Valve profiled in The New York Times

[Wrigleyvillain]

"A Video Game Maker Without A Rulebook"

 

[INSTG8R]

Interesting article. I didn't like the part about Big Picture tho.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Yeah. Heh, it's easy to forget how unique Valve is simply with regards to Steam as well. Referring to the quote from the guy at EA--they point out that he is "both a competitor and partner with Valve". Selling other publisher/developer's games on the service too was brilliant.

 

[NHKS]

good article.. i hope Valve remains the way it is & has always been.. it is refreshing to see a successful company not essentially directed by bean counters / stakeholders while also remaining true to its existence & complying with workforce ethics.. their new employee handbook is an example of their unique approach to everything.. there might be exceptions but I guess it should be great place to work..

more on the Big Picture.. beta outs today
Valve Is Bringing Steam To Your TV Today. Watch Out, Consoles - Kotaku

Today, Valve will launch the beta of Big Picture mode, a version of Steam designed for your television. That's right. The de facto central hub of PC gaming is now designed to run while you're lounging in your living room—and with a controller, no less. I've tried out Big Picture. It's sleek, intuitive, and groundbreaking in several ways.

No, this new "Steam TV" isn't going to make our video game consoles go away. It's not going to turn your Xbox into a doorstop or obviate your PS3. But Big Picture could be a crucial first step toward making PC gaming more accessible, more convenient, and more suited for living rooms than ever before.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Agreed and indeed.

 

[Guitar]

Valve is one of the model companies in a lot of respects, at least in my mind. They have an excellent business model, what seems to be an excellent working environment, and an excellent software/distribution method. I don't buy games anymore if they aren't on Steam really, just because it is so easy to have everything linked to your account and be able to download it anywhere rather than having to fool with discs and such. Their games are also great too, however delayed and such they may be. There are a few things that irk me, like Gabe's dislike for consoles, but overall I really love the company. Good read.

 

[Binge]

Without being too loving of Valve. I am so happy that they have taken a big idea and made it beyond the scope of simple minded companies like EA.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

I'm not a big fan of Gabe Newell, and I really don't personally like the idea of having only a digital vs hard copy of the games I own, but Valve overall as a company certainly has been one of the biggest entities (if not THE biggest) keeping PC gaming alive and well, and for that they have my respect.

That said, this talk of Steam Box, if it happens, could turn out to be more (or should I say less) than a way to make Steam's PC versions of games play easier with HT gear. God forbid they should go whole hog into the console world the way the once respected by PC players Epic Games did.

All things change in time, some for the better, some for the worse.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Yes, the only constant is change.