THE BORE

General => Video Game Bored => Topic started by: SantaC on June 28, 2012, 11:27:48 PM

Title: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: SantaC on June 28, 2012, 11:27:48 PM
Atleast on gaf. With every bit of news they praise the hell out of valve. They could release Gabe's turd in a box and gaf would call it the greatest thing to mankind. For such an ambiguous company, why haven't they released more big games? Isn't their last big release like HL2 from 2004? I could be wrong.

Yeah I forgot about Steam, but it's a service and not a fucking game. Give me more AAA games instead.

Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on June 28, 2012, 11:37:51 PM
Ep1, Ep2, Portal 1, Portal 2, L4D1, L4D2, TF2, DOTA, and Steam. They have a pretty stellar track record since they released HL2 and a high standard of quality.

Like the Pixar of the video game industry.*

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Before they released Cars2 and Brave.
[close]
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on June 28, 2012, 11:38:33 PM
For me personaly, I dont really give a crud about their games. Their games are not for me. I like them because the steam platform itself makes it easy for me to house my games, connect with friends playing the same thing, form communities around releases etc. tl;dr it's steam, not their poopy games
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: archnemesis on June 28, 2012, 11:38:35 PM
I think Valve are alright. The Half-Life series doesn't do much for me, but on the other hand I think Counter-Strike and Portal are amazing games.


List of games after 2004:
• 2005 - Day of Defeat: Source
• 2006 - Half-Life 2: Episode One
• 2007 - Half-Life 2: Episode Two
• 2007 - Team Fortress 2
• 2007 - Portal
• 2008 - Left 4 Dead
• 2009 - Left 4 Dead 2
• 2010 - Alien Swarm
• 2011 - Portal 2
• 2012 - Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• 2012 - Dota 2
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Vizzys on June 28, 2012, 11:40:10 PM
because gaben is our lord and savior
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Cerveza mas fina on June 28, 2012, 11:40:43 PM
l4d 1 and 2 should have been one game, now they kind of killed that goose
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: brob on June 28, 2012, 11:45:44 PM

Like the Pixar of the video game industry.*

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Before they released Cars2 and Brave.
[close]

pixar never really were all that though :shh
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Trent Dole on June 29, 2012, 03:48:48 AM
because gaben is our lord and savior
Yeah. Successful morbidly obese fuck makes all the other fatty fat fats think they can have their own empire someday.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: The Sceneman on June 29, 2012, 03:55:43 AM
I've barely used Steam, but can tell it's obviously the shit. Case closed
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: maxy on June 29, 2012, 03:56:17 AM
Steam probably.
Releasing AAA game would require significant $$$ investment,so why bother when you have Steam?


As for gaf,
People like Steam and Valve(Steam) is seen as some competition to MS,that helps with sfags.I don't think ninthings care much about it.

Quote
Ep1, Ep2, Portal 1, Portal 2, L4D1, L4D2, TF2, DOTA

1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2


Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Vizzys on June 29, 2012, 03:59:48 AM
if you dont like valve youre prolly a shitty person with bad taste in everything

do you not like buying games, how bout massively discounted ones
a company that still lets people mod their games in the year 2012
games that are fun to play and polished because they dont shit them out in a year (lol l4d2)

accept gaben into your heart

Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on June 29, 2012, 04:00:44 AM
I don't think my heart is big enough, Viz.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on June 29, 2012, 04:08:41 AM
I don't think my heart is big enough, Viz.
Buy an ultra large dlc hat and accept the gaben into it
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: The Sceneman on June 29, 2012, 04:11:46 AM
(http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/322006_700b.jpg)
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 04:36:19 AM
Ep1, Ep2, Portal 1, Portal 2, L4D1, L4D2, TF2, DOTA, and Steam. They have a pretty stellar track record since they released HL2 and a high standard of quality.

Like the Pixar of the video game industry.*

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Before they released Cars2 and Brave.
[close]

they've had a great track record since HL1.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Human Snorenado on June 29, 2012, 04:44:59 AM
They could have only done HL, HL2, Portal and Portal 2 and they'd still be one of my favorite developers.  Toss in STEAM and it's pretty obvious. 

