The rumour mill is spinning rather quickly lately, with rumours about Microsoft apparently looking at buying Valve, EA and others.
Polygon cites a "reliable source" for this information:
Some of the names being thrown around as possible acquisitions by Microsoft are, frankly, astounding, even unthinkable. But the fact that they are doing the rounds is instructive. The most recent one we heard (from a reliable source close to Microsoft) was, in fact, Electronic Arts. We also heard a whisper about Valve and about Korean outfit PUBG Corp., which Microsoft last year signed to a timed exclusive for its hit survival shooter, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
Considering Valve has a majority grip on the PC gaming market, constant growth and quite likely more money than they know what to do with, it would obviously be a target for Microsoft. However, to me, those are also all reasons why it just wouldn't happen. On top of that, Valve is privately owned and I doubt Gabe Newell will suddenly give it all over to Microsoft.
Let's not forget how Valve has also been paying people to improve Linux gaming. Valve has people working on SDL, Mesa, SteamOS (multiple updates this year already), Virtual Reality and plenty more towards making Linux a more attractive gaming platform. There's also this recent interview with Timothee Besset from our friends at BoilingSteam which gives a little glimpse into the work Valve is doing behind the scenes for Linux gaming too. It also seems from that, the Linux port of Street Fighter V is not actually dead. It seems they have a habit of announcing things too early!
Obviously if Microsoft somehow convinced Gabe and co to sell up, Linux gaming would change significantly, but I'm telling you now—it just won't happen.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
For the sake of diversity, Valve must not sell to Microsoft ... I cross my fingers.
Still, something this by MS and a huge commitment to gaming as a core part of their business, certainly an interesting rumour.
BlackBloodRum Jan 30, 2018
So, what's going to happen to the games we own? Are Microcrap going to disable the Linux versions? :-(
This is a sad day indeed!
Quoting: subIs there any realistic estimate on the value of Valve?
Well according to the revenue report they produced for 2017 they made 4.1 billion us dollars note its not all profit but it still a very very large profitable company that MS would have to make one hell of an offer for however, i would not put that much stock into this there was rumour back in 2007/2008 that MS were going to buy Rockstar to counter sony's exclusives but it came to nothing and so will this.
All you have to do is look at the manual for new Valve employees:
http://www.valvesoftware.com/company/Valve_Handbook_LowRes.pdf
No one at Valve would develop anything just because the management wanted it. Of course, Microsoft could develop HL3 if they owned the rights to the trademark. But there would be nothing left but the name. Most Valve employees would probably just turn to new jobs and other things.
It could also be that someone wants to damage the trust in Valve as an independent platform by spreading such rumors.
And regarding exclusive releases - this dumb and insulting approach should die out already. Normal game creators should strive to increase their reach, not to insult users by excluding them.
Last edited by Shmerl on 30 January 2018 at 10:01 pm UTC
Quotebut I'm telling you now—it just won't happen.I thought the same thing about trump being elected... :/ I hope you're right though.
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me