Valve the Bossless Company, probably why Half-Life Episode 3 isn't done yet.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303379204577474953586383604.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Other than Gabe Newell there doesn't seem to be any bosses in the company. Basically no middle-management. Which means no Executive Producers to push a deadline.

"Valve, whose website says the company has been "boss free" since its founding in 1996, also has no managers or assigned projects. Instead, its 300 employees recruit colleagues to work on projects they think are worthwhile. The company prizes mobility so much that workers' desks are mounted on wheels, allowing them to scoot around to form work areas as they choose."

It my be true, but why turn away easy cash which HL3 would bring in???

roulettethedog

Because Valve have the luxury of being able to take as long with their games as they wish, and as such when/if they release Half-Life 3 it will probably be epic because they'll have taken the time to make it just the way they want it.

Gabe is too busy eating sammiches to care about Half Life anymore.

There was a recent video of Gabe talking about the release of Half Life 3 here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoGcfTgGBYQ&feature=plcp

Lets hope this doesnt really happen.

I think it's a matter of the game not feeling right yet. I'm sure they have stuff done on it and would love to release it but it probably doesn't feel right yet or doesn't feel perfect. Valve have yet to make a bad game or a game that disappoints so they will release it when it's good and ready

Screw Episode 3 and Half-Life 3. Where the hell is Black Mesa: Source?

Gabe is too busy eating sammiches to care about Half Life anymore.

There was a recent video of Gabe talking about the release of Half Life 3 here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoGcfTgGBYQ&feature=plcp

Lets hope this doesnt really happen.

brucecambell

Come on dude you know saying a Gabe fact joke delays the game a further few weeks each time someone says one:P

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303379204577474953586383604.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Other than Gabe Newell there doesn't seem to be any bosses in the company. Basically no middle-management. Which means no Executive Producers to push a deadline.

"Valve, whose website says the company has been "boss free" since its founding in 1996, also has no managers or assigned projects. Instead, its 300 employees recruit colleagues to work on projects they think are worthwhile. The company prizes mobility so much that workers' desks are mounted on wheels, allowing them to scoot around to form work areas as they choose."

LoserMike

Good god, they're putting their employees above deadlines and scripted releases? The horror.

It's almost like they're working on maintaining the best downloadable game client in the world or something.

People talk like Valve owes them something. They'll release the game if and when they're ready to.

One of the contributing reasons as to why I like Valve and Steam so much is because they AVOID the things that other developers and companies must do to remain profitable. They're a private company and frankly, I appreciate their dedication to offering me a service that is cheap and effective. If that means waiting for their better IP's to come out at a later date then so be it.

It's working for them.

It my be true, but why turn away easy cash which HL3 would bring in???

roulettethedog

I desperately want to work there.KHAndAnime

Valve makes multi-millions each year off of Steam. They could never make a game again and they could keep everyone on payroll forever. That's why they have such hippie, "whatever man, do whatever, whenever" attitude. This would not work for a game developer that actually has to make games in order to pay its bills.Senor_Kami

The best part is that, even with that carefree attitude, they've been releasing at least one very highly praised title (almost) every year since 2004, and a ton of free content besides all of that.

I always wonder why people think of Valve as a lazy company, when they're releasing new games/content more frequently than most developers.

I desperately want to work there.KHAndAnime

[QUOTE="Senor_Kami"]Valve makes multi-millions each year off of Steam. They could never make a game again and they could keep everyone on payroll forever. That's why they have such hippie, "whatever man, do whatever, whenever" attitude. This would not work for a game developer that actually has to make games in order to pay its bills.Planeforger

The best part is that, even with that carefree attitude, they've been releasing at least one very highly praised title (almost) every year since 2004, and a ton of free content besides all of that.

I always wonder why people think of Valve as a lazy company, when they're releasing new games/content more frequently than most developers.

[QUOTE="Senor_Kami"]Valve makes multi-millions each year off of Steam. They could never make a game again and they could keep everyone on payroll forever. That's why they have such hippie, "whatever man, do whatever, whenever" attitude. This would not work for a game developer that actually has to make games in order to pay its bills.Planeforger

The best part is that, even with that carefree attitude, they've been releasing at least one very highly praised title (almost) every year since 2004, and a ton of free content besides all of that.

I always wonder why people think of Valve as a lazy company, when they're releasing new games/content more frequently than most developers.

Technology hasn't advanced enough to justify a sequel yet. And Gaben haven't yet been able to figure out who the heck G-man is.

The problem is that they take forever to make games, seriously forever and they dont show anyhthing unless they are near completition, did l4d worth all the godamn time it took to develop? NOPE, 1 year later and l4d pops up. WTF? seriously wtf and a half life episode takes forever, should be hl3 by now. On top of that they refuse to get more devs and like to work with few developers wherever they hell they are in mood and all that without a boss, so yeah in conclusion they are lazy. They work wherever they feel like it.dakan45

I imagine Half-Life 3 is taking so long because they're making a new source engine and want that to be the showcase game. It's the only reasonable explanation.

[QUOTE="dakan45"]The problem is that they take forever to make games, seriously forever and they dont show anyhthing unless they are near completition, did l4d worth all the godamn time it took to develop? NOPE, 1 year later and l4d pops up. WTF? seriously wtf and a half life episode takes forever, should be hl3 by now. On top of that they refuse to get more devs and like to work with few developers wherever they hell they are in mood and all that without a boss, so yeah in conclusion they are lazy. They work wherever they feel like it.c_rake

I imagine Half-Life 3 is taking so long because they're making a new source engine and want that to be the showcase game. It's the only reasonable explanation.

[QUOTE="c_rake"]

I imagine Half-Life 3 is taking so long because they're making a new source engine and want that to be the showcase game. It's the only reasonable explanation.

dakan45

I doubt it. This is the same team that basically spent twelve years making two games (Half-Life 1 and 2). They're a patient bunch.

Valve has very few emploeyes too.dakan45

I thougt they had a few hundred people working for them?