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Why Valve is the best company out there.

Blogs > konadora
Post a Reply
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konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66358 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-04-21 13:53:27
April 21 2012 13:49 GMT
#1
This just came out on Kotaku so I took a look, and this is exactly why Valve gets so much love from diehard loyal fans and employees. I feel that this was what Blizzard and Google were, but now, only Valve remains with such company environment.

Basically, this is a "handbook" given out to new employees who start working in Valve. And from just the first few pages, you'll know why Valve is such an awesome company.

http://cdn.flamehaus.com/Valve_Handbook_LowRes.pdf

Really really inspiring and impressive stuff.

****
POGGERS
Denzil
Profile Joined August 2010
United Kingdom4193 Posts
April 21 2012 13:55 GMT
#2
so how long until they become what blizzard and google have become?
Anna: So Sen how will you prepare for your revenge v MC? Sen: With a smile.
obesechicken13
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10467 Posts
April 21 2012 13:56 GMT
#3
That looks nice. Not sure what's wrong with Google or Blizzard though.
I think in our modern age technology has evolved to become more addictive. The things that don't give us pleasure aren't used as much. Work was never meant to be fun, but doing it makes us happier in the long run.
Serejai
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
6007 Posts
April 21 2012 14:15 GMT
#4
I don't see Valve becomming like Blizzard anytime soon. Blizzard was decent from 1992 - 2003, whereas Valve has been decent from 1998-2012. They already have a better track record than Blizzard and unlike Diablo 3 or SC2 I simply can't picture HL3 being a disappointment so it's probably safe to say Valve has at least another few years of guaranteed quality left in them.

It would take a lot to make Valve fall... mostly because they're not motivated by money like Blizzard is since they can rely on Steam for revenue. It's not a matter of "put in the least amount of effort for the most amount of profit" like it is for Blizzard. It's closer to "make a good game at any cost"... something nearly all game developers have lost in the last decade.
I HAVE 5 TOAST POINTS
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66358 Posts
April 21 2012 14:17 GMT
#5
On April 21 2012 22:56 obesechicken13 wrote:
That looks nice. Not sure what's wrong with Google or Blizzard though.

Everyone knows Blizzard went down the drains after the dissolving of Blizzard North and being merged with Activision, while Google has had problems from becoming "the dream employer company" to "just another megacorporation" as of late.
POGGERS
Count9
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
China10928 Posts
April 21 2012 14:38 GMT
#6
On April 21 2012 22:55 Denzil wrote:
so how long until they become what blizzard and google have become?

When people start leaving, it always starts when important people start leaving and start their own vetures.
kakaman
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States1576 Posts
April 21 2012 14:40 GMT
#7
Valve probably won't go down the route of Blizzard unless EA or one of the big developers snatch them up and mandate a yearly release. Valve is more related to Take-two and the GTA guys, where they don't release anything until it's fit for release.
daz
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
Canada643 Posts
April 21 2012 14:58 GMT
#8
On April 21 2012 23:15 Serejai wrote:
I don't see Valve becomming like Blizzard anytime soon. Blizzard was decent from 1992 - 2003, whereas Valve has been decent from 1998-2012. They already have a better track record than Blizzard and unlike Diablo 3 or SC2 I simply can't picture HL3 being a disappointment so it's probably safe to say Valve has at least another few years of guaranteed quality left in them.

It would take a lot to make Valve fall... mostly because they're not motivated by money like Blizzard is since they can rely on Steam for revenue. It's not a matter of "put in the least amount of effort for the most amount of profit" like it is for Blizzard. It's closer to "make a good game at any cost"... something nearly all game developers have lost in the last decade.


i guess you haven't tried CS:GO yet...
Some eat to remember, some smash to forget. 2009msl.com
Black[CAT]
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Malaysia2589 Posts
April 21 2012 15:04 GMT
#9
Wow, it really seemed like Valve is a great place to work at~
You mean ESPORTS isnt a synonym for SC2? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ -Proud owner of a Filco Majestouch 2 with Cherry Blue Switches- BW or SC2? Why not both?
Saechiis
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Netherlands4989 Posts
April 21 2012 15:05 GMT
#10
Insomniac Games is the best ^^
I think esports is pretty nice.
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES50748 Posts
April 21 2012 15:05 GMT
#11
thats a pretty damn good handbook there.
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
HornyHerring
Profile Joined March 2011
Papua New Guinea1059 Posts
April 21 2012 15:35 GMT
#12
If Valve ever releases HL3/EP3 I might consider them good.
oh, hai
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Katowice25012 Posts
April 21 2012 15:37 GMT
#13
I've already sent Naz an angry message about why TL didn't give me one of these when I started working here.

Interestingly this is almost exactly how TL runs.
@RealHeyoka | ESL / DreamHack StarCraft Lead
Ydriel
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Italy516 Posts
April 21 2012 15:40 GMT
#14
Damn...reading the handbook makes one's mind imagine how it would be like to work there... pretty awesome for sure.
<3 SC2 <3<3 Dota 2. Steam ID: HellS
papaz
Profile Joined December 2009
Sweden4149 Posts
April 21 2012 16:30 GMT
#15
Wow, read through the first pages and can say that is impressive.

"Choose your own project. By this time you have figured out you weren't hired to fill out a certain job position".

EienShinwa
Profile Joined May 2010
United States655 Posts
April 21 2012 16:54 GMT
#16
Further concrete evidence that Valve still has its pioneer-like free mind and positive reinforcement of new ideas. Blizzard on the other hand...
I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches. Alice Roosevelt Longworth
PassiveAce
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States18076 Posts
April 21 2012 17:04 GMT
#17
Read the glossary ROFL!
Call me Marge Simpson cuz I love you homie
Teddyman
Profile Joined October 2008
Finland362 Posts
April 21 2012 17:11 GMT
#18
Team Fortress (1996)
+ Show Spoiler +


TFC (1999)
+ Show Spoiler +


ETF (2004)
+ Show Spoiler +


into

TF2 (2007)
+ Show Spoiler +


Best company ever if you hate gameplay and love hats.
"Chess is a dead game" -Bobby Fischer 2004
Xxio
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Canada5565 Posts
April 21 2012 17:21 GMT
#19
Google is still awesome - for good programmers at least.
KTY
mel_ee
Profile Blog Joined August 2003
2448 Posts
April 21 2012 17:26 GMT
#20
wow nice valve 10th company vacation. I really enjoy that flat model, I feel their reasoning is spot on.
Behold the bold soldier, control the globe slowly proceeds to blow swingin swords like Shinobi
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