Portal 2 gets summer map making competition

Valve has announced the Summer Mapping Initiative, a map making competition for Portal 2.

First and second place winners will score themselves an ‘ultimate’ Portal 2 gift pack signed by the developers, and their work will be spotlighted by Valve on both the Portal 2 website and ThinkingWithPortals.

The event runs until 23:59 June 6 EDT. That’s 4:59 June 7 BST.

To enter, maps must be uploaded to the ThinkingWithPortals download database.

Both single-player and co-operative maps are allowed, and participants are allowed to submit one map of each mode. No custom assets are allowed, all maps must use an entry and exit elevator, and levels must be able to be completed without the use of glitches.

Maps will be judged on these criteria: puzzle complexity, visual appeal and attention to detail, innovation and imaginative design, adherence to an overall theme (1940’s Aperture, destroyed Aperture, etc.), and overall fun and playability.

Valve has also given fans of the game another treat: the Portal 2 soundtrack is now available for free.

Along with LA Noire and the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2, Portal 2 is the third game of 2011 to be awarded a coveted VideoGamer.com 10/10. Jamin could barely contain his unfettered excitement in his Portal 2 review, saying “in all aspects of its design, Portal 2 is genius.”