IS students pictured from left to right include David Guichard, Alex Edwards, Dylan Hughes,
Nathan Hendrickson, Kellan Cerillo and Jessica Brockmeyer.
These Independent Study students had a real treat three weeks ago when IS father, Mr. Mike Belzer, from Valve Software in Bellevue gave our students a memorable tour of the facility. The students were shown the two recording studios where the music for the games is recorded and the studio where the voices are recorded. The students were told that sometimes orchestras are brought in to provide the music needed. Mike also showed them various breakout rooms where the brainstorming and working on the games is done.
One student was especially impressed by the working desks on wheels, that allow them to be mobile and be moved from place to place, sharing laptop information and ideas as needed. Mike told about the various aspects of putting together the games, starting from brainstorming, to the drawings, to programming, and the music. Some of the perks that the employees enjoy are exercising in the workout area and receiving a massage that is provided every week. The cafeteria looked pretty complete too. Thank you so much, Mike, for giving us this opportunity to view software creation at its best.
-by David Guichard and Dylan Hughes
