Google to buy valve

[alitayyab]

Search engine giant is looking to snap up valve "any second now" according to the inquirer.
(thus my posting this in the rumor mill section).

apparently google's impressed with steam and they want it.

Google needs Valve (http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/09/17/google-valve)

this is better than EA snapping up valve atleast, if it turns out to be true

apologies if this has already been posted!

[npras42]

While I don't believe anything The Inquirer says unless its corroborated by other major new sources, this would kinda make sense. I bet Steam could be quite a useful acquisition for Google.

Any second now they say? We'll see...

[Zeus666]

i hope noooooooooooooooooooo

[Quick420]

Maybe we can google our games soon?????

[EciDemon]

Maybe we can google our games soon?????

Id love the ability to google my lost discs ...

[LiquidX]

If true I don't think its a bad thing as Google seems pretty hands off with the companies they have bought in the past and some have actually improved. I look at Steam and I see the future of where PC gaming is headed. A few years ago I would never had said that as I thought Steam was a steaming pile of **** but they have improved so much to the point there the catalyst of what digital distribution of games on the PC should be like.

Also if this happens it will prove once again that Microsoft is not on there game. Steam seems to be everything and more that they want Windows Live on the PC to be and it would seem like a no-brainer to scoop Valve up for Steam alone and just slap Windows next to it. But in hindsight I'm glad that didn't happen as they have fudged a lot of things up by being too corporate.

[evox]

Hmmm, imagine free games sponsored by Google Ads.

Also, a little flashback: http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/02/google_buys_ing.html

Maybe this was planned all along?

[nekrosoft13]

microsoft better stay the **** away from steam.

i can just image what they would do to it, change name to windows live, dumb down the interface, put colorful A B buttons all over.

[alitayyab]

if vavle indeed have put themselves up for sale, google is probably the *Safest* bet. EA has destroyed just about every independent game developer it devoured (Westwood, Bullfrog, Origin). Microsoft will probably make it x360 only.

google is pretty much after steam and then games. gaming is one area where google doesnt have a major presence. it is a multi billion dollar industry and google probably wants a slice of it

the way i see it, google might start ingame advertising (i really dont mind) and may sell games via steam for less than other developers. imagine games going for 30 rather than 50.

the other major advantage with steam, as has probably already been pointed out is its global presence. i would love to be able to pay in my local currency a decent value for a game rather than lift it off the web as the local equalent price is very very steep.

if google can pull this off, it would probably reduce piracy to a great extent, atleast where the only option is piracy

[LovingSticky]

Huh, I would stay away from Steam in that case. Google knows too much about people already...

I really hope they will remain independent.

[Redshirt #24]

Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5051164/valve-kills-google-buy+out-rumor): nope, not happening, as per Doug Lombardi himself.

[evox]

I contacted Valve pr man Doug Lombardi who replied to my request for comment on this news with just two words: “complete fabrication.”

Just to make sure Lombardi wasn’t being cagey, I asked if it’s be correct if we posted that (my words) “Valve says Google isn’t buying the company.” He said that would be correct. So… no sale!

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/09/17/valve-on-rumors-of-google-buy-out/

[Heinz68]

Maybe Doug Lombardi doesn't know yet. :)

[crainger]

Not he's correct. I'm buying Valve.

then buying Google.

I'm shutting them both down to make way for EA Downloader and the MyWebSearch.