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General discussion (archive)What's happening at Valve?(80 posts)(80 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted February 13, 2013
I thought that massive layoffs was a sign that company was super healthy and doing great. Generally such news come with the announcement of shareholders officially pissing themselves with joy.

How does economy work, again ?
Post edited February 13, 2013 by Telika
Posted February 13, 2013
No shit, I learn more in 5 minutes in this forum than I do form an entire month of the WSJ. Add to that the fact that as of tomorrow SS2 will be available here and NOT the WSJ and I think we know who the winner is!
Posted February 13, 2013
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mondo84: Maybe they're upset GOG is getting SS2 first?

In all seriousness, it's really surprising to hear that kind of news from Valve. It doesn't seem like they're in any kind of bad position, but perhaps Newell decided some of the new pursuits in hardware or other areas weren't working out the way he would have liked.
Isn't it already confirmed to come to Steam anyway?

They always seem to have a fair amount of things going for them at Valve, perhaps they're changing direction on something.
Post edited February 13, 2013 by Pheace
Posted February 13, 2013
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mondo84: Maybe they're upset GOG is getting SS2 first?

In all seriousness, it's really surprising to hear that kind of news from Valve. It doesn't seem like they're in any kind of bad position, but perhaps Newell decided some of the new pursuits in hardware or other areas weren't working out the way he would have liked.
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Pheace: Isn't it already confirmed to come to Steam anyway?

They always seem to have a fair amount of things going for them at Valve, perhaps they're changing direction on something.
Indeed, the first article from FleshEatingZipper said SS2 would first come to GOG, then later to Steam. I was just making a bad joke.

I guess it's just odd given that the past few months we've been hearing about Steambox, other hardware, etc. I wouldn't know what to speculate is the reason behind the layoffs and what directions they're changing. The timing might be a bit unexpected, but it's not abnormal for a successful company to make changes like this.
Post edited February 13, 2013 by mondo84
Posted February 13, 2013
They try to make smart business decisions by letting people that they don't need go?
Posted February 13, 2013
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Elenarie: They try to make smart business decisions by letting people that they don't need go?
Starting with the "Head of Business Development"?

No, something is pretty fucked up in Valve paradise. Maybe they realised, that they earn money with selling and making games, not with some hardware, not with unlimited free keys for developers and business comeptitors(!) and not with Linux ports of really old games.

They don't get things done in the last time. Half Life 3? Source Engine 2? DOTA? Far, far away. Every digital retailer offers better prices (GMG, Amazon.com) than Steam (even during sales) and they just sells Steam keys, so Valve has to handle the "delivery" and pay for the Infrastructure...
Posted February 13, 2013
I can see why there were some layoffs.. I just hope that the layoff of Business Development doesn't hurt my business.
Posted February 13, 2013
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Elenarie: They try to make smart business decisions by letting people that they don't need go?
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Rincewind81: Starting with the "Head of Business Development"?

No, something is pretty fucked up in Valve paradise. Maybe they realised, that they earn money with selling and making games, not with some hardware, not with unlimited free keys for developers and business comeptitors(!) and not with Linux ports of really old games.

They don't get things done in the last time. Half Life 3? Source Engine 2? DOTA? Far, far away. Every digital retailer offers better prices (GMG, Amazon.com) than Steam (even during sales) and they just sells Steam keys, so Valve has to handle the "delivery" and pay for the Infrastructure...
cool thanks for the inside scoop
Posted February 13, 2013
Valve is a privately held company that doesn't disclose its business numbers. It is assumed to be financially healthy because it has been immensely successful. In the past, it has started to branch out into several new directions, and it was clear that not all of these projects could be successful. Layoffs are not an unusual occurrence, especially not in the video game business, but they are unusual Valve. However, I doubt that we can draw any conclusions except the obvious one: that Valve is a business like many others.
Posted February 13, 2013
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Rincewind81: Starting with the "Head of Business Development"?
What does a 'head of business development' even do? More importantly, is such a person really needed?
Posted February 13, 2013
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Rincewind81: Starting with the "Head of Business Development"?
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Elenarie: What does a 'head of business development' even do? More importantly, is such a person really needed?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_development
Posted February 13, 2013
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Freyar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_development
I know what a 'business developer' does... wasn't really asking the questions to get an answer about them. :p
Posted February 13, 2013
All these companies fire people all the time. I find it amusing that when Valve does it people feel like a friend pissed on the lawn.

Anyway, does sound mostly hardware related. Might be the Steam Box getting curtailed, or at least changed.
Posted February 13, 2013
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/13/valve-gabe-newell-layoffs-statement/
"We don't usually talk about personnel matters for a number of reasons. There seems to be an unusual amount of speculation about some recent changes here, so I thought I'd take the unusual step of addressing them. No, we aren't canceling any projects. No, we aren't changing any priorities or projects we've been discussing. No, this isn't about Steam or Linux or hardware or [insert game name here]. We're not going to discuss why anyone in particular is or isn't working here."
Posted February 13, 2013
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StingingVelvet: All these companies fire people all the time. I find it amusing that when Valve does it people feel like a friend pissed on the lawn.

Anyway, does sound mostly hardware related. Might be the Steam Box getting curtailed, or at least changed.
Wasn't there also rumors of Valve working on a portable/handheld device as well?
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)What's happening at Valve?(80 posts)(80 posts)
(80 posts)