Valve not giving up on single player

Valve boss Gabe Newell has clarified recent reports that Portal 2 would be the developer's final "isolated single-player title", insisting that just isn't the case.

Speaking in an interview with a Reddit user, Newell explained that Valve had no plans to turn its back on the single-player experience but it is looking to add in new social elements.

"What we're trying to talk about is the fact that, not that we're not doing single-player games... It's more that we think we have to work harder in the future," he said.

"Entertainment is inherently increased in value by having it be social, by letting you play with your friends and recognising that you're connected with other people. That's the thing we're trying to say."

Newell went on to suggest that Facebook could play a role in this new strategy.

"Single-player is great, but we also have to recognise that you have friends and want to have that connected as well.

"So it's not about giving up on single-player at all, we actually think that there are a bunch of features and capabilities that we need to add into our single-player games to recognise the socially-connected gamer.

"Every gamer is instant messaging, every gamer has a Facebook account. If you pretend this doesn't exist you're ignoring the problems you ought to be taking on, so it's 'single-player plus,' not 'no more single-player.'"

Following the launch of Portal 2 last month, Valve's next offering is multiplayer-focussed RTS sequel DoTA2, due out on PC later this year.