Portal 2’s next DLC: In-game map editor

Valve announced today that Portal 2 will be receiving new DLC early next year, but this time the DLC is going to be different.

Rather than cook up a new set of challenge maps for players to take on in singleplayer or co-op, Valve is working on creating an in-game map editor to allow users to create, edit and share maps of their very own, all from a slick, intuitive in-game interface.

Not much is known about it at this point, but Valve did say that users will be able to use the “easy-to-use” map editor to create both singleplayer test chambers and co-op test chambers. Once uploaded, other players will be able to check out your map, and even rate it if they like it.

Not only do we not know much about it, we also don’t know as of yet just what platforms Portal 2‘s second helping of DLC will be available on. It’s more than safe to say it’ll be arriving on PC, but a console release is up in the air at this point. We’ve reached out for comment on that.

Valve says that it’s aiming to get the Portal 2 map editor out by early 2012 which, when converted to Valve time, could be just about anything. Maybe sooner, maybe later. Who knows, it may be on time!

Just kidding, Valve. You know I love you.