Valve Corporation: Difference between revisions

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum

Content added Content deleted
VisualWikitext
imported>Theycallmemaxy
(World)
 
(67 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{PageCredits|video=Combine OverWiki, tEhLoNeR404, and TedNeeTed}}
{{PageCredits|description=Toonster95|capture=NewAccountLOL|video=Combine OverWiki, tEhLoNeR404 and TedNeeTed}}



===Background===
===Background===
'''Valve Corporation''', also known as '''Valve Software''', is an American video game developer and distributor that was founded in 1996 in Bellevue, Washington by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington. They are best known for their 1998 debut product ''Half-Life'' and its sequels, the [[Source]] engine used for production of their games, and the Steam digital distribution platform. They are also known for the ''Counter-Strike'' series, the ''Team Fortress'' series, the ''Left 4 Dead'' series, and the ''Portal'' series.


{{ImageTOC
'''Valve Corporation''', also known as '''Valve Software''', is an American video game developer and distributor that was founded in 1996 in Bellevue, Washington. They are best known for their 1998 debut product, ''Half-Life'', and the Steam digital distribution platform. They are also known for the ''Counter-Strike'' series, the ''Team Fortress'' series, the ''Left 4 Dead'' series, the ''Portal'' series, and the ''Day of Defeat'' series.
|First Valve Logo.png|1st Logo (1998)
|Valve_(1998).png|2nd Logo (''Open Your Eyes'') (November 19, 1998-June 1, 2006)
|Valve_(2009).png|3rd Logo (''Open Your Mind'') (October 10, 2007-)
|Valve_(2016)_(From_-_The_Lab).png|4th Logo (VR variant) (April 5, 2016)
|Valve_(Aperture_Desk_Job).jpg|5th Logo (November 28, 2018-March 1, 2022)
|Valve3.png|6th Logo (VR variant) (March 23, 2020)
}}


===1st Logo (1998)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
First Valve Logo.png
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=zrqx45nfyR4}}


'''Visuals:''' The camera zooms in over the exterior of a big {{color|darkgray|dark gray}} building (sort of like a jail or factory), and goes through one of the windows. There is a shirtless bald man wearing long pants ('''mrvalve.mdl''') getting ready to pull a lever that starts up a letterpress-esque machine. He puts his profile on the base and when the press (which has the Valve logo on it) goes over his head, it plants a {{color|darkred|dark red}} valve ('''spiggot.mdl''') on the side of his head. He gets up, strangely without any ache or pain whatsoever as if nothing happened.
=== 1st Logo (1998)===
<center>
<youtube width="220" height="165">zrqx45nfyR4</youtube>
</center>


'''Technique:''' 3D animation rendered in GoldSrc.
'''Nickname''': "The Valve"


'''Audio:''' A portion of the ambient/trip-hop track "Hazardous Environments", composed by Kelly Bailey for the company's first video game, ''Half-Life''.
'''Logo''': We zoom in over the exterior of a big dark gray building (sort of like a jail or factory), and go through one of the windows. We see a shirtless bald man wearing long pants '''(mrvalve.mdl)''' getting ready to pull a lever that starts-up a letterpress-esquemachine. He puts his profile on the base and when the press (which has the Valve logo on it) goes over his head, it plants a dark red valve '''(spiggot.mdl)''' on the side of his head. He gets up, strangely without any ache or pain whatsoever as if nothing happened.


'''Availability:''' It was only used as a tech demo for the GoldSrc engine.
'''FX/SFX''': GoldSrc animation. The map, titled '''"valve.bsp"''', was designed by Greg Coomer. Steve Theodore designed the models, and Doug Wood provided the animations. This concept, ''"Open Your Mind"'', was eventually used in-game in 2006.


===2nd Logo (''Open Your Eyes'') (November 19, 1998-June 1, 2006)===
'''Music/Sounds/Trivia''': ''"Hazardous Environments"'', a song composed for the company's first video game, ''Half-Life''. It's hard to hear it without headphones or listening closely, however. Associating factory background sounds can also be heard.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">

Valve1.jpeg
'''Availability''': It was only used as a tech demo for the GoldSrc engine.
Valve (1998).png

Valve (2004).png
'''Editor's Note''': Nice animation showcasing the GoldSrc engine, although the concept can scare people off.


