If There Was Ever A Time To Go Completely Nuts.

[WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">Now is that time.</div> Take a moment, and prepare yourselves to literally hate me. By the time you finish reading this post, you will, but only for my incredibly good fortune.


Ok, it's no secret that me and a team of my peers at DigiPen have been working on <a href='http://www.nuclearmonkeysoftware.com' target='_blank'>Narbacular Drop</a> for our senior project.

And you may remember that back in January, we got a guy whom works at Valve to look at our game and give us some comments. <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87176' target='_blank'>That thread here.</a>

Two weeks ago, DigiPen hosted their second annual career day event where local companies can come and look at teams presenting their game projects. Valve had a representative there whom visited our display and generally told us what sucked about the game. He left his business card, and one of my teammates felt like following up and getting more feedback from this gentleman.

The guy from Valve decided to invite us to go there and get some feedback from their art team.

So, today, we went to that meeting, bringing our whole programming team of 4 people and 1 of our 3 artists. We get there, a little late I might add, and get setup to show a couple people the game. The room we're in can seat 7, but within minutes we're in a small presentation room with our team of 5 and literally 10-12 guys from Valve. All looking at our game........ Including Gabe Newell.

We show off our game, and somehow the topic gets to what we're all doing on the schoolfront. We tell Gabe that we're all seniors who are going to be graduating in May. He asks us what we're doing after that. And we all basically say "Finding jobs". He comes back at us with "Do you guys want to complete the game?" or something along those lines, and we all kinda sit there stunned for a second and reply with a general "yes".

Gabe gets up and leaves, but tells one of the guys to go get him before we leave.

We proceed to show the other 11 or so Valve people our game and get some feedback, they even bring in a guy that I can only assume is their official playtester to mess around in it.

That all goes fine and well, I even have 3 pages of notes of what we can do to awesomeify the game.


So, that presentation is over, and we get led into a conference room. We're sitting there and almost immediately we get a contract offer to remake Narbacular Drop in source........ We kind of let them know that most of us already have jobs, to which Gabe immediately asks how much we're making, and then proceeds to outbid the what any of us currently makes without a moment of hesitation.





AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




So, in short, we have some time to think about it, but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be working for Valve within the next few months. It's only going to start off as contract work, but for a very good reason.

Gabe didn't even know we were coming today, and wasn't even aware of what we were showing when he came to the conference room. And if I might try to loosely quote (I was too excited and stunned to get an exact quote) what he said about that while talking about hiring us.... "I don't know you guys, but whatever happened to make this game happen, I want it."

So, the offer is on the table for my entire team to do the game so they can evaluate us.



You may begin hating my incredibly good fortune now, for I have found the golden ticket.
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Comments

  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    AWESOME!! Best of luck!
  • CyndaneCyndane Join Date: 2003-11-15 Member: 22913Members
    MAKE AN AWESOME VTM GAME WITH SOURCE BUT NOT HAVE IT SUCK!!!!!


    Btw, I hate you, for your good fortune.

    Awesome job though, throughly awesomeness all around.
  • GlissGliss Join Date: 2003-03-23 Member: 14800Members, Constellation, NS2 Map Tester
  • DragonMechDragonMech Join Date: 2003-09-19 Member: 21023Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Awesomesauce!12 <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • JediYoshiJediYoshi The Cupcake Boss Join Date: 2002-05-27 Member: 674Members
    AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • im_lostim_lost TWG Rule Guru Join Date: 2003-04-26 Member: 15861Members
    I guess that means you won't be able to give us the final version of the game to play, then. Oh well. Great work, good luck working at Valve.
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    Wow! Congrats a million and then some! If it was me I would be hopping and jumping around right now!

    I'll buy ND:S <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • PulsePulse To create, to create and escape. Join Date: 2002-08-29 Member: 1248Members, Constellation
    You stole my karma... I demand compensation!
  • Mad_ManMad_Man Join Date: 2003-06-13 Member: 17359Members, Constellation
    Wow first them gets a new bike new a job a valve, I so wish I was you. Especially because that is my career path =/
  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    edited April 2005
    Hope you don't mind; I'm leaking your contract to the public.

    CONTRACT FOR [WHO]THEM:

    [WHO]THEM will be known as "Applicant" throughout this contract, as is bound by the obligations and requirements therein.

    The Applicant is henceforth known as "Slave 5" in the Valve Headquarters Roster, and will granted all rights, or right permitted to his caste.

    1. Location
    The applicant agrees to move permanent residence to Valve facilities, where applicant will reside for the entire course of the game development. Applicant agrees to board in basement of the facility, near the furnace room where things are very dark and noisy. The Applicant understands that as the development of the game progresses, he will eventually be permitted to leave the basement level and move to the sun-lit deparments and offices of the premesis.

    2. Pay Rate
    The Applicant understands that bloated pay rate we quoted will be given to him in full, minus fees, taxes, 90% of the total amount earned, and other assorted fines, at the time of his death, provided the game development has reached completion, has been shipped, and has sold more than fifteen (15) million copies.

    The Applicant understands he waives all rights to his current financial status, and will release his financial records and current routing numbers and passwords to Valve Software.

    3. Responsibilities of the Applicant
    The Applicant agrees to never leave the Valve facility, cutting off all ties with the community of fans, supporters, and family members for the duration of the game development. Upon completion of the game, a 2% increase in communication will be permitted to appease fans.
    Applicant is never to mention Gabe Newell's weight. When such urges arise, the Applicant is required to use the Krispy Kreme phone to order one dozen donuts for Mr. Newell, and is required to give said donuts to Mr. Newell in person.
    Applicant agrees to sell soul to Valve Software.

