I've seen a few threads start up here lately, basically saying that (insert username) wants to start making games and they've started a company and they wanna work at Valve etc. But I don't think these people truly know what Pipeline is, so I thought I'd quickly put together a thread to link to or for new people to see to give you a run down on just what the purpose of Pipeline is.

First of all, let's make this clear.
Pipeline is not a way to get a job at Valve or any other company.
Valve did not set this thing up to give you all jobs or anything. You have to really know that before getting into this.

The main purpose of Pipeline is to form a community where teenagers, or anyone really, can come in and try to learn the ropes to different aspects of game development.
That is the true basic of all of this. If you really want to get into video game development, but don't know a lot about how to do it, this is the place to come. It's a place to find where to learn to do basic 3D modeling, to discuss the best programming languages, to come together and make a game maybe, just to name a few things.

Think of this place as more of a community than a job listing. Learn what to do before you learn how to get into the business.

If I missed anything important, please tell me and I'll edit. You're free to link to this thread or hate on it, whichever you'd enjoy.