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Digital Gaming => Computer Gaming => Topic started by: TheCommandTent on June 16, 2012, 09:09:00 AM

Title: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: TheCommandTent on June 16, 2012, 09:09:00 AM
I read this article over at RPS.  Apparently Valve has hired a Greek economist to study the economy of Valve.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/06/16/gabes-gamble-valve-gets-its-own-economist/

You can also see their economist first blog post here

http://blogs.valvesoftware.com/economics/it-all-began-with-a-strange-email/


I will admit that I have just basic knowledge of all things economic so I am interested to see what my fellow GrogHeads have to say about this.
Title: Re: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: LongBlade on June 16, 2012, 09:33:54 AM
Well, that first article didn't tell us much.

There are, however, a lot of things he could study.

The elasticity of demand, indifference curves, opportunity costs. I'm not sure how much of it matters outside of game marketing, but I'd love to see some of his conclusions. I'm also curious why they chose a Greek economist. Of all the economists in the world, why him? Just seems kinda strange.

Title: Re: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: junk2drive on June 16, 2012, 12:54:20 PM
With the current situation in Europe, one would think it is a tongue in cheek spoof.
Title: Re: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: Nefaro on June 16, 2012, 03:07:02 PM
Quote from: junk2drive on June 16, 2012, 12:54:20 PM
With the current situation in Europe, one would think it is a tongue in cheek spoof.

Aye.

Perhaps the "Greek Economist" thing tipped you off too?

;)
Title: Re: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: Arctic Blast on June 16, 2012, 05:01:59 PM
Definitely interested to see more of the posts and the sorts of things he's been working on there.
Title: Re: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: jomni on June 16, 2012, 08:57:47 PM
They need one to make more money.
Title: Re: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on June 16, 2012, 09:55:43 PM
Why a greek economist? Simple, he prefers to be paid in Steambucks to Drachmas.
Title: Re: Valve hires an economist?
Post by: FarAway Sooner on June 17, 2012, 03:57:12 PM
If you read the blog, there was an explanation given (unless you guys think that was tongue in cheek?).

It sounds like Valve is dealing with some foreign exchange issues, and the CEO had been following this guy's blog for a while, and started to see similarities between Valve's two economies and some of the issues confronting Germany and Greece.  Or so he says.

All of which goes to show you, it's not who you know, it's who knows you...   ;)