The fan-made remake Portal: Alive & Kicking has reached a state of completion, yet the project remains in limbo. Developer Rhubarb & Rhubarb, which has been working on the title since 2011, reports that Valve has stopped responding to their communications, preventing the game from launching on Steam.

Quick Facts

  • Developer: Rhubarb & Rhubarb
  • Current Status: Completed but awaiting Valve's approval for release
  • Project Scope: A remake of the original Portal using the Portal 2 engine
  • Initial Support: Valve previously provided the developers with access to the Portal 2 source code

Development Status and Valve's Silence

Development on Portal: Alive & Kicking began in 2011 with the goal of porting the original game into the more advanced Portal 2 engine. The project features visual enhancements and plans for additional puzzle chambers beyond the original content. According to the development team, the project had the early blessing of Valve, which granted the team access to source code under a non-disclosure agreement.

However, recent attempts to finalize the release have stalled. Dot Operator, a developer on the project, confirmed on the official Steam discussion page that the game is finished. The team has been waiting for a response from Valve since submitting a non-commercial license template several months ago. Without that final authorization, the developers are unable to publish the project on the Steam platform.

The History of Fan Projects at Valve

Valve has historically maintained a unique relationship with fan-made projects involving its intellectual property. The company has previously allowed titles like Black Mesa and Hunt Down The Freeman to launch on Steam, and it notably published Garry's Mod, which originated as a community modification. Furthermore, the original Portal itself began as a student project before being acquired and resourced by Valve to become a 2007 hit.

Despite this history, the team behind Alive & Kicking is currently waiting for a response from the publisher. Fans of the project are now using community forums to raise visibility for the game, hoping that increased attention will prompt Valve to finalize the necessary licensing paperwork.