|
}}
| website = {{url|1=https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/contact?contact-person=Gabe%20Newell|2=valvesoftware.com}}
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Gabe Newell speaking - 2013.ogg|title=Gabe Newell's voice|type=speech|description=Newell introducing [[Valve Corporation]] at the 2013 [[Open Source Summit|LinuxCon]]|Recorded September 2013}}
}}
'''Gabe Logan Newell''' (born November 3, 1962), also known by his nickname '''Gaben''', is an American businessman who is the president and co-founder of the video game company [[Valve Corporation]].
Newell was born in [[Colorado]] and grew up in [[Davis, California]]. He attended [[Harvard University]] in the early 1980s but dropped out to join [[Microsoft]], where he helped create the first versions of the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] operating system. He and another employee, [[Mike Harrington]], left Microsoft in 1996 to found Valve, and funded the development of their first game, ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' (1998). Harrington left in 2000.
Newell led the development of Valve's digital distribution service, [[Steam (service)|Steam]], which was launched in 2003 and controlled most of the market for downloaded PC games by 2011. As of 2021, Newell owned at least one quarter of Valve. He has been estimated as one of the wealthiest people in the United States and the wealthiest person in the [[Video game industry|video games industry]], with a net worth of {{US$|3.9 billion|long=no}} as of 2021. He is also the owner of the [[Oceanography|marine research]] organization Inkfish.
== Early life and education ==
== Career ==
=== Microsoft ===
Newell spent 13 years at Microsoft as the producer of the first three releases of the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] operating systems.<ref name="Creative Minds">{{cite web |author=CVG Staff |date=September 28, 2007 |title=Creative Minds: Gabe Newell |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/172835/interviews/creative-minds-gabe-newell/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211153904/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/172835/interviews/creative-minds-gabe-newell/ |archive-date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2016 |website=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]]}}</ref> Newell later said he learned more during his first three months at Microsoft than he ever did at Harvard, which was one of the primary reasons why he dropped out.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tosie |first1=Anthony |title=Gabe Newell: I learned more in three months at Microsoft than entire time at Harvard |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/gabe-newell-i-learned-more-in-three-months-at-microsoft-than-entire-time-at-harvard |access-date=January 5, 2017 |website=neowin.net |archive-date=August 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804220055/https://www.neowin.net/news/gabe-newell-i-learned-more-in-three-months-at-microsoft-than-entire-time-at-harvard |url-status=live }}</ref>
In late 1995, ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'', a 1993 [[first-person shooter]] game developed by [[id Software]], was estimated to be installed on more computers worldwide than Microsoft's new operating system, [[Windows 95]]. Newell said: "[id] ... didn't even distribute through retail, it distributed through bulletin boards and other pre-internet mechanisms. To me, that was a lightning bolt. Microsoft was hiring 500-people sales teams and this entire company was 12 people, yet it had created the most widely distributed software in the world. There was a sea change coming."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Narcisse |first=Evan |date=May 1, 2012 |title=Seems like ''Doom'' might have inspired Valve to build Steam |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/05/seems-like-doom-might-have-inspired-valve-to-build-steam/ |access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=[[Kotaku Australia]] |language=en-AU |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510162617/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/05/seems-like-doom-might-have-inspired-valve-to-build-steam/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At Microsoft, Newell led development on a [[Porting|port]] of ''Doom'' for Windows 95, which is credited for helping make Windows a viable game platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gabe Newell made Windows a viable gaming platform, and Linux is next |url=https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/167253-gabe-newell-made-windows-a-viable-gaming-platform-and-linux-is-next?origref= |access-date=March 8, 2021 |website=Extreme Tech |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217120706/https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/167253-gabe-newell-made-windows-a-viable-gaming-platform-and-linux-is-next?origref= |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Main|Valve Corporation}}Inspired by [[Michael Abrash]], who left Microsoft to work on the game ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]'' at id, Newell and another employee, [[Mike Harrington]], left Microsoft to found the video game company Valve on August 24, 1996.<ref name="Creative Minds" /><ref name=":3" /> Newell and Harrington funded development of the first Valve game, the first-person shooter ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' (1998),<ref name=":4" /> which was a critical and commercial success.<ref name="gamespotfame">{{cite web |last=Rorie |first=Matthew |date=May 18, 2007 |title=Greatest Games of All Time: Half-Life |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/greatest-games-of-all-time-half-life/1100-6171044/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119235122/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/greatest-games-of-all-time-half-life/1100-6171044/ |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=March 31, 2016 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> Harrington left in 2000.