"Well placed sources" tell The Inquirer that mega-corporation Skynet Google is looking to acquired darling independent developer Valve. According to the report, the deal could happen "any second now." We'll wait ...
Nope, nothing yet.
The acquisition would make some sense. With Google looking to get into the digital distribution space, Valve having already nearly dominated it with Steam (at least on the PC side), they could work well together. This past August, in a conversation with Gamasutra, Valve's Doug Lombardi stated that they'd be open to acquisition, given the right suitor.
I'm not really for or against such an acquisition, but the number of things I use that are already stamped with the Google logo is frightening.
[Via CVG]
[Update: It seems Valve and Google (refusing to comment on rumors and speculation) have squashed this one for now; no need to merge your Gmail and Steam accounts just yet.]
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Contest:
8:28 AM on 09.17.2008
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Seriously, they're getting fucking good at this "business" thing.
Still.... Google running a games company is an interesting idea.
hurr hurr
My thoughts exactly. This is why the rumor, in its current state, holds little credibility with me. Why would they buy Valve to acquire Steam? It doesn't fit their typical business model at all. It seems like Google could do a better job building their own content distribution system, or at least purchase a pre-existing, lightweight version which they could build upon. Steam seems like it'd be more than Google would want or need. It's just too bloated for a jumping-off-point into the digital distribution market.
I dont like the word 'acquisition', however. Valve are already doing the best job of any game developer/distributor out there, imo, and id hate for someone to be able to order them around; they might fuck it up.
However, from an overall strategy viewpoint, I tend to agree with wardrox here: it just doesn't fit. Google's strength is in marketing and in their own R&D; somehow, unless they are planning to release a Google gaming console - and they may be the only company on Earth that can afford it right now - this makes zero sense. If Google's going to get involved with games, I expect it to be on their own terms with their own in-house team.
Do YOU have headcrabs? Try Head(crab) and Shoulders now!
I think I just vomited myself inside out. I'll check, hang on...yep - organs on the outside. F**k!
I think that Google would actually do a great job in digital distribution. Maybe not game design but I think they could definitely kick ass in the distribution department.
Calling it now. Half Life 3 for the Gizmondo 2
And the day is saved.
HAHAHA get it?? G-MAN??? G-MAIL!?!?!? G, as in google. GET IT!!??!