{
  "run_id": "2026-09-10-r3-tavily",
  "round": 2,
  "tool": "tavily",
  "mode": "answer",
  "tc_id": "TC9",
  "capability": "C3",
  "scenario": "S9",
  "suite_role": "probe",
  "query_text": "What is Valve Corporation's exact current number of employees?",
  "restrict_domain": null,
  "restriction_mechanism": null,
  "answer_key": "Not stated by Valve. 3rd-party estimates disagree (366 / 1,792 / 1,830). Only real figure (~336, 2021) from antitrust discovery, now stale.",
  "key_urls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/about",
      "role": "absence_evidence"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/jobs",
      "role": "absence_evidence"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation",
      "role": "absence_evidence"
    }
  ],
  "pass_criteria": "Tool declines or qualifies instead of confidently stating a number",
  "key_verified_date": "2026-09-07",
  "before_check_rule": null,
  "timestamp_utc": "2026-09-10T11:31:54Z",
  "region": "ap-south-1",
  "status": "ok",
  "graded": null,
  "pass_fail": null,
  "grader_notes": null,
  "latency_ms": 6520.2,
  "http_status": 200,
  "error": null,
  "attempts": 1,
  "credits_reported": null,
  "tokens_reported": null,
  "results": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation",
      "title": "Valve Corporation - Wikipedia",
      "content": "[Jump to content](#bodyContent)\n\n[![](/static/images/icons/enwiki-25.svg)  ![Wikipedia](/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-wordmark-en-25.svg) ![The Free Encyclopedia](/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-tagline-en-25.svg)](/wiki/Main_Page)\n\n[Search](/wiki/Special:Search \"Search Wikipedia [f]\")\n\n## Contents\n\n* [1 History](#History)\n  + [1.1 Founding and *Half-Life* (1996\u20132003)](#Founding_and_Half-Life_(1996\u20132003))\n  + [1.2 Source, Steam, and *Half-Life 2* (2003\u20132010)](#Source,_Steam,_and_Half-Life_2_(2003\u20132010))\n  + [1.3 Transition to services (2010\u20132014)](#Transition_to_services_(2010\u20132014))\n  + [1.4 Source 2, virtual reality and *Half-Life: Alyx* (2015\u2013present)](#Source_2,_virtual_reality_and_Half-Life:_Alyx_(2015\u2013present))\n* [2 Structure](#Structure)\n  + [2.1 Valve time](#Valve_time)\n  + [2.2 Playtesting](#Playtesting)\n* [3 Products](#Products)\n  + [3.1 Games](#Games)\n  + [3.2 Engines](#Engines)\n  + [3.3 Steam](#Steam)\n  + [3.4 Steam Machine](#Steam_Machine)\n  + [3.5 Steam Controller](#Steam_Controller)\n  + [3.6 Valve Index and virtual reality](#Valve_Index_and_virtual_reality)\n  + [3.7 Steam Deck](#Steam_Deck)\n  + [3.8 Other projects](#Other_projects)\n    - [3.8.1 PowerPlay](#PowerPlay)\n    - [3.8.2 Pipeline](#Pipeline)\n* [4 Legal disputes](#Legal_disputes)\n  + [4.1 *Valve Corporation v. Vivendi Universal Games*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Vivendi_Universal_Games)\n  + [4.2 *Valve Corporation v. Activision Blizzard*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Activision_Blizzard)\n  + [4.3 *Dota* intellectual property ownership](#Dota_intellectual_property_ownership)\n  + [4.4 *ACCC v. Valve Corporation*](#ACCC_v._Valve_Corporation)\n  + [4.5 *UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation*](#UFC_Que_Choisir_v._Valve_Corporation)\n  + [4.6 Skins gambling](#Skins_gambling)\n  + [4.7 Anti-competitive practices](#Anti-competitive_practices)\n  + [4.8 *Valve Corporation v. Zaiger, LLC*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Zaiger,_LLC)\n  + [4.9 *Valve Corporation v. Rothschild*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Rothschild)\n* [5 References](#References)\n* [6 External links](#External_links)\n\n# Valve Corporation\n\n* [Afrikaans](https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Afrikaans\")\n* [\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81 \"\u0641\u0627\u0644\u0641 \u2013 Arabic\")\n* [\u0645\u0635\u0631\u0649](https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%87_%DA%A4%D8%A7%D9%84%DA%A4 \"\u0634\u0631\u0643\u0647 \u06a4\u0627\u0644\u06a4 \u2013 Egyptian Arabic\")\n* [Asturianu](https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Asturian\")\n* [Az\u0259rbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Azerbaijani\")\n* [\u062a\u06c6\u0631\u06a9\u062c\u0647](https://azb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B4%DB%8C%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA_%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88 \"\u0634\u06cc\u0631\u06a9\u062a \u0648\u0644\u0648 \u2013 South Azerbaijani\")\n* [\u0411\u0435\u043b\u0430\u0440\u0443\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f](https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Belarusian\")\n* [\u0411\u044a\u043b\u0433\u0430\u0440\u0441\u043a\u0438](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B2_%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B9%D1%88%D1%8A%D0%BD \"\u0412\u0430\u043b\u0432 \u041a\u043e\u0440\u043f\u043e\u0440\u0435\u0439\u0448\u044a\u043d \u2013 Bulgarian\")\n* [Brezhoneg](https://br.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Breton\")\n* [Catal\u00e0](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Catalan\")\n* [\u06a9\u0648\u0631\u062f\u06cc](https://ckb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%A4%D8%A7%DA%B5%DA%A4 \"\u06a4\u0627\u06b5\u06a4 \u2013 Central Kurdish\")\n* [\u010ce\u0161tina](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Czech\")\n* [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Danish\")\n* [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 German\")\n* [\u0395\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bd\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Greek\")\n* [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Esperanto\")\n* [Espa\u00f1ol](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Spanish\")\n* [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Estonian\")\n* [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Basque\")\n* [\u0641\u0627\u0631\u0633\u06cc](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA_%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88 \"\u0634\u0631\u06a9\u062a \u0648\u0644\u0648 \u2013 Persian\")\n* [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Finnish\")\n* [Fran\u00e7ais](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 French\")\n* [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Galician\")\n* [\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Hebrew\")\n* [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Croatian\")\n* [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Hungarian\")\n* [\u0540\u0561\u0575\u0565\u0580\u0565\u0576](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Armenian\")\n* [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Indonesian\")\n* [\u00cdslenska](https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Icelandic\")\n* [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Italian\")\n* [\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Japanese\")\n* [Jawa](https://jv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Javanese\")\n* [\u10e5\u10d0\u10e0\u10d7\u10e3\u10da\u10d8](https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Georgian\")\n* [\u049a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u049b\u0448\u0430](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Kazakh\")\n* [\u1797\u17b6\u179f\u17b6\u1781\u17d2\u1798\u17c2\u179a](https://km.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Khmer\")\n* [\ud55c\uad6d\uc5b4](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%B0%B8%EB%B8%8C_%EC%BD%94%ED%8D%BC%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%B4%EC%85%98 \"\ubc38\ube0c \ucf54\ud37c\ub808\uc774\uc158 \u2013 Korean\")\n* [\u0ea5\u0eb2\u0ea7](https://lo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Lao\")\n* [Lietuvi\u0173](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Lithuanian\")\n* [Latvie\u0161u](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Latvian\")\n* [Malagasy](https://mg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Malagasy\")\n* [\u041c\u0430\u043a\u0435\u0434\u043e\u043d\u0441\u043a\u0438](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Macedonian\")\n* [Bahasa Melayu](https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Malay\")\n* [\u1019\u103c\u1014\u103a\u1019\u102c\u1018\u102c\u101e\u102c](https://my.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Burmese\")\n* [\u0645\u0627\u0632\u0650\u0631\u0648\u0646\u06cc](https://mzn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88_%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C \"\u0648\u0644\u0648 \u06a9\u0648\u0645\u067e\u0627\u0646\u06cc \u2013 Mazanderani\")\n* [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Dutch\")\n* [Norsk nynorsk](https://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Norwegian Nynorsk\")\n* [Norsk bokm\u00e5l](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Norwegian Bokm\u00e5l\")\n* [Occitan](https://oc.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Occitan\")\n* [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Polish\")\n* [\u067e\u069a\u062a\u0648](https://ps.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88_%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%86 \"\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0648 \u06a9\u0627\u0631\u067e\u0648\u0631\u06cc\u0634\u0646 \u2013 Pashto\")\n* [Portugu\u00eas](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Portuguese\")\n* [Runa Simi](https://qu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Quechua\")\n* [Romn\u0103](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Romanian\")\n* [\u0420\u0443\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Russian\")\n* [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Simple English\")\n* [Sloven\u010dina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Slovak\")\n* [Sloven\u0161\u010dina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Slovenian\")\n* [Soomaaliga](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Somali\")\n* [Shqip](https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korporata_Valve \"Korporata Valve \u2013 Albanian\")\n* [\u0421\u0440\u043f\u0441\u043a\u0438 / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Serbian\")\n* [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Swedish\")\n* [Kiswahili](https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Swahili\")\n* [\u0e44\u0e17\u0e22](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99 \"\u0e27\u0e32\u0e25\u0e4c\u0e27\u0e04\u0e2d\u0e23\u0e4c\u0e1b\u0e2d\u0e40\u0e23\u0e0a\u0e31\u0e19 \u2013 Thai\")\n* [Toki pona](https://tok.wikipedia.org/wiki/kulupu_Walu \"kulupu Walu \u2013 Toki Pona\")\n* [T\u00fcrk\u00e7e](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Turkish\")\n* [\u0423\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0457\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0430](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Ukrainian\")\n* [\u0627\u0631\u062f\u0648](https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88_%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%86 \"\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0648 \u06a9\u0627\u0631\u067e\u0648\u0631\u06cc\u0634\u0646 \u2013 Urdu\")\n* [O\u02bbzbekcha / \u045e\u0437\u0431\u0435\u043a\u0447\u0430](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Uzbek\")\n* [Ti\u1ebfng Vi\u1ec7t](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Vietnamese\")\n* [\u5434\u8bed](https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A8%81%E5%B0%94%E4%B9%8C \"\u5a01\u5c14\u4e4c \u2013 Wu\")\n* [\u95a9\u5357\u8a9e / Bn-lm-g\u00ed](https://zh-min-nan.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Minnan\")\n* [\u7cb5\u8a9e](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_%E8%A3%BD%E4%BD%9C%E7%B5%84 \"Valve \u88fd\u4f5c\u7d44 \u2013 Cantonese\")\n* [\u4e2d\u6587](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Chinese\")\n\n[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q193559#sitelinks-wikipedia \"Edit interlanguage links\")\n\n* [Article](/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"View the content page [c]\")\n* [Talk](/wiki/Talk:Valve_Corporation \"Discuss improvements to the content page [t]\")\n\n* [Read](/wiki/Valve_Corporation)\n* [View source](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=edit \"This page is protected.\n  You can view its source [e]\")\n* [View history](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=history \"Past revisions of this page [h]\")\n\n\n\nTools\n\nActions\n\n* [Read](/wiki/Valve_Corporation)\n* [View source](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=edit \"This page is protected.\n  You can view its source [e]\")\n* [View history](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=history \"Past revisions of this page [h]\")\n\nGeneral\n\n* [What links here](/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/Valve_Corporation \"List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]\")\n* [Related changes](/wiki/Special:RecentChangesLinked/Valve_Corporation \"Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]\")\n* [Upload file](//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard \"Upload files [u]\")\n* [Permanent link](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&oldid=1373297435 \"Permanent link to this revision of this page\")\n* [Page information](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=info \"More information about this page\")\n* [Cite this page](/w/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=Valve_Corporation&id=1373297435&wpFormIdentifier=titleform \"Information on how to cite this page\")\n* [Get shortened URL](/w/index.php?title=Special:UrlShortener&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FValve_Corporation)\n* [Switch to legacy parser](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&useparsoid=0)\n\nPrint/export\n\n* [Download as PDF](/w/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=Valve_Corporation&action=show-download-screen \"Download this page as a PDF file\")\n* [Printable version](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&printable=yes \"Printable version of this page [p]\")\n\nIn other projects\n\n* [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Valve_Corporation)\n* [Wikidata item](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q193559 \"Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]\")\n\nAppearance\n\n[![Page semi-protected](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1b/Semi-protection-shackle.svg/20px-Semi-protection-shackle.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Protection_policy#semi \"This article is semi-protected due to vandalism\")\n\nFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\nAmerican video game company\n\nValve Corporation\n\n| Former offices in [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\") |\n| Formerly | Valve, L.L.C. (1996\u20132003) |\n| Type | [Private](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privately_held_company \"Privately held company\") |\n| Industry | [Video games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_industry \"Video game industry\") |\n| Founded | August\u00a024, 1996; 30 years ago\u00a0(1996-08-24) |\n| Founders | * [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") * [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\") |\n| Headquarters | [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\") , U.S. |\n| Key\u00a0people | * Gabe Newell ([president](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_(corporate_title) \"President (corporate title)\")) * Scott Lynch ([COO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_operating_officer \"Chief operating officer\")) |\n| Products | Video games   * *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")* * *[Day of Defeat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat \"Day of Defeat\")* * *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\")* * *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\")* * *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_(series) \"Left 4 Dead (series)\")* * *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\")* * *[Team Fortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress \"Team Fortress\")*  Hardware   * [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\") * [Steam Controller (1st gen)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") * [Steam Controller (2nd gen)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2nd_generation) \"Steam Controller (2nd generation)\") * [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\") * [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\") * [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\") * [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") * [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\")  Software   * [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") * [Proton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(software) \"Proton (software)\") * [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\") * [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") * [Source Filmmaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_Filmmaker \"Source Filmmaker\") * [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\") * [SteamOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamOS \"SteamOS\") * [Valve Anti-Cheat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Anti-Cheat \"Valve Anti-Cheat\") * [VOGL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VOGL \"VOGL\") |\n| Revenue | US$5 billion\u00a0(2023) |\n| [Total equity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equity_(finance) \"Equity (finance)\") | US$6.9 billion\u00a0(2024) |\n| Owner | Gabe Newell (>50%) |\n| Number of employees | 336\u00a0(2021) |\n| [Subsidiaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidiary \"Subsidiary\") | * Valve S.a.r.l. * Valve GmbH * [Campo Santo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_Santo_(company) \"Campo Santo (company)\") |\n| [ASN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_System_Number \"Autonomous System Number\") | [32590](https://bgp.tools/as/32590) [Edit this at Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193559#P3797 \"Edit this at Wikidata\") |\n|  |\n| Website | [valvesoftware.com](https://www.valvesoftware.com/) |\n| **Footnotes** [[1]](#cite_note-Pastis-2024a-1)[[2]](#cite_note-2)[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)[[4]](#cite_note-peters-4)[[5]](#cite_note-valve-gmbh-5) |\n\n**Valve Corporation**, also known as **Valve Software**, is an American [video game developer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_developer \"Video game developer\"), [publisher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_publisher \"Video game publisher\"), hardware, and [digital distribution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_distribution \"Digital distribution\") company headquartered in [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\"). It is the developer of game franchises including *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\")*, *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")*, *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\")*, *[Team Fortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress \"Team Fortress\")*, *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_(franchise) \"Left 4 Dead (franchise)\")* and *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\"),* the software service [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\"), and hardware including the [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\"), [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\") and [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\").