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[shinygerbil]

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/09/17/google-to-buy-valve/

Link tells all.

DISCUSS?

[Valter]

Sounds like batshit rumors to me. Even if it happens, I doubt Google will do much besides go "Here, have some money and make games, you'll be paying us later."

And it's a tail fin dumbass

[kyn]

As it says there, the original story is from The Inquirer, and the rumors are justified with "WELL PLACED SOURCES tell us..."

Well, we'll see how it goes in the next days, although I'm very skeptical about this.

[Don Andy]

Hum, I personally wouldn't see how it'd change anything if they did, except that it maybe would give Steam some better polish if a bunch of crazy Google programmers work on it.

And the future games from Valve may record our playing habit and suggest new games based on that  :D

But yeah, Google probably has enough money to pretty much by anyone for any price.

[Saker]

And the future games from Valve may record our playing habit and suggest new games based on that  :D

uh .. am afraid one day we will see google sell underwears and record our ******* actions ... O.o

[Alevice]

And the future games from Valve may record our playing habit and suggest new games based on that  :D

They'd add unobstrusive ads everywhere while on the game as well, depending on the level you currently are.

[medieval]

uh .. am afraid one day we will see google sell underwears and record our ******* actions ... O.o

 

[shinygerbil]

And it's a tail fin dumbass

CROTCHDOLPHIN.

I personally don't hold much stock in such rumours - I wonder how the two companies stack up together financially, indeed.

I can't say I enjoy the thought of seeing Google all over my Steam though; besides anything else, I don't find the company name very charming. But mostly, I don't want Google's ads. I also don't want to see "LATEST TF2 UPDATE: MEDICS NOW HAVE A GOOGLE TOOLBAR ON THEIR FOREHEADS".

I'm sure it won't come to that, and I agree the Steam UI could use an overhaul - but if Google are prepared to buy Valve......they have something up their sleeves. And, judging by how I react to other Google software, I won't like it.

[Don Andy]

Although I guess it's only a matter of time until Google ventures into the gaming, or at least online-gaming (as part of the internet, which they are so clearly conquering).

In fact, it WOULD make sense if they want Steam for their whole taking over the internet scheme, as the probably biggest online game distribution platform, although with Google I would have much rather suspected that they make their OWN instead of buying one (as witnessed with Android OS and Chrome).

[Alevice]

Although I guess it's only a matter of time until Google ventures into the gaming, or at least online-gaming (as part of the internet, which they are so clearly conquering).

In fact, it WOULD make sense if they want Steam for their whole taking over the internet scheme, as the probably biggest online game distribution platform, although with Google I would have much rather suspected that they make their OWN instead of buying one (as witnessed with Android OS and Chrome).

Open sourceness is a must for them developing things, given they don't like coding thigns from scartch. That's why they assimilate instead.

[coderneedsfood]

seems like google would want in on Steam , i can't see them putting adds in game , maybe while a level loads or in the Steam front end , it would make a lot of sense and think of it this way , if they can profit from Steam then Maybe just Maybe Valve games will be cheaper to the end user ( with adds ) or normal price without ..

[FARTRON]

My understanding is that they make the teams they acquire rewrite their products to fit into the google system. Doing that for steam might be more trouble than it's worth.

[Gnarf]

Steam is real nice. Google gives me tons of awesome shit for free.

No idea if it's likely or whatever or what it'd really mean. Doubt I'd mind much though.

[medieval]

Meeh. Google will never conquer TIGSource.

[Corpus]

Hey, guys, look. Medieval just jinxed the forums.

Sarcastic clap time.






Also I hope it doesn't happen because Valve are lovely as they are.

[PenguinHat]

I doubt it. But if it does happen, Google probably want to use Steam. Maybe even for non-video game things. Although seeing as Google don't tend to make you pay for things, I doubt it will happen.

Don't Valve games already record some gameplay metrics?

[Tanner]

Valve is the only developer I can justify being a fanboy of.

[Lucaz]

It seems unlikely. The "well placed sources" equal bullshit. And I don't see Google getting into gaming. Maybe into online casual games, maybe into a Steam-like site to sell games, but not into actual game development.

[Μarkham]

I could possibly see Google buying Steam, but not Valve themselves.

[shinygerbil]

seems like google would want in on Steam , i can't see them putting adds in game , maybe while a level loads or in the Steam front end , it would make a lot of sense and think of it this way , if they can profit from Steam then Maybe just Maybe Valve games will be cheaper to the end user ( with adds ) or normal price without ..

See, I thought about that, and then I thought: what does that mean for the indie developer? Less of a cut for them? Say Valve puts the games down to a lower price, but if they don't raise the percentage cut that devs receive, then truly it is only the devs who miss out; gamers pay less, Steam still get the same amount (due to Google funding), but devs get less. Presumably, though, they would either raise the cut or have some funding from google straight to the devs.

Also, I agree with Corpus and Tantan; Valve are excellent as they are, I just can't see any changes Google would make as being for the better.

That said, of course, I doubt it's going to happen anyway :D