Back at E3, Valve revealed that Steam would be coming to the PS3. Check out ourpost-announcement thoughtsfor more on why we think that's a big damn deal, or just consider the first new details from Valve: the PS3 print of Portal 2 will feature access to Steam, as well as a free SteamPlay version of the upcoming sequel for Mac or PC - not only that, it will allow for cross-platform multiplayer puzzle-solving between consoles and computer rigs.
To partake in Valve's offer, PS3 owners will simply need to load up the disc and follow the in-game instructions to link up their accounts with Steam. Upon becoming an official member, they'll be connected to their PC and Mac brethren, and granted access to Steam's features including its cloud-based, game save storage system.
"We made a promise to gamers at E3 that Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3 would be the best console version of the product," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve, in today's press release. "Working together with Sony we have identified a set of features we believe are very compelling to gamers. We hope to expand upon the foundation being laid in Portal 2 with more Steam features and functionality in DLC and future content releases."
Xbox 360 players will not be invited to this particular Steam love-in, and there are no indications from Valve that they'll be doing so anytime soon. PS3 owners, on the other hand, will have the opportunity to either join forces with their PC and Mac friends for purpose of good, or find new and ingenious ways of griefing each other over their preferred method of gaming. Regardless of how you play it, we're sure it'll be a blast.