Portal Designer Joins Airtight Games

[Andy Chalk]

Portal Designer Joins Airtight Games

Kim Swift, project lead on the hit puzzle game Portal [http://orange.half-life2.com/portal.html], has left Valve to take up a position at Dark Void studio Airtight Games.

Swift came to Left 4 Dead [http://www.valvesoftware.com] and its follow-up, Left 4 Dead 2.

"I've learned so much and had some amazing experiences at Valve," Swift said of her time at the company. "But when I heard I had the opportunity to work on innovative titles with my friends over at Airtight, I couldn't pass it up."

Capcom [http://www.airtightgames.com/]. Details of Swift's role at Airtight or her first project with the new studio weren't revealed.

"We are thrilled to work with Kim," said Airtight Games President Jim Deal. "Her addition to the team represents a strategic move by Airtight Games into new and broader gaming markets."



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[HardRockSamurai]

Well, Valve's loss I guess.

Still, it's good to know that there are still some young, fresh, innovative minds in the video game world, regardless of where they're working.

 

[Caliostro]

Ok, wait, follow me here:

So you leave Valve, one of the most critically acclaimed and exclusive companies ever for whom millions want to work for, the company that gave you your first job straight out of college to work on your new brand new IP, a company known for it's creative licensing and work environment as well as their innovative games, to go work for a sub-par company whose only known game is a perfectly run of the mill flight simulator/arcade/thing... because you want the chance to create innovative tittles?

Am I the only one not seeing the logic behind this one?

 

[FURY_007]

Ok, wait, follow me here:

So you leave Valve, one of the most critically acclaimed and exclusive companies ever for whom millions want to work for, the company that gave you your first job straight out of college to work on your new brand new IP, a company known for it's creative licensing and work environment as well as their innovative games, to go work for a sub-par company whose only known game is a perfectly run of the mill flight simulator/arcade/thing... because you want the chance to create innovative tittles?

Am I the only one not seeing the logic behind this one?

honestly. thats what i was thinking, like really? I mean i'd understand if Valve didn't give creative freedom or anything, but really? but whatever, her loss.

 

[Croaker42]

Ok, wait, follow me here:

So you leave Valve, one of the most critically acclaimed and exclusive companies ever for whom millions want to work for, the company that gave you your first job straight out of college to work on your new brand new IP, a company known for it's creative licensing and work environment as well as their innovative games, to go work for a sub-par company whose only known game is a perfectly run of the mill flight simulator/arcade/thing... because you want the chance to create innovative tittles?

Am I the only one not seeing the logic behind this one?

Oh no I see what your geting at.
But who knows maby its just a good shot at a lateral pay raise.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Dark Void doesn't look interesting to me but I'm sure that the people who are working on it are very skilled and could deliver something different if given a chance. If all they want to do is make console friendly shooters then it seems a bit disorganized to grab and hold onto the lead of the Portal team.

 

[pneuma08]

Ok, wait, follow me here:

So you leave Valve, one of the most critically acclaimed and exclusive companies ever for whom millions want to work for, the company that gave you your first job straight out of college to work on your new brand new IP, a company known for it's creative licensing and work environment as well as their innovative games, to go work for a sub-par company whose only known game is a perfectly run of the mill flight simulator/arcade/thing... because you want the chance to create innovative tittles?

Am I the only one not seeing the logic behind this one?

Or maybe Valve is too busy doing their own (awesome) things and can't support her creative direction. A smaller studio might be more malleable.

But it's probably just a pay raise or something.

In any event creative gold struck once doesn't necessarily mean creative gold is going to be struck again.

 

[agentmaine]

I do think this is sad. While I don't want a Portal remake, a sequel was promised and multi-player was too. There is no obvious way to have good portal multiplayer (ghost race, interferable race, co-op, arena throwing thing, etc.) so the person who lead the project in the first place seems like a good voice to hear when considering that. Valve made the Half-Life games with out her so I am confident this won't just kill them but seriously, Valve, at least announce a new IP soon, all we have gotten from you is a glorified mod, the sequel to the glorified mod, and... well... that's it. I trust you guys are working on something.

 

[hagaya]

A moment of silence for Portal 2, please? It will still be an amazing game, stellar if you will. However, the game still won't be a gift from the heavens sent down by 13 angels wearing Corporate Finance t-shirts in a gilded basket laced with silk, surrounded by a brilliant halo that will evaporate the eyes of any person not wearing the coolest sunglasses ever.

 

[Caliostro]

A moment of silence for Portal 2, please? It will still be an amazing game, stellar if you will. However, the game still won't be a gift from the heavens sent down by 13 angels wearing Corporate Finance t-shirts in a gilded basket laced with silk, surrounded by a brilliant halo that will evaporate the eyes of any person not wearing the coolest sunglasses ever.

Not necessarily. She was the game designer. Game is already designed. Now you just need to perfect and expand.

True, it's a loss, but they'll live.

 

[The Warden]

I can't tell what to think; Is she a dumbass, a genius?
I mean, she made fucking Portal, and worked on L4D and it's sequel, but then again, she LEFT VALVE TO JOIN A SUB-PAR COMPANY.
WTF?
I'd say she's about average in intelligence now.

 

[MarsProbe]

While it is easy to say she must be mad to leave Valve and go work for another company, I don't think we really know the whole story.

Perhaps the pay packet offered was better, maybe she has "friends" working at Airtight Games, such things can persuade people to make a move.

Either way, I'm not really familiar with the work of Airtight games, so can't really say much as to their production of "innovative titles". But for now, it does seem a trifle bizarre.

Anyway, here's hoping Portal 2 will still be a great game. I think it's due out a mere month after Episode 3. Going by Valve Time anyway.

 

[Pimppeter2]

You know what they say

"Go where the cash flow"

 

[Eric the Orange]

oh look, Malygris is evolving,

(evolution music)

Malygris evolved into an Andy Chalk.

 

[AWAR]

THAT IS HERESY !

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Ok, wait, follow me here:

So you leave Valve, one of the most critically acclaimed and exclusive companies ever for whom millions want to work for, the company that gave you your first job straight out of college to work on your new brand new IP, a company known for it's creative licensing and work environment as well as their innovative games, to go work for a sub-par company whose only known game is a perfectly run of the mill flight simulator/arcade/thing... because you want the chance to create innovative tittles?

Am I the only one not seeing the logic behind this one?

Why discuss this any further, he nailed the point directly.

 

[hansari]

So what does Valve get?

...this is like a sports trade, right?

 

[DaxStrife]

Why's everyone bashing on Kim for doing what she wants? To quote:

"But when I heard I had the opportunity to work on innovative titles with my friends over at Airtight, I couldn't pass it up."

She wants to make games with her friends; who wouldn't want that?
Besides, while Kim had the original idea for Portal, taking it to Valve is what really shaped it into the title we know and love. And I'm sure they'd have her back if she wanted to return.

 

[Katana314]

Hey, if the general consensus at Valve is that a game a year is okay, I'd consider leaving too.

 

[Caliostro]

Either way, I'm not really familiar with the work of Airtight games, so can't really say much as to their production of "innovative titles".

(don't pay too much attention to the "review", it's gamespot)

...That's it.

Yep, I'm not joking, that's their one game.