Valve to Hold Surprise Event at E3

Valve has replaced its Portal 2 E3 event with a surprise. This was made public through a funny announcement email sent to various press outlets today. It is too early to speculate what this surprise might be, but many gamers are hoping it is the unveiling of a new installment in the Half Life franchise. Portal 2 fans can be relieved, though, as the title will still be showcased at Valve's booth during the expo.

This unusual email states that, “Aperture Science is pleased to inform you that we have partnered with Valve to announce the gala CANCELLATION of the June 14 Portal 2 event at the Regal Theater. The event will be replaced by a surprise. And even though the cancellation of the event certainly counts as a surprise, we are pleased to further announce that the cancellation of the event is not THE surprise.”

The quirkiness of the announcement does not stop here, and it continues, saying that, “However, per International treaties regarding the definition of the word ‘surprise,’ of which both Aperture Science and Valve are signatories, the time, date and content of the actual surprise will only become available as you experience the surprise.” Valve fans have something to hold their breath for until E3, as the email states clearly that no questions about this unforeseen event will be answered.

Portal 2 is the sequel to the incredibly innovative Portal, a short first-person puzzle game that was included in the Orange Box package and that gathered a huge following because of the novel gameplay and funny and deep narrative. This new title is set to expand on the original, adding cooperative multiplayer and new physical effects to interact with the portals created by the players. The release window is sometime in the last quarter of this year, only on the PC and Xbox 360.