We haven't heard very much from Kim Swift since she left Valve to become creative director at Airtight Games, but on Saturday at PAX, Swift will start talking about what she's been working on.

The co-creator of Portal and the project behind its inspiration, Narbacular Drop, Swift left Valve in December 2009, a few months before Valve would eventually announce that Portal 2 was coming.

Swift also ended up helping out on the Left 4 Dead series.

All we have to go on about Swift's new project at Airtight Games is this snippet from Square Enix:

"PAX attendees will be the first to see Square Enix and Airtight Games globally reveal a top–secret joint project through their exclusive panel. Meet the development team, including Creative Director Kim Swift (Portal, Left 4 Dead 1, Left 4 Dead 2) and the rest of the Airtight Games team, and hear their explanation of how they are bringing an incredibly fascinating and quirky game to life."

If you're at PAX, you can attend the panel on Saturday at 7:00 pm in the Pegasus Room.

Eyebrows were raised over Swift's departure, especially so since she left not long prior to Airtight Games released its first project, the poorly received Dark Void.

We haven't heard very much from Kim Swift since she left Valve to become creative director at Airtight Games, but on Saturday at PAX, Swift will start talking about what she's been working on.

The co-creator of Portal and the project behind its inspiration, Narbacular Drop, Swift left Valve in December 2009, a few months before Valve would eventually announce that Portal 2 was coming.

Swift also ended up helping out on the Left 4 Dead series.

All we have to go on about Swift's new project at Airtight Games is this snippet from Square Enix:

"PAX attendees will be the first to see Square Enix and Airtight Games globally reveal a top–secret joint project through their exclusive panel. Meet the development team, including Creative Director Kim Swift (Portal, Left 4 Dead 1, Left 4 Dead 2) and the rest of the Airtight Games team, and hear their explanation of how they are bringing an incredibly fascinating and quirky game to life."

If you're at PAX, you can attend the panel on Saturday at 7:00 pm in the Pegasus Room.

Eyebrows were raised over Swift's departure, especially so since she left not long prior to Airtight Games released its first project, the poorly received Dark Void.

I wonder what it could be

I'm listening.

Dark Void Kinect

Hopefully it'll be better than Dark Void.

I'm very curious.

As third in the Kim Swift GB page, I'm Kim-curious.

Cool lady

I really enjoyed Dark Void. I could see a sequel being feasible if they improve the AI, give the player more freedom to explore and create more diversity in the enemies and weapons. Having said that i would like to think they put this ladies obvious talents towards a more original game.

This sounds like it will be a new IP. I always like new IPs (unless they suck).

Sweet

Airtight games huh? Man, to leave Valve... that must have been one hell of a job offer.

@Sanzee: Creative Director is a pretty tempting title if you are just a rank and file designer from any company.

It  sounds like this woman likes to try out new ideas and such.
 
The did Nabtacular Drop.... turned that to the absolute best it could be in Portal.  Taking mechanics and ideas and making more of a game around it. 
L4D is very well crafted and balanced.
Dark Void had good ideas, it just didn't pay off on other aspects.  
 
I think an experianced game maker behind them to tighten up the nuts and bolts; and a high concept game from her could be great.

Hawt.

My body is ready.

I'd be up for checking it out

I'm intrigued.

Am I the only one expecting an information leak from Airtight Games?

@Blackout62: lol nice.

Interested in seeing what this one offers.

@Blackout62 said:

Am I the only one expecting an information leak from Airtight Games?

Zing.

she pretty...*drools*

"the poorly received Dark Void."

Giant Bomb review: 3 Stars. Journalism!

On paper she appears to have an impressive resume, but I have to imagine that her involvement in the games listed was pretty minimal if Valve was willing to let her go.  Sounds like the true brains behind Portal were likely the other guys that stuck with Valve, and her supposed "help" on L4D doesn't make it seem her contributions were very large. I'm not going to get myself too excited about this project she's working on.

I hope it's something crazy.

@Blackout62 said:

Am I the only one expecting an information leak from Airtight Games?

Not if she's SWIFT enough to close the leaky VALVE right?........right?

*crickets*

PAAAAAXXXX

Swift didn't form Airtight so I'm not sure how this is "her" game. Games are made by teams of people, know what I mean. I get your tabloid desire to single out the pretty face, though, Pat. You guys did the same shit at 1up along with most game outlets with Assassin's Creed 1.

Swift didn't form Airtight so I'm not sure how this is "her" game. Games are made by teams of people, know what I mean. I get your tabloid desire to single out the pretty face, though, Pat. You guys did the same shit at 1up along with most game outlets with Assassin's Creed 1.

I'm interested, but the main problem I see is that Narbacular Drop was an awesome concept, but basic and undeveloped. Which is to be expected from a student project.

What made Portal great was taking that basic concept and combining it with tight design, great puzzles, and fucking amazing writing, and a lot of that was what Valve brought to the table. I'm definitely up for anything that the Narbacular Drop creators could bring, but outside Valve we'll see what they can do.

I am interested to see what is announced!

Cute creative director is cute.

There's a girl!!! OBJECTIFY HER!!!!!!

Oh wait, that's already been done.

My body is ready.

@Blackout62 said:

Am I the only one expecting an information leak from Airtight Games?

Not if she's SWIFT enough to close the leaky VALVE right?........right?

*crickets*

@Rekt_Hed: It isn't funny because you don't get it, or because you don't care to. Either way, I think it is funny.

It will be Dark Void...with Portals.

@Rekt_Hed said:

@mbk337

My body is ready.

Have I missed some new meme or something why the hell do people keep posting this? I mean its not funny.

It was a new meme for about 10 minutes, then it was an old meme. Now it's positively expired.

And it was never funny.

Leaving Valve for Airtight Games
 
wat

Hey now, I liked Dark Void.

She must have landed some huge coin for working for them. I wouldn't be surprised if they offered her royalties and profit-sharing.

I guess that Valve wasn't so Airtight, huh? 

@mr_shoeless: I think it is funny, so it doesn't matter to me.