Valve is a company that has the margin and the culture to support products that don't pay an immediate return. That said, I see some immediate benefits:

1. This will attract a large pool of young talent and some of them will make direct contributions and contributions through feedback and interplay of ideas.

2. This creates goodwill in the developer and education community which helps experienced industry professionals to think more highly of Valve. They will be more likely to apply or recommend applying.

3. This, as has been said, improves conditions at Valve and helps to shine light on more stultified areas of the company.