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In 2011, it was followed by another ''Portal 2''-themed ARG, the [[PotatoFoolsDay ARG|''PotatoFoolsDay'' ARG]].
  
In 2011, it was followed by another ''Portal 2''-themed ARG, the [[PotatoFoolsDay ARG|''PotatoFoolsDay'' ARG]].
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==March 1, 2010==
  
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[[File:Radio test chamber2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Test Chamber 02's newly added radio.]]
  
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[[File:Portal transmission received.png|right|thumb|The "Transmission Received" Achievement logo.]]
  
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At 2:33 pm PST on March 1st, 2010, the first update to ''Portal'' was made, with the description "Changed radio transmission frequency to comply with federal and state spectrum management regulations".<ref name="update1">[http://store.steampowered.com/news/3533/ Portal Update Released] - March 1st, 2010 - on Steampowered.com</ref> It consisted of an additional [[Achievement]], "Transmission Received". Playing ''Portal'' reveals that the game now has a total of 26 [[Aperture Science Radio|radios]] (including the ones already present before the update) playing in the [[Test Chamber]]s, always in an area more or less difficult to reach (but given to the player by the music playing), and with a red sprite added to the switch. The radio transmission frequency is also said to have been changed, "to comply with federal and state spectrum management regulations", as said in the update. In-game, the radio must each time be moved in a particular spot of the Test Chamber. When doing so, the music will be scrambled by interferences, then Morse code or data transmission sounds will be heard, and the red sprite will turn green. To be made in each Test Chamber, finding all radios and jamming the transmission will unlock the new Achievement, "Transmission Received", although its description is simply "..?". The presence of these new radios seen through the Enrichment Center are likely non [[canonical]], as they only serve the ARG. They may even be removed one day, though this is unlikely.
  
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===The 26 radio sounds===
  
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The sounds added in the March 1st, 2010 update can be found in the folder "ambient" in the ''Portal'' sound files. They all bear the prefix "dinosaur". They include "dinosaur1" to "dinosaur26", used for each changed transmission, "dinosaur_noise.wav", for when the music is scrambled, and "dinosaur_fizzle.wav", as well as "dinosaur_fizzle2.wav" and "dinosaur_fizzle3.wav" (added in the March 3, 2010 update<ref name="update2">[http://store.steampowered.com/news/3547/ Portal Update Released] - March 3, 2010 - on Steampowered.com</ref>), when the radio goes through a [[Aperture Science Material Emancipation Grill|Material Emancipation Grill]]. Most sounds from "dinosaur1" to "dinosaur26" contain a hidden image that can be viewed in an [[Wikipedia:Slow-scan television|SSTV]] software ([[Judith Mossman]] also hid images in her ''[[Borealis]]'' transmission, but she did not use the same system) - somewhat similar to the [[GLaDOS/Screen images|images seen on GLaDOS' screens]] at the end of ''Portal'', the others contain Morse code (some of them also reveal voice chatter and music after clean up, possibly contained in a second layer). The name "dinosaur" may be a reference to the book ''Dinosaur Alphabet'', by [[Harry S. Robins]], notable voice actor for the ''Half-Life'' series, emphasized by the fact that there are 26 main sounds, which is also the total number of the alphabet letters, or a reference to the "dinosauric" (archaic) nature of the technology used (the Morse code and SSTV technologies) compared to today's standards.
  
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When the update was applied, many players launched ''Portal'' to see what it was about, and slowly discovered how it consisted in-game, then soon began to investigate the radio sound files on the [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=82 Steam forums], which led to many intriguing finds.
  
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====Sound list====
  
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{| class="wikitable" style="background: #FFFFFF; width: 100%; font-size: 11px"
  
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!Sound file !! Image !! Description / translation
  
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<!--
  
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|-
  
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| Sound file
  
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| Image
  
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| Description / translation
  
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-->
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur1.wav'''
  
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| valign=top width=150px| Only Morse code.
  
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| valign=top| Translates as "interior transmission active, external data line active, message digest active".<ref name="Morse">[http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169084 Morse code translations] on the Steam forums</ref>
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur2.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur2.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "3068". The images are of a sheet of paper with "B•dA = 3" written on it ("B•dA" is Gauss's law for magnetic flux), the three others are images of a black keyboard.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur3.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur3.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| A sheet of paper with the Aperture Laboratories header above, and the crossed out [[Wikipedia:Bulletin board system|BBS]] number, identified as "(425) 822-5251".
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur4.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur4.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "C8C2". The first C is written on a yellow sheet of paper, 8 on a 8 ball, the second C on a white keyboard, and the 2 is apparently the half of a 24 on a cap.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur5.wav'''
  
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| valign=top width=150px| Only Morse code.
  
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| valign=top| Translates as "9E107D9D372BB6821BD91D3542A419D6", the [[Wikipedia:MD5|MD5]] hash of "[[Wikipedia:The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog|The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog]]",<ref name="Morse"/><ref>[http://md5.gromweb.com/?md5=9e107d9d372bb6826bd81d3542a419d6 MD5 conversion and MD5 reverse lookup] results</ref> the infamous pangram used to test typewriters and computer keyboards.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur6.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur6.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Portion of the [[:File:07753863.540.png|ASCII image of GLaDOS]].
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur7.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur7.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "128B". Reuses the sheet of paper of "dinosaur2.wav". The other images are again keyboards.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur8.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur8.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| The back of a computer case, with the fan location clearly visible.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur9.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur9.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| The photo of a skull, two bulbs and other items on a desk, found at Adam Foster's Flickr account.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/twosevenoneonenineeightthreesevenatenzerosix/5348104045/ February] on Adam Foster's Flickr account</ref>
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur10.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur10.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Another view of the sheet of paper with the BBS number.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur11.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur11.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Possibly bulbs and a ceramic rooster.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur12.wav'''
  
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| valign=top width=150px| Only Morse code.
  
