Leave it to the gaming community to find hidden treasures in plain sight. On November 12, 2025, Linus Tech Tips released their hands-on video covering Valve’s newly announced Steam Frame VR headset and Steam Machine console. Most viewers were focused on the shiny new hardware specs and Linus’s signature enthusiastic commentary. But Reddit user caught something far more interesting at the 10:38 timestamp – a brief freeze frame showing what appears to be an unannounced Portal game running on the Steam Machine in the background.
What Did People Actually See?
Frame-by-frame analysis of the LTT video shows a monitor in the background displaying what looks suspiciously like Portal’s signature art style. We’re talking about those clean white test chamber walls, the distinctive Aperture Science aesthetic, and what appears to be gameplay footage rather than Portal 2 content that viewers would immediately recognize. The image quality isn’t perfect since it’s background footage in a YouTube video, but the visual language is unmistakable to anyone who’s spent hours solving test chambers.
This wouldn’t be the first time Valve has accidentally (or intentionally) leaked upcoming projects through background footage during hardware presentations. The company has a history of leaving breadcrumbs for eagle-eyed fans to discover. Sometimes these hints pan out into real games. Other times they’re abandoned projects or internal tech demos that never see the light of day. The question is which category this Portal sighting falls into.
The Timing Makes Sense
Think about Valve’s current strategy. They just announced three major hardware products launching in Spring 2026 – the Steam Frame VR headset, Steam Machine console, and a new Steam Controller. All three run SteamOS and integrate seamlessly with Steam’s ecosystem. What better way to showcase the Steam Machine’s capabilities than with a high-profile first-party exclusive? A new Portal game would be perfect for that role.
Portal games have always been system sellers for Valve. The original Portal came bundled with The Orange Box and helped establish Valve’s reputation for innovative game design. Portal 2 was a critical and commercial smash hit. A Portal 3 or new Portal-related project launching alongside the Steam Machine would give hardcore PC gamers a reason to buy the console instead of just building their own rig or sticking with their gaming PC.
But Wait, There’s More Context
This isn’t the only Portal-related leak we’ve seen recently. Back in 2022, dataminer Tyler McVicker discovered references to a canceled Portal paint game within the code of Aperture Desk Job, Valve’s Steam Deck tech demo. The findings suggested Valve had been experimenting with Portal projects beyond just Portal 3. Whether those experiments evolved into something new or got shelved entirely remained unclear – until potentially now.
GabeFollower, the reliable Valve leaker who recently posted that cryptic White Rabbit tweet, has also hinted at major announcements coming from Valve beyond just hardware. While they didn’t specifically mention Portal, the timing of their tease aligns suspiciously well with all this background footage speculation. If Valve is gearing up to announce a new game to accompany their hardware launch, Portal would be the logical choice given its brand recognition and system-selling potential.
The Portal 3 We’ve Been Waiting For?
Portal 2 released way back in April 2011. That’s over 14 years ago at this point. The game ended with Chell escaping the Aperture Science facility and leaving GLaDOS behind, seemingly wrapping up that storyline. But Valve left plenty of narrative threads dangling. The Borealis ship mentioned in both Portal 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode Two. The broader connection between Aperture Science and Black Mesa. Endless possibilities for new test chambers and mechanics.
A proper Portal 3 running on Source 2 with modern graphics, physics, and potentially VR support through the Steam Frame would be absolutely massive. The game’s puzzle mechanics translate beautifully to virtual reality – Aperture Desk Job already proved Valve knows how to bring Portal’s DNA to new hardware. Imagine placing portals in 3D space using the Steam Frame’s controllers, physically walking through test chambers, and experiencing GLaDOS’s sarcasm in an even more immersive environment.
Or Something Completely Different?
Of course, there’s always the possibility this isn’t Portal 3 at all. Valve could be working on a Portal spin-off, a VR-exclusive Portal experience, or even just an upgraded version of Portal 2 optimized for SteamOS and the new hardware. The company has shown they’re not afraid to revisit old franchises in new formats – look at Half-Life: Alyx, which was a VR-exclusive prequel rather than Half-Life 3.
