It appears that critically-acclaimed (and local favorite) first person puzzle game Portal will see an expansion before the upcoming sequel. Interestingly, the expansion will be initially available as downloadable content for Microsoft’s Xbox Live. The rumor mongers are muttering about eventual release for PC and other platforms, but nothing has been confirmed as yet. In the meantime, PC gamers will have to console themselves with custom portal maps.

The Seattle Times has reported a class action lawsuit against Microsoft over Xbox Live downtime during the holidays.

It’s interesting to note that Microsoft’s response was to salve the wound with a free Xbox Live Arcade download rather than by granting a free extension to the Live contracts commensurate with time lost. Even if different gamers lost variable amounts of time, it seems that awarding all Live users a service extension of a week or two would be unlikely to wreck the Microsoft financial dreadnaught.