DougLombardi
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Valve denies having a Linux version of Steam in the works
It was a beautiful dream, and someone even went to the trouble of pushing some decent proof, but for now at least Valve is denying any Linux version of Steam in the works. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, when asked about the Linux Steam rumors, Valve marketing VP Doug Lombardi dropped the word: "There's no Linux version that we're working on right now." Of course, things can change, or Valve could be lying to our face in the interest of a good surprise, but for now we're going assume the worst for our freedom-loving brethren. What, are those penguin tears we see? Don't cry, Tux. Don't cry.
Valve committed to XBLA, re-releases possible
With excitement still brewing for the upcoming GlaDOS-free follow up to Portal, developer Valve has come forward, throwing its considerable weight behind Xbox Live Arcade while adding that the company is 'considering' bringing other titles from its catalog to the service as well. Says Valve's Doug Lombardi, "We'll certainly consider it. If you look at what we've done on Steam, we try to make all our games available and we're always reviewing the prices to keep them current. We'd love to do that, but Portal: Still Alive is our first step at doing that beyond the PC."While Lombardi adds that the studio currently has no "immediate plans" to test the waters of either the Wii or PlayStation 3, this remains great news for owners of Microsoft's console, possibly giving those who missed Valve's boat the first time around a second chance to climb on board.
Valve's Lombardi: No Portal 2 in 2008
We're making a note here: huge disappointment -- since Kim Swift's February interview with X-Play, where she mentioned the existence of a Portal 2 project, we've been salivating at the thought of the continued adventures of Chell, GlaDOS, WC³, and the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device. Unfortunately, it seems we'll be wearing our spit guards for quite some time -- according to a recent Eurogamer interview with Valve's Doug Lombardi, any sort of continuation of the beloved franchise will not be hitting store shelves this year.Lombardi expressed Valve's desire to create an equally "revolutionary" successor to the lightning-in-a-bottle first person puzzler, rather than cash in on the franchise at the height of its popularity with a quick and dirty sequel. Oh, Lomby, can't we have both? We're all about instant gratification -- especially gratification involving cake, and a particular silent, springheeled heroine.
Valve wants to keep it free, with Team Fortress 2 DLC
There's no such thing as a free lunch, but Valve's Doug Lombardi figures you already paid your meal ticket when you purchased Team Fortress 2 on the PS3 or Xbox 360. That's why he wants all future downloadable content for the console versions to be completely free of charge. Of course, it's not entirely up to him, but Lombardi hopes to get at least some content -- like the upcoming map packs -- over to players at no additional charge. According to him, DLC isn't about earning increased return on games, but rather about "keeping the customer happy." He sees the work as being an investment in future projects, as it builds consumer trust with the Valve label.No official date has been set for the first TF2 console DLC. Let's just hope that Valve's admirable philosophy wins out in the end.[Via Game|Life]
Half-Life 2 Orange Box -- console owners get a steal [update 1]
For the uninitiated, Valve initially intended to release Half-Life 2 in two different options for the consoles. One was the Black Box that contained HL2: Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. The other is the Orange Box that contained the aforementioned plus Half-Life 2 and Episode 1 expansion. Notice our tenses. One was. One is. That's right -- the Black Box is gone. Doug Lombardi, Valve's marketing director confirmed it. "The Black Box has been cancelled. We're going to have one package, The Orange Box, available on the PC (US$49.99) as well as the 360 and PS3 (US$ 59.99)." While we're sad to see a cheaper alternative go down the garbage disposal, it's for the better. Getting the whole package is always a better alternative to getting a partial package. The only ones who seem to get screwed here are the PC owners. If they've already got the original game, they've got to buy it again if they want to get all three new products. Buying them separate might prove more expensive, anyway. Well, at least the console-lovers get everything at once, right?[Update: Changed the title of the article to better reflect the idea of the post -- indeed, the Black Box was due out only on PC, as it would be silly to not give console owners the actual game. But console owners get a fantastic deal with the Orange Box, no?]
Possibility of some Valve action on the Wii
Looks like the folks at Valve are a little late to the Wii party. We can forgive them; after all, they've been busy crafting some of the best games ever. But in this new interview with GameTrailers, Valve's Director of Marketing, Doug Lombardi admits that they didn't really get the console's potential. "I'm just going to be blunt with you -- we missed the Wii," he said. Well, at least he's honest. While Lombardi said they have no plans at the moment to develop anything for the Wii, he did add that he "wouldn't be surprised" if someone came up with an idea they just had to pursue. Well. At least now we have a candidate for today's most vaguely optimistic news award.He did assure us that they are all "super big fans" of Nintendo over there at Valve. We're certainly reassured. Now get in the studio and build us some games! We've included the video after the jump, though the Wii-relevant information is all the way at the end.
Joystiq interviews Doug Lombardi about Xbox 360 Source
Yesterday, Valve released the Source Engine middleware for the Xbox 360. But what does that mean for Xbox 360 games, PC games, and modders who use Valve's free version of Source? Valve intends for big developers to fluidly move between the two platforms. But the announcement also means one less hurdle for home developers to release an Xbox game, assuming they attract a publisher to clear the maze of licensing and distribution.Valve's Director of Marketing, Doug Lombardi answered a series of emailed questions to delve deeper into these issues. He explained the general difference between the free and middleware versions of Source, how this announcement could still apply to modders, and how PC and Xbox versions of Source games could technically be networked immediately.
Half-Life 2: Episode Two delayed 'til Feb 2007 [Update 1]
Doug Lombardi, of Valve fame, announced that Half Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal will all be pushed back to February of next year. The reason? Valve was a bit aggressive with their release date. Too aggressive, they say. As a shift in management practice, Lombardi says: "our thing is always that we're trying to make really good experiences and so we're going to manage to that rather than the schedule." Good for you guys. Really.Now, about Portal... seems Lombardi is interested in the idea, so much so that he wants to toss it into future episodes. It's that cool and fun to play with. This brings up memories of the gravity gun. You know, that insanely neat tool/weapon/toy used in the main game of Half-Life 2. Just for fun, what was your greatest moment with the gravity gun? Rig up any incredibly complicated traps just to get that one enemy? With that in mind, are you looking forward to playing with the portal gun on your PS3? Or PC, but PS3 eventually.[update: fixed image... brain farts are not uncommon when portals are involved. Thanks, insane_cobra!]