Of course, console dirtpersons just don't understand.  :smug
Title: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on June 29, 2012, 04:55:26 AM
Ep1, Ep2, Portal 1, Portal 2, L4D1, L4D2, TF2, DOTA, and Steam. They have a pretty stellar track record since they released HL2 and a high standard of quality.

Like the Pixar of the video game industry.*

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Before they released Cars2 and Brave.
[close]

they've had a great track record since HL1.

You're right, but since our friend FantaC has been wondering what they've been up to since 2004, I thought those were sufficient.

جابن كبير لكن الله اكبر
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: maxy on June 29, 2012, 06:02:10 AM
cry moar please,hl1 is the only good half life game

no wonder germany run you over so quickly,you were too busy crying over spilled milk

Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Fifstar on June 29, 2012, 06:22:36 AM
HL2 is overrated in my opinion (still a good game, but not as good as HL1) but steam is pretty great, don't think you can handle an online games store much better.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: maxy on June 29, 2012, 07:01:26 AM
HL2 is a decent game,had tons of fun playing it back in 2004(at 15 fps).But the sequel is long overdue.

Proper HL3 or bust,sorry Valve.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: archie4208 on June 29, 2012, 07:29:45 AM
They make incredibly polished games.  (Even if you don't like the gameplay, you can't deny how much effort normally goes into their titles.)
They release free, significant, updates for their games for free (300 TF2 updates, Portal 2 map editor, L4D updates)
They don't actively try to fuck over their customers (Steam sales, Dota 2 having a F2P model that isn't a massive grindfest)
They provide things to service the community ala Steam Workshop (where people have been paid thousands of dollars for making hats) and Source Filmmaker (releasing the same tools they use to make their promos for free)
They actively listen to their community and release updates to appease to them.  (As an example:  Dota 2's in game voice chat was shit for the longest time, so they implemented a new codec that significantly improved the voice quality)

You don't have to like Valve games, but you have to admit they are one of the few bro devs in the industry.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: TEEEPO on June 29, 2012, 07:57:53 AM
the only problem with Valve are the manic faithfuls whose entire PC gaming hobby is dependent on what titles are available on Steam. they can't even be bothered to add non Steam titles to their vast gaming library because it doesn't count towards some trivial gameplay stats counter as if anyone other than themselves gives a shit about what titles they play. no one is impressed that you not only played Skyrim for 100 hours but also managed to squeeze five hours into Europa Universali 3 and even managed to boot up and play one of those indie title you bought for pennies during a bundle sale for nearly a full ten minutes.

other than that, Valve deserves all the praise they get.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Eel O'Brian on June 29, 2012, 07:58:58 AM
plus they do things like releasing an entire machinima program, for free, just because they know people like doing that kind of thing

steam interface and store is still clunky bullshit, though
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: maxy on June 29, 2012, 08:02:43 AM
The Borys problem is that he is trying to justify his "favorite" company decisions by using MS.MS is following the scent of the money as they always were--nothing shocking there.

To me,it's very stupid to use MS(or any other) anti-consumer business decisions to justify competition action.

That is like saying that every country in the world should be like Polland :D

HL3 please
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: tiesto on June 29, 2012, 08:48:57 AM
I like the Half Life games, and the Portal games, but the rest of their lineup doesn't do it for me. TF2 was OK I guess, thought Counterstrike looked dated even back in my college days. I still have never played a DOTA game nor do I have any inclination to, based on what I've heard.

Steam is pretty cool, though I prefer GOG. Maybe every country shouldn't be like Poland, but they can at least make their DL services as good as the Polish...

...great now this thread made me think of Polish women. BRB gotta go look up Eva Wyrwal pics again.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: SantaC on June 29, 2012, 10:32:10 AM
Because they make some of the most popular games we know?

Oh, its a SantaC thread.

I could be wrong, but havent they let external devs making lots of games for them? Do Valve actually have any internal dev teams anymore? If so, where the hell is Half-Life 3?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 29, 2012, 10:35:20 AM
Because they make some of the most popular games we know?

Oh, its a SantaC thread.

I could be wrong, but havent they let external devs making lots of games for them?