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Jeff |date=October 2013 |title=Full steam ahead: the history of Valve |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/history-of-valve/ |access-date=April 5, 2021 |website=[[GamesRadar]] |language=en |archive-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016131157/http://www.gamesradar.com/history-of-valve/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Newell gave Valve no deadline and a "virtually unlimited" budget to develop ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' (2004), promising to fund it himself if necessary.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Geoff |first=Keighley |author-link=Geoff Keighley |title=The Final Hours of Half-Life 2 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-final-hours-of-half-life-2/1100-6112889/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226173658/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-final-hours-of-half-life-2/1100-6112889/ |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |access-date=November 30, 2019 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Meanwhile, he spent several months developing [[Steam (service)|Steam]], a [[digital distribution]] service for games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Keighley |first=Geoff |date=November 12, 2004 |title=The Final Hours of Half-Life 2 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-final-hours-of-half-life-2/1100-6112889/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=February 9, 2016 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211141717/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-final-hours-of-half-life-2/1100-6112889/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2011, Steam controlled between 50% and 70% of the market for downloaded PC games and generated most of Valve's revenue.<ref name=":2" /> At a technology conference in Seattle that year, Newell argued that [[Online piracy|software piracy]] was best addressed by offering a superior option rather than pursuing anti-piracy technology. He cited Steam's success in Russia, where piracy is rife, as an example.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradford |first=Matt |date=2011-10-25 |title=Gabe Newell: Piracy is an issue of service, not price |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/gabe-newell-piracy-issue-service-not-price/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=[[GamesRadar]] |language=en |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024044709/https://www.gamesradar.com/gabe-newell-piracy-issue-service-not-price/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2007, Newell expressed his displeasure over developing for [[Video game console|game consoles]], saying that developing processes for [[Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]] was a "waste of everybody's time".<ref>{{cite web |last=Androvich |first=Mark |date=October 11, 2007 |title=PS3 a "waste of time," says Valve's Newell |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ps3-a-waste-of-time-says-valves-newell |access-date=February 9, 2016 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |archive-date=January 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126154132/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ps3-a-waste-of-time-says-valves-newell |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bishop |first=Stuart |date=January 15, 2007 |title=Gabe Newell: PS3 "a waste of everybody's time" |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/155309/valve-ps3-a-total-disaster-on-so-many-levels/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223172938/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/155309/valve-ps3-a-total-disaster-on-so-many-levels/ |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2016 |website=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]]}}</ref> On stage at Sony's keynote at [[E3 2010]], he acknowledged his criticism but discussed the open nature of the PlayStation 3 and announced a port of ''[[Portal 2]]'', remarking that with [[Steam (service)|Steamworks]] support it would be the best version for any console.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=June 15, 2010 |title=Portal 2 coming to PlayStation 3 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/portal-2-coming-to-playstation-3 |access-date=February 9, 2016 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105044347/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/portal-2-coming-to-playstation-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Newell also criticized the [[Xbox network|Xbox Live]] service, referring to it as a "train wreck",<ref>{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=September 9, 2010 |title=Valve Figured Microsoft Would Fix The Xbox Live "Train Wreck" |url=http://kotaku.com/5634305/valve-figured-microsoft-would-fix-the-xbox-live-train-wreck |access-date=February 9, 2016 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |archive-date=June 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621030318/http://kotaku.com/5634305/valve-figured-microsoft-would-fix-the-xbox-live-train-wreck |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Windows 8]], calling it a threat to the open nature of [[PC gaming]].<ref>{{cite news |date=July 26, 2012 |title=Valve boss Gabe Newell calls Windows 8 a 'catastrophe' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18996377 |access-date=February 9, 2016 |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131072314/http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18996377 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the 2013 [[Open Source Summit|LinuxCon]], Newell said the [[Linux]] operating system and [[Open-source software|open source]] development were "the future of gaming". He accused the proprietary systems of companies such as Microsoft and [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] of stifling innovation through slow certification processes.