Gabe Newell

Gabe Logan Newell, commonly known by his nickname Gaben, is an American computer programmer and businessman best known as the co-founder of the video game development and digital distribution company Valve.

  • Gabe Newell has led Valve Corp., which develops video games, since he cofounded it in 1998 with former Microsoft colleague Mike Harrington.
  • The company found initial success with games like Half-Life and Portal.
  • Valve Corp. plays a big role in PC game sales through its Steam digital store; some liken it to the iTunes of video games.
  • Steam sells game licenses to 125 million users of its own and other developers’ titles and collects a percentage of the sales.
  • Forbes estimates that Newell owns at least one quarter of the company, which operates out of Bellevue, Washington.

Gabe Newell Microsoft Valve Corp