No, they acquire external devs and then have them making games.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 10:47:56 AM
Like, even if you aren't big on their games (I for one think HL2 is overrated despite being one of the greatest games I've played), how can you question a company like Valve that has won over SO MUCH good will from gamers over the years just by playing it nice and including a modicum of customer relations and support?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Joe Molotov on June 29, 2012, 10:48:44 AM
Because videogames.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fistfulofmetal on June 29, 2012, 10:49:37 AM
man. nerds are the worst.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Trent Dole on June 29, 2012, 10:49:53 AM
Yeaaah, their fans can be insufferable but at least they're fans of a company that's genuinely deserving of praise.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 10:49:59 AM
Personally, Counter Strike is the best fps of all time to me.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Robo on June 29, 2012, 10:50:03 AM
Why are blowjobs so popular again?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 10:51:14 AM
I DUNNO, ROBO. I JUST DON'T KNOW.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on June 29, 2012, 10:51:45 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/vpCK0.jpg)
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 11:53:56 AM
borys, i was going to send you a steam friend request last night and you haven't been on in 200 days dude. shut the fuck up
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: CajoleJuice on June 29, 2012, 11:55:56 AM
plus they do things like releasing an entire machinima program, for free, just because they know people like doing that kind of thing

steam interface and store is still clunky bullshit, though

see, this man has had 10x more steam issues than anyone else and he STILL likes valve
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: cool breeze on June 29, 2012, 12:16:43 PM
the only problem with Valve are the manic faithfuls whose entire PC gaming hobby is dependent on what titles are available on Steam. they can't even be bothered to add non Steam titles to their vast gaming library because it doesn't count towards some trivial gameplay stats counter as if anyone other than themselves gives a shit about what titles they play. no one is impressed that you not only played Skyrim for 100 hours but also managed to squeeze five hours into Europa Universali 3 and even managed to boot up and play one of those indie title you bought for pennies during a bundle sale for nearly a full ten minutes.

other than that, Valve deserves all the praise they get.

yeah, some people see Steam as the only place to place to play PC games.  It's understandable since Steam streamline the whole process by automatically keeping games up to date, organizes everything, and having a community with friends and groups.  Ignoring games that aren't on steam can be a problem, though.

Personally, I choose GoG over Steam for older games, even if they cost a little more.  GoG games are DRM free and fix any compatibility issues.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on June 29, 2012, 12:19:20 PM
borys, i was going to send you a steam friend request last night and you haven't been on in 200 days dude. shut the fuck up
:lol
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on June 29, 2012, 12:24:42 PM
I have a desura, steam, gog, origin and gamersgate account. I use each differently but if a game is on all these services I would get it on steam unless there is a linux version on desura. The only service i flat out refuse to use is impulse.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: archie4208 on June 29, 2012, 12:36:58 PM
Honestly I'm kinda wary of other services besides GoG and Steam.  I had a bunch of games with Direct2Drive, and when they were bought by Gamefly I lost 75% of them.  I'm not a 'Steam or bust' person, but I will certainly prefer Steam over any competing service.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 29, 2012, 02:00:36 PM
Steam and GoG is a good combination. Origin is poopie of the highest order.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Fifstar on June 29, 2012, 02:19:56 PM
Steam and GoG is a good combination. Origin is poopie of the highest order.

Yep. I would purchase games elsewhere but most of the time there is no advantages over those two.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: CajoleJuice on June 29, 2012, 02:24:21 PM
Steam and GoG is a good combination. Origin is poopie of the highest order.

+ Blizzard digital store for me. But it's not like there are many games to buy on there.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on June 29, 2012, 02:45:07 PM
Oh yeah, definitely a +1 on blizzard store, even if their support is the worst in the industry.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: MrAngryFace on June 29, 2012, 03:57:29 PM
Valve saved PC gaming- I will praise them
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fistfulofmetal on June 29, 2012, 04:28:30 PM
thats because nobody plays ps3 online.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 04:32:05 PM
what in the fuck is psn, borys?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Human Snorenado on June 29, 2012, 04:40:57 PM
Apparently some 3rd world online gaming service
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on June 29, 2012, 04:44:35 PM
what's the point of adding people on PSN? it's not like you can play games together or anything
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fistfulofmetal on June 29, 2012, 04:45:17 PM
what in the fuck is psn, borys?

it's probably the facebook over there. polish social network.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 04:53:50 PM
On a serious note, Borys, you should join us for some TF2 and shit. Hopefully Saints Row The Third is on sale during steam sale. We can play that together.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 29, 2012, 05:03:56 PM
what in the fuck is psn, borys?

it's probably the facebook over there. polish social network.