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| valign=top| Translates as "system data dump active, user backup active, password backup active".<ref name="Morse"/> It includes the username ("backup") and password ("backup" again) to login to the BBS number (425) 822-5251.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur13.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur13.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "D4FD". Features several sheets filled with math formulas. The red F is reversed.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur14.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur14.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Unknown subject seen through a telescope or a similar device.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur15.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur15.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| A toy cow.<ref>[http://www.famemaster.com/Product/4D-Puzzle-Toys/4D-Vision-Animal-Anatomy/Gift-Box/4D-Puzzle-Animal-Anatomy-Toy-Cow-Anatomy-Model-26100.htm 4D-Vision Puzzle Toy - Cow Anatomy Model 26100] on the Fame Master Enterprise website</ref>
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur16.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur16.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "7CC6". Reuses the two "dinosaur4.wav" Cs. The numbers are written on a blackboard with a chalk.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur17.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| Only Morse code.
  
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| valign=top| Translates as "BEEP BEEEP BEEP BEEP BEEEP BEEEP BEEEP BEEP BEEEP BEEP BEEP", in turn translating as "LOL".<ref name="Morse"/>
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur18.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur18.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "9459". The 9 is on a white keyboard, the 4 is the same as in "dinosaur13.wav", the 5 is apparently on an old typewriter keyboard, and the 9 is written on a blackboard.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur19.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur19.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Hidden phone numbers written in a way similar to the ''Portal'' credits where #'s replace numbers.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur20.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur20.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "03B8". Reuses the 0 from "dinosaur2.wav". The 8 is likely on the same sheet featuring the 4 in "dinosaur13.wav" and "dinosaur18.wav". Each image contains the Aperture Science "aperture" logo on the bottom left.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur21.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur21.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Aperture Laboratories white lab coat, with the collar on the left.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur22.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur22.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Reversed image of the inertial navigation system for the Apollo Guidance Computer taken at the [[Wikipedia:Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, found at Adam Foster's Flickr account.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/twosevenoneonenineeightthreesevenatenzerosix/4316759727/in/set-72157623315938604/ Inertial navigation system for Apollo Guidance Computer] on Adam Foster's Flickr account</ref>
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur23.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur23.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| The edge of a circuit board of Herbert, a robot built at MIT in 1987,<ref>[http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/6483 DSpace@MIT : Herbert: A Second Generation Mobile Robot]</ref> also taken at the MIT Museum, and also found at Adam Foster's Flickr account.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/twosevenoneonenineeightthreesevenatenzerosix/4317492964/in/set-72157623315938604/ Circuit board image] on Adam Foster's Flickr account</ref> The robot head also found at Foster's Flickr account does not belong to Herbert but another MIT robot named [[Wikipedia:Kismet (robot)|Kismet]].
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur24.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur24.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| A mouse trap.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur25.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur25.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Contains the alphanumerics "C6CA". Reuses the same C as "dinosaur4.wav" and "dinosaur16.wav", and the same 6 as "dinosaur2.wav".
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top width=100px| '''dinosaur26.wav'''
  
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| valign=top| [[File:Dinosaur26.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| Close-in shot of a printed circuit board (possibly the CPU?), seen through a microscope or similar device.
  
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|-
  
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|}
  
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===(425) 822-5251===
  
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[[File:Glados login backup.png|right|thumb|237px|The GLaDOS login right after identification.]]
  
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[[File:BBS disclaimer text.png|right|thumb|303px|The disclaimer.]]
  
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The "dinosaur" images 2, 4, 7, 13, 16, 18, 20 25 are each cut into four images, each containing an alphanumeric highlighted or circled, and each with a number from 1 to 32 in the bottom right. Put in the order given in the bottom right numbers, these images will give: "9459 C6CA C8C2 03B8 128B 7CC6 3068 D4FD". This string is the [[Wikipedia:MD5|MD5]] hash (the encrypted code) of a BBS number, "(425) 822-5251",<ref>[http://md5.gromweb.com/?md5=9459C6CAC8C203B8128B7CC63068D4FD MD5 conversion and MD5 reverse lookup] results</ref> registered to an unpublished landline in [[Wikipedia:Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland]],<ref>[http://www.whitepages.com/search/ReversePhone?full_phone=%28425%29+822-5251 White Page results]</ref> a Seattle suburb where [[Valve]] was founded. A [[Wikipedia:Bulletin board system|BBS]] (bulletin board system) is some sort of predecessor to the Internet, popular from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s. When connecting to a particular number using a terminal program, users could download and upload software, send e-mails, chat, play games, etc.
  
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Upon calling the number using a BBS software and a 56k modem (calling the number with a standard telephone or with a broadband connection will not yield any results), the user is presented with a login prompt that reads "GLaDOS login:". Then, entering the username ("backup") and password ("backup" again) given in "dinosaur12.wav"’s Morse code will show the BBS identification, "APERTURE LABORATORIES GLaDOS v3.11", followed by "COPYRIGHT (c) 1973-1997 APERTURE - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED" (updating GLaDOS' most known recent version, v1.09, dated 1982, found on [[ApertureScience.com]]).<ref name="BBS Puzzle">[http://portalwiki.net/index.php/Category:BBS BBS] on the Portal Puzzle Wiki</ref> It has been speculated that "3.11" may be referring to March 11, 2010, when [[Gabe Newell]] was awarded the Pioneer Award during the [http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/ Game Choice Awards], and that he would reveal more information on ''Portal 2'' that day, which was more or less proven to be true. ([[#March 11, 2010|see below]])
  
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What follows is what seems to be a random file dump, consisting of [[Wikipedia:ASCII art|ASCII art]] images and memorandums seemingly written by Aperture Science CEO and founder [[Cave Johnson]] (they actually are sentences said by Johnson in [[Test Shaft 09]] in ''Portal 2''; several sentences were also cut). (For more details, see the [[#BBS resource list|complete list]] below.) If left idle for 4 minutes, the user is presented with a warning that reads "Hey! Please login now. You have one minute left.". If left idle for another minute, the message "Your login time (5 minutes) ran out. Goodbye.", and it disconnects.<ref name="BBS Puzzle"/> The BBS came to be the most important part of the puzzle, as almost everything stemmed from it.
  
