Steam

Turtle

And especially Valve.  Why does everyone seem to want to have their babies?

I mean seriously, am I missing something?

The games are not that good.

Is this just some hipster-ish fascination with Indie games that is completely independent of how fun the games actually are?

DYRE

Memes.

Icalasari

Because exaggeration?

Saigyouji

Is this just some hipster-ish fascination with Indie games that is completely independent of how fun the games actually are?

I'm confused. Are you still talking about Valve? Because they can't be called indie by any stretch of the imagination.

Marioguy128

Valve games just appeal to those people.

Noimporta

First, internet filter, people are prone to hyperbole online, both positive and negative. Secondly, I assume I don't even need to say this, but subjectivity, Valve games are generally regarded as very polished, high quality titles (they kind of have to be that way, given how long they take to develop them). Third, Valve have created a very positive image for themselves in the general subconscious: One of a company that really cares about providing the best gaming experience (by providing lots of support and free DLC, and "taking their time" to put out new titles rather than churn them out yearly) rather than scamming everyone out of their money, particularly given the policies of companies such as EA and Activision.

... Also, memes.

glennmagusharvey

So are you complaining about the company Valve or their distribution platform Steam?

Steam seems to work nicely as a distribution platform.  Apart from that little hitch wherein you have to have Steam running to play a Steam-originated game, I like their giving you the ability to redownload games you own as much as you like.  I've already had to do this once because I started using a new computer while my old computer got wiped by tech support.

I don't know much about Valve the company, though; I have not yet come to any interest in playing Half-Life (2), Team Fortress (2), or such.

Turtle

I take issue with the alarmingly common mindset that Steam is somehow the greatest thing that video games have seen since the home game console, as well as Valve's being regarded as the god of games.

GLORIOUSLeader

Look at Steam. Now look at Windows Live.

See the difference?

Plus, Valve games are almost always fantastic. And they're one of the few smallish, independently owned American game companies that produces high-quality AAA titles. And their relationship with the fans has always been one of mutual respect.

And also memes. 

Turtle

Who said anything about Windows Live?

Noimporta

I take issue with the alarmingly common mindset that Steam is somehow the greatest thing that video games have seen since the home game console, as well as Valve's being regarded as the god of games.

Again, hyperbole, coupled with the fact that they are both partly true (as in, Steam is a great thing for the videogame industry and Valve games are generally very good).

ninjaclown

I'm not sure about the mindset about how they're the greatest (I've seen Bioware and Bethesda fandom that say they're the absolute best), but it's generally agreed their games are highly thought out and planned (Half-Life 2 and Team Fortress 2 both took a decade to produce!) and involve the community as much as possible. That's what people like about them, they care what fans think.