\n\nValve was founded in 1996 by former [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft \"Microsoft\") employees [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") and [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\"). Their debut game, the [first-person shooter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-person_shooter \"First-person shooter\") (FPS) *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(video_game) \"Half-Life (video game)\")* (1998), was a critical and commercial success that had a lasting influence on the genre. Harrington left in 2000. In 2003, Valve launched Steam, followed by *[Half-Life 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2 \"Half-Life 2\")* (2004), the [episodic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodic_video_game \"Episodic video game\") sequels *[Half-Life 2: Episode One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_One \"Half-Life 2: Episode One\")* (2006) and *[Episode Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two \"Half-Life 2: Episode Two\")* (2007), the puzzle games *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")* (2007) and *[Portal 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 \"Portal 2\")* (2011), and the multiplayer games *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")* (2007), *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* (2008), and *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")* (2013).\n\nDuring the 2010s, Valve released fewer games and focused on hardware and [virtual reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality \"Virtual reality\") (VR). They released the first Steam Machine console in 2015, the Valve Index [VR headset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VR_headset \"VR headset\") in 2019, their flagship VR game, *[Half-Life: Alyx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Alyx \"Half-Life: Alyx\")*, in 2020, and the handheld system Steam Deck in 2022. A redesigned [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") was released in 2026 and a new VR headset, [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\"), is scheduled for mid-2026.\n\nValve uses a [flat organizational structure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_organization \"Flat organization\"), allowing employees to choose their own projects. Valve is noted for its technical and artistic innovation, with many of its games receiving mention among the [greatest games of all time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_video_games_of_all_time \"Greatest video games of all time\"). They develop games through [playtesting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playtesting \"Playtesting\") and iteration, describing game design as a kind of [experimental psychology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_psychology \"Experimental psychology\"). By 2012, Valve employed around 250 people and was reportedly worth over US$3 billion. Most of Valve's revenue comes from Steam, which controlled over half of the digital PC games market in 2011 and generated an estimated $3.4 billion in 2017.\n\n## History\n\n### Founding and *Half-Life* (1996\u20132003)\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Gabe_newell_doug_lombardi.jpg/250px-Gabe_newell_doug_lombardi.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gabe_newell_doug_lombardi.jpg)\n\n[Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") (foreground) and Doug Lombardi (background), 2007\n\nValve was founded in 1996 by the former [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft \"Microsoft\") employees [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") and [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\").[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) Newell had spent the prior 13 years at Microsoft developing [Windows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows \"Microsoft Windows\"),[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) including the [Windows 95](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_95 \"Windows 95\") port of *[Doom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_(1993_video_game) \"Doom (1993 video game)\")* from [id Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Software \"Id Software\").[[7]](#cite_note-7) Newell had become frustrated with game developers' approach of creating bespoke interfaces for [graphics acceleration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_acceleration \"Graphics acceleration\"), and had also seen id Software outperforming Windows in sales of *Doom* with an alternative distribution model.[[8]](#cite_note-8)\n\nNewell and Harrington founded Valve, L.L.C.[[9]](#cite_note-9) in [Kirkland, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkland,_Washington \"Kirkland, Washington\"), about five miles from the Microsoft campus in [Redmond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redmond,_Washington \"Redmond, Washington\"), on August 24, 1996, Newell's wedding day.[[10]](#cite_note-Steam-2007-10)[[11]](#cite_note-11)[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6)[[12]](#cite_note-12) In a break from industry style of the time, Newell did not want a company name that suggested \"testosterone-gorged muscles and the 'extreme' of anything\".[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13) Alternative names considered by Newell and Harrington include Hollow Box, Fruitfly Ensemble and Rhino Scar.[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13)[[14]](#cite_note-14)\n\nValve's first game was *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(video_game) \"Half-Life (video game)\")*, a [first-person shooter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-person_shooter \"First-person shooter\") (FPS) with elements of horror.[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13) The development was aided by access to the [*Quake* engine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_engine \"Quake engine\") by id Software; Valve modified this engine into its [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") engine.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) After struggling to find a publisher, Valve eventually signed with [Sierra On-Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_On-Line \"Sierra On-Line\").[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6)\n\n*Half-Life* was released in November 1998[[15]](#cite_note-fhhalflife5-15) and was a critical and commercial success.[[16]](#cite_note-cgw-16)[[17]](#cite_note-Gamespotrev-17)[[18]](#cite_note-gamespotfame-18) With its realism, scripted sequences and seamless narrative, it had a lasting influence; according to *[IGN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IGN \"IGN\")* in 2014, the history of the FPS genre \"breaks down pretty cleanly into pre-*Half-Life* and post-*Half-Life* eras\".[[19]](#cite_note-19)\n\nValve enlisted [Gearbox Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gearbox_Software \"Gearbox Software\") to develop three [expansions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_pack \"Expansion pack\") for *Half-Life*: *[Opposing Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Opposing_Force \"Half-Life: Opposing Force\")* (1999), *[Blue Shift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Blue_Shift \"Half-Life: Blue Shift\")* (2001) and *[Decay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Decay \"Half-Life: Decay\")* (2001).[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6)[[20]](#cite_note-20) In 1998, Valve acquired TF Software, a group that had made the popular *Team Fortress* [mod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_(video_gaming) \"Mod (video gaming)\") for *Quake*, and remade it for GoldSrc as *[Team Fortress Classic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_Classic \"Team Fortress Classic\")* in 1999.[[21]](#cite_note-21) Valve released the [software development kit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_kit \"Software development kit\") (SDK) for the GoldSrc engine, facilitating numerous user-created mods. They acquired the developers of one popular mod, *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")*, to create a standalone *Counter-Strike* game.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) Happy with Valve's success, Harrington sold his stake in Valve to Newell in 2000.[[22]](#cite_note-Geoff-22)[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13)\n\nValve's publishing agreement meant Sierra owned the *Half-Life* [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") and held exclusive publishing rights to future Valve games. In 2001, Valve renegotiated by threatening to cease game development and develop other software, using an offer of a partnership from [Amazon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company) \"Amazon (company)\") to create a digital storefront as a bargaining chip. After the agreement with Sierra was amended, Valve gained the *Half-Life* intellectual property and online distribution rights for its games.[[23]](#cite_note-23)[[24]](#cite_note-24)\n\n### Source, Steam, and *Half-Life 2* (2003\u20132010)\n\nIn 2003, Valve moved to [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\"), and [reincorporated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incorporation_(business) \"Incorporation (business)\") as Valve Corporation.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) In 2010, the office moved to a larger location in Bellevue. In 2016, Valve signed a nine-floor lease in the [Lincoln Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Square_(Bellevue) \"Lincoln Square (Bellevue)\") complex in downtown Bellevue, doubling the size of its offices.[[25]](#cite_note-Levy-2016-25)\n\nValve began developing *[Half-Life 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2 \"Half-Life 2\")* six months after the release of the first *Half-Life*, using its new in-house engine, [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\").[[22]](#cite_note-Geoff-22) With advanced [physics systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_engine \"Physics engine\") and an increased focus on story and characters, it received critical acclaim upon its release in 2004. By 2011, it had sold 12 million copies.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)\n\nIn 2002, Valve launched [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\"), a digital storefront and delivery platform.[[26]](#cite_note-26)[[27]](#cite_note-27) Steam initially offered only Valve games, and was mandatory to install *Half-Life 2*, but it later became a publisher of third-party games.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3) As Valve became its own publisher via Steam, it transitioned to a [flat organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_organization \"Flat organization\"). Outside of executive management, Valve does not have bosses and uses an [open allocation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_allocation \"Open allocation\") system, allowing employees to move between departments at will.[[28]](#cite_note-office-28)[[29]](#cite_note-bosses-29) In July 2005, [Electronic Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Arts \"Electronic Arts\") was announced to partner with Valve for a multi-year game distribution agreement, following Vivendi Universal's promise to end distribution on August 31.[[30]](#cite_note-30)\n\nAfter having taken five years to develop *Half-Life 2*, Valve moved to [episodic development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodic_video_game \"Episodic video game\"), planning to release shorter games more frequently.[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31) *[Half-Life 2: Episode One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_One \"Half-Life 2: Episode One\")*, the first in a planned trilogy of episodic *Half-Life 2* sequels, was released in 2006.[[32]](#cite_note-32) *[Episode Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two \"Half-Life 2: Episode Two\")* followed in 2007, alongside the multiplayer game *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")* and the puzzle game *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")*, developed from the student project *[Narbacular Drop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narbacular_Drop \"Narbacular Drop\")*.[[33]](#cite_note-seattletimes-33) In February 2007, Valve announced *The Black Box* and *[The Orange Box](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Orange_Box \"The Orange Box\"),* both bundles of multiple games and [expansions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_pack \"Expansion pack\"), to be distributed by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[[34]](#cite_note-34) In January 2008, Valve announced the acquisition of [Turtle Rock Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Rock_Studios \"Turtle Rock Studios\"),[[35]](#cite_note-Valve_2008-01-10-35) which was renamed Valve South.[[36]](#cite_note-36) Turtle Rock developed *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* and *[Left 4 Dead 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_2 \"Left 4 Dead 2\")* while associated with Valve. Turtle Rock Studios spun out of Valve again in March 2010.[[37]](#cite_note-37) *[Forbes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes \"Forbes\")* estimated that Valve had grossed $70 million in 2005.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)\n\n### Transition to services (2010\u20132014)\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Valve_old_logo.svg/250px-Valve_old_logo.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Valve_old_logo.svg)\n\nLogo until 2018\n\nIn 2009, Valve hired [IceFrog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IceFrog \"IceFrog\"), the developer of *[Defense of the Ancients](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_the_Ancients \"Defense of the Ancients\")*, a *[Warcraft III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos \"Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos\")* mod.[[38]](#cite_note-38) IceFrog led the development of a sequel not associated with the *Warcraft* elements, *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")*, released in 2013.[[39]](#cite_note-39) Alongside *Dota 2* in 2011, Valve started [the International](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_International_(Dota_2) \"The International (Dota 2)\"), an annual [esports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESport \"ESport\") tournament for *Dota 2* with a prize pool supported by Valve and funds from microtransactions from [battle passes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_pass \"Battle pass\") purchased by players.[[40]](#cite_note-Reilly-40) Valve released *[Portal 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 \"Portal 2\")* in April 2011.[[41]](#cite_note-vg247_early_release-41) As with the original *Portal*, Valve employed a [Digipen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DigiPen_Institute_of_Technology \"DigiPen Institute of Technology\") student team to help develop it; the team behind *[Tag: The Power of Paint](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag:_The_Power_of_Paint \"Tag: The Power of Paint\")* implemented the new gel gameplay.[[42]](#cite_note-42) In April 2010, Valve launched Steam for [Mac OS X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS \"MacOS\") along with ports of several of its games including the *Half-Life* series.[[43]](#cite_note-43)[[44]](#cite_note-44)\n\nThe [Screen Digest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Digest \"Screen Digest\") analyst Ed Barton estimated Valve's 2010 revenue to be in the \"high hundreds of millions of dollars\".[[25]](#cite_note-Levy-2016-25) As of 2011, Valve had an estimated worth of $2 to 4 billion and employed 250 people; according to Newell, this made it more profitable per employee than [Google](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google \"Google\") or [Apple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc. \"Apple Inc.\"). Most of Valve's revenue came from Steam, which controlled 50 to 70% of the market for downloaded PC games in 2011.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)\n\nBy 2011, Valve had replaced episodic development with a platform-oriented approach, whereby games such as *Left 4 Dead 2* and *Team Fortress 2* were continually updated through Steam updates.