===2nd Logo (1998-2004)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
valve1.jpeg
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=KPSdxS8hR7Q|id2=a5LXL_IJtog}}
<center>
<youtube width="220" height="165">KPSdxS8hR7Q</youtube>
<youtube width="220" height="165">a5LXL_IJtog</youtube>
</center>


'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a fading-in {{color|tan|sepia}} tone picture of a young man with black slick back hair with a goatee looking at the camera with a {{color|red}} valve sticking out of his left eye. After the picture fades in, an {{color|orange}} box outline fades in the bottom right corner of the picture, containing the word "{{color|orange|VALVE}}" where the "{{color|orange|E}}" is a superscript. Both the picture and the text then fade out slightly faster than the speed they faded in.
'''Nicknames''': "Open Your Eyes", "(Scary) Valve Man", "The Valve II," "Maimed Mike"


'''Trivia:'''
'''Logo''': On a black background, we see a fading-in sepia tone picture of a young man with black slick back hair with a goatee looking at the camera with a red valve sticking out of his left eye. After the picture fades in, a white box outline fades in in the bottom right corner of the picture, containing the word "VALVE" where the "E" is a superscript. Both the picture and the text then fade out slightly faster than the speed they faded-in.


* The logo itself was designed by Gabe Newell and Ray Ueno.
'''Trivia''': The man in the picture was that of a former Valve employee (possibly Mike Harrington). Both this picture of the man and the picture used in the next logo were taken between 1995 and 1996. The concept for this logo is ''"Open Your Eyes"''.
* The man in the picture was a former Valve employee (unconfirmed, possibly Mike Harrington).
* Both this picture and the one used in the next logo were taken between 1995 and 1996.
* The concept behind this logo was "''Open Your Eyes''".


'''Variants:'''
'''Variant''': Starting in 2004 with the release of ''Half-Life 2'', the color of this logo has been toned down from its original sepia, the fade-in and fade-out are smoother, "trembling" effects are added to the photo and copyright stamps follow the fade-out.
*There is a variant where the picture is zoomed in to fit the screen.
*Starting in 2004 with the release of ''Half-Life 2'', the color of this logo has been toned down from its original {{color|tan|sepia}}, the fade-in and fade-out are smoother, trembling effects are added to the photo and copyright stamps follow the fade-out.


'''Technique:''' Computer animation.
'''FX/SFX''': The picture and text fading-in and out, the intentional choppiness.


'''Music/Sounds''': A fragment of ''Hazardous Environments'' plays.
'''Audio:''' Similarly to before, a fragment of "Hazardous Environments" plays.


'''Availability:'''
'''Availability''': Uncommon. Seen on the non-Steam, original CD versions of ''Half-Life'' and ''Counter-Strike''. The color toned variant is seen on the original ''Half-Life 2''. Sadly, Steam versions of ''Half-Life 2'' use the next logo, while Steam versions of ''Half-Life'' and ''Counter-Strike'' have no logo at all. However, the logo can be seen after the credits of ''Half-Life 2: Episode One'', just before a trailer for ''Half-Life 2: Episode Two'', on both the original CD and Steam versions (though it can't be seen on the PS3 and 360 versions, included in ''The Orange Box'' since the trailer is omitted from those versions). Can also be seen on the Xbox versions of ''Half-Life 2'', ''Counter-Strike'', and ''Codename Gordon''. This logo was going to be used in ''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'' (as evidenced by this logo's AVI file inside the game's directory), but never ended up being used for some reason.
*Seen on the original CD versions of ''Half-Life'' and ''Counter-Strike'', as well as the Steam version of the former title as of the 25th Anniversary Update.
*The color down-toned variant is seen on the original ''Half-Life 2''.
*Steam versions of ''Half-Life 2'' use the next logo, while Steam versions of ''Half-Life'' (before the 25th Anniversary Update) and ''Counter-Strike'' have no logo at all.
*It can also be seen on the Xbox versions of ''Half-Life 2'', ''Counter-Strike'', and ''Codename Gordon''.
*This logo was going to be used in ''Counter-Strike: Condition Zero'' (as evidenced by this logo's AVI file inside the game's directory), but ended up not being used for an undisclosed reason.


