# Gratis Gaming Goods Blockbuster Puzzle Game Portal is Released for Free in Order to Teach Kids By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-09-19 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portal References: [gamepolitics](http://gamepolitics.com/2011/09/16/portal-free-during-valve-education-push) & [store.steampowered](http://store.steampowered.com/app/400/) In the hopes of proving a strong point, developer [Valve](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steam-families) has made their popular puzzle game Portal [free-to-play](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ocean-of-games) until the 20th of September for both PC and [Mac](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haunted-mansion-experience) users. Despite having never played video games themselves, American legislatures continue to harangue modern games for having no artistic or educational value. Unfortunately for them, Portal seems to have escaped their periphery. With over 5-million copies sold, the first-person puzzler is among the most popular games available today. The premise is fairly simple: Without killing or harming anyone, the player must traverse various trap rooms using their portal gun, a 'weapon' that shoots alternating portals that allow players to bend the rules of physics. Scientific studies have conclusively shown the benefits of playing the game, which helps children navigate virtual space and understand basic spacial rules... all while giving them a laugh! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Free-to-play Games:** Offering popular games for free can attract a large player base and serve as a marketing strategy for developers. - **Educational Gaming:** Using video games as a tool to teach children skills and knowledge can enhance their learning experience. - **Virtual Spatial Navigation:** Exploring and understanding virtual space can have practical applications in real-world scenarios, such as architecture and design. ### Who This Affects Most - **Gaming:** The gaming industry can explore the potential of free-to-play games and educational gaming to broaden their audience and improve user engagement. - **Education:** The education industry can leverage video games as an interactive and engaging method to teach various subjects to students. - **Technology:** Advancements in virtual spatial navigation can be utilized across industries like architecture, engineering, and interior design for planning and visualizing spaces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Improved Game Graphics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portal-1.md) - [Casual Puzzle Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/block-blast-games.md) - [Engaging 3D Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foros-game.md) - [Interactive Learning Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/familyfunhub.md) - [Accessible Revamped Online Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homeworld-deserts-of-kharak.md) - [Family Game-Sharing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steam-families.md) - [Family-Friendly VR Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battle-orb.md) - [Gamified Geography Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geoguessr-steam-edition.md) - [Free PC Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ocean-of-games.md)