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The following disclaimer will also show upon connecting: "This computer system is for authorized use only. The use of this facility may be monitored for computer security purposes. Any unauthorized access to this system is prohibited and is subject to criminal and civil penalties under Federal Laws including but not limited to Public Laws 83-703 and 99-474." It appears to reuse and adapt the actual disclaimer "Information from this server resides on a computer funded by a U.S. Government agency. The use of this system may be monitored for computer security purposes. Any unauthorized access to this system is prohibited and is subject to criminal and civil penalties under Federal Laws including but not limited to Public Laws 83-703 and 99-474."
  
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==March 3, 2010==
  
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[[File:Glados parking lot.jpg|GLaDOS' remains on the Aperture Laboratories parking lot shortly before Chell is dragged away by the Party Escort Bot.|thumb|200px]]
  
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At 2:24 pm PST on March 3, 2010, ''Portal'' was updated a second time, with the description "Added [[Chell|valuable asset]] retrieval."<ref name="update2"/> making further changes to the game. The game's original ending was expanded, having, instead of a direct fadeout, Chell being dragged back inside the facility by a [[Party Escort Bot]], thanking her for assuming the party escort submission position, an event initially cut from the game's release, and bridging the gap between ''Portal'' and ''Portal 2'', since Chell is again in the facility.<ref name="GI ties">[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/10/opening-the-portal-exploring-portal-s-creation-and-its-ties-to-half-life-2.aspx Exploring Portal’s Creation And Its Ties To Half-Life 2] on Game Informer</ref> Two new "dinosaur_fizzle" sounds, "dinosaur_fizzle2.wav" and "dinosaur_fizzle3.wav", were also added. According to Valve's [http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,157031/ Jason Holtman], changing the ''Portal'' ending was not decided until a fews days before the start of the ARG, and the versatility of the PC platform greatly helped its inclusion.<ref name="Escapist"/>
  
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[[File:Progress bar.png|thumb|left|200px|Overview of the progress bar after logging in with "backup", with the "Late Eocene" ETA.]]
  
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March 3 also saw changes made to the file dump accessed with (425) 822-5251: at approximately 2:15 pm PST (thus around 10 minutes before the second ''Portal'' update) a new prompt appeared. It included a progress bar counting from 00 to 76, the words "VALUABLE ASSET RETRIEVAL INITIATED" (suggesting the BBS itself dispatched the Party Escort Bot), and an ETA changing seemingly randomly, displaying sometimes humorous ETAs such as "2797 millennia", "43 femtoseconds (or smaller)", "about seven", "96 fortnights", "Late Eocene", "91 weeks 46 days 95 hours (approximately)", "5321 millennia", "1946 geological eras", "66 femtoseconds (or smaller)", "last Thursday (except on weekends)", "next Tuesday (unless otherwise redetermined)", "12:00 am February 30th, 15,354 BC", "Early December, Furongian Epoch", "39 cubic steradians", "after the heat-death of the universe", "89 inverse acers (unless otherwise redetermined)", "Y2K", "91 weeks", "2871 geological eras", "49 weeks", "Early Precambrian", "64 months 10 months 45 months (exactly)", "4781 millennia", "late evening, early Ordovician", "100 inverse acres (unless otherwise redetermined)", "Cave Johnson's birthday", "more like six days", "when the cows come home", "68 fortnights", "36 days before next Saturday", or "precisely", probably referencing the [http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Valve_Time Valve Time]. The progress bar was actually a countdown to ''Portal 2'''s official release announcement. It completed at 10:04 am PST on March 5, 20 minutes after the announcement on Steam.<ref name="P2"/><ref>[http://portalwiki.net/index.php/The_Progress_Bar The Progress Bar] on the Portal Puzzle Wiki</ref>
  
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==March 5, 2010==
  
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At 9:44 am PST on March 5, 2010 (20 minutes before the completion of the progress bar), ''[[Portal 2]]'' was officially announced on Steam,<ref name="P2"/> with several alphanumerics underlined in the text:
 
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{{Quotation|''Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Left 4 Dea<u>d</u>, Counte<u>r</u>-Strike and Half-Life) and le<u>a</u>ding <u>t</u>echnologies (such as S<u>t</u>ea<u>m</u> and Source), tod<u>a</u>y annou<u>n</u>ced Portal 2 for shipment this comi<u>n</u>g holiday season.''
  
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<br><br>
  
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''Portal 2 is the sequel to 2007's Portal, w<u>h</u>ich won 7<u>0</u> i<u>n</u>dustry achi<u>e</u>v<u>e</u>ment awards.''
  
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<br><br>
  
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''For more information, please visit <u>www.steamgames.com</u>''}}
  
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[[File:UNKNOWN.png|thumb|200px|right|The first, unnamed image.]]
  
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When reorganized together, these letters give the words "drattmann" and "h0nee", which are a second set of username and password for the BBS number (425) 822-5251. Upon entering them, new ASCII art images were shown, along with code prefaced by the header "APERTURE IMAGE FORMAT (c) 1985".
  
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After the completion of the progress bar, logging back to the "backup" account gave access to the source code of a [[Wikipedia:QBasic|QBasic]] [http://portalwiki.net/images/0/0f/Drattmann.rar program] to decode the new code retrieved with the "drattmann" account, actually consisting of two new images. When running the program, the first image is shown (its name is unknown so far). It consists of a blue text on a grey background, headed by the Aperture Laboratories logo: ''"Thank you for participating in the trial phase of the Aperture Science Cooperative Testing Initiative. Because of your success, we are moving forward with this project. You will be contacted when the live fire phase of the Cooperative Testing Initiative is ready to accept applicants."'' Pressing "9" will exit the program, "1" will launch the second image (its name is "SIGN"). This image consists of two Test Subject stick figures with the thumbs up, one with its arm around the neck of the other, on a red background, with the text "Cooperative Trial Completed" under them. "9" is the only available key, and again will exit the program. To go back to the first image, one has to reboot the program.
  
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[[File:SIGN.png|thumb|200px|left|The second image, "SIGN", reusing the stick figures from an [[:File:Aperture poster001a2.png|Aperture Science poster]].]]
  
