Who do you recognize from Valve? (and is it a "good" thing)

[Operational]

The poll is a list of Valve-related people, if you recognize the name and believe that you have a vague idea of what they do tick the box. You can tick as many boxes as you need as this is a multiple choice poll. I'd like to put a couple more names up there but 10 is the limit.

Last week there was small discussion in the Diablo 3 thread about knowing some of the people behind the games we play and whether or not this was a "good" thing.

I personally don't have a problem with it, in fact I'll keep an eye out for the people behind the games, TV shows, books, etc I like and read what they have to say ranging from specifically what they are involved with to things a tad more general, so naturally I know some names.

 

[Shakermaker]

I know Gabe. And I've heard from Marc Laidlaw. That's about it though.

 

[mindless_moder]

you forgot doug lombardi

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

I recognise all of them, know most of them, and a bunch of people not on your list, too.

 

[VirusType2]

Heard of Laidlaw and Lombardi, but don't know what they do

I only checked Gabe Newell


I don't see how it matters, so I can't say if it's a bad thing or a good thing.

 

[Operational]

you forgot doug lombardi

I didn't forget, I can only have 10 options to a poll and wanted a range of high and low profile Valve people.

 

[Shift]

Gabe, Marc and Doug.

 

[Polaris]

Chet, Robin, Viktor (doesn't work at Valve anymore), Marc, Gabe, Erik.
Also Doug Lombardi, Kim Swift, Kelly Bailey and Erik Wolpaw.

 

[Barnz]

Almost everyone.

 

[highlander]

Most of 'em

 

[Eejit]

Most of 'em.

I don't see why it's any 'worse' than recognising names like Stan Winston or Danny Elfman.

 

[Zephos]

Recognised a few from interviews and other sources. Forgot to vote for Antonov even if he doesn't work there anymore.

 

[simonjedi]

I know them all,

because i work at valve.

 

[Iron Kat]

I recognise Gabe Newell (of course), Marc Laidlaw, Doug Lombardi (OP should have added him) and Greg Coomer (but I don't know where from).

 

[Asknoone]

Most of them.

 

[_Z_Ryuken]

If I saw the fat one, I'm pretty sure I would recognize him because he reminds me of Micheal Moore.

Reason why I have no idea who they are is I don't give much of a damn over who makes the games I play. If you do, and you research/write about/stalk them, that's cool beans too.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Harrington co founded Valve, saw that on the Gamespot article about HL
Katie Engel and Scott Dalton i heard in commentary.
The rest i just know, with the exception of Lawrence Jones, don't know who the hell he is.

 

[Qonfused]

Only Gabe.

 

[Raziaar]

Great... now Scott Dalton and Lawrence Jones are going to commit suicide.

 

[Sheepo]

I see Gabe every morning from right by his garbage cans!

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Valve?

 

[Absinthe]

I knew six of them. The other names I'm aware of, but can't remember what exactly they do. I feel like I should know what Harrington does. Also know a lot of others not on the list.

 

[French Ninja]

I remember Gabe, Marc and Viktor.

Katie is vaguely familiar...

edit: and Doug

 

[Absinthe]

Also, yeah it's perfectly fine to know these names. Just the same as it is to know certain music/film producers, musicians, FX artists, or anybody in any medium. I got the slight impression in the other topic that some people seemed to think knowing who Metzen or any of these other guys were was indicative of being "too involved" with gaming or something. Not saying that was actually the case, but it's not an uncommon attitude to come across in The Real World (c). I can only think it comes from a mindset that still views games childish or otherwise lacking legitimacy.

I can't help what I'm passionate about. /shrug

 

[ailevation]

From that listing, all i know of is Gabe Newell and Marc Laidlaw.

 

[Slug Advisor]

Valve?

This. WTF are you guys talking about?

 

[Baal]

I know the names of Viktor Antonov and Marc Laidlaw. I think one of the two does something to do with the story, and one of the two does something to do with art. I could be completely wrong though.

I know Gabe Newell's name/face, and I know he does.

I think I've seen a video featuring Erik Johnson, and I definitely know the name, but I have no idea what he does.

This is kind of sad, because I still feel like I know too much, even though I only voted for Gabe.

 

[Absinthe]

This is kind of sad, because I still feel like I know too much, even though I only voted for Gabe.

Why is it sad, exactly?

 

[Operational]

^ Indeed, don't hide who you are Baal!

 

[CyberPitz]

Gabe, only because I've seen his picture enough on this site :O

 

[Xendance]

Am I right in thinking Mike Harrington was the guy who voiced Dr Kliener, or am I thinking out of my ass?

 

[Omnomnick]

I believe its your ass....


:| again...


Anyway, I recognise about 1/2 of them.

 

[tonjohn]

Awww, no love?

 

[Iron Kat]

Am I right in thinking Mike Harrington was the guy who voiced Dr Kliener, or am I thinking out of my ass?

If you looked at the credits at the end of the game you would discover that Harry S. Robins voices Kleiner. Also Mike Shapiro voices both Barney and the G-man. I'm sure lots of people knew that already but for those of you who didn't know that, now you do.

 

[Trevelyan]

& doug lombardi!

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Am I right in thinking Mike Harrington was the guy who voiced Dr Kliener, or am I thinking out of my ass?

As i said previously, Mike Harrington co-founded Valve with Gabe. He was an ex Microsoft employee as well and they both left and founded Valve. After HL he quit to cruise around the world.
I recommend reading this if you haven't already. It's a gamespot article detailing the start of Valve and the events around Half-Life, it's really good. http://uk.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/index.html

 

[Xendance]

I believe its your ass....


:| again...


Anyway, I recognise about 1/2 of them.

If you looked at the credits at the end of the game you would discover that Harry S. Robins voices Kleiner. Also Mike Shapiro voices both Barney and the G-man. I'm sure lots of people knew that already but for those of you who didn't know that, now you do.

As i said previously, Mike Harrington co-founded Valve with Gabe. He was an ex Microsoft employee as well and they both left and founded Valve. After HL he quit to cruise around the world.
I recommend reading this if you haven't already. It's a gamespot article detailing the start of Valve and the events around Half-Life, it's really good. http://uk.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/index.html

Ah right. For some reason I got Harry S. Robins mixed up with Mike Harrington. Now that PimpinPenguin explained it, I remember it all now.

 

[Darkside55]

It's impossible not to recognize Gabe Newell.

Mainly because it's impossible to miss him.

Spoiler

He is a man of considerable girth

 

[Absinthe]

He's obese.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Recognise most of the name, spoken to Chet, Robin, Marc, Gabe, Doug, Erik and Katie via email. In fact we've been speaking to Katie about E3 this week as Smash gos on his merry way!