With Valve being the kingpin of the PC gaming industry for almost 25 years, we wanted to see what a fellow gamer thought of Valve, including the ways Valve has shaped their gaming hobbies, and the ways they’ve noticed Valve changing over the years.

I interviewed my long-time internet friend named “RedJoker139”.  Red has over 13 years of experience with Valve games and gaming as a whole.  This gives him an insight into how they (Valve) have changed over the years, as well as how he himself has grown accustomed to Valve.  I conducted this interview via Discord. Where I had originally met him back in 2016.  I asked a total of five questions through text. The images that will follow contain the area in which he plays these video games, his Steam profile, as well as other contextual images.

The first of five questions I asked was how Steam shaped his upbringing in the video game space, as well as what game or games helped to shape that connection.  He states that “Valve and Steam has had a strong hand in the games I selected and what I looked for in a game”.  Attributing Valve to his taste in video games.  Mentioning how games like Team Fortress 2 and Garry’s Mod, a community game made by someone, intended for people to be able to mess around with the Source engine’s physics, introduced with the “Half Life 2” game.  Red Addressed how those games made him appreciate Valve even moreso than before. 

Secondly, I asked if he’s noticed any changes over his 13 years of experience as a Steam User.  His answer was pretty simple, stating that he’s noticed a “push for user feedback…” integrating the users’ thoughts and critiques throughout the years, shaping the platform to the consumer itself, not trying to shape the consumer to the platform.

The third question I asked was regarding Valve’s major hold on the gaming industry.

He answered this question saying it was quite well deserved, as Gabe Newell (Founder of Valve) worked day in and day out to make it where they are now, stating, “If competition doesn’t want to try anything risky or fun, they will be left in the dust.”

I then asked him how he felt about the Steam Machine, a soon-to-release gaming computer of their own, meant to be affordable for the average consumer.

Red sees the Steam Machine as a very low-risk, high-reward move from them, saying how any modern-day console, such as PlayStation’s, is essentially just a PC except with a different operating system.  Steam, producing this computer, gives access to games that console players could have only ever dreamed of.

Finally, his thoughts on the future of Valve and Steam itself.

“I don’t see Valve going anywhere anytime soon, and I only expect great things…” Red stated, pronouncing how well off Valve as a whole really is. But he does  “…see a pivot to focusing solely on steam…”  Whether that’s a good or bad thing, we don’t exactly know yet.  Over the years, Valve has done nothing but keep growing its player base. And I think it’s just going to continue to grow with the more moves they do.

This interview is just one of tens of millions of Steam users.  Influenced by the Valve Corporation over the years to strive for better gaming for all.  From being influenced by them to somewhat having a say in how they proceed into the future, each one of us has an impact.  However little it may be.  Companies like Valve will look at our reviews, our feedback and support, and try to use it to the best of their ability to make us appreciate all of the work they put in even more than we already do.  So, if you’re a gamer, this is meant for you.  Even if you aren’t a gamer, this is meant for you.  Every little thing you say can go a long, long way. From a small group project, all the way to a giant corporation like Valve.  The feedback you leave is important.  With that, I thank you for reading.