[Solution]
The hints in the OP form an anagram (edit: err, acronym, not anagram. Duh.) where the first letter spells out PASTEBIN. The final hint gives the end of a pastebin url: http://pastebin.com/AdhQUYCg

The pastebin link contains the beginning the Steamgifts code, a link to a Portal 2 map, and a link to a song. Why the song? Because auto-tuned Neil deGrasse Tyson is awesome, that's why.

At first glance, the Portal 2 map is impossible: a laser wall that you can't get over, leading to a dead end hallway. However, if you keep in mind the Kobayashi Maru theme and the hint about consoles and use the Portal 2 console to turn on the noclip cheat, you'll find a giant room directly below you with the remainder of the code displayed on the far wall above the exit.

The combined code leads to a SpaceChem giveaway with a barely concealed link in the description to the SpaceChem DLC for solvers who were disappointed to find that they already had the game.

In hindsight I failed to consider that even for people who owned Portal 2 bandwidth or hard drive limitations might be a problem, and I think a couple people took the Skyrim joke at the end of the last one a little more seriously than I intended, so apologies on both counts.

Thanks to everyone who participated, apologies to chour who was (I believe) the only solver who already had both the base game and DLC, and congrats to the winners!


A few things to keep in mind:

Portal 2 is required to participate in the puzzle. Sorry, it was necessary. Credit to Bonpar (I think?) for the inspiration.
Anything in or about this post may be relevant. Don't limit yourself!
Shortcuts? I dunno, sounds risky.
The end may not be where you think it is, and may be less important than the beginning.
Even the most jaded PC gamer has to admit that some consoles have merit.
Burying a solution behind multiple obscure encryption schemes? What kind of a heartless bastard would do that? :)
I will not offer any further hints. Done properly, no part of the solution is in any way ambiguous and the prize would not be useful to someone frustrated by complex puzzles.
Now, enough of my babbling. Here's the end of my guidance: AdhQUYCg.

Giveaway begins now and ends on Monday at 6:30 PM EST.

12 years ago*

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First step was nice, let's see how far I go.

Edit: Got it, thanks for Skyrim!!

12 years ago
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thx

12 years ago
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Since I don't have Portal 2 installed and have almost no harddrive space right now, do you mind telling us what the game is? Or is it important not to mention?

12 years ago
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That's a fair point that I hadn't really considered, so I'll break my own rule about hints and say this: if you already own SpaceChem, you may find the puzzle significantly less rewarding than other people.

12 years ago
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Thanks for saving me the effort, already have it (and it is an excellent game) :)

12 years ago
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Thank you. I may attempt this anyway, provided I find the time.

12 years ago
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Yet you wouldn't tell me when I asked :(

Have a free bump anyway.

12 years ago
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Bump from the depths for the evening crowd. Up to 7 entries!

12 years ago
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Make that 6 entries. That means a new solver would currently have, what, like a... 20% chance to win? Or maybe 33%? I was never very good at math.

12 years ago
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I'm stuck after step one... :S

12 years ago
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Hmmmm got the first one, now wut. Maybe I'll work on it later :D

12 years ago
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<24 hours remaining! Will post solutions tomorrow night.

12 years ago
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Thanks for the offer. I finished the first step, but I'm kind of stuck on what to do next. It seems like this happens with most puzzles I try. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish this in time. I tend to have trouble getting unstuck in puzzles around here.

12 years ago
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Prizes have been sent out and the solution has been edited into the OP for anyone still curious. Feedback welcome!

12 years ago
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I had no idea how to solve the second part, but seeing your explanation, it generally makes sense. Even if I had gotten to the point of knowing to open the console in the game (which I didn't), I don't see where the noclip cheat comes in though. I don't think I've heard of it before, so I still probably wouldn't have been able to solve the puzzle. Is there some clue that would indicate using that cheat? Nice puzzle, and at least it didn't seem as hard as some others I've tried (even if I couldn't finish it). Thanks!

12 years ago
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Closed 12 years ago by Lunk.