:rofl
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 05:09:05 PM
I don't have mad skills in TF2. I play multi fps slightly better than I do multi rts, which is to say, really bad. But I still have a lot of fun with it. Last night I got my score up to 30+ after not having played it in like 2 years.

I guess I'm not giving myself enough credit. I'm not bad at TF2, I'm just much better at support roles like Medic. But I tend to PREFER support roles so it's no biggie for me.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fistfulofmetal on June 29, 2012, 05:10:11 PM
himu i want to destroy you in company of heroes
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 29, 2012, 05:11:32 PM
i got it installed bitch. come at me any time. wanna concentrate on finishing FFV before Jet Set Radio drops though. Whenever the hell that is.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Eel O'Brian on June 29, 2012, 06:01:51 PM
Honestly I'm kinda wary of other services besides GoG and Steam.  I had a bunch of games with Direct2Drive, and when they were bought by Gamefly I lost 75% of them.  I'm not a 'Steam or bust' person, but I will certainly prefer Steam over any competing service.

Yeah, I lost a few games in the Gamefly takeover, too. Gamefly keeps sending me emails about PC sales, and I'm like "Why the fuck should I ever give you money, again?"
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 29, 2012, 06:43:25 PM
That that was definitely the great way to immediately repulse quite a few potential customers.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: MrAngryFace on June 29, 2012, 06:55:45 PM
Gamestop Impulse is hilarious, mostly cause they sell steam cards in Gamestop stores.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 29, 2012, 06:59:55 PM
Impulse was decent service on Stardock, but I haven't checked it in a long time. Do they still sell tons of a cheap-o Euro-RPGs made in RPG Maker?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: MrAngryFace on June 29, 2012, 07:21:33 PM
Haha not so much, its basically steam in terms of publisher variety, but not as good- also somehow even less popular than Origin
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 29, 2012, 07:47:04 PM
I guess the bar is a little bit higher now that Gamestop is running it, but under Stardock they'd put up games like this ALL THE TIME:

http://www.impulsedriven.com/ayd (http://www.impulsedriven.com/ayd)
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: MrAngryFace on June 29, 2012, 07:53:45 PM
only 18 dollars!
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on June 29, 2012, 08:45:01 PM
I loved when Stardock would send me an e-mail about the latest big impulse sale and I'd look and it was the same fifteen to twenty obscure strategy/RPG games and their expansions on sale over and over again. At least half of which I'd only ever heard of because they were constantly on sale.

Looks like Impulse gets all the hot EA title deals:
http://www.impulsedriven.com/saboteur
http://www.impulsedriven.com/mirrorsedge
http://www.impulsedriven.com/nfshotpursuit
Title: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on June 29, 2012, 09:09:34 PM
yaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: chronovore on June 29, 2012, 09:15:38 PM
they don't have internet in poland, himu.  he posts on message boards by handwriting notes and mailing them to a one-armed sanitation worker named Charles who lives in the nearest place with internet (Probably Zaire or something).

what in the fuck is psn, borys?

it's probably the facebook over there. polish social network.

:rofl

Oh, jesus. Poor Borys.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Joe Molotov on June 30, 2012, 01:55:28 AM
I guess the bar is a little bit higher now that Gamestop is running it, but under Stardock they'd put up games like this ALL THE TIME:

http://www.impulsedriven.com/ayd (http://www.impulsedriven.com/ayd)

(http://storeimages.impulsedriven.com/product_gfx/cell.logo.ave.ss6.full.jpg)

I like how there's Rhen, Elni, and "Pirate John". Random RPG name generator must have broke down. :lol
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 30, 2012, 02:11:36 AM
Oh man, the developer of that RPG also hosts a bunch of games from the developer of Steam mega-hit Magical Diary on their site!