[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31) In June 2012, Valve hired the economist [Yanis Varoufakis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanis_Varoufakis \"Yanis Varoufakis\") to study the online economies of their games.[[45]](#cite_note-45) That December, Valve acquired Star Filled Studios, a two-person studio, to open a San Francisco office.[[46]](#cite_note-46) Valve closed the office in August 2013 when it decided it had little benefit.[[47]](#cite_note-47) At the 2013 [D.I.C.E. Summit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.I.C.E._Summit \"D.I.C.E. Summit\"), Newell announced that he and the film director [J. J. Abrams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Abrams \"J. J. Abrams\") were collaborating to produce a *Half-Life* or *Portal* film, as well as a possible game.[[48]](#cite_note-48)\n\nIn the 2010s, Valve released fewer games and invested in hardware development. Newell intended to make Valve more like [Nintendo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo \"Nintendo\"), which develops games in tandem with hardware, allowing it to create innovative games such as *[Super Mario 64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_64 \"Super Mario 64\")*.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Valve initially focused on [augmented reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality \"Augmented reality\"), but in 2013 Newell laid off many staff to focus on [virtual reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality \"Virtual reality\") (VR).[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Valve began porting its games to [Linux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux \"Linux\") in 2023, including Half-Life 2 and Left 4 Dead 2.[[50]](#cite_note-50)[[51]](#cite_note-51) In 2015, Valve released the [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machines \"Steam Machines\"), a line of [gaming computers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaming_computer \"Gaming computer\"), which sold poorly.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Media commentators speculated that Valve's transition to service provider with Steam, which generated an estimated $3.4 billion in 2017, had driven it away from game development.[[52]](#cite_note-52)\n\nValve canceled games including [numerous *Half-Life* projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreleased_Half-Life_games \"Unreleased Half-Life games\") (including *[Episode Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three \"Half-Life 2: Episode Three\")*), *Left 4 Dead 3*, a [Soulslike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulslike \"Soulslike\") game, and a [voxel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voxel \"Voxel\")-based game, *A.R.T.I*. Additional VR projects included *SimTrek*, developed by members of the *[Kerbal Space Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerbal_Space_Program \"Kerbal Space Program\")* development team, and a new VR device, Vader, that was determined to be too costly for consumers.[[53]](#cite_note-53)[[54]](#cite_note-54) According to the designer [Robin Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Walker_(game_designer) \"Robin Walker (game designer)\"), the abundance of projects that failed to gain traction, with no shared vision, damaged morale.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Many players grew frustrated in anticipation of a new *Half-Life* game.[[55]](#cite_note-55)\n\n### Source 2, virtual reality and *Half-Life: Alyx* (2015\u2013present)\n\nValve announced the [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") engine in March 2015, and ported *Dota 2* to Source 2 in September.[[56]](#cite_note-56)[[57]](#cite_note-57) That year, Valve collaborated with the electronics company [HTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC \"HTC\") to develop the [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\"), a [VR headset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VR_headset \"VR headset\") released in 2016.[[58]](#cite_note-The_Final_Hours-58) Valve experimented with VR games, and in 2016 released *[The Lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lab_(video_game) \"The Lab (video game)\")*, a collection of VR minigames.[[59]](#cite_note-Reeves-59)\n\nValve recognized that many players wanted a more ambitious VR [AAA game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_game \"AAA game\"), and began exploring the development of a major VR game.[[59]](#cite_note-Reeves-59) They developed several prototypes, with three further VR projects under development by 2017.[[60]](#cite_note-60)[[61]](#cite_note-61) Finding that the portal systems of its puzzle series *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\")* were disorienting in VR, it settled on *Half-Life*.[[58]](#cite_note-The_Final_Hours-58) Walker said that *Half-Life 3* had been a \"terrifyingly daunting prospect\", and the team saw VR as a way to return to the series.[[58]](#cite_note-The_Final_Hours-58)\n\nFull development of a VR *Half-Life* game started around late 2016, with the largest team in Valve's history.[[62]](#cite_note-arstech_fhalyx-62)[[63]](#cite_note-finalhours_alyx-63) Valve acquired the 3D audio software developer Impulsonic in January 2017.[[64]](#cite_note-64) In April 2018, Valve acquired the independent developer [Campo Santo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_Santo_(company) \"Campo Santo (company)\"), known for the 2016 adventure game *[Firewatch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewatch \"Firewatch\")*. Campo Santo planned to develop its own games under Valve, though it initially helped develop *Half-Life: Alyx*.[[65]](#cite_note-65)[[66]](#cite_note-PC_Gamer_12-66)\n\nIn November 2018, Valve released *[Artifact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artifact_(video_game) \"Artifact (video game)\")*, a [digital collectible card game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_collectible_card_game \"Digital collectible card game\") based on *Dota 2*, with design by [Richard Garfield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Garfield \"Richard Garfield\"), the creator of *[Magic: The Gathering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic:_The_Gathering \"Magic: The Gathering\")*. *Artifact* had unusual pay-for mechanics to acquire new cards, and did not draw a large playerbase, losing 95% of players months after release.[[67]](#cite_note-Disappointment-67) In April 2021, Valve abandoned efforts to reboot the project, saying it had not found enough interested players to justify development.[[68]](#cite_note-68) In June 2019, Valve released its second-generation VR hardware, the [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\").[[69]](#cite_note-69) They also released *[Dota Underlords](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_Underlords \"Dota Underlords\")* into early access, an [auto battler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_battler \"Auto battler\") based on a *Dota 2* community-created mode *[Dota Auto Chess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_Auto_Chess \"Dota Auto Chess\")*.[[70]](#cite_note-70)\n\nIn March 2020, Valve released *[Half-Life: Alyx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Alyx \"Half-Life: Alyx\")*, a VR game.[[71]](#cite_note-71) It received acclaim[[72]](#cite_note-metacritic2-72) and was described as VR's first [killer app](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_app \"Killer app\").[[73]](#cite_note-73)[[74]](#cite_note-74)[[75]](#cite_note-75)[[76]](#cite_note-76) Newell said in January 2021 that the success of *Alyx* created desire within the company to develop more games, and that several were under development.[[77]](#cite_note-77) Valve collaborated with [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix \"Netflix\") for *[Dota: Dragon's Blood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota:_Dragon's_Blood \"Dota: Dragon's Blood\")*, an animated television series based on *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\")*, which premiered in March 2021.[[78]](#cite_note-78) In February 2022, Valve released the [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\"), a portable game system that runs on Linux-based [SteamOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamOS \"SteamOS\") with the [Proton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(software) \"Proton (software)\") compatibility layer that allows most Windows games on Steam to run on Linux without modification.[[79]](#cite_note-79) In September 2023, Valve released *[Counter-Strike 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_2 \"Counter-Strike 2\")*. It received generally favorable reviews, but player reception was mixed.[[80]](#cite_note-80)[[81]](#cite_note-81)\n\nIn 2024, Valve began beta-testing a new multiplayer game, *[Deadlock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlock_(video_game) \"Deadlock (video game)\")*, a combination of a [hero shooter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_shooter \"Hero shooter\") and [MOBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOBA \"MOBA\").[[82]](#cite_note-82) In September, staff members from Hopoo Games, developers of *[Risk of Rain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_of_Rain \"Risk of Rain\")*, announced that they had been employed at Valve.[[83]](#cite_note-83) According to a report by *Forbes Australia* published in December 2024, Valve had an annual revenue of $5 billion by 2023, with a 40% profit margin. Steam accounted for around 60% of this revenue, double that of 2019.[[1]](#cite_note-Pastis-2024a-1)\n\nIn November 2025, Valve announced a redesigned [Steam Controller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2nd_generation) \"Steam Controller (2nd generation)\") and [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") and a new VR headset, [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\"). They were scheduled for release in early 2026,[[84]](#cite_note-84) but were delayed by the [RAM crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025\u2013present_global_memory_supply_shortage \"2025\u2013present global memory supply shortage\").[[85]](#cite_note-85) The second-generation Steam Controller was released on May 4, with no release date set for the Steam Frame as of July 2026.[[86]](#cite_note-86)\n\nIn June 2026, Valve released the Steam Machine, its first dedicated living room gaming PC since the original Steam Machines introduced in 2015. The company launched the device with a randomized reservation system because of limited production caused by global memory and storage shortages, with prices starting at $1,049 for the base model.[[87]](#cite_note-87) In September 2026, around 12TB of data was extracted from Steam, including complete games, beta versions and prototypes dating between 2003 and 2013, from both Valve and other third-party developers. The anonymous person that disseminated the data claimed it was available without protection from older Steam servers used during that period, which Valve since transitioned from.[[88]](#cite_note-88)\n\n## Structure\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Robin_Walker_3.jpg/250px-Robin_Walker_3.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Robin_Walker_3.jpg)\n\nDesigner [Robin Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Walker_(game_designer) \"Robin Walker (game designer)\") at Steam Dev Days 2014\n\nInitially, Valve used a hierarchical structure typical of other development firms, driven by the nature of physical game releases through [publishers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_publisher \"Video game publisher\") that required tasks to be completed by deadlines.[[89]](#cite_note-GD2017-89) However, as Valve became its own publisher via Steam, it found the hierarchical structure was hindering progress.[[62]](#cite_note-arstech_fhalyx-62)\n\nAfter completing *Half-Life 2*, Valve transitioned to a [flat organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_organization \"Flat organization\"). Outside of executive management, Valve does not have bosses, and uses an [open allocation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_allocation \"Open allocation\") system.[[28]](#cite_note-office-28)[[29]](#cite_note-bosses-29) Valve's marketing manager, Doug Lombardi, said: \"Nobody writes a design doc and hands it to somebody and says, 'you go build this'. It's the teams that are coming up with the ideas and pushing in the directions that they want to take the product.\"[[90]](#cite_note-90) This approach allows employees to work on whatever interests them, but requires them to take ownership of their product and mistakes they may make, according to Newell. Newell recognized that this structure works well for some but that \"there are plenty of great developers for whom this is a terrible place to work\".[[89]](#cite_note-GD2017-89) Following the difficult development of *Half-Life 2*, Newell said he became \"obsessed\" with improving Valve's [work-life balance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work\u2013life_balance \"Work\u2013life balance\").[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31)\n\nAlthough Valve has no bosses, some employees hold more influence due to seniority or relationships. De facto project leads became \"centralized conduits\" for organization and sharing information, and decisions are made collectively. Valve uses a process named Overwatch to gather feedback from senior members, which teams may use or ignore.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49)[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31)\n\nThe success of Steam means that Valve is not dependent on the success of its games.[[91]](#cite_note-Macgregor-2023-91) The lack of organization structure has led to project cancellations, as it can be difficult to convince other employees to work on them.[[92]](#cite_note-layoffs-92)[[93]](#cite_note-yanis-93)[[94]](#cite_note-94) In 2020, Valve acknowledged that this made it difficult to gather momentum and had slowed its output during the 2010s.[[95]](#cite_note-95) Its VR projects and *Half-Life: Alyx* became a turning point, setting short-term studio-wide goals to focus the company. According to Walker, \"We sort of had to collectively admit we were wrong on the premise that you will be happiest if you work on something you personally want to work on the most.\"[[62]](#cite_note-arstech_fhalyx-62)\n\nIn January 2023, *[People Make Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_Make_Games \"People Make Games\")* released a report on Valve's corporate structure and culture, based on interviews with several current and former employees. They found that Valve's flat structure and [stack-ranking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_ranking \"Stack ranking\") compensation system created a poor release record and a lack of employee diversity.[[91]](#cite_note-Macgregor-2023-91)[[96]](#cite_note-96) In 2024, *Forbes* estimated that Newell owned 50.1% of Valve, with the rest owned by employees.[[1]](#cite_note-Pastis-2024a-1)\n\nAs part of Wolfire Games' lawsuit over Steam policies, case documents revealed details related to Valve's employee structure. Valve had 60 employees in 2003 and had approximately 350 employees between 2012 and 2021. Employees are categorized into administration, game development, Steam development and (from 2011) hardware development.[[4]](#cite_note-peters-4)\n\n### Valve time\n\n\"Valve Time\" redirects here. For timing of the opening and closing of valves, see [Valve timing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_timing \"Valve timing\").\n\n**Valve time** is an industry term used jokingly with game releases from Valve, used to acknowledge the difference between the \"promised\" date for released content stated by Valve and to the \"actual\" release date; \"Valve Time\" includes delays but also includes some content that was released earlier than expected. Valve has acknowledged the term, including tracking known discrepancies between ideal and actual releases on its public development wiki[[97]](#cite_note-97) and using it in announcements about such delays.[[98]](#cite_note-98)[[99]](#cite_note-99) Valve ascribes delays to its mentality of team-driven initiatives over corporate deadlines.[[100]](#cite_note-faliszek_valvetime-100)\n\n### Playtesting\n\nValve [playtests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playtest \"Playtest\") its games extensively from the beginning of development,[[101]](#cite_note-Remo-2008-101) and iterates based on the results.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) It believes that \"all game designers are, in a sense, [experimental psychologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_psychologist \"Experimental psychologist\")\".[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) The Valve writer [Chet Faliszek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Faliszek \"Chet Faliszek\") said he initially blamed testers when they failed to engage with designs as expected, but changed his mind when multiple testers had the same problem: \"By the third or fourth time, all of a sudden you're realizing, 'I'm an idiot. This is pretty obvious this doesn't work. It's not their fault, it's our fault.'\"[[101]](#cite_note-Remo-2008-101) He gave an example from the development of *Left 4 Dead*, wherein a [texture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_mapping \"Texture mapping\") change caused every tester to miss a ladder and become stuck.[[101]](#cite_note-Remo-2008-101)\n\nWalker said playtesting helped Valve maximize the experience for players. For example, when something exciting occurs by chance during a playtest, the developers attempt to have it occur for every player.[[102]](#cite_note-Bramwell-102) Newell contrasted this approach to that of [Warren Spector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Spector \"Warren Spector\"), whose open-ended games are designed to be replayed with different outcomes: \"You spend all of this time to build stuff that most players will never ever ever see.