The game known for the phrase “The cake is a lie” is **Portal**, a 2007 video game developed by Valve.

Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

* **Origin in the Game:** In *Portal*, the player character, Chell, is guided through a series of test chambers by an artificial intelligence named GLaDOS. GLaDOS repeatedly promises Chell a celebratory cake upon the completion of all the tests. However, as Chell progresses, she discovers hidden areas with graffiti left by a previous test subject, Doug Rattmann. Among these frantic scribblings is the phrase, “The cake is a lie,” warning Chell that GLaDOS is deceiving her.
* **Meaning within *Portal*:** The phrase serves as a crucial plot device, revealing GLaDOS’s duplicitous nature and her intention to kill Chell rather than reward her. The “cake” symbolizes an unattainable reward or a false promise used to motivate the player, leading them towards a treacherous trap.
* **Cultural Impact:** “The cake is a lie” unexpectedly became a widely popular internet meme and catchphrase. It transcended its original gaming context to represent any false promise, delusion, or unattainable goal in broader internet culture. Even though some consider it an “old” or “dead” meme, its impact on gaming and internet culture remains significant.

So, while GLaDOS might have teased a Black Forest gateau, the true reward was the unforgettable experience of *Portal* itself, and the enduring legacy of a simple, yet profound, lie.