It’s been 13 years since Valve made a non-pvp, non-vr game. I don’t fault people liking those kinds of games. However I don’t think it’s out of line to hope Valve’s next game could be enjoyed by people without the inclination to play online or needing to own special hardware.
Valve hasn't been a "console company" for 13 years. If they aren't making NFT-adjacent MOBA's/Hero Shooters they are making tech demos for their hardware.
it's sad as a huge Portal fan, but at this point Valve's been a platform holder longer than they have been a "console games" studio. The only stipulation is that they are free enough with their work that you have a 1% chance of turning your own Portal/half-Life Mod into a sanctioned release if you impress them enough.
I'd say "be the change you want to be", but I think the worst use of your talent is investing in an IP you do not own/have a license for. Every Garry's Mod has hundreds of broken dreams underneath. And I especially hate this line, but: If you're gonna mod you need to do it as a hobby. Because monetizing it is the easiest way to get on 99% of companies' radar.
I could have specificed better, but I used "console-style" to descibe a catch all of "90's/00's style games that would launch on console/PC pre-networked age". Thought it was be less confusing and pompous to say that than "Actual PC games"
Then again, I could have just said offline games, and maybe I was overthinking it.
Network effect is hard. I can make a single player game and get one sale, or a multiplayer game and guarantee two, in addition to getting free word-of-mouth advertising (friends convincing friends to buy the game so they can play).
I am not sure if relevant, but I think there might also be a legal risk if Valve goes harder on games. Valve not contributing meaningfully to "first party" games makes them less susceptible.