http://www.amaranthia.com/modules/oledrion/manufacturer.php?manu_id=5
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: MrAngryFace on June 30, 2012, 02:34:59 AM
http://www.amaranthia.com/modules/oledrion/product.php?product_id=268

basically Skyrim: Dawnguard
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on June 30, 2012, 09:04:40 AM
MAF I MISS WHITEY!!!

also now that gabe n is skinny and richer than god i feel better about having made fun of him for being fat but i feel bad because i'm fat and poor
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: MrAngryFace on June 30, 2012, 09:24:42 AM
Gabe w/Beard photos are fuckin intimidating
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Eel O'Brian on June 30, 2012, 09:28:02 AM
skinny?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on June 30, 2012, 09:29:11 AM
wait is he fat again? at one point he'd lost like 2 denis dyacks and i was like holy shit
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: MrAngryFace on June 30, 2012, 09:29:23 AM
(http://www.dealspwn.com/writer/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/gabe-BEARD-540x355.jpg)

HE WILL FUCK YOU UP
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on June 30, 2012, 09:30:26 AM
fat steven spielberg
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Eel O'Brian on June 30, 2012, 09:30:33 AM
he lives in the mountains

of our hearts :teehee
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on June 30, 2012, 09:31:02 AM
my heart has no mountains. it's a river of blood

no, literally
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Eel O'Brian on June 30, 2012, 09:34:23 AM
then he will kayak down the river of blood in your heart :heart
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on June 30, 2012, 09:44:01 AM
sounds painful

i liked it when he was just fat and kind of impotent

now that he's the king of the world, i'm just kind of scared
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Olivia Wilde Homo on June 30, 2012, 09:55:18 AM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Human Snorenado on June 30, 2012, 09:57:34 AM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/

DEM HATS
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: tiesto on June 30, 2012, 10:15:38 AM
I had no idea people were charging $$$ for their RPGmaker games... fuckkkkk, I need to get in on that shit.  :P
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on June 30, 2012, 10:55:18 AM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/

DEM HATS
DAT HATZ GOT DEM CASH MONEY
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: SantaC on June 30, 2012, 11:42:33 AM
Personally, Counter Strike is the best fps of all time to me.
which wasnt made by valve.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on June 30, 2012, 11:48:00 AM
Developer(s) -   Valve Corporation
Publisher(s)  -  Valve Corporation, Sierra Studios
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 30, 2012, 11:54:11 AM
SantaC is partially right, in that originally Counter-Strike was a student project by Minh Le. But Valve did what they'd always done: they stepped in, hired Le, bought the rights to the game, and got it polished up for a proper release.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: SantaC on June 30, 2012, 01:32:42 PM
SantaC is partially right, in that originally Counter-Strike was a student project by Minh Le. But Valve did what they'd always done: they stepped in, hired Le, bought the rights to the game, and got it polished up for a proper release.

I think it was a project by two people actually, dont remember the guys name.

Quote
a guy who props up shitty swedish developers is questioning valve's popularity

they had a nice run. Swedish devs are back sucking again.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: SantaC on June 30, 2012, 02:16:10 PM
like, I'm not a valve fan by any means, but it's not hard to figure this one out.  Valve makes and publishes very good games that generally have a high level of polish and release when they're finished, not according to a business clock.  On top of that, they created and operate the Steam service, which is probably responsible for the PC market coming back from the dead financially, and not only offers a shop with an incredibly wide array of titles, but also implements social features such as friend lists and achievements.  On top of *that*, they're quite possibly the most consumer-friendly company out there.

So, in summary:

1) Every so often, they release a game, and that game is usually quite good.
2) They also actively search out interesting game concepts from students, hobbyists, and other people who have great ideas but lack the funding and staff to see them through in a complete way.  Valve hires them on, supports them, and helps them polish their ideas which generally results in some cool games that are quite good.
3) They run a really kick-ass digital game service.
4) They aren't assholes.

Given all that, I can easily see why they're popular.  Surely you can too.

didnt they sell virtual wedding rings for like $100 each that did upset a lot of people  :lol

And yeah steam is good now, but remember how horrible it was in the beginning. It takes time for a service to establish itself, so i dont see why steam supporters have to hate on Origin.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on June 30, 2012, 02:33:07 PM
It takes time for a service to establish itself, so i dont see why steam supporters have to hate on Origin.

