gaming What is it about Valve's titles that makes them so special?

[SnipSnap 432]

I, for one, do think Valve is very good and thoughtful about their games, and I am a huge fan, but I just can't put my finger on what they do that makes them special. I play Team Fortress 2 and other games, and they always fill up my satisfactory meter. They are pretty much the gaming version of Pixar. But I don't know how, or why.

 

I came up with the topic after hearing so much praise for the company.

 

Do you have any idea?

Edited April 27, 2014 by SnipSnap

[Scootalove 10,689]

It must be the quality that the games have or something that makes that special, maybe the gameplay.

[Teller 360]

It's that Source engine, man.

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

It's the fact that you know there will never be more than two of any franchise.

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

It's the fact that you know there will never be more than two of any franchise.

 

yet....

 

I think that quality control and core gameplay has got something to do with it. If you sell a game based off its "Graphics," you'll find it outdated in 5 years. Let's think of graphics as swag, and gameplay as class. Now swag is temporary, but class is permanent.

 

Dangit that was so cheesy but I had to. I love Valve.

[long gone 8,929]

Because Gabe Newell is legitimately a good person. From rearranging Valve's corporate structure to reduce stress in employees to refusing to fire a man (Erik Wolpaw) in 2004 over ulcerative colitis and instead giving him extended leave with pay until he got better to participating in a charity racing event to help out the Seattle Children's Hospital, Gabe has gone above and beyond what most corporate leaders do not just for his employees but also for the community around him.

 

As for the games themselves, it's the worlds they build and the way how the mechanics work. Half-Life is a very serious game, but early on you can feel a sense of urgency after that Resonance Cascade, like you want to help these people get out of there, and then in Half-Life 2 you want to help a lot of these same people and civilians oust their alien dictators. Team Fortress 2 is, as you said, like a Pixar movie, with a cartoony (yet bloody) world that doesn't take itself seriously and an assortment of characters of questionable sanity from around the world, each with very defined personalities and gameplay that actually requires skill and strategy to do well in. Counter-Strike is mostly the same in the sense that it requires skill and strategy to do well in. Left 4 Dead requires teamwork to win and, if you don't do well as a team, even on the easiest difficulty you will lose again, and again, and again.

 

They're a small company that came out of nowhere in 1996 and now they run the largest digital distribution service on the PC and have produced some of the most well-regarded games on the PC. And frankly, they deserve the attention, not just because they are led by a good person but also because they make very good games.

[SnipSnap 432]

Because Gabe Newell is legitimately a good person. From rearranging Valve's corporate structure to reduce stress in employees to refusing to fire a man (Erik Wolpaw) in 2004 over ulcerative colitis and instead giving him extended leave with pay until he got better to participating in a charity racing event to help out the Seattle Children's Hospital, Gabe has gone above and beyond what most corporate leaders do not just for his employees but also for the community around him.

 

As for the games themselves, it's the worlds they build and the way how the mechanics work. Half-Life is a very serious game, but early on you can feel a sense of urgency after that Resonance Cascade, like you want to help these people get out of there, and then in Half-Life 2 you want to help a lot of these same people and civilians oust their alien dictators. Team Fortress 2 is, as you said, like a Pixar movie, with a cartoony (yet bloody) world that doesn't take itself seriously and an assortment of characters of questionable sanity from around the world, each with very defined personalities and gameplay that actually requires skill and strategy to do well in. Counter-Strike is mostly the same in the sense that it requires skill and strategy to do well in. Left 4 Dead requires teamwork to win and, if you don't do well as a team, even on the easiest difficulty you will lose again, and again, and again.

 

They're a small company that came out of nowhere in 1996 and now they run the largest digital distribution service on the PC and have produced some of the most well-regarded games on the PC. And frankly, they deserve the attention, not just because they are led by a good person but also because they make very good games.

I agree with every single thing you have said there. Especially with the fact that the worlds in the games look very detailed and has so much realism. Also with that each game has a different key to winning in the games, like abilities, teamwork, thinking, skill, and strategy.

 

Oh, and you thought I said Team Fortress 2 looks like Pixar made it (except for the blood)? Nah, I said that the company, Valve, is like Pixar, who makes very good quality.