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These two images use the Aperture Image Format, an interactive graphics format created in 1985 and as recent as 1987 (as seen in the source code of the program, headed by "COPYRIGHT (c) APERTURE LABORATORIES 1985-1987"), and maintained by [[Doug Rattmann]] (also known as the Ratman), owner of the "drattmann" account, again as seen in the source code of the program. The Aperture Image Format consists of two files types: "AMF", or "Aperture Menu Format", determining what buttons are displayed in each APF image file (they can range from 1 to 9), along with the data these buttons contain and what colors the image is given, and "APF", "Aperture Picture Format", containing image data. All AMF and APF files must be stored in a directory named "DATA". In the case of the two images revealed by the BBS, "Exit" and "Next" are the AMF files, and the images themselves are the APF files.<ref>[http://portalwiki.net/index.php/Aperture_Image_Format Aperture Image Format] on the Portal Puzzle Wiki</ref><ref>[http://portalwiki.net/index.php/Aperture_Menu_Format Aperture Menu Format] on the Portal Puzzle Wiki</ref><ref>[http://portalwiki.net/index.php/APF_Images APF Images] on the Portal Puzzle Wiki</ref>
  
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The "Aperture Science Cooperative Testing Initiative" (also called "Cooperative Portal Testing Initiative" in the "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDj1fYlwR00&hd=1 Portal is Free]" video promoting ''Portal'' being free from May 12 to May 24, 2010) refers to ''Portal 2'''s co-op mode; its trial phase ("Cooperative Trial", or the ARG itself) probably refers to the collective effort of the fanbase at solving the puzzles presented in the ARG, being itself a co-op game. The two APF images apparently represent the conclusion of a sequence, suggesting that more images might exist (such as "APERTURE.APF", that should be the first file of the sequence), although no others have been eventually found.
  
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==March 11, 2010==
  
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[[File:Gabe BSOD large.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Gabe Newell and GLaDOS' BSOD behind.]]
  
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On March 11, 2010, [[Gabe Newell]] was awarded the Pioneer Award during the [http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/ Game Choice Awards]. During his [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XEXLhGir3s&hd=1 acceptance speech], he evoked partnership with the customers, and the ARG itself (as predicted by GLaDOS' 1997 version, "3.11" - or "March 11", revealed by the [[#(425) 822-5251|BBS number]]), until he announced he was going to answer some of the unanswered questions fans might have regarding the ARG. Then he launched a slideshow where those answers were supposedly to be found, only to have it "crash" to a [[Wikipedia:Blue Screen of Death|Blue Screen of Death]] after he said "''This isn't working''". A normal BSOD first showed up, then another came, sparking boos then applause in the assembly, as it revealed this crash was intended, and part of the ARG. Following the fake crash, he joked by saying "''That's what I get for working at Microsoft''", then simply thanked everybody and his wife, and finally added "''Good luck figuring it out''" (Come on, Gordon!) before leaving.
  
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[[File:Glados bsod.png|thumb|250px|right|GLaDOS' BSOD.]]
  
−
Segelet means sail, and nestled in the second BSOD along with GlaDOS' name was a seemingly standard "fatal exception" message. Yet in that message were actually letters hidden behind their [[Wikipedia:Hexadecimal|Hexadecimal]] counterparts, that, after being converted to [[Wikipedia:Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code|EBCDIC]], resulted in the series "SUSPENDUNTILEEE", thus "suspended until E3", suggesting that no further word about ''Portal 2'' would come from Valve before [[Wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010|E3 2010]] in June 2010.<ref name="e3expect">[http://kotaku.com/5491651/portal-2-hijacks-blue-screen-of-death-at-gdc-awards Portal 2 Hijacks Blue Screen of Death At GDC Awards] on Kotaku</ref>
  
−  
−
==June 1, 2010==
  
−  
−
As the last ARG activity, cryptic e-mail was sent to members of the press claiming that the ''Portal 2'' World Premiere,<ref name="e3expect"/><ref>[http://g4tv.com/articles/69659/E3-2010--Video-Game-Convention--Gaming-News-Previews-Press-Conferences-Trailers-Demos/ E3 2010 – Video Game Convention – Gaming News, Previews, Press Conferences, Trailers, Demos]</ref><ref>[http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/portal-2-coming-to-e3-valve-hosting-event-monday-june-14/ Portal 2 coming to E3; Valve hosting event Monday, June 14] on Joystiq</ref> scheduled for June 14 at E3, was canceled for a "surprise":<ref name="G4">[http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/705071/Valve-Replaces-Pre-E3-Portal-2-Reveal-With-Surprise.html Valve Replaces Pre-E3 Portal 2 Reveal With "Surprise"]</ref>
  
−  
−
{{Quotation|''Dear Subject Name Here,''<br><br>
  
−
''Aperture Science is pleased to inform you that we have partnered with Valve to announce the gala CANCELLATION of the June 14 Portal 2 event at the Regal Theater. The event will be replaced by a surprise. And even though the cancellation of the event certainly counts as a surprise, we are pleased to further announce that the cancellation of the event is not THE surprise. However, per International treaties regarding the definition of the word "surprise", of which both Aperture Science and Valve are signatories, the time, date and content of the actual surprise will only become available as you experience the surprise.''<br><br>
  
−
''If you'd like to ask fruitless questions about the E3 Portal 2 surprise or, more fruitfully, schedule an appointment to attend a Portal 2 screening at the Valve booth during E3, please contact Valve's Special Envoy to Surprises, Doug Lombardi.''<br><br>
  
−
''Thank you for **RECORD SCRATCH!!!**''<br><br>
  
−
''PS: The surprising record scratch is also not the surprise.''}}
  
−  
−
==June 9, 2010==
  
−  
−
While unrelated to the ARG, June 9 saw the announcement of a delay in ''Portal 2'''s release, being moved from Autumn 2010 to 2011.<ref name="IGN delay">[http://pc.ign.com/articles/109/1095842p1.html Portal 2 Delayed to 2011] on IGN</ref>
  