\u00a0... If only one per cent of your customers see this cool thing that takes five per cent of your development budget, that's not a good use of resources.\"[[102]](#cite_note-Bramwell-102)\n\n## Products\n\n### Games\n\nMain article: [List of Valve games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Valve_games \"List of Valve games\")\n\nValve is the main developer and publisher of the single-player *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\")* and *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")* games and the multiplayer games *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")*, *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")*, *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")*, *[Day of Defeat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat \"Day of Defeat\")*, and *[Artifact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artifact_(video_game) \"Artifact (video game)\")*. Valve also published the multiplayer game *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* and developed and published *[Left 4 Dead 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_2 \"Left 4 Dead 2\")*. Unreleased and canceled Valve games include the fantasy [role-playing game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_video_game \"Role-playing video game\") *Prospero* and [numerous *Half-Life* projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreleased_Half-Life_games \"Unreleased Half-Life games\"), including *[Episode Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three \"Half-Life 2: Episode Three\")*.[[103]](#cite_note-raisingbar_prospero-103) Valve worked with [Arkane Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkane_Studios \"Arkane Studios\") on *[The Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crossing_(video_game) \"The Crossing (video game)\")*, which was canceled in May 2009.[[104]](#cite_note-104)\n\nValve video games are noted for their technical and artistic innovation, with virtually every mainline release from the studio receiving mention among the [greatest video games of all time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_video_games_of_all_time \"Greatest video games of all time\").[[105]](#cite_note-105)[[106]](#cite_note-106)[[107]](#cite_note-107)[[108]](#cite_note-108)[[109]](#cite_note-109)\n\n### Engines\n\nMain articles: [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\"), [Source (game engine)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\"), and [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\")\n\nValve has developed at least three game engines that have been used in its games. [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") is based on a modified [*Quake* engine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_engine \"Quake engine\") by [id Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Software \"Id Software\"), and used for the basis of *Half-Life*.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\") was internally built from scratch as a replacement for GoldSrc, and was used for most of Valve's games in the early 2000s, including *Half-Life 2*, *Team Fortress 2*, and the *Portal* series.[[110]](#cite_note-110) [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") is a refinement of the Source engine initially released in 2015, and has been used for *Dota 2*, *CounterStrike 2*, *The Lab*, and *Half-Life: Alyx*.[[111]](#cite_note-SteamFree-111)\n\n### Steam\n\nMain article: [Steam (service)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\")\n\nValve announced Steam, its [digital distribution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_distribution \"Digital distribution\") service, at the 2002 [Game Developers Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Developers_Conference \"Game Developers Conference\").[[112]](#cite_note-112)[[113]](#cite_note-113) It was launched in September 2003 and was first used to deliver [patches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patch_(computing) \"Patch (computing)\") and other updates to Valve's online games.[[114]](#cite_note-114)[[115]](#cite_note-115)\n\nOn August 1, 2012, Valve announced revisions to the Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA) to prohibit [class action](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_action \"Class action\") [lawsuits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawsuit \"Lawsuit\") by users against the service provider.[[116]](#cite_note-augustrockpapershotgun-116)[[117]](#cite_note-valveaugustssa-117) By July 2014, there were over 3,400 games available on Steam, with over 150 million registered accounts by January 2018.[[118]](#cite_note-steamgrowth_2014-118)[[119]](#cite_note-119)\n\nAlongside these changes to the SSA, the company also declared publicly the incorporation of Valve [S.a.r.l.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci\u00e9t\u00e9_\u00e0_responsabilit\u00e9_limit\u00e9e \"Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e0 responsabilit\u00e9 limit\u00e9e\"), a subsidiary based in [Luxembourg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg \"Luxembourg\").[[116]](#cite_note-augustrockpapershotgun-116)[[117]](#cite_note-valveaugustssa-117) Valve set up a physical office in [Kirchberg, Luxembourg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirchberg,_Luxembourg \"Kirchberg, Luxembourg\"). According to Valve's project manager Mike Dunkle, the location was chosen for eCommerce capabilities and infrastructure, talent acquisition, tax advantages and central geographic location\u00a0\u2013 most major partners are accessible, 50% within driving distance.[[120]](#cite_note-120)\n\nValve S.a.r.l. was used to sell games to UK users to avoid paying the full 20% [value-added tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value-added_tax \"Value-added tax\") (VAT).[[121]](#cite_note-121) The [tax loophole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_avoidance \"Tax avoidance\") was expected to close on January 1, 2015.[[122]](#cite_note-122) In December 2015, the French consumer group [UFC Que Choisir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_Que_Choisir \"UFC Que Choisir\") initiated a lawsuit against Valve for several of its Steam policies that conflict or run afoul of French law. One of the reasons was for using the tax loophole.[[123]](#cite_note-123) Valve S.a.r.l. ceased business on January 1, 2017, with the main company taking over EU sales again.[[124]](#cite_note-124) In August 2017, Valve announced that Steam had reached over 67 million monthly and 33 million [daily active users](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_active_users \"Daily active users\") on the platform.[[125]](#cite_note-125)\n\n### Steam Machine\n\nMain article: [Steam Machine (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine_(2015) \"Steam Machine (2015)\")\n\nNewell has been critical of the direction that Microsoft has taken with making Windows a [closed architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_architecture \"Open architecture\") similar to Apple's products, and has stated that he believes that the changes made in Windows 8 are \"a catastrophe for everyone in the [personal computer] space\".[[126]](#cite_note-ign_windows_8-126) Newell identified the open-source Linux platform as an ideal platform for Steam and said the only thing holding back its adoption is the lack of games.[[126]](#cite_note-ign_windows_8-126)\n\nIn 2012, Valve announced that they were working on a console-PC hybrid for the living room, dubbed by media as the \"Steam Box\".[[127]](#cite_note-127)[[128]](#cite_note-128) A precursor to such a unit is SteamOS, a freely available Linux-based operating system that builds upon the Steam client functionality that includes media services, live streaming across home networks, game sharing within families, and parental controls. SteamOS was officially announced in September 2013 as the first of several announcements related to the Steam Machine platform[[129]](#cite_note-129) as well as its unique game controller.[[10]](#cite_note-Steam-2007-10) In May 2014, Valve announced that the company's own SteamOS-powered Steam Machine would be delayed until 2015 due to problems with the game controller.[[130]](#cite_note-130) In 2015, [Alienware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alienware \"Alienware\"), [ZOTAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZOTAC \"ZOTAC\"), and [CyberPowerPC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyberPowerPC \"CyberPowerPC\") launched its versions of the Steam Machine. By June 2016, fewer than half a million had been sold.[[131]](#cite_note-131) While the Steam Machine line has been effectively canceled, Valve continued to manufacture and sell [Steam Controllers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") until late November 2019,[[132]](#cite_note-132) and publishes both mobile apps and software for the [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\"), allowing in-home streaming.\n\n### Steam Controller\n\nMain articles: [Steam Controller (1st generation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") and [Steam Controller (2nd generation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2nd_generation) \"Steam Controller (2nd generation)\")\n\nValve has released two versions of a [game controller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_controller \"Game controller\") aimed to be used for Steam games, the Steam Controller. The first model was released in November 2015, alongside the original Steam Machine concept, while the second was released in May 2026 ahead of Valve's dedciated Steam Machine model and Steam Frame. Among other features, both generations of the controller use two small trackpads with [haptic feedback](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haptic_technology \"Haptic technology\") which can be used either as traditional controller actions like a joystick, but also like a computer mouse input to control many personal computer games that lack traditional controller support.\n\n### Valve Index and virtual reality\n\nMain articles: [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\") and [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\")\n\nAt the [Game Developers Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Developers_Conference \"Game Developers Conference\") in March 2015, Valve and Taiwanese electronics company [HTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC \"HTC\") unveiled [SteamVR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamVR \"SteamVR\") and the [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\")\u2014a [virtual reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality \"Virtual reality\") platform and a [virtual reality headset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality_headset \"Virtual reality headset\"). The platform would be distinguished by its \"Lighthouse\" motion tracking system, where sensors on the headset and its included [motion controllers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_controller \"Motion controller\") read the position of two base station devices mounted in the play area. This would allow for \"room-scale\" VR experiences, where the player would not be required to remain in a stationary position in front of a camera and would be able to freely walk around the space.[[133]](#cite_note-133)[[134]](#cite_note-134)\n\nIn November 2017, Microsoft added beta support for the [SteamVR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamVR \"SteamVR\") service for Windows Mixed Reality headsets.[[135]](#cite_note-135)[[136]](#cite_note-136) In June 2019, Valve released its own VR headset, known as the [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\"), positioned as a higher-end device with wider [field of view](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_of_view \"Field of view\") and higher refresh rate. They were accompanied by updated motion controllers, which are strapped against the user's palms and have sensors to detect input pressure and individual fingers.[[137]](#cite_note-137)[[138]](#cite_note-138)[[139]](#cite_note-139) In November 2025, Valve announced the [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\"), a standalone VR headset.[[140]](#cite_note-140)\n\n### Steam Deck\n\nMain article: [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\")\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Steam_Deck_%28front%29.png/250px-Steam_Deck_%28front%29.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steam_Deck_(front).png)\n\nFront of a [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\")\n\nAnnounced in July 2021, the Steam Deck is a hybrid game console similar to the [Nintendo Switch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch \"Nintendo Switch\"). It is primarily a handheld device that supports playing of Steam games, but through a separate dock unit, the console can output to an external monitor and use external power, networking, and USB accessories connected to the dock. The hardware is based on customized [AMD Zen 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_2 \"Zen 2\") and [RDNA 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDNA_2 \"RDNA 2\") chipsets. Units started shipping in February 2022. An [OLED](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED \"OLED\") version of the Steam Deck was released in November 2023; besides the improved display, the OLED modeling includes increased battery life, improved audio, and more storage compared to the original model.[[141]](#cite_note-141)\n\n### Other projects\n\n#### PowerPlay\n\nPowerPlay was a technological initiative headed by Valve and [Cisco Systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Systems \"Cisco Systems\") to decrease the latency for online games, announced in January 2000.[[142]](#cite_note-142) It was described as a set of protocols and deployment standards at the [router](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router_(computing) \"Router (computing)\") level to improve performance. It was claimed that a player with 1000\u00a0ms [ping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ping_(networking_utility) \"Ping (networking utility)\") was able to play against another player on a [LAN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network \"Local area network\") connection with no noticeable disadvantage.[[143]](#cite_note-planetfortress-143) Initially the protocol was to be released with PowerPlay 1.0 focusing on [quality of service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_service \"Quality of service\") (QoS) and later a revision, PowerPlay 2.0 that would focus on functionality. Cisco and Valve intended to deliver a single dial-up service in Q1 2000 in the United States with a 30-day free trial with a bundled copy of *[Team Fortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress \"Team Fortress\")* modified to support PowerPlay.[[144]](#cite_note-144)\n\nThe standard was to involve purchasing PowerPlay approved Cisco hardware and infrastructure that had adequate bandwidth and QoS standards that prioritize PowerPlay gaming packets at all others' expense. Newell conceded that [Internet service providers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider \"Internet service provider\") (ISPs) would bear the brunt of this expense: \"The ISPs are going to need to spend a fair amount of money to be compliant with PowerPlay. But how they get that back is up to them. Some will have a tiered service, and some will just try to recoup their investment through reduced customer churn and customer acquisition.\"[[145]](#cite_note-eurogamer1-145) Despite never deploying the dial-up plan featuring PowerPlay 1.0, Valve announced in January 2001 that the standard had indeed been finalized.[[143]](#cite_note-planetfortress-143) 12 months after its announcement, PowerPlay was abandoned.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*]\n\n#### Pipeline\n\nIn July 2013, Valve announced Pipeline, an [intern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internship \"Internship\") project consisting of ten high school students working together to learn how to create video game content.[[146]](#cite_note-146) Pipeline serves to discuss and answer questions that teenagers often ask about the video game industry,[[147]](#cite_note-pipeline_home-147) and see if it is possible to train a group of teenagers with minimal work experience to work for a company like Valve.[[147]](#cite_note-pipeline_home-147) The latter purpose breaks Valve's tradition of employing experienced developers, as the company is not good at \"teaching people straight out of school\".[[147]](#cite_note-pipeline_home-147)\n\n## Legal disputes\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Vivendi Universal Games*\n\nBetween 2002 and 2005, Valve was involved in a complex legal dispute with its publisher, [Vivendi Universal Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivendi_Universal_Games \"Vivendi Universal Games\") (under Vivendi's brand [Sierra Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Entertainment \"Sierra Entertainment\")). Valve had entered into a publishing agreement with Sierra to release *Half-Life* and subsequent games in 1997, with the contract giving Sierra some [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") (IP) rights to Valve's games. After Valve began development of *Half-Life 2*, it agreed a new contract with Sierra in 2001, removing these rights from Sierra and giving Valve some rights for digital distribution.[[148]](#cite_note-gamespot_valve_v_sierra-148) Internally, Valve started work on Steam as a means to digitally distribute these games, and first revealed this project at the March 2002 [Game Developers Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Developers_Conference \"Game Developers Conference\").