Valve is prepared to help the next generation of game developers get ready for the challenges of the industry with a new program called PIpeline. This new project will help teenagers in high school who wish to design and build the future of video games by helping them find out what subjects to study, what colleges to apply for, and how exactly to get into the industry. Anybody who is interested in joining the Valve Pipeline program can expect more information about the program in about a month.
Valve describes the motivation for opening up this program as a way to reach out to teens and guide them in the proper directions to further their interest in gaming:
"We want to establish a connection to the world of teenagers that are asking many questions about getting into the gaming industry...We look to answer many of these questions and are willing to reach out to the community and give them the information they need."
While Valve is known for traditionally hiring the very best and brightest to work for their studio, the company also wants to find if they will be able to mold a select group of students into the next wave of game designers fit to work for the legendary studio. Perhaps the entrants into the Pipeline program will be able to produce the next blockbuster series, such as Half-Life or Team Fortress.
It will be interesting to see how well the Pipeline program is received by its students, and if anyone from the program becomes the next big name is game development. It will also be interesting to see if other big companies such as Ubisoft or EA begin to offer similar services as a way to get teens eager to work for their companies and train them to take the future to new heights.