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Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

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Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#11

Post by OuterVale »

Translated versions are available here: https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/publications

Previous discussion:

- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3871463 (21 April 2012 | 16 comments)

- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8818893 (31 December 2014 | 17 comments)

- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9250527 (23 March 2015 | 14 comments)

- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12157993 (25 July 2016 | 197 comments)

- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17935030 (7 September 2018 | 31 comments)

- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33170988 (12 October 2022 | 165 comments)

Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#12

Post by scheeseman486 »

pjmlp wrote: post #6
tstrimple wrote: post #5

Valve hasn’t released anything of note since this has been published. So I guess we should take these as anti patterns. Valve is more of a hat generation company than a game company so it seems like no one should take any game related advice from them.

I bet when current management leaves, as usual happens in these cases, those that worship Valve and Steam will see yet another big corporation, this if it doesn't eventually get acquired.

What management? Gabe doesn't have any direct involvement in the running of the company at this point, in spite of being the majority owner. It's an open question what happens if he leaves or dies but it doesn't seem likely that he'd do anything to intentionally sabotage the company, like sell it off. It's more likely that ownership will transfer to a trusted party or to the employees.

Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#14

Post by BoredPositron »

pjmlp wrote: post #6
tstrimple wrote: post #5

Valve hasn’t released anything of note since this has been published. So I guess we should take these as anti patterns. Valve is more of a hat generation company than a game company so it seems like no one should take any game related advice from them.

I bet when current management leaves, as usual happens in these cases, those that worship Valve and Steam will see yet another big corporation, this if it doesn't eventually get acquired.

Why would Gabe give up his controlling stake if he steps down? Valve is a private company.

Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#15

Post by TulliusCicero »

tstrimple wrote: post #5

Valve hasn’t released anything of note since this has been published. So I guess we should take these as anti patterns. Valve is more of a hat generation company than a game company so it seems like no one should take any game related advice from them.

In addition to the other products mentioned: Deadlock is maybe the best new big budget IP in recent memory, in terms of theme/setting and art style and character design. Particularly after the update a week ago, the game is stylish as hell now. Even the main menu music is a banger: https://youtu.be/WkGDC3idX1E

Now, the game isn't exactly out yet, but it is pretty widely accessible, and the core of the game is just fantastic. They really cooked with this one, especially the movement system.

Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#16

Post by asimovfan »

BoredPositron wrote: post #14
pjmlp wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bet when current management leaves, as usual happens in these cases, those that worship Valve and Steam will see yet another big corporation, this if it doesn't eventually get acquired.

Why would Gabe give up his controlling stake if he steps down? Valve is a private company.

Because he is a mortal?

Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#17

Post by mepian »

simonw wrote: post #3

It would be interesting to see copies of this from subsequent years (this is the 2012 edition) to understand how Valve's process has evolved over time.

I remember reading or hearing somewhere that this was a one-off thing, but I can't remember where.

EDIT: Another comment mentioned Chet Faliszek, he was probably the source.

Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#18

Post by scrollaway »

piker wrote: post #13

Surprising amount of discussion on work/life balance and kids/family for a game dev. Is Valve known for this or is it just relative?

Valve is not an ordinary company. They make a ton of money, have no outside investment, reinvest everything internally on R&D and keep very small. On top of that, they run completely flat management.

They're the idealized version of what a small company making a shitton of cash would be. They can afford plenty in terms of work-life balance.

Re: Valve Software handbook for new employees [pdf] (2012)

#19

Post by fullsend »

"We are the priests who maintain the holy money printer called Steam for our lordship, first of his name Gabe Newell, so that he may purchase fleets of yachts. Don't rock the boat by hiring someone who doesn't get it." They could have said it like this with a lot less bullshit. And Silicon Valley could learn a lot from this company.
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