Portal 2 will allow PS3 users to play against PC and Mac

[gamfrkI]

Source

The online multiplayer of Portal 2 will feature cross platform play, and allow PS3 users to face off against Mac and PC gamers.

When Portal 2 is released later this year, it is expected to be a hit, and a big one. But IGN is reporting that when it is due out on Mac, PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, the old song “One of these things is not like the other” will take on a special meaning. Of the four systems, the Xbox 360 will be on the outside looking in, as PS3 will allow its online gamers to join the Mac and PC users in the same games and play against each other.

If you listen closely, you can almost hear the drooling of computer gamers that are certain that the mouse will give them a crucial advantage over controllers. It has never really been tested on a large scale if that is true or not, but we will soon find out. There is also the question of how the online systems will mesh together, and whether or not it creates additional lag. Time will tell.

Along with the cross platform gaming through the Steamworks tools, by linking PSN and Steam accounts, gamers will also be able to chat across platforms with linked gamers, and share saved game data. The Steamworks tools will also include publishing and development tools, as well as game updates and community features.

Still, it is a technological marvel to see how this will work. It also offers a glimpse what the future of online gaming will hold. No word yet on if or when the Xbox might also be facing off against PC and Mac users–and dare we suggest—Xbox 360 versus PS3 users? Yeah, probably not.

[Kherr]

BAD IDEA. Mouse and keyboard are going to STOMP the PS3 players. >.>'

[gamfrkI]

i think microsoft did this with the pc and the 360 and it didnt work out so good....

[Hot Trout]

Correct,

The PC gamers totally owned the console players.

[Guest]

I heard that this will also be possible to do for the PS3 in the next installment of Final Fantasy.

I know that PC can stomp all the other systems, but I do give them thumbs up for atleast trying something new and integrating everyone together in some small way. Im waiting to see the next step.

[Hot Trout]

One thing that I think will change the balance is the PS3 move controllers. By using them instead of the joypad, PS3 users might be faster than PC players at FPS games. It would be cool to actually point your rifle in a game.

[Kherr]

Call of Duty: World at War for the Nintendo Wii. That's a game where you "point your rifle" to shoot. It sucked, horribly. >.>'

[Hot Trout]

I know it did but insiders report that the move works a lot better and is very accurate as well as fast.

[Kherr]

Well, it's still just a cop off of nintendo. Nintendo had the motion crap first (along with the touch screen handheld) and now sony, yet again is copying them. ;3

If I remember correctly, nintendo was the first to have rumble with the rumble pack. Then Sony all of a sudden came out with Dualshock. ;3

Last time was Nintendo's Wii motion sensor stuff, then Sony came out with Sixaxis...

Seems to me like Sony is out of ideas. They might have a more powerful system, but it's overpriced. And power doesn't make a game. Gameplay does. (which is why they're copying everyone... aren't they making some sort of virtual controller for the PS3 alarmingly like the Kinect? )

[Hot Trout]

I have to agree, Nintendo have always led the way. They also have the most interesting systems.