===3rd Logo (''Open Your Mind'') (October 10, 2007-)===
'''Editor's Note''': The concept is creative, but the picture of the man along with the disturbing, ominous music can unnerve many players,although this was arguably intentional. However, this logo is a favorite of many.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">

Valve2.png

Valve (2009).png
===3rd Logo (2006-)===
Valve (2014).png
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
valve2.png
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=5t1n-YvI9gg|id2=GcjvgrPvd00}}
<center>
<youtube width="220" height="165">5t1n-YvI9gg</youtube>
<youtube width="220" height="165">GcjvgrPvd00</youtube>
</center>


'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a fading-in {{color|tan|sepia}} tone picture of a man's bald head (with most of his head and face silhouetted by darkness) with a {{color|red}} valve sticking out of it. Similar to the previous logo, after the picture fades in, the Valve logo fades in at the bottom left corner of the picture. Both the picture and the text then fade out slightly faster than the speed they faded in. There are more trembling effects than in the last logo throughout.
'''Nicknames''': "Open Your Mind", "(Scary) Valve Man II", "The Valve III", "Coach from Left 4 Dead 2"


'''Trivia:'''
'''Logo''': On a black background, we see a fading-in sepia tone picture of a man's bald head (with most of his head and face silhouetted by darkness) with a red valve sticking out of it. Similar to the previous logo, after the picture fades in, a white box outline fades in in the bottom right corner of the picture, containing the word "VALVE" where the "E" is a superscript. Both the picture and the text then fade out slightly faster than the speed they faded in. On some games, the logo is followed by another logo saying "powered by source" (Valve's game engine) with an orange symbol surrounding the "E" and copyright stamps below.


'''Trivia''': The man in the picture was randomly picked off of the street to pose for this picture. His name was never verified. This logo's concept was "Open Your Mind".
* The man in the picture was randomly picked off of the street to pose for this picture. His name was never verified.
* The concept behind this logo was "''Open Your Mind''".
* Both this picture and the one used in the previous logo was used on Valve's website as early as 1998.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variant''': On ''Counter-Strike: Global Offense'' beta, ''Dota 2'', and the Steam version of ''Portal 2'' (after the ''Perpetual Testing Initiative'' DLC release in May 2012), the man in the picture (slightly more live-actioned) briefly turns his head towards the camera near the end of the logo before cutting back to normal. The picture also fades in and fades out at the same speed. In addition, the Valve print logo (with the box outline and the letters now in a light tan color) doesn't fade into the picture or fade out with the picture, it instead fades in and out (via "wipe" effect) by itself after the picture fades out. This will presumably be seen on future games from the company. There is also a variant in Team Fortress 2 where Heavy is the turning head man.
*Like the previous logo, a variant exists where the picture of the man is zoomed in to fit the screen.
*On 64-bit versions of ''Team Fortress 2'', the Valve logo fades in with the picture rather than fading in a few seconds after.
*On the ''Counter-Strike: Global Offense'' beta, ''Dota 2'', and the Steam version of ''Portal 2'' (after the ''Perpetual Testing Initiative'' DLC release in May 2012), the man in the picture (slightly more live-actioned) briefly turns his head towards the camera near the end of the logo before cutting back to normal. The picture also fades in and fades out at the same speed. In addition, the Valve print logo (with the box outline and the letters now in a {{color|tan}} color) doesn't fade into the picture or fade out with the picture, it instead fades in and out (via a "wipe" effect) by itself after the picture fades out.
*On the ''Free to Play'' movie, the "Turning Head" variant is cut to the point where the Valve logo fades in and out.


'''Technique:''' Computer animation.
'''FX/SFX''': Same as before, but the trembling effects is increased.


