http://www.videogamer.com/news/valve_we_don_and_rsquo_t_see_big_bad_and_evil_side_of_microsoft.html
Valve: We don’t see big bad and evil side of Microsoft
L4D only possible because of Xbox LIVE and Steam. MS marketing guys 'hardcore' L4D players.
Valve doesn’t see the “big, bad and evil” side of Microsoft, the company has said in response to questions over Left 4 Dead’s Xbox 360 and PC exclusivity.
At E3 last week Left 4 Dead 2 was announced during Microsoft’s media briefing, confirmed for a November 17 release exclusively on Xbox 360 and PC.
The original Left 4 Dead was released exclusively on Xbox 360 and PC last November.
Speaking to VideoGamer.com at E3 last week, writer Chet Faliszek talked up Valve’s relationship with Microsoft when asked if a PS3 version had ever crossed anyone’s mind.
He said: “If it crossed someone’s mind it wasn’t the focus. The focus was 360 and PC. A) it’s what we develop on. B) it’s the platform we think lends itself to the interaction of our game the best.”
Faliszek also revealed some interesting titbits on the relationship Microsoft shares with Valve, describing Microsoft marketing staff as “hardcore” Left 4 Dead players.
“Microsoft didn’t know about L4D at first,” he explained. “Then they saw it last year and they just started coming to our offices to play. I think it had little to do with actual work, they just wanted to play. And actually we had them out to come take a look at L4D2 before the announcement and everything. Talking with those guys, their marketing guys, they’re like, oh we play every Friday. And they do. They’re hardcore players. They all knew how to play. I didn’t have to give them any instruction. I thought we’d have to put it on easy for you guys. Let me tell you, you guys are good.
“This is a really good relationship and they’re really supportive, they’ve been really helpful, super great. I know they’re supposed to be big, bad and evil but that’s not the side we see of them.”
PS3-owners hoping for some glimmer of hope on the possibility of Left 4 Dead coming to a Sony console in the future may want to look away now. When asked if he thought Left 4 Dead would ever come to a PlayStation console, Faliszek replied: “Right now it’s PC and 360. That’s definitely what we’re going to do. It’s just the platform that lends itself to it. And Xbox LIVE just makes it an easy thing to do.
“If you think about it, ten years ago we could have made L4D, but you wouldn’t have been able to hook up to your friends and it just wouldn’t have gained online as it did. And it’s really because of Steam and Xbox LIVE that we can make L4D.”
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Good that they have a nice relationship with Microsoft. Seems like the Microsoft marketing staff enjoys the games, so they at least have some personal taste as to what they want to help Microsoft bring to the 360.
