Aperture Science rates up there with BP in my list of companies that are on my list right now. They've just sent us a press release that essentially tears out my heart and then cranks it out to left field with a baseball bat.

Important detail #1: Portal 2 has been delayed into 2011, and whether that's early or late 2011 it is unclear. Important detail #2: That awesome E3 2010 surprise that everyone has been speculating about? It's Portal 2 related, and not a new game announcement. Can I get a collective forlorn sigh?

Here's what Aperture Science had to say about the delay:

"Representatives from both companies acknowledged that public safety concerns factored into the decision. They went on to say that even though Portal 2 will arrive slightly later than planned, all life on earth won't instantaneously stop as every molecule in your body explodes at the speed of light, which is what would happen should a rip ever appear in the fabric of Valve Time.

"Also, the game will be even better," they added, missing an historic opportunity to create the first product delay press release to mention that a product is being delayed to make it worse."

Then, here's the portion of the release about Valve's E3 "surprise":

"...ask futile questions about the previously announced E3 ***PORTAL-2-THEMED-FOR-GOD'S SAKE*** surprise."

Oh, what a world! To smash our hopes of a 2010 release for Portal 2, and then at the same time toss aside our dreams of a Half-Life 3, Counter Strike 2, or a Source Engine 2 announcement. Of course, in a week we'll have our first hands-on impressions of Portal 2 and all will be forgiven. This love/hate relationship Valve has going with its fans is frustrating beyond belief. We should have known better, the cake is a lie, after all.

So instead of a surprise game announcement at E3, we have a surprise Portal 2 themed announcement. I can't even begin to think what sort of surprise it may be. Will we perhaps learn that Half-Life will begin to bleed in to Portal? Will Portal 2 be taking on an episodic format, and thus never be completed either? These questions, and many others to be answered in next weeks E3 edition...

So what do you think, Ranters? This is bad news all around, but maybe one of you can point out the good in it. Does the delay affect your excitement at all? Are you still confident Valve will have a surprise game announcement at E3? Let us know.

Portal 2 is now scheduled for a 2011 release date for your PC. Stay tuned to Game Rant as we keep you updated going up and into E3 2010.

Valve time.