Over 10 years later, Gabe Newell's advice to devs still holds up
There can be a fine line between a malicious hack and a legend.
In 2013, Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve, addressed students at the LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin about productivity, economics, political institutions, and the future of corporations. The discussion has resurfaced recently, with a clip from the talk focusing on Newell's advice to game developers regarding hacking.
Newell emphasized that the biggest mistake game developers make is confusing genuine player actions with hacking. He used the example of Lord British, a character who was killed during his first speech in Ultima Online, as a case in point. Instead of resetting the world to prevent what was considered an exciting event, Newell argued that embracing such player-led storytelling would have made for a more engaging narrative. This approach would have contributed to Ultima Online's unique lore and reputation.
Newell's message has resonated throughout the gaming industry, with game designers still referencing this advice when onboarding new team members.
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