    4. Rights of the Applicant
    After two years of loyal service, and providing quarters are available and earned above the Basement level, the Applicant will be permitted to leave the facility for the purposes of advertisement alone, and will be allowed only in official status only in designated areas.
    The Applicant waives all rights to his dignity, game design, game development process, and wardrobe.
    All other unmentioned rights of the Applicant are restricted to Level 5 members only.

    5. Game Development Process
    This game will be forced to run on Steam, even if it is not required. All passwords will be set to "gaben", and will be immediately posted to all Half-Life 2 message boards. No firewalls are to be used during game development, and no computer is to be disconnected from the Internet. Everything else will be "winged".
  • LokeTheSleekPeruvianLokeTheSleekPeruvian Join Date: 2003-08-21 Member: 20054Members
    Congrats <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    I don't hate you! Congrats to you and your entire team. That's quite an accomplishment.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    ...


    <span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>can I touch you?</span>




    ye gods man, you rock! (and that goes for the rest of your team as well).

    /me keeps smiling <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • Cold_NiTeCold_NiTe Join Date: 2003-09-15 Member: 20875Members
    Jesus christ man that's bloody awesome. I'm so envious! Good work, you must have made one damn fine game for them to say that.

    Go get em. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • Omega_DeathOmega_Death Sith apprentice to a box of Cereal Join Date: 2003-08-06 Member: 19042Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-pjofsky+Apr 8 2005, 08:58 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (pjofsky @ Apr 8 2005, 08:58 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> **** you. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Quoted for great justice.
  • RenegadeRenegade Old school Join Date: 2002-03-29 Member: 361Members
    Will you be moving to Valve's HQ in Washington? If so, you'll be in my neck of the woods! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Good job THEM, proud of you and your guys.
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Renegade+Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Will you be moving to Valve's HQ in Washington? If so, you'll be in my neck of the woods! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I already live in Kent. To drive from the school to valve was only like 15 minutes, that's why it was so stunning to get an offer. We literally thought we were going there to get our game torn to shreds in a critical fashion.
  • Seph_KimaraSeph_Kimara Join Date: 2003-08-10 Member: 19359Members
    Wow. Congrats, man.

    Just...wow.
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    edited April 2005
    You are one lucky ****, you know that?

    :edit: wow, it filters out "son of a" with ****!
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    so, any chance of giving us the ballpark figure that Valve offers to contract workers? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    I'm trying to imagine just how cool this would be with Source's Physics...
  • RenegadeRenegade Old school Join Date: 2002-03-29 Member: 361Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-T h e m+Apr 8 2005, 06:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (T h e m @ Apr 8 2005, 06:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Renegade+Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Will you be moving to Valve's HQ in Washington? If so, you'll be in my neck of the woods! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I already live in Kent. To drive from the school to valve was only like 15 minutes, that's why it was so stunning to get an offer. We literally thought we were going there to get our game torn to shreds in a critical fashion. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The next time you get the chance to touch Gabe Newell, do it, and think of me.
  • RaVeRaVe Join Date: 2003-06-20 Member: 17538Members
    Wow....

    Congrats indeed Them. Have fun fiddling with the Source engine (and maybe breaking it <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> )
  • Seph_KimaraSeph_Kimara Join Date: 2003-08-10 Member: 19359Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Renegade+Apr 9 2005, 02:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Apr 9 2005, 02:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-T h e m+Apr 8 2005, 06:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (T h e m @ Apr 8 2005, 06:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Renegade+Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Will you be moving to Valve's HQ in Washington? If so, you'll be in my neck of the woods! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I already live in Kent. To drive from the school to valve was only like 15 minutes, that's why it was so stunning to get an offer. We literally thought we were going there to get our game torn to shreds in a critical fashion. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The next time you get the chance to touch Gabe Newell, do it, and think of me. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Touch him...down <i>there</i>?
  • MulletMullet Join Date: 2003-04-28 Member: 15910Members, Constellation
    Wow congrats to you and your entire team! I'm jealous!
  • Cold_NiTeCold_NiTe Join Date: 2003-09-15 Member: 20875Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Seph Kimara+Apr 8 2005, 09:53 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Seph Kimara @ Apr 8 2005, 09:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Renegade+Apr 9 2005, 02:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Apr 9 2005, 02:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-T h e m+Apr 8 2005, 06:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (T h e m @ Apr 8 2005, 06:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Renegade+Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Renegade @ Apr 8 2005, 07:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Will you be moving to Valve's HQ in Washington? If so, you'll be in my neck of the woods! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I already live in Kent. To drive from the school to valve was only like 15 minutes, that's why it was so stunning to get an offer. We literally thought we were going there to get our game torn to shreds in a critical fashion. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The next time you get the chance to touch Gabe Newell, do it, and think of me. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Touch him...down <i>there</i>? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Only the guy with the night shift gets that job I think.
  • CMEastCMEast Join Date: 2002-05-19 Member: 632Members
    Oh wow...

    Just wow!
  • TyrainTyrain Join Date: 2003-01-03 Member: 11746Members
    edited April 2005
    Teh NS Forumers strikes again! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    Daemonedit: The game looks terrible... although the charakters look nice. Hehe but the conecpt sounds like fun. Could be looking sweet in source. With help from some valve guys this could be gold.

    PrincesEdit: Oh well, the game looks much better live than that screenshots show. And it's very interesting concept. Wish you good luck with that.
  • CommunistWithAGunCommunistWithAGun Local Propaganda Guy Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15953Members
    "Add a 1 infront of it and two zeros and we have a deal"
    "Wow Bender how much did you get for me?"
    "100 Bucks!"



    Seriously, NICE!
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