Valve announced today that they are aiming to have Portal 2 ready for the holiday season. The original game, which dropped back in 2007, has won an impressive 70 industry achievement awards. Gamepro reports that observant fans deciphered the underlined letters in Valve's press release to reveal a password combination which leads to a few teaser images. I just thought my monitor was messed up. 

 

Microsoft loosens its restrictions on Xbox Live Gamertags and profiles allowing users to "more freely express their race, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation." Specifically, they now allow terms such as "lesbian," "gay," "bi," "transgender," and "straight" to be a part of a player's Gamertag or in their profile. The updated code of conduct, however, does warn against using "these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users." Regardless, if you're a gaming member of the QLGBT community who lives in D.C., it's likely been a good week for you.

 

Activision responds to the lawsuit filed against them by the ex-heads of developer Infinity Ward, Vince Zampella and Jason West. A spokesperson for the video game publisher said that the company is "disappointed that Mr. Zampella and Mr. West have chose[sic] to file a lawsuit, and believes their claims are meritless." Awesome -- it looks like we've got quite a ways to go before this drama is resolved.... [G4TV]  

 

The Entertainment Consumers Association is teaming up with Alienware for The Phrase that Pays scavenger hunt. Contestants need to scour the respective sponsors' websites for clues written in an alien language and translate them into English. The top prize is an Alienware M11x laptop while the runner up scores a PlayStation 3. Check out the contest page for details on how to enter and links for where the clues are located. Plus, since it's an online scavenger hunt, you won't have to look all goofy and confused while running around town trying to figure everything out. 

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