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=V |first1=Perry |last2=Published |first2=Ell |date=September 16, 2013 |title=Gabe Newell: "Linux and open source are the future of gaming" |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gabe-newell-linux-and-open-source-are-the-future-of-gaming/ |access-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620123855/https://www.pcgamer.com/gabe-newell-linux-and-open-source-are-the-future-of-gaming/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2009, ''[[IGN]]'' named Newell one of the top 100 game creators of all time, writing that it was "almost impossible to gauge" Valve's influence on game design, technology and the [[Video game industry|video games industry]].<ref>{{cite web |title=IGN - 16. Gabe Newell |url=https://www.ign.com/top/game-creators/16.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420073520/http://www.ign.com/top/game-creators/16.html |archive-date=2014-04-20 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Gabe Newell GDC 2010.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Newell accepting the Pioneer Award at the 2010 [[Game Developers Conference]]]]In December 2010, ''[[Forbes]]'' listed Newell as "A Name You Need to Know", primarily for his work on Steam having partnerships with multiple major developers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chiang |first=Oliver |date=November 13, 2010 |title=Names You Need to Know in 2011: Gabe Newell |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverchiang/2010/11/13/names-you-need-to-know-in-2011-gabe-newell/ |access-date=February 2, 2016 |website=[[Forbes]] |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306210853/http://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverchiang/2010/11/13/names-you-need-to-know-in-2011-gabe-newell/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, Newell was added to the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] Hall of Fame<ref>{{cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=November 15, 2012 |title=Gabe Newell named as next AIAS Hall of Famer |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-15-gabe-newell-named-as-next-aias-hall-of-famer |access-date=February 9, 2016 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230053/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-15-gabe-newell-named-as-next-aias-hall-of-famer |url-status=live }}</ref> and received the [[BAFTA Fellowship]] award for his contributions to the video game industry.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 25, 2013 |title=Valve's Gabe Newell to be Honoured with BAFTA Fellowship |url=http://www.bafta.org/press/press-releases/valves-gabe-newell-to-be-honoured-with-bafta-fellowship |access-date=February 9, 2016 |website=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308003427/http://www.bafta.org/press/press-releases/valves-gabe-newell-to-be-honoured-with-bafta-fellowship |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2017, ''Forbes'' listed Newell among the 100 wealthiest people in the United States, with an estimated net worth of {{US$|5.5 billion|long=no}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=October 19, 2017 |title=Gabe Newell is worth $5.5 billion, according to Forbes |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gabe-newell-is-worth-55-billion-according-to-forbes/ |access-date=October 19, 2017 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |archive-date=November 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123083915/http://www.pcgamer.com/gabe-newell-is-worth-55-billion-according-to-forbes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="net worth">{{cite web |title=Forbes Lists – Gabe Newell |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/gabe-newell/?list=billionaires |access-date=October 19, 2017 |website=[[Forbes]] |archive-date=August 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804224155/https://www.forbes.com/profile/gabe-newell/?list=billionaires |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2021, ''Forbes'' estimated that Newell had a net worth of {{US$|3.9 billion|long=no}}<ref name="net worth" /> and owned at least one quarter of Valve.<ref name="net worth" /> According to Charlie Fish, the author of ''The'' ''History of Video Games'', as of 2021 Newell was the richest person in the video game industry.<ref name=":3" />
=== Other ventures ===
Newell is the owner of the [[marine research]] organization Inkfish.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=David |date=June 20, 2023 |title=The only manned submersible that could reach the missing Titan is owned by Steam's Gabe Newell |url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/news/the-only-manned-submersible-that-could-reach-the-missing-titan-is-owned-by-steams-gabe-newell/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=We Got This Covered |language=en-US |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621030004/https://wegotthiscovered.com/news/the-only-manned-submersible-that-could-reach-the-missing-titan-is-owned-by-steams-gabe-newell/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2022, Inkfish purchased the Hadal Exploration System, a private deep-sea exploration platform, from the undersea explorer [[Victor Vescovo]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2022 |title=DSSV Pressure Drop sold to Inkfish |url=https://www.superyachtnews.com/fleet/dssv-pressure-drop-sold-to-inkfish |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=Superyacht News |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621132000/https://www.superyachtnews.com/fleet/dssv-pressure-drop-sold-to-inkfish |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, Newell and the Valve employee Yahn Bernier created a [[Auto racing|car racing]] team, [[The Heart of Racing]], to raise funds for children's charities in Seattle and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Talbot |first=Carrie |date=2020-09-14 |title=Valve boss Gabe Newell is raising money for NZ children's charity through car racing |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/valve-gabe-newell-the-heart-of-racing |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-UK |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822111036/https://www.pcgamesn.com/valve-gabe-newell-the-heart-of-racing |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Personal life ==
|
