One thing I have found extremely interesting was how Valve hit the jackpot with many early hires.
It was literally people that often didn't even have a CS or let alone gaming background and yet so many of them proved to be relentlessly resourceful, creative and hard working.
The guy who wrote most of the HL code wasn't even a developer and at the time was studying to become a lawyer or accountant iirc.
I can't but think that timing, founders but also straight up luck played an absolutely crucial factor.
It was literally people that often didn't even have a CS or let alone gaming background and yet so many of them proved to be relentlessly resourceful, creative and hard working.
The guy who wrote most of the HL code wasn't even a developer and at the time was studying to become a lawyer or accountant iirc.
I can't but think that timing, founders but also straight up luck played an absolutely crucial factor.