Yeah okay sure it's not Portal related but I figure TF2 is in the Orange Box and until something really groundbreaking happens that is Portal related (like say the contest that is ending today) I might as well post this.

Anyway, the new Medic Achievements and Unlockables that we have been foaming at the mouth over for the past few months were released yesterday and they are sure a bag of fun. Personally I couldn't care less about the Ubersaw but the new Needle Gun and the Kritzkrieg really kick ass.

Valve says they are planning on releasing the rest of the classes Achievements and Unlockables soon but we'll see how that actually goes!

It's that time again, we have started our monthly mapping contest here at ThinkingWithPortals. This month's theme is the Innovation Challenge, challenging mappers to create new and unique puzzles and other map elements that we have never seen before.

Also, it looks like our friends at The Snark Pit have gotten tired of waiting for us to kick off this months' contest, and are having their own! They used our second place contest idea, and are running a Boss Battle Challenge contest. Go ahead and check them out and we'll see if some great stuff comes from them too!

Quote:
You should have turned left before. It's funny, actually, when you think about it. Some day we'll remember this and laugh. And laugh. And laugh. Oh boy. Well. You may as well come on back.

http://www.thinking.withportals.com/aprilfools2008/

April fools, everyone!

Some strange news in the inbox from Valve today, see for yourself:

PARIS HILTON TO VOICE PORTAL 2

Quote:
April 1st, 2008 - Valve, creators of Half-Life 2 and The Orange Box, today announce the newly confirmed voice actor for the role of the new AI in Portal 2, Paris Hilton.

"We've been casting the new role since before The Orange Box was released" said Doug Lombardi, vice president of marketing at Valve. "We're just really pleased that we've managed to find such a high-profile and talented actress to bring our latest character to life"

Kim Swift, lead developer on Portal added: "We know that gamers may find this an unusual choice but we're really pleased with the results so far. Paris has done a couple of sessions in the studio and it has surpassed our expectations, we know that Portal fans will love it."

A representative for Paris added "Paris is really pleased to be involved in such a different acting role, and she absolutely loves video games. Fans will love it."

Wow, now this is sad Valve.

Seen recently on the streets in Toronto:

Ars Technica has the full scoop.