−  
−
==June 15, 2010==
  
−  
−
On June 15, 2010, the second day of [[Wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010|E3 2010]], ''Portal 2'' was shown as originally planned, but only in Valve's booth, as suggested in the June 1 message. As for the cryptic surprise, it was revealed to be ''Portal 2'' coming to PlayStation 3 (despite Gabe Newell's initial reluctance at developing their games for that console<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156403 Gabe Newell: 'The PS3 is a Total Disaster'] on 1UP</ref>), announced by Newell himself during Sony's conference.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijBSX9a-0Pw&hd=1 Gabe Newell at Sony's conference at E3 2010] on YouTube</ref>
  
−  
−
==After E3==
  
−  
−
{{Main|PotatoFoolsDay ARG}}
  
−  
−
After E3, a new ARG, the [[PotatoFoolsDay ARG|''PotatoFoolsDay'' ARG]], succeeded to the original ARG. Instead of relying on the BBS and the original ''Portal'', this new ARG relied on several indie games, found on Steam as the pack ''The Potato Sack'' and all getting an update for the occasion, and where potatoes were to be collected to reboot GLaDOS, among other things.
  
−  
−
On April 19, 2011, ''Portal 2'' was released, ending the second ARG, and answering many questions revealed in both ARGs, as text or images.
  
−  
−
==BBS resource list==
  
−  
−
What follows is the list of each resource obtained in the BBS dump from March 1 to March 5, containing ASCII art images, memos, and Aperture Image Format resources, listed per their resource name order (they were not obtained in that order, rather revealed randomly<ref>[http://portalwiki.net/index.php/Known_Images Known Images] on the Portal Puzzle Wiki</ref>), and accompanied by their original version when available. Each resource is preceded by a line where can be found an error/warning message, then a line featuring the message "BEGIN RECORD", followed by the resource name in a path starting by "C:\" (the letter commonly use to identify the first active primary partition of a computer's first master drive in Microsoft's line of operating systems), and the resource size, in bytes. Each resource is then followed by the message "RECORD ENDS".
  
−  
−
The error/warning messages and resource names of a resource were always identical each time it was checked by someone. The same error/warning messages are also sometimes used for several resources, suggesting a possible relation between them.<ref>[http://portalwiki.net/index.php/BBS_Resources_List BBS Resources List] on the Portal Puzzle Wiki</ref> Some error/warning messages such as "CAUTION: NOT IN THE MOOD ([http://catb.org/jargon/html/A/ABEND.html ABEND] 984)" or "ERROR: NO ERROR DETECTED" are sometimes rather peculiar, may they have a meaning or not.
 
−  
−
During that part of the ARG, most images were modified by gamers in image editing programs to help identify them, with noise reduction or added colors.<ref>[http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13793489&postcount=5034 Changed radio transmission frequency to comply with federal and state spectrum manage] (single post) on the Steam forums</ref> The only changes made to the images provided here are cropping and changes in orientation.
  
−  
−
The images are all from ''[[Portal 2]]''. Some are informative posters, some are concept art, some are screenshots. Most of the original images have been revealed since.
  
−  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="background: #FFFFFF; width: 100%; font-size: 11px"
  
−
!Image !! Resource (file) name !! Pre-display error message !! Size (in bytes) !! Type !! Description / transcription
  
−
<!--
  
−
|-
  
−
| Image
  
−
| Resource name
  
−
| Pre-display error message
 
−
| Size<br>(in bytes)
  
−
| Type
  
−
| Description / transcription
  
−
-->
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:00781706.309.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Portal 2 turret slices.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 00781706.309\05441580.485
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: UNDISCOVERED CORRUPTION IN ERROR CORRECTION (ABEND 132)
 
−
| valign=top| 7124
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top width=300px| Informative poster for the [[Aperture Science Sentry Turret]].
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:00830915.173.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 00830915.173\05162493.588
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: DETECTING POSSIBLE MFM CORRUPTION ON ATA BUS 3
 
−
| valign=top| 7304
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot or concept art. May require reversing.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:00948720.247.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 00948720.247\01544256.369
  
−
| valign=top| ERROR: ERROR NOT UNDETECTED
 
−
| valign=top| 3731
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Possibly chemical products handling instructions, with two eyes and a pair of glasses.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:01980182.265.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Pneumatic diversity vent poster.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 01980182.265\07179630.193
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: EXTERNAL DATA-LINE STABILITY COMPROMISED
 
−
| valign=top| 9644
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| [[Pneumatic Diversity Vent]] informative poster.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:02010175.163.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 02010175.163\04544046.237
  
−
| valign=top| ERROR: NO ERROR DETECTED
 
−
| valign=top| 4221
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Possibly the enlarged image of an organic compound.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:02031577.300.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Chell jungle.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 02031577.300\02103700.758
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: NO ERROR DETECTED
 
−
| valign=top| 6244
  
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Concept art of Chell discovering the ruined GLaDOS' chamber.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:02099218.347.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Atlas P-body first.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 02099218.347\03659131.810
  
−
| valign=top| ERROR: PRESS ANY KEY (#637)
 
−
| valign=top| 5093
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Concept art for [[ATLAS and P-body]], the two protagonists of ''Portal 2'''s co-op mode, holding hands, with ATLAS holding an ASHPD.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:02303171.977.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Wheatleyfull.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 02303171.977\05394148.360
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK (73)
 
−
| valign=top| 8634
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of [[Wheatley]] being held by Chell.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:02555900.684.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 02555900.684\00190290.393
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: AMBIDEXTROUS POINTER DETECTED INSIDE DATA (136)
 
−
| valign=top| 3225
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Possibly a portal, with the word "meta" above it.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:02622055.965.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 02622055.965\06615262.757
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: OUT OF MEMORY ABOVE 640KB
 
−
| valign=top| 863
 
−
| valign=top| Memo
  
−
|valign=top|''MEMORANDUMS: Filed under CJohnson: 1085839-G''
  
−
 
−
''This one's important, folks, so no skimmin'. Cave Johnson here, your boss and founder of Aperture Science?the best damn applied sciences company on Earth. How good is the science here? Get a load a? this: as of this morning, I am dead!''
  
