Portal for PC has just had an odd update and the move is being taken by many as an unusual way of preparing for a big announcement. Could Half Life 3 be on the way? Read on for details of the mysterious transmissions…
Portal’s latest update was a patch with a single note: “Changed radio transmission frequency to comply with federal and state spectrum management regulations.” Now, since Portal is a game and not a bit of aerial-sporting tech, that note had to be about some in game feature.
And it is. A new achievement has appeared called “Transmission Received” and it appears that the patch has added a clump of new sound files to the game. Those clips are Morse Code and add up to 17 minutes of additional audio which can be triggered by fiddling with a radio at the start of the game.
The Morse code in the sound files has been converted by clever folk over at the Steam Users’ forum to reveal images which include a hula girl previously featured in Half Life 2: Episode 2. That little clue has led some to ponder whether Valve is teeing up to announce a Half Life sequel.
Aperture Science, the setting for Portal, was also referenced in Half Life 2: Episode 2 where the icebreaker Borealis was owned by the corporation. Forum detectives suggest that the messages may in fact tie-up the two games in a forthcoming sequel.
Portal and Half Life developer Valve is clearly out to tease us. Take a gander at the evidence for yourself and let us know what you think. Is Valve teeing up to release a Half Life sequel?
Due TBC | £TBC | Valve (via Destructoid | Steam Users Forums)