'''Music/Sounds''': Same as before. On the variant, the music was edited.
'''Audio:''' Same as before.


'''Audio Variants:''' On the turning variant, the music is edited, including other sections of the song.
'''Availability''': Seen on all Valve games from ''Half-Life 2: Episode One'' onward. The "turning head" variant appears in the aforementioned games above.


'''Availability:''' Seen on most of the Valve games from ''The Orange Box'' onward. The "turning head" variant appears on the aforementioned games above.
'''Editor's Note''':


===4th Logo (VR variant) (April 5, 2016)===
*Original Variant: Like its predecessor, the picture along with the disturbing, ominous music can unnerve many players, but this logo is nowhere near as freaky-looking as the first one was.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
*"Turning Head" Variant: Although this was arguably intentional, the once-still picture of the man now turning his head towards the camera is bound to surprise players used to the original variant as well as first-time viewers. The retained ominous music doesn't help matters.
Valve_(2016)_(From_-_The_Lab).png
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=4Xm-oneR8gY}}


'''Visuals:''' The logo is set in a room filled with {{color|red}} valves. The Valve logo is situated in front of them, in white and 3D. Everything that happens involves the player looking around in a VR headset.
But as normal, the concept is intentional and creative, and it is also a favorite of many.


'''Technique:''' CGI.


'''Audio:''' Eerie factory sounds, mixed with the same fragments of "''Hazardous Environments''" from the previous logos.
===4th Logo (VR Variant) (2016-)===
<center>
<youtube width="220" height="165">4Xm-oneR8gY</youtube>
</center>


'''Availability:''' Seen on ''The Lab''. It is not seen on ''Half-Life: Alyx'', instead being replaced with the sixth logo.
'''Nicknames''': "Look Around", "Open Your World", "The Valve IV"


===5th Logo (November 28, 2018-March 1, 2022)===
'''Logo''': In a room filled with red valves, we see the Valve logo in white and 3D. Everything that happens involves you looking around in your VR headset.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Valve (Aperture Desk Job).jpg
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=mQ0Wsh0a6eY}}


'''Visuals:''' It starts off with rapidly flashing footage of many Valve games, which zoom out in a box on a black background. The box glows and stretches horizontally as letters of the "VALVE" text fly towards it. The footage fades to white and the glow effect fades out. The logo transitions to the opening of the game.
'''FX/SFX''': You moving your head around with the VR headset. Otherwise, the whole room gradually lights up and brown smokes emerges. You can actually touch the valve that is hanging on the platform that you're standing, but it doesn't do anything.


'''Variant:''' On ''Aperture Desk Job'', the logo is still.
'''Music/Sounds''': Eerie factory sounds, mixed with the same fragments of ''Hazardous Environments'' from the previous logos.


'''Technique:''' Live action and computer animation.
'''Availability''': Seen on HTC Vive or Steam VR games made by Valve, such as ''The Lab''. It is not seen on ''Half-Life: Alyx'', instead replaced with the 5th logo.


'''Audio:''' The opening theme of the game.
'''Editor's Note''': The room may feel unwelcoming, but with you being able to look all around, most might find this to be a really cool logo.


'''Availability:''' It made its first appearance on ''Artifact'', and also appeared on ''Aperture Desk Job''.


===5th Logo (VR Variant) (2020-)===
===6th Logo (VR variant) (March 23, 2020)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
valve3.png
valve3.png
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=JftaUCW0UCw}}
<center>
<youtube width="220" height="165">JftaUCW0UCw</youtube>
</center>

'''Nicknames''': "Open Your VR Mind", "(Scary) Valve Man III", "The Valve IV"


'''Logo''': Similar concept to the 3rd logo, now in 3D. In a dark room, we see fading in the same bald guy from the third logo, however now in 3D and in a much darker environment. A red box is shown with the text "VALVE" with the E in superscript.
'''Visuals:''' Similar concept to the third logo, now in 3D, taking place in a dark room. a bald man similarly to the third logo fades in, however, he is now in 3D and in a darker environment. The Valve logo is also shown, this time being completely filled in with red. The man slowly turns his head as the logo fades out.


