Valve Denies Google Buyout Rumors

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Update: Valve has issued a series of succinct responses that deny a Google buyout.

"Rumor," Valve marketing VP Doug Lombardi told Shacknews, while clarifying to MTV Multiplayer that the entire affair is a "complete fabrication."

Original Story: "Well placed sources" reportedly tell UK tabloid The Inquirer that software giant Google is primed to buy independent developer and Half-Life series creator Valve "any minute now."

If the dubious rumor is to be believed, Valve's PC digital distribution client Steam is a major factor in the acquisition, as many speculate that Google will further expand into content distribution and the gaming market.

"We do not comment on rumour and speculation," a Google representative told MCV. Valve has yet to provide an official response, as the rumor surfaced overnight.

Valve had previously said it was "happy to have that talk" should the company be approached with a buyout offer, though at the time, marketing VP Doug Lombardi stated that the studio was "doing pretty well" and was "really happy with what we're doing."

Faylor's Take: Anything is possible, I suppose, but I really don't see this happening.

Plus, as Blue's News points out, I don't exactly trust the "well placed sources" of a tabloid that specializes in speculation and sensationalism, not to mention one that rarely reports on games and is so far removed from the overall industry.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 17, 2008 7:47 AM

    I'd rather EA buy Valve than Google.

    • reply
      September 17, 2008 7:48 AM

      I'd rather Valve Buy EA and reform origin

    • reply
      September 17, 2008 7:48 AM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      September 17, 2008 8:07 AM

      Thinking about it, if someone had to buy them I'd put a few other publishers before Google.

    • reply
      September 17, 2008 12:14 PM

      Really curious, why?

      • reply
        September 17, 2008 3:41 PM

        1. Valve likes them. 2. They make games, and therefore, quality of the games fits somewhere into their goals. Whether its a primary or secondary goal, is up to debate. But it's a goal.

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      September 17, 2008 1:31 PM

      So you'd rather have EA that could put install limits on the number places you could have steam and or "renting" games off steam for 2 years and you could play $6 more to "rent" it for another 2 years.

      Also publishers were already leary of putting their games on steam because valve had access to financial info. I bet it would only get worse if EA got a hold of it.

      While i agree that EA is starting to turn around its shitty image. I still don't feel they are doing any good in the digital distribution area.

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      September 17, 2008 10:54 PM

      Im sorry but I really like being able to download software Iv long since lost the disc for. EA can DIAF with spore and RA3 being a limited install, I will continue to buy their console games that continue to run on my friends consoles however.

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