−
 
−
''Now, yer probably askin? yourself, "Cave, come on now, how is this possible? Are you some manner of Dracula? Or Frankenstein? Or dependin? on yer cultural heritage, a Blackula or Latin Frankenstein?"gh632jj3''
  
−
 
−
''ksjdo sir! It's science. Thanks to our diligent Aperture engineers, I am writin' memos to you today, literally, from beyond the grave! Furthermore I'd l#ke t5o inf))))m 34verybody wePPPPPing a blue shi%%$rt today th32232t y*u @##re f)*# TF FFs0&^t ##f gd fghDFRt 665 ^ $%& 4%^^$. ZSFGS D FGsd5 E$ 5^57&w$% &6&778*$ 4^77 r6ty u$65####################3''{{-}}
  
−
[[Cave Johnson]] lines cut from the final game. The garbled text at the end is apparently: "''Furthermore, I'd like to inform everyone wearing a blue shirt today that you are f''" (likely "fired"), beyond which is unintelligible.
 
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:02737904.938.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 02737904.938\07556322.827
 
−
| valign=top| CAUTION: ANOMALOUS EMOTIONAL RESPONSE DETECTED (#226)
 
−
| valign=top| 3239
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| A stylized exploding heart.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:03386419.996.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 03386419.996\03864460.840
 
−
| valign=top| ERROR: NO ERROR DETECTED
 
−
| valign=top| 3175
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Undetermined instructions. The image on the left is probably a notepad.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:03397070.362.png|center|60px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Chell concept portal 2 side.jpg|center|80px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 03397070.362\08935841.143
 
−
| valign=top| WARNING: PLEASE PLACE DISK #54 IN DRIVE A:
 
−
| valign=top| 8199
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Concept art for [[Chell]] in an upgraded Test Subject outfit, holding an [[ASHPD]].
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:03997821.398.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 03997821.398\06656556.646
 
−
| valign=top| WARNING: EXTERNAL DATA-LINE STABILITY COMPROMISED
 
−
| valign=top| 4149
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| The enlarged image of an organic compound, apparently related to an apple.
 
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:04907382.298.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Aerial faith plate poster.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 04907382.298\05948424.111
 
−
| valign=top| ERROR: NO ERROR DETECTED
 
−
| valign=top| 8844
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| [[Aerial Faith Plate]] informative poster.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:05083881.801.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 05083881.801\04186850.542
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: UNDISCOVERED CORRUPTION IN ERROR CORRECTION (ABEND 143)
 
−
| valign=top| 1751
 
−
| valign=top| Memo
  
−
|valign=top|''CONFIDENTIAL''
  
−  
−
''October 17th, 1976''
  
−  
−
''Re: Human Enrichment & Testing Initiative, Resource Acquisitions''
  
−  
−
''1. "Low Risk" Human Resource Acquisitions''
  
−  
−
''a. Hoboes and Tramps''
  
−  
−
''Lives spent wandering aimlessly, cowering before authority, and drinking concussive amounts of home-distilled potato alcohol make hoboes the perfect Human Enrichment test subjects. The hobo questions nothing, will follow orders if fed, and, like all hoboes, has a restless, wandering heart. (Note: The wandering heart of the hobo should not be confused with Drifting Heart Syndrome, which several transients contracted during testing.)''
  
−  
−
''b. Child Orphans and Foundlings''
  
−  
−
''Deep-rooted abandonment issues leave most orphans highly susceptible to shame-based psychology (for a complete list of opportune moments to obliterate the esteem of test subjects, please consult Training Video #89-D, "You'd Perform This Test Better if You Had Parents"). Recent advances in the use of scorn, flattery used in an ironic context and naked contempt as motivational tools have yielded similarly profitable results.''
  
−  
−
''c. Psychiatric Patients''
  
−  
−
''Past experience shows these fellows are simply not shy at all about carrying on, disrupting tests and defecating just about anywhere that pleases them. Frankly, itís off-putting, and small wonder why Aperture-brand mental institutions are being phased out in favor of more orphanages.''
  
−  
−
''d. Seniors''
  
−  
−
''Frail, brittle hands make holding science devices difficult. Most were born before the advent of science, and can become confused and disoriented when asked to participate in relatively simple tests (teleportation, invisibility, adjusting esteem levels of orphan children).''{{-}}
  
−
Apparently the answer to a (confidential) letter received by Cave Johnson. It apparently describes the four types of Test Subjects and their behavior.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:05283220.113.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Portal 2 beta ruined chamber 7.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 05283220.113\04227957.284
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: ERROR NOT FOUND
  
−
| valign=top| 7834
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of a ruined [[Test Chamber 07]].
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:05806485.562.png|center|100px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Test chamber door plants.jpg|center|100px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 05806485.562\07015013.220
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: OUT OF MEMORY BELOW 640KB (-879)
  
−
| valign=top| 7184
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of a ruined Test Chamber.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:05889440.652.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 05889440.652\03173138.235
 
−
| valign=top| WARNING: OUT OF MEMORY BELOW 640KB (-3)
 
−
| valign=top| 2167
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| At least two fish and an arrow pointing left.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:06239586.355.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Area under chamber.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 06239586.355\05842709.309
 
−
| valign=top| WARNING: ERROR NOT FOUND
 
−
| valign=top| 8084
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of a maintenance area under a Test Chamber.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:06841106.860.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Portal 2 beta destroyed chamber2.jpg|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Portal 2 beta destroyed chamber.jpg|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Portal 2 beta ruined chamber3.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 06841106.860\07108663.317
  
−
| valign=top| CAUTION: NOT IN THE MOOD (ABEND 984)
 
−
| valign=top| 8020
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Three part screenshots / part concept art images of a ruined [[Test Chamber 13]].
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:06928073.711.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Thermal discouragement beam poster.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 06928073.711\05251074.104
  
−
| valign=top| CAUTION: UNEXPECTED DISCONNECTION EXPECTED (#568)
 
−
| valign=top| 6929
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| [[Thermal Discouragement Beam]] informative poster.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:06964631.350.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Ap maintenance area p2.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 06964631.350\09767166.647
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: BIOS INSUFFICIENTLY BASIC (#334)
 