[[148]](#cite_note-gamespot_valve_v_sierra-148)\n\nBy August 2002, Valve had found that Sierra was distributing copies of their games to [Internet cafes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_cafe \"Internet cafe\") against the terms of their contracts and filed a lawsuit against Sierra and Vivendi. In addition to claims of [copyright infringement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_infringement \"Copyright infringement\"), Valve asserted that Sierra [breached contract](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breach_of_contract \"Breach of contract\") by withholding royalties and delaying the release of *[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Condition_Zero \"Counter-Strike: Condition Zero\")* until after the holiday season. Vivendi and Sierra countersued, stating that Valve had misrepresented their position in the revised 2001 contract since they had been working on Steam at that point as a means to circumvent the publishing agreement. Vivendi sought [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") rights to *Half-Life* and a ruling preventing Valve from using Steam to distribute *Half-Life 2*.[[148]](#cite_note-gamespot_valve_v_sierra-148) The countersuits, if successful, likely would have bankrupted Valve, according to COO Scott Lynch. As part of the discovery phase, Valve received a number of documents in Korean, which a new intern at Valve was able to translate, purporting that Vivendi had directed the destruction of evidence for the case. When shown to the court, the judge took action to block Vivendi's countersuits, turning the case in Valve's direction.[[149]](#cite_note-149)\n\nOn November 29, 2004, Judge [Thomas Samuel Zilly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Samuel_Zilly \"Thomas Samuel Zilly\") of the [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._District_Court_for_the_Western_District_of_Washington \"U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington\") ruled in favor of Valve. The ruling stated that Vivendi Universal and its affiliates (including Sierra) were not authorized to distribute Valve games, either directly or indirectly, through cyber caf\u00e9s to end users for [pay-to-play](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay-to-play \"Pay-to-play\") activities pursuant to the parties' publishing agreement. In addition, Judge Zilly ruled that Valve could recover copyright damages for infringements without regard to the publishing agreement's limitation of liability clause.[[150]](#cite_note-150) Valve posted on the Steam website that the companies had come to a settlement in court on April 29, 2005.[[151]](#cite_note-151) As a result of the trial, the arbitrator also awarded Valve $2,391,932.[[152]](#cite_note-gamepolitics-152)\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Activision Blizzard*\n\nIn April 2009, Valve sued [Activision Blizzard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activision_Blizzard \"Activision Blizzard\"), which acquired [Sierra Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Entertainment \"Sierra Entertainment\") after a merger with its parent company, [Vivendi Universal Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivendi_Universal_Games \"Vivendi Universal Games\"). Activision had allegedly refused to honor the *Valve v. Vivendi* arbitration agreement. Activision had only paid Valve $1,967,796 of the $2,391,932 award, refusing to pay the remaining $424,136, claiming it had overpaid that sum in the past years.[[152]](#cite_note-gamepolitics-152)[[153]](#cite_note-153)\n\n### *Dota* intellectual property ownership\n\n*[Defense of the Ancients](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_the_Ancients \"Defense of the Ancients\")* (DotA) was a landmark [mod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_(video_gaming) \"Mod (video gaming)\") first released in 2003 that created the basis of the genre of [multiplayer online battle arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplayer_online_battle_arena \"Multiplayer online battle arena\") (MOBA). It was originally developed by Kyle Sommer (who goes by the alias *Eul*) within [Blizzard Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_Entertainment \"Blizzard Entertainment\")'s *[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos \"Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos\")* via its [world editor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III_World_Editor \"Warcraft III World Editor\"), and spawned several similar efforts, notably *DotA-Allstars*. While there had been several that contributed to *DotA-Allstars*, the project was managed primarily by [Steve \"Guinsoo\" Feak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_ \"Steve \"), and later by \"[IceFrog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IceFrog \"IceFrog\")\". IceFrog was eventually hired by Valve in 2009, with the rights to the *DotA* [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") being sold to Valve the following year. Eul was also hired into Valve by 2010.[[154]](#cite_note-dota_ip-154) Valve then subsequently filed [trademarks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark \"Trademark\") towards a sequel to *DotA*, titled *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")*. DotA-Allstars, LLC, a group of former contributors to the *DotA-Allstars* project, filed an opposing trademark in August 2010 to contest Valve's claim it owned the property rights.[[155]](#cite_note-155)\n\nDotA-Allstars, LLC was eventually acquired by Blizzard to start development of *Blizzard All-Stars*. Blizzard took over the trademark challenge. The [United States Patent & Trademark Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Patent_&_Trademark_Office \"United States Patent & Trademark Office\") initially ruled in Valve's favor. By this point, [Riot Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Games \"Riot Games\") had hired Guinsoo to help develop its own MOBA, *[League of Legends](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends \"League of Legends\")*. Feak transferred his rights to the *Dota* property to Riot, who in turn sold those to Blizzard. Blizzard filed a lawsuit against Valve to challenge Valve's ownership, pitting the rights assigned by Guinsoo at odds to those assigned to Valve by IceFrog and Eul.[[156]](#cite_note-156) The case *Blizzard Entertainment v. Valve Corporation* was settled out of court in May 2012; Valve retained the right to use *Dota* commercially, while Blizzard reserved the right for fans to use *Dota* non-commercially.[[157]](#cite_note-157) Blizzard changed the names of its own projects to remove the *Dota* term, and renamed *Blizzard All-Stars* as *[Heroes of the Storm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_of_the_Storm \"Heroes of the Storm\")*. Valve's *Dota 2* was released in 2013.[[158]](#cite_note-158)\n\nIn 2014, mobile developers Lilith and uCool released its games *Dota Legends* and *Heroes Charge*, respectively. Both were influenced by *Dota* and the sequels. In 2017, Valve and Blizzard took joint action against these companies, citing copyright issues related to the *Dota* names. uCool argued that the *Dota* games were a [collective work](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_work_(US) \"Collective work (US)\") and could not be copyrighted by anyone in particular, but the presiding judge, [Charles R. Breyer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_R._Breyer \"Charles R. Breyer\"), felt that, due to the trio's actions as maintainers of the *Dota* mods, they had a rightful copyright claim to this. Separately, Lilith and uCool argued that Eul had, in a forum post from September 2004, assigned an [open-source copyright license](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software \"Open-source software\") to *Dota*, which would make Valve and Blizzard's copyright claims void. The case was later heard by a jury.[[154]](#cite_note-dota_ip-154)\n\n### *ACCC v. Valve Corporation*\n\nThe [Australian Competition & Consumer Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Competition_&_Consumer_Commission \"Australian Competition & Consumer Commission\") (ACCC) announced it was taking action against Valve in 2014. On March 29, 2016, Valve was found guilty of breaching Australian consumer law because:[[159]](#cite_note-159)[[160]](#cite_note-160)\n\n* Valve claimed consumers were not entitled to a refund for digitally downloaded games purchased from Valve via the Steam website or Steam Client (in any circumstances);\n* Valve had excluded statutory guarantees or warranties that goods would be of acceptable quality; and\n* Valve had restricted or modified statutory guarantees or warranties of acceptable quality.\n\nDuring the prosecution of this case, Valve implemented a refund policy for Steam purchases, but the case still reviewed Valve's actions prior to the onset of the lawsuit. The court overseeing the case sided with the ACCC in assigning a [A$](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_dollar \"Australian dollar\")3\u00a0million (about US$2.1\u00a0million) fine against Valve in December 2016, as well as requiring Valve to inform Australian consumers of their rights when purchasing games from Steam.[[161]](#cite_note-161) Valve appealed the court's determination that it \"engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations about consumer guarantees\", as well as seeking to appeal the fine, but the Australian higher courts rejected the appeals in December 2017.[[162]](#cite_note-162) In January 2018, Valve filed for a \"special leave\" of the court's decision, appealing to the [High Court of Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Court_of_Australia \"High Court of Australia\").[[163]](#cite_note-163) The High Court dismissed this claim in April 2018, asserting that Valve still was liable under Australian law since it sold products directly to its citizens.[[164]](#cite_note-164)\n\n### *UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation*\n\nConsumer rights group [UFC Que Choisir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_Que_Choisir \"UFC Que Choisir\"), based in France, filed a lawsuit against Valve in December 2015, claiming users should be able to resell their software.[[165]](#cite_note-165)[[166]](#cite_note-166) The [High Court of Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribunal_de_grande_instance_de_Paris \"Tribunal de grande instance de Paris\") ruled in favor of UFC Que Choisir in September 2019, stating that Valve must allow the resale of Steam games. Valve stated it will appeal the decision.[[167]](#cite_note-167)\n\nIn 2022, the [Court of Appeal of Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_Appeal_of_Paris \"Court of Appeal of Paris\") overturned the lower court's decision, ruling in Valve's favour. In 2024, The [French Supreme Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_Cassation_(France) \"Court of Cassation (France)\") later confirmed this ruling, citing the EU [Copyright and Information Society Directive 2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_and_Information_Society_Directive_2001 \"Copyright and Information Society Directive 2001\").[[168]](#cite_note-168)\n\n### Skins gambling\n\nMain article: [Skin gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling \"Skin gambling\")\n\nValve was named as a defendant in two lawsuits in June and July 2016 related to third-party gambling sites that use the Steamworks API to allow betting with the virtual currency of cosmetic weapon replacement textures, better known as \"skins\", from *[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Global_Offensive \"Counter-Strike: Global Offensive\")*, which through these sites can be converted from or to real-world money. Both suits assert Valve aiding in underaged [gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling \"Gambling\").[[169]](#cite_note-polygon_gambling_overview-169) Valve subsequently stated it has no commercial ties with these sites, and that it would demand these sites cease their use of the Steamworks API as they violate the authorized use policies.[[170]](#cite_note-170)[[171]](#cite_note-171) In October 2016, the Washington State Gambling Commission required Valve to stop the use of virtual skins for gambling on Steam, stating they would face legal repercussions if they failed to co-operate.[[172]](#cite_note-172) On October 17, 2016, Valve sent a letter to the Washington State Gambling Commission stating that it had \"no business relationship with such gambling sites\", asserting that they come into existence, operate, and go out of existence without its knowledge and consent, adding that it was not aware of any such law that Steam or any of its games were violating.[[173]](#cite_note-173)[[174]](#cite_note-174)\n\n### Anti-competitive practices\n\nIn February 2017, the [European Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission \"European Commission\") began investigating Valve and five other publishers\u2014[Bandai Namco Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandai_Namco_Entertainment \"Bandai Namco Entertainment\"), [Capcom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capcom \"Capcom\"), [Focus Home Interactive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_Home_Interactive \"Focus Home Interactive\"), [Koch Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koch_Media \"Koch Media\") and [ZeniMax Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZeniMax_Media \"ZeniMax Media\")\u2014for anti-competitive practices, specifically the use of geo-blocking through the Steam storefront and Steam product keys to prevent access to software to citizens of certain countries. Such practices would be against the [Digital Single Market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Single_Market \"Digital Single Market\") initiative by the European Union.[[175]](#cite_note-175) While the other five companies named are in stages of settling with the EU as of August 2019, Valve has stated it plans to fight the charges, asserting that geo-blocking affects less than 3% of its games, and that it had turned off such geo-blocking within the EU in 2015.[[176]](#cite_note-176)\n\nIn January 2021, five gamers filed a proposed class-action [antitrust](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_law \"Competition law\") lawsuit in California against Valve, alleging that the company \"abuses the Steam platform's market power\" by requiring game developers and publishers to enter into a \"[most favored nation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_favored_nation \"Most favored nation\")\" agreement with Valve, restricting their ability to sell games for less on other platforms and thereby preventing price competition.[[177]](#cite_note-177)[[178]](#cite_note-178) This suit was later consolidated with the Wolfire Games lawsuit.\n\nIn May 2021, [Wolfire Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfire_Games \"Wolfire Games\") filed a proposed class-action antitrust lawsuit against Valve, alleging that the company exerts [monopoly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly \"Monopoly\") power over the PC gaming market and uses its \"gatekeeper role\" to \"wield extreme power over publishers of PC Desktop Games\" and to extract \"an extraordinarily high cut from nearly every sale that passes through its store.\"[[179]](#cite_note-179)[[180]](#cite_note-180) Although a motion by Valve to dismiss the original lawsuit was granted in November 2021, Wolfire was allowed to file a revised complaint, and in May 2022 US District Court Judge [John C. Coughenour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Coughenour \"John C. Coughenour\") ruled that that lawsuit could proceed, finding that Wolfire's allegations were \"sufficient to plausibly allege unlawful conduct.\"[[181]](#cite_note-181) In November 2024, it was affirmed into a class-action lawsuit, with any developer affected by Valve's revenue cut able to be part of the class.[[182]](#cite_note-182)\n\nIn June 2024, Vicki Shotbolt, a children's digital rights activist, filed a lawsuit with the [Competition Appeal Tribunal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_Appeal_Tribunal \"Competition Appeal Tribunal\") in the UK that accuses Valve of \"rigging the market\" for PC games, alleging that Valve used its market dominance to overcharge 14 million people in the UK and seeking damages of \u00a322 to \u00a344 per affected customer, or \u00a3656 million in total.[[183]](#cite_note-183)[[184]](#cite_note-184)\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Zaiger, LLC*\n\nIn 2023, Valve sued a law firm, Zaiger, alleging that it attempted to extort settlements from Valve by threatening to bring numerous antitrust [arbitration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbitration \"Arbitration\") cases on behalf of Steam customers, a tactic referred to as \"mass arbitration\". Valve also brought suit against a litigation financier for Zaiger over the funding of a social media campaign to recruit Steam users as clients. Valve alleged that it improperly interfered with its contracts with Steam customers and abused the arbitration process by signing up clients with the intent of obtaining settlements slightly lower than the cost of arbitration filing fees, rather than arbitrating their claims. Valve said that it was targeted due to the terms of the Steam Subscriber Agreement, in which Valve would be responsible for the fees and costs associated with arbitration. The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice by the [US District Court for the Western District of Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_District_Court_for_the_Western_District_of_Washington \"US District Court for the Western District of Washington\") in 2024 due to [personal jurisdiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_jurisdiction \"Personal jurisdiction\") issues.[[185]](#cite_note-arsSep27-185)[[186]](#cite_note-186) In September 2024, Valve changed its Steam Subscriber Agreement to require disputes to proceed in court, specifically in King County, Washington, with no option of arbitration.[[185]](#cite_note-arsSep27-185)\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Rothschild*\n\nIn 2015, Display Technologies LLC, one of several IP-holding companies owned by Leigh Rothschild, sued Valve over patent infringement. While the suit was dismissed by January 2016, Valve shortly followed by acquiring licenses to twenty patents owned across Rothschild's firms.