal 2 DLC titled "Perpetual Testing Initiative" will be available for the PC and Mac on May 8th.

The "Perpetual Testing Initiative" allows players to easily create, share, and play Portal 2 puzzles. The Initiative comes with a simplified puzzle maker that allows that creation of mind-bending puzzles without ever leaving the game.

The puzzle maker can directly publish maps to the Steam Workshop where users can browse, vote on, and select to play them. Selected puzzles will automatically be downloaded and installed inside Portal 2.

Portal 2 holds a Metacritic score of 95% and has been awarded numerous Game of Year awards. It features expansive single and cooperative multiplayer game modes.

via Steampowered

Now with official trailer:
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Test subjects!
Very special news for you: GLaDOS decided to free all of you. That's right, all of you are free! You can go wherever you want! Finally! And there will be as much cake as you can eat! Delicious and moist!

So even though there are no more tests, we got a new staff member: lpfreaky90! Be nice, say hello and share your cake if you happen to see lpfreaky90!

So as mentioned before: No tests for you, enjoy your freedom! What? It's April's Fool day? No, that must be mere chance. You are free! And there are no tests today! Well... None... apart from these:

Singleplayer

Gubble, Doublegubble and Advanced Painting by sicklebrick
Let's start this roundup with a brain teaser called Gubble by sicklebrick. You'll have to try hard not to get confused in this map because some of the world portals are really confusing - especially when they change their location as you press a button! sicklebrick also brought us a second map called Doublegubble which teases your brain even more. But be warned, the map Doublegubble requires some barely legal mechanics in order to solve the map.
On the other hand we got something completely different, also created by sicklebrick: a very decent map which uses different gels. But while you're trying to do these tasks don't forget: Don't eat the gel!

Replay by Dreey
Over and over again... that's how you will play the chamber within this map! It keeps rebuilding everytime you enter it again. The puzzles are fairly easy and short, but the way this map is rebuilding over and ove again is just great. Don't miss to check this out!

Heavens Gate and Mindsweeper by marKiu
marKiu is our hardcore-mapper of the month. He created quite some pretty challenging maps which require test subjects with brain to solve them.
Still knocking on heaven's door? You're doing it wrong, test subject! Here it is, Heavens Gate by marKiu. Can you beat this amazing and challenging map? And how about Minesweeper? Can you solve things like this with your mind?

Lesson 0 by Random
It's time to learn a lesson, test subjects. Lesson 0 by Random is not just a random lesson, but a challenging little map. The map is very short but it can still get you stuck for quite some time because the solution is a little tricky. Are you ready to learn Lesson 0?

Juggling, Wall Bridge and A la Tag by Motanum
Many of you may remember Motanum, one of our great Community Contributors. It's been a little quiet about him in the last time, but now he surprises you with several releases at once! Each of the maps are fairly short and not too challenging, but definately worth a play. In his map A la Tag you may even face a customized "gun" which requires you to think different.

Dispersed by Xtreger
One more challenging single player to roundup the singleplayer part of today's roundup: Xtreger brings you Dispersed! The map is pretty small but that doesn't have to mean it's easy, right? Come in and find out!

Cooperative

Spotlighted map: 10 reasons for reasoning by Jepp
Out of nowhere we present you cooperative awesomeness in this roundup! Jepp created a little mappack containing 2 maps which contain 5 chambers each. Does this sound like fun, test subjects? All this is made for cooperative action and should get you and your friend busy for some time. If you're a fan of cooperative maps, you really MUST give this one a play!

This roundup covers maps from 5th March up to the end of March.