−
| valign=top| 7854
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of an area around Wheatley's Test Chambers.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:07423498.218.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Glados outside jungle.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 07423498.218\06523520.892
 
−
| valign=top| WARNING: BIOS INSUFFICIENTLY BASIC (#702)
 
−
| valign=top| 7430
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of GLaDOS in a ruined Enrichment Center.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:07533945.935.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 07533945.935\09823219.940
  
−
| valign=top| CAUTION: UNEXPECTED DISCONNECTION EXPECTED (#838)
 
−
| valign=top| 570
 
−
| valign=top| Memo
  
−
|valign=top|''MEMORANDUMS: Filed under CJohnson: 1564029-G''
  
−
 
−
''&&*&)90 &^@^@% &@!%@$%@!&@^ ((#(kjkjsdsajdlkdjsk ^@%% and do not 2612%^54talk to me about casualty rates. The bean counters told me I couldn't fire a man just for bein in a wheelchair. Did it anyway! Ramps are expensive. Or when they said I couldn't practice beekeeping in the office. They should have told that to the honey that won first place in the state finals! &43$$$ $#@^^&@*&^''
  
−
 
−
''Hell, they even said I couldn't cheat death. You know where I'd be if I followed the rules? Dead! Dead, and honey prize-less!''{{-}}
  
−
Cave Johnson lines again, partially cut from the game. He also refers to a group of persons as the "[http://www.answers.com/topic/bean-counter bean counters]", probably official accountants / financial officers who might nitpick too often to Johnson's tastes, as well as his home-made honey winning first place in the state finals.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:07753863.540.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 07753863.540\02524629.442
 
−
| valign=top| WARNING: PLEASE PLACE DISK #14 IN DRIVE B:
 
−
| valign=top| 7052
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of [[GLaDOS]]. Also featured partially in [[:File:Dinosaur6.png|dinosaur6.wav]].
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:08041249.801.png|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 08041249.801\00366566.522
 
−
| valign=top| WARNING: SEGMENT SEGMENTATION SEGMENTED (264)
 
−
| valign=top| 6554
 
−
| valign=top| Memo
  
−
| valign=top| ''MEMORANDUMS: Filed under CJohnson: 76550293-G''
  
−  
−
''A lot of you have been raising concerns about the so-called "dangers" of what we're all doing here. The beancounters told me to tell you that as of today, testing will no longer be as mandatory or as dangerous. That's not gonna happen, and here's the reason:''
  
−  
−
''Science isn't about why, it's about why not. You ask: Why is so much of our science dangerous? I say: Why not marry safe science if you love it so much. In fact, why not invent a special safety door that won't hit you in the butt on the way out, because you are fired.''
  
−  
−
''Plus, in the event of your death, I personally guarantee that, thanks to the form you were required to sign this morning, your family will not suffer the indignities of a prolonged and costly legal battle against Aperture Science. Trust me, I am rich, and it is a burden I would not wish on anyone.''
  
−  
−
''To summarize: 6218376213 wjqehkjh -213&&&^%@5*(*@))@)#*&@ +---+++''{{-}}
  
−
Appears to be a letter from Cave Johnson to several Test Subjects who raised their concerns about the dangers of the research conducted by Aperture Science. Again, the beancounters are mentioned. This also consists of Cave Johnson lines, some in the final game, some cut.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:08176575.188.png|center|100px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Wheatley floor Test Chamber 08.jpg|center|100px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 08176575.188\05344825.893
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: BIOS INSUFFICIENTLY BASIC (#572)
 
−
| valign=top| 965
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of Wheatley on the floor of a ruined [[Test Chamber 08]].
 
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:08404033.250.png|center|100px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Turret laser ruined chamber.jpg|center|100px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 08404033.250\03067854.332
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: AMBIDEXTROUS POINTER DETECTED INSIDE DATA (988)
 
−
| valign=top| 6469
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of an Aperture Science Sentry Turret pointing its laser in a ruined Enrichment Center.
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:08640460.837.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Thermal beam redirection cube.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 08640460.837\01854277.742
  
−
| valign=top| WARNING: OUT OF MEMORY ABOVE 640KB (-995)
  
−
| valign=top| 7934
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Screenshot of a [[Thermal Discouragement Beam]] being redirected by a [[Redirection Cube]].
  
−
|-
  
−
| valign=top| [[File:08692436.580.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Turret crib day poster.jpg|center|150px]]
  
−
| valign=top| 08692436.580\05637080.262
  
−
| valign=top| CAUTION: ANOMALOUS EMOTIONAL RESPONSE DETECTED (#654)
 
−
| valign=top| 8340
 
−
| valign=top| Image
  
−
| valign=top| Informative poster illustrating the merits of using an Aperture Science Sentry Turret to ward off potential baby snatchers.<ref name="GI">[http://gameinformer.com/mag/portal2.aspx Game Informer, April 2010 issue]</ref>
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top| [[File:08849055.101.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| 08849055.101\03175671.255
  
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| valign=top| WARNING: OUT OF MEMORY BELOW 640KB (-689)
 
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| valign=top| 4774
 
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| valign=top| Image
  
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| valign=top| What may be [[Hoopie]] on a shiny surface.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top| [[File:09394469.756.png|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| 09394469.756\07583916.313
  
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| valign=top| WARNING: UNDISCOVERED CORRUPTION IN ERROR CORRECTION (ABEND 898)
 
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| valign=top| 371
  
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| valign=top| Memo
  
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|valign=top|''MEMORANDUMS: Filed under CJohnson: 188454-G''
  
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''&&^521762 jsow remind you that Aperture Science is built on three pillars. Pillar one: Science without results is just witchcraft. Pillar two: Get results or you're fired. Pillar three: if you suspect a coworker of bein' a witch, report them immediately. I cannot stress that enough. Witchcraft will not be tolerated.''{{-}}
  
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Likely other cut lines for Cave Johnson.
  
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| valign=top| [[File:09468599.954.png|center|150px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Interactive floor.jpg|center|150px]]
  
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| valign=top| 09468599.954\07097587.922
 
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| valign=top| CAUTION: NOT IN THE MOOD (ABEND 701)
 
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| valign=top| 7944
 
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| valign=top| Image
  
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| valign=top| Three screenshots showing [[Aperture Science Panel|Panels]] in action.
  