Because someone releasing a Model T in the year 2012 doesn't make much sense.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on June 30, 2012, 02:42:29 PM
And yeah steam is good now, but remember how horrible it was in the beginning. It takes time for a service to establish itself, so i dont see why steam supporters have to hate on Origin.
Electronic. Arts.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: originalz on July 01, 2012, 12:49:40 AM
Oh man, the developer of that RPG also hosts a bunch of games from the developer of Steam mega-hit Magical Diary on their site!

http://www.amaranthia.com/modules/oledrion/manufacturer.php?manu_id=5

Hanako Games is such a stupid name for a studio.  Hanako is an old-fashioned overused name for Japanese women that has long since been out of fashion, it's like calling your team "Mildred Games"

This site is pretty impressive though, there's a lot of overpriced RPG maker games, do these things actually sell?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Trent Dole on July 01, 2012, 02:36:35 PM
They mean their games taste like bacon.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: demi on July 01, 2012, 04:18:32 PM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/

All that money and still cant release Half Life 3. lollllll you guys are being taken
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: fart on July 01, 2012, 04:59:42 PM
I'M GABE NEWELL I LOVE MONEY AND HATS AND I GAINED ALL MY WEIGHT BACK

j/k bros except for the weight part. he should stay healthy. hard to spend your billions when you have a heart attack

UNLESS YOU NEED THE BILLIONS TO PAY THE WORLD'S BEST CARDIAC SURGEON TO KEEP YOU ALIVE

but you'll have to survive on a mechanical heart

is it worth it gabe? IS IT WORTH IT??!?!?!!
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: archie4208 on July 01, 2012, 06:20:06 PM
This is why people love Valve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz_dj4u6pGA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW7D6r1S6W8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDI2EmYH98I

All from a free tool they provided.  :bow2

I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/

All that money and still cant release Half Life 3. lollllll you guys are being taken

And I'm glad for that.  The Half-Life series is Valve's weakest franchise.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Brehvolution on July 01, 2012, 07:44:39 PM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/

All that money and still cant release Half Life 3. lollllll you guys are being taken

Too busy making money to work.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 01, 2012, 07:49:38 PM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/
Gabe's house: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2003/0518/cover02.html
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Joe Molotov on July 01, 2012, 10:24:14 PM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/

All that money and still cant release Half Life 3. lollllll you guys are being taken

(http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9067/1242945491632.jpg)
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Trent Dole on July 01, 2012, 11:40:04 PM
(http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l207/fgsfdsfargeg/burgin.gif)
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: EmCeeGrammar on July 02, 2012, 08:58:40 PM
Valve legitimizes the pc gaming platform (although not for me personally) for a lot of people who are into that thing.  I think as game makers they're definitely overrated as are the likes of blizzard. 
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: pilonv1 on July 02, 2012, 09:10:47 PM
Gabe has a beard now. How can you hate that?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 02, 2012, 09:45:30 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/LY6Rf.png)
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: pilonv1 on July 02, 2012, 09:53:35 PM
See. He looks so kind and jolly :heart
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Human Snorenado on July 02, 2012, 09:53:47 PM
Valve legitimizes the pc gaming platform (although not for me personally) for a lot of people who are into that thing.  I think as game makers they're definitely overrated as are the likes of blizzard.

Translation- too much killing shit, not enough whimsy
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Trent Dole on July 02, 2012, 10:00:20 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/LY6Rf.png)
It's Santa Gaben!  :o
Valve legitimizes the pc gaming platform (although not for me personally) for a lot of people who are into that thing.  I think as game makers they're definitely overrated as are the likes of blizzard.

