Washington
Valve Corporation, also known as Valve Software, is a prominent American video game developer, publisher, and digital distribution company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Founded in 1996 by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, Valve has played a significant role in shaping the gaming industry.
Their debut game, the first-person shooter Half-Life (1998), garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success. Renowned for its realism, scripted sequences, and immersive narrative, Half-Life has had a lasting impact on the FPS genre. Following the success of Half-Life, Valve launched Steam in 2003, a digital distribution platform that revolutionized the way games are distributed and played on PCs.
In subsequent years, Valve released several iconic game franchises, including Counter-Strike, Portal, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, and Dota. Half-Life 2 (2004) further solidified Valve's reputation, featuring advanced physics systems and a compelling storyline that captivated players worldwide. The episodic sequels, Half-Life 2: Episode One (2006) and Episode Two (2007), along with titles like Team Fortress 2 and Portal, continued to showcase Valve's commitment to innovation and quality in gaming.
Throughout the 2010s, Valve explored new frontiers in gaming hardware and virtual reality (VR). They ventured into the hardware market with the Steam Machine in 2015, although sales were disappointing. However, their VR headsets, such as the HTC Vive and Valve Index, marked significant advancements in immersive gaming experiences. Valve's return to the Half-Life series with Half-Life: Alyx (2020), a flagship VR title, further demonstrated their dedication to pushing the boundaries of gaming technology.
In addition to their game development endeavors, Valve is known for its unique organizational structure. Operating on a flat hierarchy, employees have autonomy in choosing their projects, fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation. Valve's approach to game design emphasizes playtesting and iteration, likening it to experimental psychology.
With Steam as its flagship product, Valve has become a powerhouse in the gaming industry. Steam's dominance in digital game distribution has led to significant revenue for the company, with estimates reaching billions of dollars annually. Valve's success underscores its influence and significance in shaping the modern gaming landscape.
Organized tournaments
| Name | Start | End | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
 The International 2023 | 2023-10-12 | 2023-10-29 | $3160058 |
News
- 2023-10-16 Steam to Deploy SMS Verification
- 2023-10-24 Ballantine’s Reveals Dota Themed Bottles
- 2024-01-10 Valve to Allow AI
- 2024-01-15 Valve After Nintendo 64 Version of Portal
- 2024-02-27 Russia to Ban Steam Community
- 2024-03-12 The International 2024 Details Revealed
- 2024-03-22 Valve Reveals Copenhagen Major Stickers
- 2024-04-26 New Counter Strike 2 Update - Patch Notes