Another possibility is that this was simply Portal 2 running on the Steam Machine as part of compatibility testing. Valve would naturally want to showcase their extensive Steam library running flawlessly on the new console, and Portal 2 is a recognizable Valve property that looks good and runs well. The freeze frame might not be revealing anything new at all, just regular quality assurance work that happened to get caught on camera.
Valve’s Silence Says Everything
As of now, Valve hasn’t commented on the LTT footage or the speculation it sparked. That’s pretty standard for the company though. Valve rarely confirms or denies leaks, preferring to let the rumor mill churn until they’re ready for official announcements. This strategy builds hype organically while giving them plausible deniability if projects get canceled or delayed.
Linus Tech Tips also hasn’t addressed the background footage directly, which could mean they’re under NDA about certain aspects of what they filmed at Valve’s headquarters. Tech YouTubers routinely sign agreements limiting what they can discuss before embargo dates. If that freeze frame is indeed showing something unannounced, LTT’s legal obligations would prevent them from confirming or elaborating on it.
What Happens Next?
The gaming community will do what it does best – obsess over every pixel of that background footage, create comparison images with existing Portal games, and debate endlessly whether this is real or wishful thinking. Meanwhile, Valve will continue their radio silence until they’re good and ready to make official announcements. Based on their hardware launch timeline, we might hear more about games coming to Steam Machine and Steam Frame in early 2026 as the Spring launch window approaches.
If this really is a new Portal project, Valve would be smart to announce it sooner rather than later. Pre-orders for the Steam Machine will likely open in the coming months, and having a killer exclusive to advertise alongside the hardware would significantly boost interest. Portal 3 as a launch window exclusive for Steam Machine? That would move units and give Valve serious credibility in the console space they’re trying to re-enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was spotted in the Linus Tech Tips video?
At the 10:38 mark of LTT’s November 12, 2025 video about the Steam Frame, viewers noticed a freeze frame showing what appears to be an unannounced Portal game running on the Steam Machine in the background. The footage shows Portal’s distinctive visual style and test chamber aesthetics.
Is Portal 3 officially confirmed?
No, Valve has not officially announced Portal 3 or any new Portal project. The footage spotted in the LTT video is speculation based on background imagery that may or may not represent an actual game in development.
When did Portal 2 come out?
Portal 2 was released in April 2011, making it over 14 years old as of November 2025. Fans have been requesting Portal 3 for years, but Valve has not officially announced any sequel.
Could this be Portal 2 running on Steam Machine?
Yes, it’s entirely possible the footage simply shows Portal 2 running as part of compatibility testing for the new Steam Machine hardware. Valve would naturally test their existing library on new hardware, and Portal 2 is a recognizable first-party title.
Has Valve leaked games through background footage before?
Yes, Valve has a history of leaving breadcrumbs in videos and presentations that eagle-eyed fans discover. Some of these hints have led to real announcements, while others were abandoned projects or internal tech demos that never materialized into released games.
What other Portal projects has Valve worked on?
In 2022, dataminer Tyler McVicker discovered references to a canceled Portal paint game within Aperture Desk Job’s code. Valve also released Aperture Desk Job as a Steam Deck tech demo in 2022, showing they’re still interested in the Portal universe.
Would Portal 3 work in VR?
Portal’s puzzle mechanics could translate excellently to VR. Players could physically place portals in 3D space, walk through test chambers, and experience the game in a more immersive way. The Steam Frame VR headset would be perfectly suited for this type of experience.
Final Thoughts
Whether this LTT background footage represents Portal 3, a Portal spin-off, or just Portal 2 running on new hardware, the speculation itself shows how hungry the gaming community is for Valve to return to this beloved franchise. Portal 2 ended on a satisfying note, but there’s clearly room for more stories in the Aperture Science universe, especially with modern technology and hardware capabilities that didn’t exist in 2011.
The smart money says Valve has something Portal-related in development. Whether it’s a full sequel, a VR experience, or something completely unexpected remains to be seen. But with new hardware launching in Spring 2026 and a track record of pairing system releases with compelling software, don’t be surprised if Valve officially pulls back the curtain on a Portal project in the coming months. Until then, we’ll keep analyzing every frame of background footage for clues.