Translation- too much killing shit, not enough whimsy
Gram's distinguished mentally-challenged, just ignore him.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Human Snorenado on July 02, 2012, 10:05:52 PM
Oh I'm aware of his retardedness, he once tried to defend Wii Music.  WII MUSIC.  That's like saying maybe Hitler went too far but had some good ideas.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Trent Dole on July 02, 2012, 10:07:43 PM
maybe Hitler went too far but had some good ideas.
N fandom in a nutshell right there. :lol
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 02, 2012, 10:26:13 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/grNYK.png)
Title: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on July 02, 2012, 10:30:00 PM
Not the best rhymes but :lol and :bow nonetheless for rolling with it.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on July 02, 2012, 11:01:19 PM
Given the absolutely abysmal and appalling actions of many developers this generation [EA, Activision, Capcom, Scamco, THQ, ect. ect.], Valve comes across as absolutely saints. I'd say the same of CD Projekt and Bethesda [outside of some published games of questionable quality].
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on July 02, 2012, 11:02:31 PM
Bethesda owns. I love them. One time I popped i Skyrim after not having played for a few months and they added SO MUCH SHIT FOR FREE in the latest patches.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on July 02, 2012, 11:09:58 PM
Given the absolutely abysmal and appalling actions of many developers this generation [EA, Activision, Capcom, Scamco, THQ, ect. ect.], Valve comes across as absolutely saints. I'd say the same of CD Projekt and Bethesda [outside of some published games of questionable quality].

So what you're saying is that they're not necessarily two steps ahead of everyone, it's just everyone else took a few steps back.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on July 02, 2012, 11:14:23 PM
Given the absolutely abysmal and appalling actions of many developers this generation [EA, Activision, Capcom, Scamco, THQ, ect. ect.], Valve comes across as absolutely saints. I'd say the same of CD Projekt and Bethesda [outside of some published games of questionable quality].

So what you're saying is that they're not necessarily two steps ahead of everyone, it's just everyone else took a few steps back.

DLC and DRM has turned many a mind in the industry to mush, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on July 02, 2012, 11:18:25 PM
Bethesda owns. I love them. One time I popped i Skyrim after not having played for a few months and they added SO MUCH SHIT FOR FREE in the latest patches.

Bethesda are pretty awesome if you're not a PS3 customer.  If you're a PS3 customer, they're borderline thieves.

So true lol. It boggles my mind that a few of my friends still continue buying their games on the PS3 instead of their very capable PCs, even while acknowledging the shittiness of the ports. Something about controllers and trophies they say. In all fairness though, they platinum'd Skyrim which I thought was almost impossible.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on July 02, 2012, 11:22:31 PM
your friends are nubs. game has controller support AND achievements.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: cool breeze on July 02, 2012, 11:42:24 PM
I've been replaying HL2 ep1 and 2.  Games are still awesome.  Look great visually, too.  I used to like Episode 1 more than 2.  Now it's the opposite.

But the overwhelming ballwashing everyone gives Gordon (YOU, THE PLAYER) is sticking out.  Episode 1 is constant barrage of praise from Alex, for opening a door or w/e menial action you make.  It's really weird and uncomfortable.  Reminds me why I preferred HL1's story and presentation, which is basically Die Hard.

And enemies should react to hits.  It's a peculiar design choice to have enemies go from life to limp; it feels binary compared to Halo where enemies react to getting shot, although take more damage before they ultimately die.


edit:  oh, and someone questioned why people dog on Origin.  There are legitimate reasons why people are down on Origin.  Two of them:  EA locks your games if your banned for any reason.  There's no proper way to backup your Origin games.  There are nice features to it, like registering any retail EA game, and customer service is better than Steam's.  I'm not against it but it does make Origin games less valuable to me with its fickle policies.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: naff on July 02, 2012, 11:50:48 PM
Bethesda owns. I love them. One time I popped i Skyrim after not having played for a few months and they added SO MUCH SHIT FOR FREE in the latest patches.

Bethesda are pretty awesome if you're not a PS3 customer.  If you're a PS3 customer, they're borderline thieves.

So true lol. It boggles my mind that a few of my friends still continue buying their games on the PS3 instead of their very capable PCs, even while acknowledging the shittiness of the ports. Something about controllers and trophies they say. In all fairness though, they platinum'd Skyrim which I thought was almost impossible.