'''Trivia:''' The guy can be viewed as a model in the HLMV (Half-Life Model Viewer), included with ''Source SDK'' and ''Source Filmmaker'' software. The man's face can be seen, showing whited out eyes. This was likely done due to his face not being seen normally from the logo's angle
'''FX/SFX''': Similar to before, however now in 3D and without the trembling effects. Really nice modeling work done on the logo.


'''Technique:''' CGI.
'''Music/Sounds''': Same as the third logo.


'''Audio:''' The theme from the third logo.
'''Availability''': Brand new. First shown on ''Half-Life: Alyx'' and may be shown on newer VR games from Valve.


'''Availability:''' It appears on ''Half-Life: Alyx''. It is unknown if it will be shown on newer VR games from Valve.
'''Editor's Note''': Another great logo from Valve.


[[Category:Video Game Logos]]
[[Category:American video game logos]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Video game logos]]
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

Latest revision as of 22:24, 1 May 2024

Credits
Descriptions by
Toonster95

Captures by
NewAccountLOL

Video captures courtesy of
Combine OverWiki, tEhLoNeR404 and TedNeeTed

Background

Valve Corporation, also known as Valve Software, is an American video game developer and distributor that was founded in 1996 in Bellevue, Washington by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington. They are best known for their 1998 debut product Half-Life and its sequels, the Source engine used for production of their games, and the Steam digital distribution platform. They are also known for the Counter-Strike series, the Team Fortress series, the Left 4 Dead series, and the Portal series.


Contents

1st Logo (1998) 2nd Logo (Open Your Eyes) (November 19, 1998-June 1, 2006) 3rd Logo (Open Your Mind) (October 10, 2007-) 4th Logo (VR variant) (April 5, 2016) 5th Logo (November 28, 2018-March 1, 2022) 6th Logo (VR variant) (March 23, 2020)
1st Logo (1998) 2nd Logo (Open Your Eyes) (November 19, 1998-June 1, 2006) 3rd Logo (Open Your Mind) (October 10, 2007-) 4th Logo (VR variant) (April 5, 2016) 5th Logo (November 28, 2018-March 1, 2022) 6th Logo (VR variant) (March 23, 2020)



1st Logo (1998)


Visuals: The camera zooms in over the exterior of a big dark gray building (sort of like a jail or factory), and goes through one of the windows. There is a shirtless bald man wearing long pants (mrvalve.mdl) getting ready to pull a lever that starts up a letterpress-esque machine. He puts his profile on the base and when the press (which has the Valve logo on it) goes over his head, it plants a dark red valve (spiggot.mdl) on the side of his head. He gets up, strangely without any ache or pain whatsoever as if nothing happened.

Technique: 3D animation rendered in GoldSrc.

Audio: A portion of the ambient/trip-hop track "Hazardous Environments", composed by Kelly Bailey for the company's first video game, Half-Life.

Availability: It was only used as a tech demo for the GoldSrc engine.

2nd Logo (Open Your Eyes) (November 19, 1998-June 1, 2006)


Visuals: On a black background, there is a fading-in sepia tone picture of a young man with black slick back hair with a goatee looking at the camera with a red valve sticking out of his left eye. After the picture fades in, an orange box outline fades in the bottom right corner of the picture, containing the word "VALVE" where the "E" is a superscript. Both the picture and the text then fade out slightly faster than the speed they faded in.

Trivia:

  • The logo itself was designed by Gabe Newell and Ray Ueno.
  • The man in the picture was a former Valve employee (unconfirmed, possibly Mike Harrington).
  • Both this picture and the one used in the next logo were taken between 1995 and 1996.
  • The concept behind this logo was "Open Your Eyes".

Variants:

  • There is a variant where the picture is zoomed in to fit the screen.
  • Starting in 2004 with the release of Half-Life 2, the color of this logo has been toned down from its original sepia, the fade-in and fade-out are smoother, trembling effects are added to the photo and copyright stamps follow the fade-out.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: Similarly to before, a fragment of "Hazardous Environments" plays.

