Valve’s dislike of the PS3 isn’t exactly a secret; time and time again employees from the much-lauded development company have expressed criticism of Sony’s home console – to the point where Randy Pitchford, the President of Gearbox (the developers of Borderlands), felt the need to speak up in Sony’s defense. In a recent interview with the U.K.’s Official PlayStation Magazine, Pitchford likened Valve’s avoidance and criticism of the PS3 to that of a fanboy:"I noticed something on the net not too long ago. Doug Lombardi (Valve's VP Marketing) had to take a swipe at the PS3 again, and I thought it was foolish. I read it the same way I read fanboys. Like there's a guy who bought the Sony platform and he's a Sony guy, so he decides he's going to spend a certain percentage of his time bashing Microsoft. And there's a guy on Microsoft doing the same thing. Those guys are childish and narrow minded, it's the same kind of thing."Pitchford went on to suggest that Valve is a selfish developer: “Valve think their own stuff is the only stuff that matters, to the point where they have their own distribution platform. It's like, I don't care about retail, about Marketplace, or PSN, I'm going to have Steam. It's cool, it's good, and they're doing a good job but at the same time they're reliant on the rest of the world. They had to do that [Left 4 Dead] deal with EA. When I see the L4D ad on the television I don't see a Valve logo, I see an EA logo, and when I bought it, I bought it at a store".I love games by both Valve and Gearbox, so in some ways reading Pitchford’s comments is kind of like watching my parents fight. But he also raises some good points. What do you think? Is Pitchford on the money, or does Valve have every right to decide what platforms to develop for?[Via AnalogHype]
Pitchford is awesome and i totally agree with him....valve needs to quit bashing other systems just because it takes a little talent to develop for the ps3
Valve does have the right to choose what platforms to develop for, however, that being said, I'm not sure why they're so aggressive towards the Sony platform. My idea would be some bad blood between Sony and Valve. I'm not sure how long ago it happened but this feud needs to stop. Both platforms are excellent and both have advantages and disadvantages. So why not sell for both?
-Korey Eiche
I believe Valve has every right to decide what platform it wants to develop for. Maybe they also think that they'll make a bigger chunk of change just making games for the 360 and PC.
hm. that's interesting. on the one hand, valve's bias is understandable because their a pc company so from what i know, developing for 360 isnt that much different. But you also have equally venerable PC devs like id and Bioware making PS3 ports (and they've acknowledged that its very different) but they still go for it. Valve does seem very narrow minded in this aspect. Looks like Pitchford is calling them out. And I cant help agreeing with him.
I think this is just going to cause more pointless arguements by the fanboys. I think Pitchford, though he has a point that Valve doesn't need to bash the PS3, goes about it in an immature way. Isn't he just bashing the people he is upset at for bashing someone else? Is that showing a level of maturity? Personally i believe that Valve should market THEIR product anyway THEY want. Thats the beauty of living in a free nation. However nobody should waste their time, neither valve nor Pitchford, telling people how awful this or that system is or whatever. Just make your product the best you can and the consumers (gamers) will decide with their dollars what is the best system, game, developer.
I respect Pitchford for speaking his opinion but let's not act like this is the first time he's done this. I think he just likes to stir the pot. I don't think Valve will be that hurt by this.
Valve can do whatever they please, but, like Jeff, it's like listening to your parents fight! lol. Apparently Valve felt they could justify bashing Sony, especially when it was at the $399 price point. But have they looked at hardware and software sales for Sony since the price drop?
I always look at the GI Top 20 each month, and there is usually one PS3 game in the top 10. This month there are 2 in the top 5!
Hmmm... if somebody wants to sell more software, maybe they should learn to get along! lol. They're both good companies, so call a treuce- or something.
if they dont like sony they dont have to make games for playstation ends that debate, next
Valve has not done well on the Ps3,the Ps3 version of orange box is horrible it has many performance issues when compared to the 360 so it is obvious that valve can't profit from development on that platform so why would they support it,Left 4 Dead part 2 and 1 are Exclusive titles for microsoft it is only on Xbox 360 and PC,so I would not expect it to come to PS3,just as you will not see God of war or Resistance or Killzone on Xbox 360.
Valve makes games for GOOD systems. Thats why they dont bother with the PS3.
Valve doesn't like the ps3... so what? Stop crying because you have 1 good exclusive (Uncharted 2) and go play littlebigplanet. Maybe they realize it isn't worth it to make multi-platform games considering 360 games far outsell ps3 games.
Valve has every right to develop for whatever platform they want to. They were making out just fine before they made any games for home consoles.
Valve is helping the PC industry grow, so they're not exactly selfish. Plus, they give indie developers a chance to make it in the industry,
As much as I like Valve, I agree with Randy that it's very fanboy-ish to be bashing a certain console because you don't like it. One debriefing on it is enough; there's no need for the entire staff to repeat it. It's almost like they're trying to make Sony lose money, which doesn't make sense considering that they could probably partner up and make an excellent PS3 exclusive if need be.
On another note, I disagree with Randy's second note, with them being nothing but selfish brats who've created their own platform just because they're "too cool". I think that's just him being butthurt about the whole online distribution thing. After all, I don't see any Gearbox games being digitally reproduced (well, legally anyways), so that provides incentive for him to start complaining about what he doesn't have. Doesn't everyone do that at some point anyways?
Either way, it's evident that there's some bad blood between him and Valve. Why exactly, I'm not sure. Do I care? Not really. I'd just like it if Randy would stop trying to cause drama here by bashing Valve repeatedly. However, I'd also like for the 360 fanboyism of Valve to stop. Both are equally unneeded, underhanded, and downright lame.
I am personally feel that Valve are in a league of their own. Criticism is a good thing that should help push the industry further.
valve definitely has the right to develop for whatever platforms they want, but they sure as hell don't have to complain about why they won't develop for another. a one time explanation is more than enough, rather than consistent down-talking and leaving fans out in the cold.
Its no secret that Sony's console is more difficult to code for than the Xbox or PC. That being said, Valve should keep a tighter lid on their Marketing team. However, it seems very unprofessional of Pitchford to bash Valve like that when the two are business partners.
go pitchford!!!
valve has every right. thats true. but at the same time valve does seem to be taking it to an extreme. fanboy does sound like an acurate description at this point. i'm also not so big on pushing the download our games thing instead of going to a store. i havent heard were its signifacantly cheaper and there are a lot of job that could disapeer if download only takes off like the pspgo and steam and such. but now im getting off topic....
it seems this article has brought out a few fanboys of its own. Valve can make games for whatever system they feel like, at the same time, if they don't like a particular system they shouldn't blather on about how much they hate it. it looks very unprofessional in my eyes.