Didn't they fix rimlag on PS3 eventually? Either way, it's crazy to play a Bethesda game on PS3 if you have any other choice. Such is the obession  of achievement/trophy whores with their respective platforms I guess.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 03, 2012, 03:01:03 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIbxPVHJEw8
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Sho Nuff on July 03, 2012, 12:04:16 PM
Fucking amazing
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Eel O'Brian on July 03, 2012, 12:13:30 PM
I will say Todd Howard appears to be a fairly open person when it comes to criticism. I listened to a Kotaku podcast a couple of years ago where they took "live" calls and some of them reamed Bethesda pretty hard for the jank and whatnot. He not only sat there and took it in a pleasant fashion without going into defense mode, he agreed with a lot of it.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: SantaC on July 03, 2012, 02:17:09 PM
Given the absolutely abysmal and appalling actions of many developers this generation [EA, Activision, Capcom, Scamco, THQ, ect. ect.], Valve comes across as absolutely saints. I'd say the same of CD Projekt and Bethesda [outside of some published games of questionable quality].

atleast scamco gave us some decent jrpgs. Vesperia is great and graces f is pretty good. Everyone else pretty much failed with their jrpgs this gen.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on July 03, 2012, 03:45:54 PM
I'm pretty sure that vid is a joke, Borys. A satire of the people waiting for the steam sale. We are all laughing with the people making that video.

Meanwhile, we laugh AT n-tards.

Notice the diff?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on July 03, 2012, 04:04:30 PM
Borys' tag :rofl
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Himu on July 03, 2012, 04:08:02 PM
borys, notice the erection in my pants?
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: pilonv1 on July 03, 2012, 08:36:39 PM
Borys' tag :rofl

I cant read eastern european :(
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Shaka Khan on July 03, 2012, 08:53:24 PM
Borys' tag :rofl

I cant read eastern european :(

Neither do I, but I *do* know that he copy/pasted Andrex's (pretentious) GAF tag.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Dickie Dee on July 03, 2012, 10:33:31 PM
"Son of son are you aischistos"

(Translator's note: Aischistos means "most ugly, most shameful.")
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Joe Molotov on July 03, 2012, 10:34:24 PM
Something gets lost in the translation, I guess, but the gist of it comes across.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on July 03, 2012, 10:38:51 PM
It translates to "Son, I am disappoint."
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Olivia Wilde Homo on July 04, 2012, 01:12:50 AM
I didn't know Gabe Newell was a billionaire: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/
Gabe's house: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2003/0518/cover02.html

The crazy thing is that the article was written before Steam, Half Life 2, L4D, etc.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Great Rumbler on July 04, 2012, 01:26:55 AM
There's also this:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2012/04/27/a-glimpse-at-a-workplace-of-the-future-valve/
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 04, 2012, 02:47:22 AM
Another oldie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR0WN55p_zI
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: pickle on July 04, 2012, 06:43:41 AM
I'm glad a Linux client is coming out. But you have to wonder how many games will be available outside of Valve's offerings.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 04, 2012, 06:46:08 AM
A good number of the various indie bundles have had Linux versions available, hopefully they'll get on board. The Desura client for Linux needs some work.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: D3RANG3D on July 04, 2012, 06:47:21 AM
I'm glad a Linux client is coming out. But you have to wonder how many games will be available outside of Valve's offerings.

You can play tux racer at 500fps :P
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on July 04, 2012, 07:12:30 AM
A good number of the various indie bundles have had Linux versions available, hopefully they'll get on board. The Desura client for Linux needs some work.
I can confirm this I have 12 perfectly awesome games on Desura. The linux content is there, it just needs a stage. (indie games mostly at this point though)
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: pickle on July 04, 2012, 07:26:52 AM
A good number of the various indie bundles have had Linux versions available, hopefully they'll get on board. The Desura client for Linux needs some work.

As long as they don't use WINE like LIMBO's devs did. Sneaky fuckers.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 04, 2012, 07:36:24 AM
I can confirm this I have 12 perfectly awesome games on Desura. The linux content is there, it just needs a stage. (indie games mostly at this point though)
Do you get the thing where you try to install a game through Desura and it stalls with the install prompt locking up the program? It's like half the games in my library.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: Momo on July 04, 2012, 08:12:45 AM
I've had some hectic issues trying to install the Desura app itself on Ubuntu, so that wouldnt surprise me. No issues with games as yet.
Title: Re: Why is Valve so popular again?
Post by: benjipwns on July 04, 2012, 08:16:44 AM
Steam through Wine seems to work better than the native Desura.