On 23/09/2012 10:28 AM, Warp wrote:
> Valve seems to be a really nice and non-evil game company. When someone
> makes a mod, expansion or remake of their intellectual property, Valve's
> lawyers are not getting lawgasms and sending cease&desist notifications
> like mad. Instead, Valve encourages and embraces fan-made works based on
> their IP.

Hell, they just *made* the Source Film Maker, a tool who's only purpose 
for existing is to let fans make movies using Source-powered games. 
They're literally /encouraging/ people to use their IP.

If I wanted to be cynical, I might say "yeah, but you need to buy a 
Source-powered game in order to *use* SFM!" Except that, no, you don't. 
Check this out: TF2 is available *for free*! o_O

(Of course, TF2 also includes a trading system based on micropayments in 
real currency, but whatever...)

Valve's business model seems to be, loosely, "make people excited about 
your stuff, and they will be queuing up to buy more of it".

Post a reply to this message