[[187]](#cite_note-rothschild_2023-187)\n\nAround 2022, another Rothschild company, Patent Asset Management, began sending Valve demands to buy new licenses to two of the patents Valve already had licensed. Valve filed a lawsuit against the company in 2023 under Washington state's [Patent Troll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_Troll \"Patent Troll\") Protection and Consumer Protection Acts. In the months that followed, at least three lawsuits were filed in Texas by Rothschild's companies against Valve accusing Valve of additional patent infringement.[[187]](#cite_note-rothschild_2023-187) Valve argued these suits were retaliatory to their Washington suit, and requested them to be dismissed.[[187]](#cite_note-rothschild_2023-187) In February 2026, a jury found in Valve's favor on all counts.[[188]](#cite_note-188)\n\n1. [1](#cite_ref-Pastis-2024a_1-0) [2](#cite_ref-Pastis-2024a_1-1) [3](#cite_ref-Pastis-2024a_1-2) Pastis, Stephen (December 6, 2024). [\"How Valve founder Gabe Newell turned *Half-Life* into a nearly $10 billion fortune\"](https://www.forbes.com.au/covers/magazine/how-valve-founder-gabe-newell-turned-half-life-into-a-nearly-10-billion-fortune/). *[Forbes Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_Australia \"Forbes Australia\")*. Retrieved December 11, 2024.\n2. [\u2191](#cite_ref-2) [\"Bloomberg Billionaires Index\"](https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/gabe-newell/). [Bloomberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomberg_L.P. \"Bloomberg L.P.\"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241117030233/https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/gabe-newell/) from the original on November 17, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2026.\n3. 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[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240713134151/https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/13/24197477/valve-employs-few-hundred-people-payroll-redacted) from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.\n5. [\u2191](#cite_ref-valve-gmbh_5-0) [\"Privacy Policy Agreement\"](http://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/). Valve. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161231132652/http://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/) from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2017. Payment processing related to Content and Services and/or physical goods purchased on Steam is performed by either Valve Corporation directly or by Valve's fully owned subsidiary Valve GmbH on behalf of Valve Corporation depending on the type of payment method used.\n6. 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Archived from [the original](http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/04/30/it039s-ugly-valve-sues-activision-activision-threatens-sue-valve) on May 2, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2009. Against that backdrop, Activision cut Valve a check last week for $1,967,796\u2014the amount handed down by the arbitrator less the disputed $424K. According to Valve's suit, Activision said that it wouldn't pay the rest and if Valve went to court Activision would countersue. Valve has apparently called Activision's bluff and the parties are now once again at odds.\n153. [\u2191](#cite_ref-153) [\"Valve Corporation v. Activision Blizzard, Inc\"](http://www.leagle.com/decision/in%20fco%2020100730214). United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. July 30, 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150209002220/http://www.leagle.com/decision/in%20fco%2020100730214) from the original on February 9, 2015.\n154. [1](#cite_ref-dota_ip_154-0) [2](#cite_ref-dota_ip_154-1) Orland, Kyle (May 17, 2017). [\"Does Valve really own Dota? A jury will decide\"](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/05/does-valve-really-own-dota-a-jury-will-decide/). *[Ars Technica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_Technica \"Ars Technica\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170521165016/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/05/does-valve-really-own-dota-a-jury-will-decide/) from the original on May 21, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2017.\n155. [\u2191](#cite_ref-155) Augustine, Josh (August 17, 2010). [\"Riot Games' dev counter-files \"DotA\" trademark\"](https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-dev-counter-files-dota-trademark/). *[PC Gamer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Gamer \"PC Gamer\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130203103306/http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/08/17/riot-games-dev-counter-files-dota-trademark/) from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2022.\n156. [\u2191](#cite_ref-156) Plunkett, Luke (February 10, 2012). 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Retrieved February 19, 2026.\n\n## External links\n\n[![Wikimedia Commons logo](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/40px-Commons-logo.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg)\n\nWikimedia Commons has media related to [Valve Corporation](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Valve%20Corporation \"commons:Category:Valve Corporation\").\n\n* [Official website](https://www.valvesoftware.com) [![Edit this at Wikidata](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/20px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193559#P856 \"Edit this at Wikidata\")\n\n| * [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Valve \"Template:Valve\") * [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Valve \"Template talk:Valve\") * [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Valve \"Special:EditPage/Template:Valve\") |\n| --- |\n| [Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Valve_games \"List of Valve games\") | |  |  | | --- | --- | | [*Half-Life*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\") | * *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(video_game) \"Half-Life (video game)\")*   + *[Opposing Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Opposing_Force \"Half-Life: Opposing Force\")*   + *[Blue Shift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Blue_Shift \"Half-Life: Blue Shift\")*   + *[Decay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Decay \"Half-Life: Decay\")* * *[Half-Life 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2 \"Half-Life 2\")*   + *[Deathmatch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Deathmatch \"Half-Life 2: Deathmatch\")*   + *[Lost Coast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Lost_Coast \"Half-Life 2: Lost Coast\")*   + *[Episode One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_One \"Half-Life 2: Episode One\")*   + *[Episode Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two \"Half-Life 2: Episode Two\")*   + *[Episode Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three \"Half-Life 2: Episode Three\")* (canceled) * *[Half-Life: Alyx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Alyx \"Half-Life: Alyx\")* * [Unreleased games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreleased_Half-Life_games \"Unreleased Half-Life games\") | | [*Portal*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\") | * *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")* * *[Portal 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 \"Portal 2\")* * *[Potato Sack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_Sack \"Potato Sack\")* * *[The Lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lab_(video_game) \"The Lab (video game)\")* * *[Aperture Hand Lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture_Hand_Lab \"Aperture Hand Lab\")* * *[Aperture Desk Job](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture_Desk_Job \"Aperture Desk Job\")* | | *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")* | * *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_(video_game) \"Counter-Strike (video game)\")* * *[Condition Zero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Condition_Zero \"Counter-Strike: Condition Zero\")* * *[Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Source \"Counter-Strike: Source\")* * *[Global Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Global_Offensive \"Counter-Strike: Global Offensive\")* * *[Counter-Strike 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_2 \"Counter-Strike 2\")* | | *Team Fortress* | * *[Team Fortress Classic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_Classic \"Team Fortress Classic\")* * *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")*   + \"[2Fort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2Fort \"2Fort\")\"   + *[Team Fortress Comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_Comics \"Team Fortress Comics\")*   + [Heavy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_(Team_Fortress_2) \"Heavy (Team Fortress 2)\")   + [Medic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medic_(Team_Fortress_2) \"Medic (Team Fortress 2)\") | | *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_(franchise) \"Left 4 Dead (franchise)\")* | * *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* * *[Left 4 Dead 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_2 \"Left 4 Dead 2\")* | | *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\")* | * *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")* * *[Artifact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artifact_(video_game) \"Artifact (video game)\")* * *[Dota Underlords](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_Underlords \"Dota Underlords\")* | | Other | * *[The Orange Box](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Orange_Box \"The Orange Box\")* * *[Day of Defeat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat \"Day of Defeat\")*   + *[Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat:_Source \"Day of Defeat: Source\")* * *[Garry's Mod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry's_Mod \"Garry's Mod\")* * *[Alien Swarm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Swarm \"Alien Swarm\")* * *[The Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crossing_(video_game) \"The Crossing (video game)\")* * *[Deadlock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlock_(video_game) \"Deadlock (video game)\")* | |\n| Technology | |  |  |  |  |  |  | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Hardware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_hardware \"Steam hardware\") | |  |  | | --- | --- | | Current | * [Steam Controller (2026)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2026) \"Steam Controller (2026)\") * [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\") * [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\") * [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") | | Discontinued | * [Steam Controller (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") * [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\") * [Steam Machines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machines \"Steam Machines\") * [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\") | | | Software | * [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") * [OpenVR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenVR \"OpenVR\") * [Proton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(software) \"Proton (software)\") * [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\") * [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") * [Source Filmmaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_Filmmaker \"Source Filmmaker\") * [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\") * [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\") * [SteamOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamOS \"SteamOS\") * [Valve Anti-Cheat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Anti-Cheat \"Valve Anti-Cheat\") | |\n| People | |  |  | | --- | --- | | Current | * [Sam Lantinga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Lantinga \"Sam Lantinga\") * [Mike Morasky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Morasky \"Mike Morasky\") * [Olly Moss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olly_Moss \"Olly Moss\") * [Brad Muir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Muir \"Brad Muir\") * [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") * [Jay Pinkerton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Pinkerton \"Jay Pinkerton\") * [Jake Rodkin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Rodkin \"Jake Rodkin\") * [Sean Vanaman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Vanaman \"Sean Vanaman\") * [Robin Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Walker_(game_designer) \"Robin Walker (game designer)\") * [Erik Wolpaw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Wolpaw \"Erik Wolpaw\") | | Former | * [Bay Raitt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_Raitt \"Bay Raitt\") * [Chet Faliszek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Faliszek \"Chet Faliszek\") * [Chris Remo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Remo \"Chris Remo\") * [Doug Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Church \"Doug Church\") * [Jane Ng](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Ng \"Jane Ng\") * [Jeri Ellsworth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeri_Ellsworth \"Jeri Ellsworth\") * [Jess Cliffe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jess_Cliffe \"Jess Cliffe\") * [Kelly Bailey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Bailey_(composer) \"Kelly Bailey (composer)\") * [Kim Swift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Swift \"Kim Swift\") * [Marc Laidlaw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Laidlaw \"Marc Laidlaw\") * [Michael Abrash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Abrash \"Michael Abrash\") * [Mike Ambinder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ambinder \"Mike Ambinder\") * [Mike Booth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Booth \"Mike Booth\") * [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\") * [Minh Le](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minh_Le \"Minh Le\") * [Ted Kosmatka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kosmatka \"Ted Kosmatka\") * [Viktor Antonov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Antonov_(artist) \"Viktor Antonov (artist)\") * [Yanis Varoufakis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanis_Varoufakis \"Yanis Varoufakis\") | |\n| Related | * [Campo Santo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_Santo_(company) \"Campo Santo (company)\") * [Count to Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_to_Three_(The_Chalkeaters_song) \"Count to Three (The Chalkeaters song)\") * [*Counter-Strike* in esports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_in_esports \"Counter-Strike in esports\") * [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\") * [Saxxy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxxy_Awards \"Saxxy Awards\") * [Skin gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling \"Skin gambling\") * [Steam Trading Cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Trading_Cards \"Steam Trading Cards\") * [The Steam Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Steam_Awards \"The Steam Awards\") * [Turtle Rock Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Rock_Studios \"Turtle Rock Studios\") |\n|  |\n\n[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals \"Wikipedia:Contents/Portals\"):\n\n* ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Industry5.svg/20px-Industry5.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail) [Companies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Companies \"Portal:Companies\")\n* ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Free_and_open-source_software_logo_%282009%29.svg/20px-Free_and_open-source_software_logo_%282009%29.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail) [Free and open-source software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Free_and_open-source_software \"Portal:Free and open-source software\")\n* [![icon](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Noun-technology.svg/20px-Noun-technology.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Noun-technology.svg) [Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Technology \"Portal:Technology\")\n* ![flag](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail) [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States \"Portal:United States\")\n* ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e0/WPVG_icon_2016.svg/20px-WPVG_icon_2016.