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| valign=top| [[File:09757631.570.png|center|100px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Moving walls.jpg|center|100px]]
  
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| valign=top| 09757631.570\06496685.284
  
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| valign=top| CAUTION: ANOMALOUS EMOTIONAL RESPONSE DETECTED (#980)
 
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| valign=top| 7506
 
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| valign=top| Image
  
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| valign=top| Screenshot of a Test Chamber wall.
  
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| valign=top| [[File:09902956.832.png|center|95px]][[File:Space.png]][[File:Chell concept portal 2.jpg|center|120px]]
  
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| valign=top| 09902956.832\08552226.566
  
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| valign=top| WARNING: PLEASE PLACE DISK #54 IN DRIVE A:
 
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| valign=top| 7054
 
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| valign=top| Image
  
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| valign=top| Concept art for Chell in an upgraded Test Subject outfit, holding an ASHPD.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top|
 
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| valign=top| 01645136.732\04696011.581
  
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| valign=top| CAUTION: DATA-LINE ENCODING NOT 100% DOS-COMPATIBLE
 
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| valign=top| 147
  
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| valign=top| AMF
  
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| valign=top| The AMF file for "SIGN", the red Aperture Image Format image.
  
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| valign=top|
 
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| valign=top| 02792716.141\02207361.344
  
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| valign=top| CAUTION: DATA-LINE ENCODING NOT 100% DOS-COMPATIBLE
 
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| valign=top| 2208
  
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| valign=top| APF
  
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| valign=top| The APF file for "SIGN".
  
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| valign=top|
 
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| valign=top| 04357836.527\06134110.915
 
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| valign=top| WARNING: COULD NOT LOAD ERROR MESSAGE (-495)
 
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| valign=top| 6546
  
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| valign=top| APF
  
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| valign=top| The APF file for "APERTURE", the Aperture Image Format image not found.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top|
 
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| valign=top| 07192904.836\03628231.929
  
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| valign=top| CAUTION: ANOMALOUS EMOTIONAL RESPONSE DETECTED (#833)
  
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| valign=top| 1693
  
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| valign=top| BASIC
  
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| valign=top| QBasic program source code.
  
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|-
  
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| valign=top|
 
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| valign=top| 08884462.927\01915453.473
 
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| valign=top| WARNING: ERROR NOT FOUND
 
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| valign=top| 156
  
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| valign=top| AMF
  
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| valign=top| The AMF file for "APERTURE".
  
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|-
  
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|}
  
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==References==
  
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{{Reflist}}
  
−  
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==External links==
  
−  
−
*[http://portalwiki.net/index.php Portal Puzzle Wiki] - Maintained during the original ARG, it was dedicated to gathering all the information provided by the ARG in real time; it is now defunct.
  
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*[http://xkeeper.net/private/portal/apf.php?fname=APERTURE Aperture Image Format simple viewer]
  
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*{{YouTube|url=nVB9_WxmsRc|text="Dinosaur" sounds, part 1}}
  
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*{{YouTube|url=PCkr5XaAbfc|text="Dinosaur" sounds, part 2}}
  
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*{{YouTube|url=WSqG-SmXriU|text=All radios and signals through ''Portal''}}
  
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*{{YouTube|url=SpzV7Hy_zVE|text=Valve BBS Login #1}}
  
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*{{YouTube|url=LhX8Cy3dPlw|text=Valve BBS Login #2}}
  
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*{{YouTube|url=SwUHvEJ1l7I|text=Valve BBS Login #3}}
  
−
*{{YouTube|url=g7lgqS-yq88|text=March 3rd updated ''Portal'' ending}}
  
   
 
{{RW}}
  
{{RW}}

Revision as of 11:25, 3 January 2012

This subject is in the Real world.This subject is from the Portal era.This subject is from the Portal 2 era.This is a featured article.
Wiki conjecture The title of this article is conjectural.
Although this article is based on official information, the actual name of this subject is pure conjecture.
Wiki spoiler This article contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!
02099218

ATLAS and P-body ASCII art.

 
"Thank you for assuming the party escort submission position."
―The Party Escort Bot[src]
 

On March 1 and March 3, 2010, Portal was updated to feature parts of an eventually highly successful[1] alternate reality game (or ARG) to promote its sequel, Portal 2, leading gamers and journalists to postulate that an announcement for Portal 2 or Half-Life 2: Episode Three might soon be made,[2][3] until Portal 2 was announced on March 5, 2010 for release in Q4 2010.[4]

The ARG was created solely by Portal 2’s development team; there was no marketing team behind it. While it mostly promotes their game, it was also seen as an effective way to extend the Portal universe, and make the Portal fans as part of the game.[1]

In 2011, it was followed by another Portal 2-themed ARG, the PotatoFoolsDay ARG.

Imagecat Real-World subjects
Companies Gearbox Software • Junction Point Studios • Valve Corporation
Production staff Artists • Character models • Composers • Voice actors • Writers • Other
Software Achievements • Compilations • Demos • Games (Half-Life • Multiplayer • Non-canon • Portal • Third-party) • Game Engines • HL HD Pack • Mods
Other Media ApertureScience.com • Books (Lab Rat • Raising the Bar) • Fan content (Films • Games • Mods • Series) • Films • Merchandise • Preliminary Findings • Soundtracks (Songs • Composers) • The Final Hours (Half-Life • Half-Life 2 • Half-Life: Alyx • Portal 2)
Cut content Prospero • Half-Life Alpha • Half-Life 2 Beta • Half-Life 2: Episode Three • Half-Life 2: Episode Four
Misc. Canon • Development (Commentary • Half-Life 2 • Portal • Next Half-Life game) • Mr. Valve • Retcons
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Portal ARG Still Ongoing on The Escapist
  2. ↑ Portal Patch Adds Morse Code, Achievement - Portal 2 Speculation Begins on Shacknews
  3. ↑ Geeky Clues Suggest Portal Sequel Is Coming on Wired
  4. ↑ Portal 2 Announced - March 5, 2010 - on Steampowered.com
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