Valve Fans Launch Operation Crowbar

By Lawrence Sonntag | 05 January 2012 | 11 Comments

In a move that seems to say “we love you so much we hate you,” Valve fans launched Operation Crowbar this morning. Technically the A in “Operation” is a lambda symbol, but I can’t be assed to open the character map. You know how it is.

The operation involves buying a $7 crowbar from Amazon and shipping it to Valve’s offices, the address of which is handily listed in the original Steam forum post.

Those that can’t spare $7 have taken to flooding Valve’s Facebook page with pictures of crowbars. And, while I can’t verify this, I imagine poor Mr. Newell’s inbox is slammed with .jpgs of crowbars right now.

If I were Valve, such a huge display would make me feel awesome, shortly before I try to figure out what to do with all those damn crowbars. It’s amazing that a game series has created such a dedicated following. As far as the spirit of the gesture, I can’t put my finger on whether it’s good-natured, malicious, or a mixture of both. As near as I can tell, fans of the series feel like they’re owed some news on the future of the series, though I wonder if any news other than “Hey it’s coming out next week” would make the situation any better.

Here’s the intent as stated by the original post:

We shall not stop until Valve is up to their nipples in crowbars…or when the cease and desist orders come.

Valves been keeping secrets and it is time to pry it from them.
(Crowbar pun, we are not trying to force Valve’s hand just show unrest)

Regardless of motivation, it’s a cool idea, and a testament to the passion of gamers to organize such an event. At least it’s not that other Operation Crowbar.

11 Comments

Posted by Landon Robinson on 05 January 12 at 2:43pm

I love that they’re sending these to a P.O. box address.
Posted by Grim Joker on 05 January 12 at 2:55pm

I think this is neat, the whole ‘showing unrest’ bit. Valve has definitely been keeping us in the dark as far as future projects go, especially regarding Half Life, so I think this is a neat and harmless way to show that we want to get Valve to tell us things.
Posted by Custard320 on 05 January 12 at 3:18pm

maybe they could ship all the crowbars as preorder bonuses for half life 3?
Posted by Screamo Luvr on 05 January 12 at 3:21pm

Nice.
Posted by Operation Crowbar « classicbouncegaming on 05 January 12 at 7:07pm

[...] example of how strong communities can form around a single game franchise, and according to Inside Gaming, “A testament to the passion of gamers.” Not to mention it’s just down right [...]
Posted by Operation Crowbar: Fans verlangen Statement zu Half-Life - PEWPEWPEW on 06 January 12 at 3:09am

[...] Und mit Menge meine ich eigentlich einen Arsch voll, denn wütende Fans starteten die “Operation Crowbar” im offiziellen Steamforum. Ziel ist es, von Valve endlich ein Statement bezüglich der [...]
Posted by Chris on 06 January 12 at 9:58am

It surprises me how much ill will Valve gets and how Blizzard gets praised and such insane devoted fans. Guess I never got into the Half Life series but I appreciate the value they give in their products. I’d rather send a crowbar to Blizzard or maybe 10 pounds of Panda chow.
Posted by jiggowatt on 06 January 12 at 11:46am

I can assure you, our intent was completely good-natured. This isn’t about punishing Valve or trying to force them to give us a game (or news about the game) we just want to remind them the we’re out here and we love Half-Life. And that the Episode 2 cliffhanger is killing us.
Posted by Jack Pipsam on 06 January 12 at 7:59pm

This is why we can’t have nice things.
Posted by MagnusDune on 07 January 12 at 12:52am

Personally I think this “Operation” is retarded. YES i want the game but the reason Valve games are so damn good is that they take 5+ years for a release. I personally think they will wait for the new consoles to come out before we see it and they’d be smart to do so honestly.
- Posted by bloo-guhloo on 07 January 12 at 5:35am
  
  New console…. Dude, its a PC game series, what “new” consoles would they wait for?