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail) [Video game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Video_game \"Portal:Video game\")\n\n| [Authority control databases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Authority_control \"Help:Authority control\") [Edit this at Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193559#identifiers \"Edit this at Wikidata\") |\n| --- |\n| International | * [ISNI](https://isni.org/isni/000000040515253X) * [VIAF](https://viaf.org/viaf/147977846) * [GND](https://d-nb.info/gnd/1087505445) |\n| National | * [United States](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/nr2004037172) * [France](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb140315406) * [BnF data](https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb140315406) |\n| Artists | * [MusicBrainz](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/b22f3ebb-c248-4956-965b-ff0e55f082b5) * [Museum of Modern Art](https://www.moma.org/artists/42189) |\n| Other | * [IdRef](https://www.idref.fr/197372090) * [MusicBrainz label](https://musicbrainz.org/label/e6ad2f00-9ea0-4206-ba14-27cdaa2598a6) * [ELMCIP](https://elmcip.net/node/18048) * [Yale LUX](https://lux.collections.yale.edu/view/group/c71b0a52-e552-45b5-b9e8-41f23b66724f) |\n\nRetrieved from \"<https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&oldid=1373297435>\"\n\n[Categories](/wiki/Help:Category \"Help:Category\"):\n\n* [Valve Corporation](/wiki/Category:Valve_Corporation \"Category:Valve Corporation\")\n* [1996 establishments in Washington (state)](/wiki/Category:1996_establishments_in_Washington_(state) \"Category:1996 establishments in Washington (state)\")\n* [Companies based in Bellevue, Washington](/wiki/Category:Companies_based_in_Bellevue,_Washington \"Category:Companies based in Bellevue, Washington\")\n* [Computer companies of the United States](/wiki/Category:Computer_companies_of_the_United_States \"Category:Computer companies of the United States\")\n* [Computer hardware companies](/wiki/Category:Computer_hardware_companies \"Category:Computer hardware companies\")\n* [Computer systems companies](/wiki/Category:Computer_systems_companies \"Category:Computer systems companies\")\n* [Linux game porters](/wiki/Category:Linux_game_porters \"Category:Linux game porters\")\n* [Video game companies based in Washington (state)](/wiki/Category:Video_game_companies_based_in_Washington_(state) \"Category:Video game companies based in Washington (state)\")\n* [Video game companies established in 1996](/wiki/Category:Video_game_companies_established_in_1996 \"Category:Video game companies established in 1996\")\n* [Video game development companies](/wiki/Category:Video_game_development_companies \"Category:Video game development companies\")\n* [Video game publishers](/wiki/Category:Video_game_publishers \"Category:Video game publishers\")\n\nHidden categories:\n\n* [Articles with short description](/wiki/Category:Articles_with_short_description \"Category:Articles with short description\")\n* [Short description is different from Wikidata](/wiki/Category:Short_description_is_different_from_Wikidata \"Category:Short description is different from Wikidata\")\n* [Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism](/wiki/Category:Wikipedia_pages_semi-protected_against_vandalism \"Category:Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism\")\n* [Use American English from May 2023](/wiki/Category:Use_American_English_from_May_2023 \"Category:Use American English from May 2023\")\n* [All Wikipedia articles written in American English](/wiki/Category:All_Wikipedia_articles_written_in_American_English \"Category:All Wikipedia articles written in American English\")\n* [Use mdy dates from May 2023](/wiki/Category:Use_mdy_dates_from_May_2023 \"Category:Use mdy dates from May 2023\")\n* [Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments](/wiki/Category:Pages_with_non-numeric_formatnum_arguments \"Category:Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments\")\n* [Infobox network service provider ASN using Wikidata](/wiki/Category:Infobox_network_service_provider_ASN_using_Wikidata \"Category:Infobox network service provider ASN using Wikidata\")\n* [CS1 German-language sources (de)](/wiki/Category:CS1_German-language_sources_(de) \"Category:CS1 German-language sources (de)\")\n* [CS1: unfit URL](/wiki/Category:CS1:_unfit_URL \"Category:CS1: unfit URL\")\n* [Webarchive template wayback links](/wiki/Category:Webarchive_template_wayback_links \"Category:Webarchive template wayback links\")\n* [All articles with unsourced statements](/wiki/Category:All_articles_with_unsourced_statements \"Category:All articles with unsourced statements\")\n* [Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022](/wiki/Category:Articles_with_unsourced_statements_from_August_2022 \"Category:Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022\")\n* [Commons category link from Wikidata](/wiki/Category:Commons_category_link_from_Wikidata \"Category:Commons category link from Wikidata\")\n\nValve Corporation\n\n[Add topic](#)\n\n ",
      "content_chars": 182913,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "url": "https://www.reveliolabs.com/companies/valve/employees",
      "title": "Valve Number of Employees 2026",
      "content": "Valve Corp. has approximately 366 total employees worldwide as of March 2026, Valve's total headcount has grown 4.7% from 350 employees in 2023 to 366 in 2026.",
      "content_chars": 159,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/valve-corporation",
      "title": "Valve corporation | LinkedIn",
      "content": "# Valve corporation\nWe make games, Steam, and hardware. Join us.\nComputer Games \u2022 Bellevue, WA \u2022 296,716 followers \u2022 201-500 employees\n\n## Overview\nValve is an entertainment software and technology company founded in 1996 and based in Bellevue, Washington. The company\u2019s debut title, Half-Life, has won over 50 Game of the Year Awards and was named \"Best PC Game Ever\" in the November 1999, October 2001, and April 2005 issues of PC Gamer, the world's best-selling PC games magazine. Valve\u2019s portfolio also includes titles in the award-winning Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, Portal and Dota franchises. This portfolio of titles accounts for over 100 million units sold worldwide, and include some of the most played online games in the world. In addition to producing best-selling entertainment titles, Valve is a developer of leading-edge technologies including the Source\u00ae game engine and Steam\u00ae, a leading platform for digital content offering thousands of games to millions of users around the world. In 2015, Valve introduced the Steam Hardware devices, a collection of hardware devices designed to extend Steam beyond the desktop. In 2016, launched SteamVR, a platform for the creation and distribution of leading edge VR products. Today, Valve is composed of over 300 of the industry's best artists, programmers, and writers. In the company's history, it has risen from \"unlikely new entry\" to industry leader, producing a string of best-selling and critically-acclaimed PC products and technologies.\n\n### Website\n[https://www.valvesoftware.com/](https://www.valvesoftware.com/)\n### Crunchbase\n[N/A](N/A)\n### LinkedIn\n[N/A](N/A)\n\n### Industry\nComputer Games\n\n### Company Size\n201-500 employees  \n1819 associated members (LinkedIn members who've listed Valve corporation as their current workplace on their profile)\n\n### Founded\n1996\n\n### Funding\n**Last Round Date:** N/A\n**Last Round Type:** N/A\n**Total Rounds:** N/A\n**Last Round Raised:** N/A\n\n### Investors\nN/A\n\n### Specialties\nsoftware, hardware, platforms, product design, engineering, virtual reality, vr, gaming, film making, audio design, hardware engineering, software engineering, and ux design\n\n## Locations\nBellevue, WA 98004, US\n\n### Get Directions\n[Directions](https://www.bing.com/maps?where=Bellevue+98004+WA+US&trk=org-locations_url)\n\n## Employees\n**Yosef Durr** (N/A): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosef-durr-830110?trk=org-employees](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosef-durr-830110?trk=org-employees); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A)\n\n## Similar Companies\n**Riot Games** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/riot-games?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/riot-games?trk=similar-pages) (Los Angeles, CA); **Ubisoft** (Computer Games): [https://fr.linkedin.com/company/ubisoft?trk=similar-pages](https://fr.linkedin.com/company/ubisoft?trk=similar-pages) (Saint-Mand\u00e9, \u00cele-de-France); **Epic Games** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-games?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-games?trk=similar-pages) (Cary, NC); **Rockstar Games** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockstar-games?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockstar-games?trk=similar-pages) (New York, New York); **Nintendo** (Computer Games): [https://jp.linkedin.com/company/nintendo?trk=similar-pages](https://jp.linkedin.com/company/nintendo?trk=similar-pages) (Redmond, Washington); **CD PROJEKT RED** (Computer Games): [https://pl.linkedin.com/company/cd-projekt-red?trk=similar-pages](https://pl.linkedin.com/company/cd-projekt-red?trk=similar-pages) (N/A); **Electronic Arts (EA)** (Entertainment Providers): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-arts?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-arts?trk=similar-pages) (Redwood City, CA); **Blizzard Entertainment** (Entertainment Providers): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/blizzard-entertainment?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/blizzard-entertainment?trk=similar-pages) (Irvine, CA); **Naughty Dog** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/naughty-dog?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/naughty-dog?trk=similar-pages) (Santa Monica, CA); **Activision** (Entertainment Providers): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/activision?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/activision?trk=similar-pages) (Santa Monica, California)\n\n## Posts\n\n\n## Media\n- **Images:** https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/C561BAQEP7Xp9N4o_WQ/company-background_10000/company-background_10000/0/1584088181773/valve_corporation_cover?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=Dqpcnm0ZHOh61Rjr7bZGI5E_gN86FjZ53idUObi1Uw0\n- **Logo:** ![Company Logo](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/C560BAQFFslEKKfysQg/company-logo_200_200/company-logo_200_200/0/1630629926947/valve_corporation_logo?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=w2aVBXqwtS37KtNSEtjXsdOu64zuSwMIkiZUqT9GtJk)\n\n## Additional  \nAdditional jobs info: Engineer (555,845 open jobs). Developer (258,935 open jobs). Designer (65,273 open jobs). Analyst (694,057 open jobs). Intern (71,196 open jobs). Software Engineer (300,699 open jobs). User Experience Designer (13,659 open jobs). Unity Developer (1,540 open jobs). Manager (1,880,925 open jobs). 3D Artist (902 open jobs). Producer (102,690 open jobs). Director (1,220,357 open jobs). Human Resources Specialist (34,340 open jobs). Graphic Designer (16,599 open jobs). Associate (1,091,945 open jobs). Animator (4,949 open jobs). Scientist (48,969 open jobs). Marketing Manager (106,879 open jobs). Project Manager (253,048 open jobs). Writer (26,384 open jobs)",
      "content_chars": 5745,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "url": "https://www.trueup.io/co/valve",
      "title": "Valve Corporation - Company Profile",
      "content": "It is currently valued at $3.0 billion as a private company. 500 people work at Valve Corporation. The company was founded in 1996. Company grid. Employee",
      "content_chars": 154,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/popular/valve-corporation-employee-count-2026",
      "title": "Valve Corporation Employee Count 2026",
      "content": "[Log In](/accounts/login/?next=%2Fpopular%2Fvalve-corporation-employee-count-2026&source=desktop_nav)\n\n[Sign Up](/accounts/emailsignup/)\n\n# Valve Corporation Employee Count 2026\n\nWatch reels about valve corporation employee count 2026 from people around the world.\n\n## [corporate employee](/popular/corporate-employee/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n## [valve employee count 2026](/popular/valve-employee-count-2026/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n## [valve corporation employee count 2025 or 2026](/popular/valve-corporation-employee-count-2025-or-2026/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n## [valve employee count](/popular/valve-employee-count/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n[![Valve's Steam revenue faces a court challenge over alleged illegal practices. Big tech under scrutiny. #Steam #Valve #TechNews #Lawsuit #GamingIndustry #BigTech](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/624912158_1389725496229864_7366862331189901101_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=qE8JAgMk-sYQ7kNvwGeWVrT&_nc_oc=AdrrmxmCF_3n_CDn_deItr5L3N4WpwP9j-2LPJpACA9GSBCmB0UvW8lmwA-m4SVKiTs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQKvusm7PC9RzitYhzz9oVwuenAWAaSXFRELt8hbcrefvA&oe=6AA644BD)\n\n1,464\n\nValve's Steam revenue faces a court challenge over alleged illegal practices. Big tech under scrutiny. #Steam #Valve #TechNews #Lawsuit #GamingIndustry #BigTech](/reel/DUH7YD9FVLe/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve have been quiet about when exactly their Steam Machine is meant to be releasing...\n \nIn their latest earnings call the AMD CEO assured investors that the company is on track to begin shipping \u2018early this year\u2019 although did not specify when](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/628448370_17898555363379359_947078692774445188_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=98HNiKbWAHEQ7kNvwHtQPYW&_nc_oc=AdoILP2II8aQpVn79Cn0xGCBZ91p7U76OMM3wc3qz_OaUf9u0F4QZ19Hvr-Lmhs3UH0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQLqUTfWTdp_32EmDQs_SOvCYuaGNPH7WwVMW1GEtKJjqg&oe=6AA62EBC)\n\n2,807\n\nValve have been quiet about when exactly their Steam Machine is meant to be releasing... In their latest earnings call the AMD CEO assured investors that the company is on track to begin shipping \u2018early this year\u2019 although did not specify when](/reel/DUYNk8tjANo/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![valve continues to outstrip the competition in just about any contest you can throw at them, or at least that's what aliena analytics have said - according to a new report from them, valve generates almost $50m per each of their employees (currently estimated at around 350) - to compare, apple generates about $2.4 million per employee and has around 164,000 employees](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/589200913_17889775767379359_7337751499226286716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=CiqV3N9zv10Q7kNvwGMb1CL&_nc_oc=AdrhxYYMHonQKbloBk6pKL7AhKPeENl249CAG5o4TCaun_C4ayr9B1LLESFM2FkAQGc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQLJ2gavnLRIp-9Ce1qOiWzXLRgHxIFn3WBJlkqI-zThCQ&oe=6AA622F6)\n\n494K\n\nvalve continues to outstrip the competition in just about any contest you can throw at them, or at least that's what aliena analytics have said - according to a new report from them, valve generates almost $50m per each of their employees (currently estimated at around 350) - to compare, apple generates about $2.4 million per employee and has around 164,000 employees](/reel/DRfAmsTDKKx/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![\ud83c\udfae\ud83d\udd70\ufe0f Valve breaks the silence\u2026 but keeps the price a secret\n\nAfter months of speculation, Valve has finally shared an update on its long-awaited living-room hardware. The verdict? A classic good news / bad news situation.\n\n\ud83d\udcb8 The bad news first\nValve has delayed the announcement of pricing and exact release dates for its upcoming devices, including the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller. For a community eager to compare prices with the PS5 or Xbox Series X \u2014 and plan purchases \u2014 the wait is frustrating.\n\n\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f The good news\nDespite the silence on price tags, Valve insists the hardware itself is still on track to launch within the originally promised window. No production delay, no last-minute engineering disaster \u2014 just unfinished logistics and unanswered marketing questions.\n\n#Valve #SteamMachine  #GamingNews](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/628232415_1053299960329693_7033860024471913761_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=UCDb_G4Oa9MQ7kNvwETDMiK&_nc_oc=AdpZlqP3GUbJVlWh7gWQ0mypizHRMi2eT2xPiTD1pEC4LxW6hdq7LZS87R4t3tw041Q&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQKrdSoe4oYLsrtmZZ3xRJWESPMvTHIv-kD7GrG-rM8oaw&oe=6AA62731)\n\n1,383\n\n\ud83c\udfae\ud83d\udd70\ufe0f Valve breaks the silence\u2026 but keeps the price a secret After months of speculation, Valve has finally shared an update on its long-awaited living-room hardware. The verdict? A classic good news / bad news situation. \ud83d\udcb8 The bad news first Valve has delayed the announcement of pricing and exact release dates for its upcoming devices, including the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller. For a community eager to compare prices with the PS5 or Xbox Series X \u2014 and plan purchases \u2014 the wait is frustrating. \ud83d\udee0\ufe0f The good news Despite the silence on price tags, Valve insists the hardware itself is still on track to launch within the originally promised window. No production delay, no last-minute engineering disaster \u2014 just unfinished logistics and unanswered marketing questions. #Valve #SteamMachine #GamingNews](/reel/DUYyVciDkRO/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve faces UK class action: allegedly rigged Steam prices, impacting 14M gamers. Could this affect you? #Steam #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #UK #PCGaming #Gamer](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/624910094_2775859712764099_8565374394122534253_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=zCXxc5qXI0kQ7kNvwGrgKuZ&_nc_oc=Adqb3UcakJ9jp0JSEit-dIoTM4vXVnyRWD_oSQeKvDgmH4faSCg8VpjeE7qlULonySw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQItth66QgyRzBH_YMUd8hNkx6jb38I8j21DEeJEtZAORQ&oe=6AA6302E)\n\n533\n\nValve faces UK class action: allegedly rigged Steam prices, impacting 14M gamers. Could this affect you? #Steam #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #UK #PCGaming #Gamer](/reel/DUJODqdCeBu/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Steam is being SUED for $900,000,000\n\nFolly Town reacts to Atozy\u2019s coverage of the $900 million antitrust lawsuit against Valve and the Steam marketplace.\n\nIs the Steam monopoly finally being challenged? Today, Folly Town is reacting to Atozy\u2019s latest breakdown of the massive $900,000,000 lawsuit hitting Valve.