Does the changelevel command have the same problem? I know in most Source games using map doesn't preserve game state, but changelevel does, though I'm not well versed in Portal 2's version of the engine.

I posted this explanation in a separate thread about this same bug:

This is due to the "map ..." command, which is used to dynamically load the required map, acting unpredictably. It seems to work when the save has been created in the current gameplay session, but then when running the "map ..." command after loading an existing save an error is returned in the console, shutting down the server. In the next update (not for a few weeks at least), I will look into building a solution based entirely on map entities, which should fix the problem.

For now, there is a very quick way to die in the game, which can be found by taking the left bridge in the tutorial level. I don't want to spoil too much more for new players, but this should help to access end-game levels without this problem.

Little update from some guy! did some testing. I could never get afterlife progess to remain between saves, even if loading in from main menu, so if you want to go home, do not ever load a save (as of 5/23/2025)! you have to do it all in one shot.

Fastest way to die that I found worked 100% of the time was starting the game, completing the intro section, then falling in-between the first "bridges" choice, waiting the ten seconds, then walking the way to the pit. that always progressed afterlife progress, but only IF you do it all "in one go" and never load a save.

if you're reading this guide, you are most likely looking to "go home" anyways and you dont need me to convince you. but if not, its worth it! the developer put every fiber of their being into these sections.

I had to keep loading the ending06 map with the changelevel command, ending01 did not consistently trigger the "Die trigger" and I did not want to replay the entire game. On ending04 the transit door did not close, I think once you beat that you can't die that way, so could not use that one. Loding the ending06 map and jumping off 30 times + blue plate seemed to trigger it every time.

I sent you a friend request, since you don't seem to have any contacts listed anywhere

You should be able to load a save, as this keeps your "death progress" (which map gets loaded next upon death). You can also take the quick route and knock it out fairly quickly if your saves do not work.

If you think that you have lost your progress and you are an advanced user, you can always open the developer console and enter the command "dump_globals". If you see "deathprogress_bit1" "2" and "3", then your progress is still present in your save file. If you do the following and do not see this, please report this to me so that I can fix it.

I appreciate everyone progressing despite difficulties, and I hope that you all have enjoyed or will enjoy going Home.

P.S.: I love the summary of each map here. :D It's really fun to see other people make sense of the Land of [REDACTED].

i think that would be the fastest

iirc just jumping down the middle, and not walking on one of the bridges, makes you wait for only 10 seconds

So what is the quickest way to die from the start? maybe the left bridge when it tells you to go right?

You can't load a save, from what I've seen