Availability:

  • Seen on the original CD versions of Half-Life and Counter-Strike, as well as the Steam version of the former title as of the 25th Anniversary Update.
  • The color down-toned variant is seen on the original Half-Life 2.
  • Steam versions of Half-Life 2 use the next logo, while Steam versions of Half-Life (before the 25th Anniversary Update) and Counter-Strike have no logo at all.
  • It can also be seen on the Xbox versions of Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike, and Codename Gordon.
  • This logo was going to be used in Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (as evidenced by this logo's AVI file inside the game's directory), but ended up not being used for an undisclosed reason.

3rd Logo (Open Your Mind) (October 10, 2007-)


Visuals: On a black background, there is a fading-in sepia tone picture of a man's bald head (with most of his head and face silhouetted by darkness) with a red valve sticking out of it. Similar to the previous logo, after the picture fades in, the Valve logo fades in at the bottom left corner of the picture. Both the picture and the text then fade out slightly faster than the speed they faded in. There are more trembling effects than in the last logo throughout.

Trivia:

  • The man in the picture was randomly picked off of the street to pose for this picture. His name was never verified.
  • The concept behind this logo was "Open Your Mind".
  • Both this picture and the one used in the previous logo was used on Valve's website as early as 1998.

Variants:

  • Like the previous logo, a variant exists where the picture of the man is zoomed in to fit the screen.
  • On 64-bit versions of Team Fortress 2, the Valve logo fades in with the picture rather than fading in a few seconds after.
  • On the Counter-Strike: Global Offense beta, Dota 2, and the Steam version of Portal 2 (after the Perpetual Testing Initiative DLC release in May 2012), the man in the picture (slightly more live-actioned) briefly turns his head towards the camera near the end of the logo before cutting back to normal. The picture also fades in and fades out at the same speed. In addition, the Valve print logo (with the box outline and the letters now in a tan color) doesn't fade into the picture or fade out with the picture, it instead fades in and out (via a "wipe" effect) by itself after the picture fades out.
  • On the Free to Play movie, the "Turning Head" variant is cut to the point where the Valve logo fades in and out.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: Same as before.

Audio Variants: On the turning variant, the music is edited, including other sections of the song.

Availability: Seen on most of the Valve games from The Orange Box onward. The "turning head" variant appears on the aforementioned games above.

4th Logo (VR variant) (April 5, 2016)


Visuals: The logo is set in a room filled with red valves. The Valve logo is situated in front of them, in white and 3D. Everything that happens involves the player looking around in a VR headset.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Eerie factory sounds, mixed with the same fragments of "Hazardous Environments" from the previous logos.

Availability: Seen on The Lab. It is not seen on Half-Life: Alyx, instead being replaced with the sixth logo.

5th Logo (November 28, 2018-March 1, 2022)


Visuals: It starts off with rapidly flashing footage of many Valve games, which zoom out in a box on a black background. The box glows and stretches horizontally as letters of the "VALVE" text fly towards it. The footage fades to white and the glow effect fades out. The logo transitions to the opening of the game.

Variant: On Aperture Desk Job, the logo is still.

Technique: Live action and computer animation.

Audio: The opening theme of the game.

Availability: It made its first appearance on Artifact, and also appeared on Aperture Desk Job.

6th Logo (VR variant) (March 23, 2020)


Visuals: Similar concept to the third logo, now in 3D, taking place in a dark room. a bald man similarly to the third logo fades in, however, he is now in 3D and in a darker environment. The Valve logo is also shown, this time being completely filled in with red. The man slowly turns his head as the logo fades out.

Trivia: The guy can be viewed as a model in the HLMV (Half-Life Model Viewer), included with Source SDK and Source Filmmaker software. The man's face can be seen, showing whited out eyes. This was likely done due to his face not being seen normally from the logo's angle

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The theme from the third logo.

Availability: It appears on Half-Life: Alyx. It is unknown if it will be shown on newer VR games from Valve.

Retrieved from "https://www.avid.wiki/Valve_Corporation?oldid=858506"
Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.
More information