For such a short game, the firstPortalgame was stocked full of iconic imagery and designs that fans have become obsessed with. The clean, pseudo-corporate sci-fi aesthetic of the game was so unlike what gamers were used to at the time that the iconography ofPortal, things like main character Chell’s orange jumpsuit or the titular portal gun, are still highly desired items for cosplayers and collectors.
Portalwas released in 2007 by Valve as part of theOrange Boxcollection of games that includedTeam Fortress 2andHalf Life 2.Portalwas essentially a stocking filler, a way of apologizing for the long delay on the real prize at the time in theOrange Box,Half Life 2: Episode 2. It was a pretty big surprise then whenPortalexploded in popularity, getting re-released individually and its own dedicated sequel,Portal 2, in 2011, whileHalf-life 3remains elusive for now, apart fromHalf-life: Alyxin 2020.
RELATED:Valve Updates Portal 2 UI Ready For Steam Deck
Since the game’s release there has beenno shortage of enterprisingPortalfans creating artor replicating their own items inspired by the games. Valve itself did release a limited run of portal gun prop replicas, but they’re hard to get and wear a hefty price tag when they are available, so fans like Reddit user u/The_Kid_Pyro have had to search out other ways to get their own portal gun.
With the use of 3D printing, this Reddit user was able to create with detailed accuracy to the game’s data all the components of the portal gun. From there it’s just assembly, painting and rigging the lights. 3D printing has exploded in popularity over the past few years. The availability of affordable, quality personal use3D printers are the dream of pop-culture replicatorsand engineers alike.
Portalas a series has really been able to extend itself to the edges of the gaming sphere; even non-gamers can recognize elements of the games distinct style, or the game’s humormixed with its surprisingly oppressive atmosphere. Its nature as a puzzle game with a brilliant central gimmick rather than a shooter like the other games in Valve’s repertoire makes it far more accessible and unique.
The true measure of how iconic the portal gun has become in pop culture can be seen not only in how often and how lovingly it is recreated by fans, but by how often it appears in “if you could have any item from a video game what would it be?” conversations, where it holds its own against master swords and power armor.
Portalis available on PC, PS3, Switch, and Xbox 360.
