I think these test chambers look even better than they did before. It was easy, really. You just have to look at things objectively, see what you don't need anymore, and trim out the fat.
Here’s a look at the newest rendition of laser_pit. Due to complaints about a sudden difficulty spike with testers, the chamber has been reduced to its core concepts. The mini-puzzle that required the player to remove a laser redirection cube from a small room has been removed in order to focus on the main puzzle: powering the exit with a laser.
Aside from the missing cube room, the layout of the chamber has seen a few tweaks as well. The pit used for flinging has been relocated and grating has been added to prevent the player from dropping from the higher ledge to the lower parts of the chamber without use of portals.
The laser placement was also changed to better the puzzle’s layout.
Playtesters had difficulties locating the laser catcher that was originally mounted on the ceiling, as most players would not look up unless directed to. To fix this, the laser catcher is now placed on a wall at the exit where it is in plain sight. The laser emitter however, is now mounted to the ceiling, where the catcher used to be. To help guide the player’s eye, light strips are placed vertically, leading the player’s up upwards. The laser emitter itself is also activated by a button, beaming a red laser down from the ceiling, indicating its placement in the room.
Other minor changes such as the white floor being condensed into smaller areas where portal placement is key, and lighting changes have been made to better the playing experience.