While Portal 2 was released over a decade ago, the game's director, Josh Weier, recently revealed several details about the content that was cut from the project. While fans have known for years that not everything created for Portal 2 made it into the final version, these new comments from the developer give a better idea of what some of that scrapped content actually was about.
Released in 2011, Portal 2 is the second installment in the Portal series. As a follow-up to the original Portal from 2007, the sequel forced players to solve a myriad of puzzles in order to progress through the story and survive a number of threats, including a sadistic supercomputer called GLaDOS. As the name suggests, one of the main gameplay mechanics revolved around using a portal gun to place portals between two places to help access otherwise inaccessible areas and solve puzzles.
While many gamers hold the game in high regard, one of its developers recently revealed some details about the content that ultimately failed to make it into the game. In an interview with Did You Know Gaming, Josh Weier talked about a number of scrapped concepts in Portal 2, including a spoof on the Garfield comic strip called Dorfeldt created by the game's writers. According to the director, the Dorfeldt gag originated from the "hatred" the game’s writers had for the character and its humor. Weier went on to state that the Garfield spoof was created quite early in development and was intended for the co-op portion of the game. However, the concept was never fully realized.
In addition to the Garfield concept, Weier provided more context about why the Aperture employee Doug Rattman, nicknamed the Rat Man, did not make an appearance in Portal 2. While the Rat Man was referenced in Portal, the developers had wanted to include the actual character in the sequel. However, Weier noted it would have been a graphical challenge. He said it could “instantly date your game.” Furthermore, the director noted that the AI was another reason the idea was scrapped, noting that it could prove difficult for the character to interact with portals, among other things.
Beyond this cut content, the interview with Weier gave more insight into some details that did make it into the game. For example, an infographic about the turrets seen in Portal 2 was detailed. Specifically, the director noted how an artist working on the game decided to give one of the turrets that had a leopard skin a crown. It turned out to be a hit with the staff working on the game was dubbed the “Animal King Turret.”
It is no doubt interesting to learn more about the development of Portal 2, even years after it was first released. While this cut content would have been exciting to see in the finished game, there is always the possibility that it could reappear if Valve ever decides to make Portal 3 in the future.
Portal 2 is available now on PC, PlayStation 3, Switch, and Xbox 360.
Source: Eurogamer