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Gabe Newell
Valve Software
Gabe Newell |
As far as gaming visionaries go, Gabe Newell is a new kid on the block, having only shipped one game with his team at Valve Software in Kirkland, Washington. But that game was Half-Life, and it wasn't just any game; it completely redefined what gamers expected from a first-person shooter. Newell, a former Microsoft executive who co-founded the company with his fellow Microsoft millionaire Mike Harrington, has long said that Valve's success with Half-Life was simply due to them listening to what gamers really wanted in a game. Now the tables have turned, and everyone wants to hear where Newell wants games to go next.
EXCLUSIVE: Team Fortress 2
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1. If there were one moment from gaming you'd put in a time capsule to represent the 20th century of interactive entertainment, what moment would it be and why?
Gabe: People seem to get hooked on games when they have the "ah-ha!" moment. Suddenly, they realize, "Wow, this is a lot of fun - I want to do a lot more of this." I watched my 60-year old father have his "ah-ha!" moment a couple of years ago playing Wing Commander. Now, he spends a lot more time playing computer games than he does watching TV. He and my half-brother spend more time playing games together, talking about games, or arguing about games than they do playing, watching, or discussing sports.
EXCLUSIVE: Team Fortress 2
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That's the collective moment I'd put in the time capsule - the moment of realization that games are where I should be spending my time and money.
2. Do you think the gaming industry is underestimating one aspect of interactive entertainment that will take us all by surprise in the early 21st century?
EXCLUSIVE: Team Fortress 2 |
Gabe: We underestimate how fast the switch will occur in the entertainment world from the traditional media to games. There are a number of factors (the console generation growing up, the incredible price/performance improvements on the PC, the introduction of the Playstation 2) that will make this come together very quickly.
Next: Gabe Newell (cont.)
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