Newell: Valve would disintegrate before being sold off

[Da Orky Man]

Newell: Valve would disintegrate before being sold off

Managing Director of Valve Software, hero of PC gamers everywhere and all-round cool guy Gabe Newell has said that Valve would disintegrate before selling out.

In an interview with the New York Times, Valve boss Gabe Newell has said that it would be more likely that Valve would disintegrate, its employees leaving for greener pastures, than being sold-off. He said "It's way more likely we would head in that direction than say, ?Let?s find some giant company that wants to cash us out and wait two or three years to have our employment agreements terminate."


This also comes with the worrying news that publishing behemoth Electronic Arts have Expressed interest in the past with acquiring Valve. It seems they're safe for now though; Valve is currently worth $2.5 billion, a good deal more than when EA first expressed interest.




Source: NY Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/technology/valve-a-video-game-maker-with-few-rules.html?pagewanted=3&_r=2]

 

[scorptatious]

Disintegrate eh? I can arrange that.

*Pulls out Phlogistinator*

In all seriousness, it's kind of hard to imagine something like Valve will one day just disappear.

Either way though, it's good that Gaben isn't going to let the company get bought out.

 

[jensenthejman]

If EA had bought Valve, then I imagine that that would be the final straw for people when it comes to EA. Their corporate headquarters would be burned down within a week.

 

[Pinkamena]

EA can put as much money on the table as they want. Valve is not a publicly traded company, so if Gabe doesn't want to sell Valve, it won't happen.

 

[Andrewtheeviscerator]

Honestly I can't muster myself to care about this really. Valve hasn't done anything significant for me in the last year and I don't do the whole generic EA hate thing. So honestly I wouldn't care either way, although it would probably mean that Half life 3 would come out sooner which would make me give a fuck about Valve again, but other than that it doesn't affect me at all.

 

[Brendan Stepladder]

If EA had bought Valve, then I imagine that that would be the final straw for people when it comes to EA. Their corporate headquarters would be burned down within a week.

Burned is quite a weak word in that context.

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

Wait Valve is worth an estimated $3.5 billion and EA are trying to lure them with a poxy billion? HAHA! I imagine EA would likely have to bankrupt themselves to be able to afford Valve.

Good on Gabe for sticking to his guns. But really why would he sell either way? Why sell off the goose that lays the golden eggs when it lays golden eggs?

 

[Denamic]

Steam already rakes in more cash than he knows what to with, so there's at least no great risk of Newell selling out out of greed.

 

[King of Asgaard]

Disintegrate eh? I can arrange that.

*Pulls out Phlogistinator*

In all seriousness, it's kind of hard to imagine something like Valve will one day just disappear.

Either way though, it's good that Gaben isn't going to let the company get bought out.

Aaaand ninja'd in the first post, although I would have referenced Destroy All Humans!
But in all seriousness, agreed with what you said, it's good that there are still some people with ideals, rather than sell-outs.

 

[Pescetarian]

I like to think that if EA did buy Valve, it would be like Disney buying Pixar, and Valve would end up in charge. I still don't want that to happen, though, 250 people or so is a good size for Valve.

 

[DugMachine]

Glad they're not selling out. They make boat loads of cash on their own so screw EA.

 

[C F]

Word from the Gaben, gentlemen.

Steam needs to continue to exist and oppose EA and Origin. Maybe then EA will be forced to shape up and do something right for once instead of just taking the lazy way and buying out its rivals. I really hate that practice.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

I don't do the whole generic EA hate thing

Being contrarian will always make you stand out. So will shitting your pants.

 

[Nazulu]

A state of mind I wish more people would have.

 

[Evil Smurf]

and this is why I love the Gaben

 

[xPixelatedx]

Aside form a few exceptions, I don't much like Valve games. So you certainly couldn't call me a big fan. However, it's times like this I can truly admire someone, fan or not.

 

[Furbyz]

Honestly, I have to wonder if EA buying Valve would even be approved by the FTC. There's worry enough that Valve is a monopoly already.

 

[Kimozabi]

Easy words for a guy, who knows he's prolly never gonna have to even consider it.
Still nice to know, though.

 

[Something Amyss]

I'd like to see Valve disintegrate, too.