 

But since you have said that, I would have to agree, TF2 DOES look Pixar-ish

Edited April 27, 2014 by SnipSnap

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

I'm gonna sound stupid, but did Valve create Half-life?

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

Because Gabe Newell is legitimately a good person.

 

LOL, gotta give credit that he's a brony too! I guess that's why we find Valve to be pretty neat.

 

But no, I'm not going to judge based on that, but just the games have superior replay value and that's what makes it so great.

 

 

I'm gonna sound stupid, but did Valve create Half-life?

 

Yes

Edited April 27, 2014 by Carbon Maestro

[SnipSnap 432]

I'm gonna sound stupid, but did Valve create Half-life?

Go hunt for that lovely logo in this picture.

Edited April 27, 2014 by SnipSnap

[long gone 8,929]

I agree with every single thing you have said there. Especially with the fact that the worlds in the games look very detailed and has so much realism. Also with that each game has a different key to winning in the games, like abilities, teamwork, thinking, skill, and strategy.

 

Oh, and you thought I said Team Fortress 2 looks like Pixar made it (except for the blood)? Nah, I said that the company, Valve, is like Pixar, who makes very good quality.

 

But since you have said that, I would have to agree, TF2 DOES look Pixar-ish

I've always liked how Half-Life breaks up the monotony of gun-based combat with very well laid-out puzzles. Portal is the same, but without the gunplay. And yeah, they are like Pixar. Half-Life was initially regarded as crap when it was shown off at E3 1997 and is now one of the games you must play before you die.

 

I'm gonna sound stupid, but did Valve create Half-life?

Start up a game of Half-Life and tell me what company logo you see.

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

I've always liked how Half-Life breaks up the monotony of gun-based combat with very well laid-out puzzles. Portal is the same, but without the gunplay. And yeah, they are like Pixar. Half-Life was initially regarded as crap when it was shown off at E3 1997 and is now one of the games you must play before you die.

 

 

Start up a game of Half-Life and tell me what company logo you see.

Well I never played it! It was supposed to be released on Dreamcast, but the console got cancelled before the game made it!

[long gone 8,929]

Well I never played it! It was supposed to be released on Dreamcast, but the console got cancelled before the game made it!

Okay, it is Valve who made Half-Life.

 

I'm still waiting on Half-Life 3 guys.

[SnipSnap 432]

Oh yeah, and about "Valve doesn't know how to count to 3"

 

look at this line:

 

Counter Strike - Counter Strike: Source - Counter Strike: Global Offensive

 

Half Life - Half Life 2 - Half Life 2: Episode 1 - Half Life: Episode 2

 

FOUR Half Life titles

THREE Counter Strike titles

Edited April 27, 2014 by SnipSnap

[long gone 8,929]

Oh yeah, and about "Valve doesn't know how to count to 3"

 

look at this line:

 

Counter Strike - Counter Strike: Source - Counter Strike: Global Offensive

 

Half Life - Half Life 2 - Half Life 2: Episode 1 - Half Life: Episode 2

 

FOUR Half Life titles

THREE Counter Strike titles

Team Fortress 2 is also technically the third Team Fortress game, after QuakeWorld Team Fortress and Team Fortress Classic.

[Flutter's lover <3 8,206]

Half life 1 was one of the first games I played on the PS2, and I thought it was the greatest game ever. From the gameplay, to the puzzles and other bits in it. It was just a really good game. I've been hooked on the Half-life series and other VALVe games since.  Half life series is one of those "must play" games.

 

Left 4 Dead continued my likeness of VALVe games. as did Portal 1 and Portal 2 and TF2.

 

VALVe is one of the best gaming companies out there.

 

Praise GabeN!

[Teller 360]

Half Life - Half Life 2 - Half Life 2: Episode 1 - Half Life: Episode 2

 

FOUR Half Life titles

THREE Counter Strike titles

Don't forget:

Half-Life: Opposing Force

Half-Life: Blue Shift

Half-Life: Decay

Half-Life 2: Lost Coast

 

But none of these titles have a 3 in them.

 

(Also people don't realize that they actually want Half-Life 2: Episode 3)

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

You know what, I'm still upset that Valve messed up the Dreamcast release of Half-life! They dragged their heels for Two years until it was too late!

Edited April 27, 2014 by Rarity Paige Belle