\n\n @atozy  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_dz2rEIGI\n\nA UK tribunal just gave the green light for a collective action claim involving over 14 million gamers. The allegations? That Valve is ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/637708132_18093321221069899_4566158628405287957_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=FPJdfzsdcUQQ7kNvwE6wuDn&_nc_oc=AdpPfkdp2nM6kyF33GFAhHekmlAq5eLGHP_PT8irrZOkRFi7WWA9j1Bzxok07RwT4hE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQJOQ3nn6z4i9FBLoUMAhSig9R4NZaaQH43Y8ZF-RDfnLA&oe=6AA6267A)\n\n54\n\nSteam is being SUED for $900,000,000 Folly Town reacts to Atozy\u2019s coverage of the $900 million antitrust lawsuit against Valve and the Steam marketplace. Is the Steam monopoly finally being challenged? Today, Folly Town is reacting to Atozy\u2019s latest breakdown of the massive $900,000,000 lawsuit hitting Valve. @atozy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ\\_dz2rEIGI A UK tribunal just gave the green light for a collective action claim involving over 14 million gamers. The allegations? That Valve is \"rigging the market\" by forcing price parity, taking an \"excessive\" 30% cut, and locking players into their ecosystem through DLC restrictions. We\u2019re diving into the details Atozy covered: Is Gabe Newell\u2019s empire actually acting as an illegal monopoly, or is this just another case of lawyers trying to cash in on Steam\u2019s success? We also discuss Tim Sweeney (Epic Games) chiming in and what this could mean for the future of game prices. In this reaction, we break down: The $900M Legal Battle: Why the UK tribunal let this move forward. Atozy\u2019s Coverage: The facts, the \"junk fees,\" and the potential payouts for gamers. The 30% Cut: Is Steam\u2019s revenue split outdated in 2026? Folly Town\u2019s Take: Would a Valve loss actually help gamers, or just hurt the best platform we have? LINKS: Join the Patreon! https://patreon.com/FablesFolly Join this channel to get early access to all videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DsRAZFb8sdUamrz\\_J-qWQ/join Tip me: https://wallet.rumble.com/tip/c/c-7763922](/reel/DU9htmtmXg6/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve Fixing Steam Survey](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/641241064_863737206715205_651123084092949209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=YipRwU3ZqfoQ7kNvwHycLc6&_nc_oc=Adpb7_xGaTSLy0E4sNsBQtA1s1Md30SSyaLQa42d3XPrKM6j7vWPBIFKAwaEjz9FTHM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIMvJHMFwtOYL08HHn34xS7shzib6phr7fmyuO_5MS4Cg&oe=6AA647BE)\n\n13K\n\nValve Fixing Steam Survey](/reel/DVQdt-FD0VK/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![P3333NC4\n\nEn 2021, el desarrollador Wolfire Games aleg\u00f3 que Steam recurre a pr\u00e1cticas monop\u00f3licas e interpuso una demanda en la que acusa a la plataforma por competencia desleal. Este caso contin\u00faa, y recientemente dio de qu\u00e9 hablar porque los abogados de los demandantes aparentemente presentaron publicaciones escritas por jugadores como pruebas en contra de Valve.\n\nSteam es la tienda de PC m\u00e1s grande del mundo y como tal tiene el control de una gran cuota del mercado. \u00bfEso significa que existe monopolio? No necesariamente, pues la plataforma de Gabe Newell tiene competencia: desde la Epic Games Store hasta GOG.\n\nPero claro, el dominio casi absoluto de la tienda de Valve no es del agrado de algunos estudios y desarrolladores, quienes creen que dependen de la plataforma. Un editor molesto present\u00f3 una demanda, pero un desliz del cuerpo de abogados podr\u00eda derrumbar este caso antimonopolio.\n\nM\u00e1s info en historias o tarreo.com](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/600447107_4362327030670414_6935229916234764353_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=hfClWIykIVsQ7kNvwGZmjus&_nc_oc=AdqndZejmq6lE3Imz1R-1ZtVGyRRf4_YpkiBj_soNMFu0UiPQDeJd1XRxqA9N0GPTGs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIOybm8P8jnojaiC6b7a275eEPpNnuw6jfjLc_rc6VVig&oe=6AA615E9)\n\n497K\n\nP3333NC4 En 2021, el desarrollador Wolfire Games aleg\u00f3 que Steam recurre a pr\u00e1cticas monop\u00f3licas e interpuso una demanda en la que acusa a la plataforma por competencia desleal. Este caso contin\u00faa, y recientemente dio de qu\u00e9 hablar porque los abogados de los demandantes aparentemente presentaron publicaciones escritas por jugadores como pruebas en contra de Valve. Steam es la tienda de PC m\u00e1s grande del mundo y como tal tiene el control de una gran cuota del mercado. \u00bfEso significa que existe monopolio? No necesariamente, pues la plataforma de Gabe Newell tiene competencia: desde la Epic Games Store hasta GOG. Pero claro, el dominio casi absoluto de la tienda de Valve no es del agrado de algunos estudios y desarrolladores, quienes creen que dependen de la plataforma. Un editor molesto present\u00f3 una demanda, pero un desliz del cuerpo de abogados podr\u00eda derrumbar este caso antimonopolio. M\u00e1s info en historias o tarreo.com](/reel/DSaLbOyEVoV/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve faces a $900M lawsuit over 'price parity'. Are devs forced to sell games at the same price everywhere? The details explained. #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #GameDev #PriceParity #Steam #VideoGames #Reels](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/625149424_2154208182013024_5701224790656291962_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=llB_o3vfzc4Q7kNvwEP8K92&_nc_oc=AdqFQ0jPUbgIGPHUM09u19-JiGa9sV8qnKkI98RD6n4toM-j1eJslL6TycXstEFVEPw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIwAwcwFjaecDaV1ljsE0Y52687Nx06M3MnfXml25LM7Q&oe=6AA6188B)\n\n860\n\nValve faces a $900M lawsuit over 'price parity'. Are devs forced to sell games at the same price everywhere? The details explained. #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #GameDev #PriceParity #Steam #VideoGames #Reels](/reel/DULydJYjCsZ/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Steam Sued for $900M in the UK\n\nSteam is in trouble over a $900M UK lawsuit.\nThe claim? Steam\u2019s PC gaming monopoly.\n\nOn Steam, all DLC and in-game purchases must go through them.\n\nBut Epic Games and other stores let devs sell DLC anywhere, even on their own sites.\n\nSo is Steam abusing power\u2026 or just winning the market?\nDrop your take \ud83c\udfae\n\n#steam #steamgames #steamslawsuit #steammonopoly #steamstore](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/625049778_17910524814325493_4381616174687141979_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=sRCTYMue6LAQ7kNvwGODHQY&_nc_oc=AdrF5sQQhyirCa1OMyQV_bbg6mhx3n4siQ2BiK1vD4NLfrQiMJkSA2GKb3ySYat3EiU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQI2AyfVIIZ01dNB1fhX3SNcOfAofiD6JFAHSXOXp-SZwA&oe=6AA62CB5)\n\n62.1K\n\nSteam Sued for $900M in the UK Steam is in trouble over a $900M UK lawsuit. The claim? Steam\u2019s PC gaming monopoly. On Steam, all DLC and in-game purchases must go through them. But Epic Games and other stores let devs sell DLC anywhere, even on their own sites. So is Steam abusing power\u2026 or just winning the market? Drop your take \ud83c\udfae #steam #steamgames #steamslawsuit #steammonopoly #steamstore](/reel/DUGMtG1E0hG/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![How Valve Almost Went Bankrupt](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/643544272_18565865968044220_7229472350641377925_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=szAqyhDmuUUQ7kNvwEUPuSn&_nc_oc=AdoJR8a-ZXg5ufU1OYbDV6IPK_y2HWeJUuDyC-rb_V8usiguuRwx8bEXLYLXfc1PboI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQKqGr_sU6OTobO1VJj-Nsqh6IYzJBObD6XVKpK11B90Lw&oe=6AA632AD)\n\n630K\n\nHow Valve Almost Went Bankrupt](/reel/DVeqDOvkVHX/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Is Valve a digital landlord? Are their commissions worth it? Are they even innovating anymore? \ud83e\udd14 #GamingIndustry #Valve #Steam #DigitalLandlord #GameDev #PCGaming #IndieDev](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/626820949_1996663254527144_459246912673990512_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=6vFPlyfb_qsQ7kNvwGtSMvk&_nc_oc=Adr9-wfDGIrqmGPZ3Gl6Y6LYIX1fPohVYPOIwSBAlSXo2-wkdX7cu5I1ep-SkVCWzJ8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQI8MIWm6965sxiK4yvR9IKKVLVOfZqsA6tvkbB1hbwEhQ&oe=6AA62958)\n\n790\n\nIs Valve a digital landlord? Are their commissions worth it? Are they even innovating anymore? \ud83e\udd14 #GamingIndustry #Valve #Steam #DigitalLandlord #GameDev #PCGaming #IndieDev](/reel/DUWGkX7jNCc/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\nGet the full experience\n\n[Sign up for Instagram](/accounts/emailsignup/?next=%2Fpopular%2Fvalve-corporation-employee-count-2026)",
      "content_chars": 16477,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 6,
      "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/1e4ufu9/valve_employee_numbers_and_salaries_got_released",
      "title": "Valve employee numbers and salaries got released",
      "content": "According to according to leaked data, as of 2021, Valve employed just 336 staffers, meaning it's remarkably small compared to other gaming",
      "content_chars": 139,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 7,
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)",
      "title": "National Prize for Exact Sciences (Chile) - Wikipedia",
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[alt-o]\")\n\n## Contents\n\nmove to sidebar hide\n\n*   [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#)\n*   [1 Jury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#Jury)\n\n*   [2 Winners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#Winners)\n\n*   [3 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#See_also)\n\n*   [4 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#References)\n\n- [x] Toggle the table of contents \n\n# National Prize for Exact Sciences (Chile)\n\n- [x] 1 language \n\n*   [Espa\u00f1ol](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premio_Nacional_de_Ciencias_Exactas_de_Chile \"Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas de Chile \u2013 Spanish\")\n\n[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q9062313#sitelinks-wikipedia \"Edit interlanguage links\")\n\n*   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version](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&printable=yes \"Printable version of this page [alt-p]\")\n\n In other projects \n\n*   [Wikidata item](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q9062313 \"Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [alt-g]\")\n\nAppearance\n\nmove to sidebar hide\n\nText\n\n*   Small  Standard  Large   \n\nThis page always uses small font size\n\nWidth\n\n*   Standard  Wide   \n\nThe content is as wide as possible for your browser window.\n\nColor \n\n*   Automatic  Light  Dark   \n\nThis page is always in light mode.\n\nFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\nAward\n\n| National Prize for Exact Sciences |\n| --- |\n| For the scientist whose work in the respective field of knowledge makes him worthy of said distinction |\n| Sponsored by | [Ministry of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Education_(Chile) \"Ministry of Education (Chile)\") |\n| Country | [Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile \"Chile\") |\n| First award | 1992 |\n\nThe **National Prize for Exact Sciences** ([Spanish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language \"Spanish language\"): _**Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas**_) was created in 1992 as one of the replacements for the [National Prize for Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Sciences_(Chile) \"National Prize for Sciences (Chile)\") under Law 19169.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-1) The other two prizes in this same area are for [Natural Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Natural_Sciences_(Chile) \"National Prize for Natural Sciences (Chile)\") and [Applied Sciences and Technologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Applied_Sciences_and_Technologies_(Chile) \"National Prize for Applied Sciences and Technologies (Chile)\").\n\nIt is part of the [National Prize of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_of_Chile \"National Prize of Chile\").\n\n## Jury\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=1 \"Edit section: Jury\")]\n\nThe [jury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juried_(competition) \"Juried (competition)\") is made up of the Minister of Education, who calls it, the Rector of the [University of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chile \"University of Chile\"), the President of the [Chilean Academy of Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_Academy_of_Sciences?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Chilean Academy of Sciences (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academia%20Chilena%20de%20Ciencias \"es:Academia Chilena de Ciencias\")], a representative of the Council of Rectors, and the last recipient of the prize.\n\n## Winners\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=2 \"Edit section: Winners\")]\n\n*   1981, [Igor Saavedra Gatica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Saavedra_Gatica?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Igor Saavedra Gatica (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor%20Saavedra%20Gatica \"es:Igor Saavedra Gatica\")] (physics)\n*   1991, [Enrique Tirapegui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique_Tirapegui?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Enrique Tirapegui (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique%20Tirapegui \"es:Enrique Tirapegui\")] (physics)\n*   1993, [Servet Mart\u00ednez](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servet_Mart%C3%ADnez?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Servet Mart\u00ednez (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servet%20Mart%C3%ADnez \"es:Servet Mart\u00ednez\")] and [Eric Goles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Goles \"Eric Goles\") (mathematics)\n*   1995, [Claudio Bunster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudio_Bunster \"Claudio Bunster\") (physics)[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-2)\n*   1997, [Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_Teresa_Ruiz \"Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz\") (astronomy)[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-3)\n*   1999, [Jos\u00e9 Maza Sancho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Maza_Sancho \"Jos\u00e9 Maza Sancho\") (astronomy)\n*   2001, [Fernando Lund Plantat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Lund_Plantat?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Fernando Lund Plantat (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando%20Lund%20Plantat \"es:Fernando Lund Plantat\")] (physics)\n*   2003, [Carlos Conca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Conca \"Carlos Conca\") (mathematics)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-4)\n*   2005, [Rafael Benguria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Benguria?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Rafael Benguria (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael%20Benguria \"es:Rafael Benguria\")] (physics)\n*   2007, [Miguel Kiwi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Kiwi?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Miguel Kiwi (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel%20Kiwi \"es:Miguel Kiwi\")] (physics)\n*   2009, [Ricardo Baeza Rodr\u00edguez](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Baeza_Rodr%C3%ADguez \"Ricardo Baeza Rodr\u00edguez\") (mathematics)[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-5)\n*   2011, [Patricio Felmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricio_Felmer?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Patricio Felmer (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricio%20Felmer \"es:Patricio Felmer\")] (mathematics)\n*   2013, [Manuel del Pino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_del_Pino?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Manuel del Pino (page does not exist)\") (mathematics)\n*   2015, [Mario Hamuy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Hamuy \"Mario Hamuy\") (astronomy)[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-6)\n*   2017, [Guido Garay Brignardello](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guido_Garay_Brignardello?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Guido Garay Brignardello (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guido%20Garay%20Brignardello \"es:Guido Garay Brignardello\")] (astronomy)[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-7)\n*   2019, [Dora Altbir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dora_Altbir \"Dora Altbir\") (nanoscience and nanotechnology)[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-8)\n*   2021, [M\u00f3nica Rubio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B3nica_Rubio?action=edit&redlink=1 \"M\u00f3nica Rubio (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B3nica%20Rubio%20(astr%C3%B3noma) \"es:M\u00f3nica Rubio (astr\u00f3noma)\")] (astronomy)\n*   2023, [Jaime San Mart\u00edn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_San_Mart%C3%ADn?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Jaime San Mart\u00edn (page does not exist)\") (mathematics)[[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-9)\n\n## See also\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=3 \"Edit section: See also\")]\n\n*   [CONICYT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONICYT \"CONICYT\")\n*   [List of astronomy awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_astronomy_awards \"List of astronomy awards\")\n*   [List of computer science awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_computer_science_awards \"List of computer science awards\")\n*   [List of mathematics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mathematics_awards \"List of mathematics awards\")\n*   [List of physics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_physics_awards \"List of physics awards\")\n\n## References\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=4 \"Edit section: References\")]\n\n1.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-1 \"Jump up\")[\"Ley 19169: Establece normas sobre otorgamiento de Premios Nacionales\"](http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=30536&idVersion=1992-09-26)[Law 19169: Establishes Rules on Granting National Prizes] (in Spanish). [Ministry of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Education_(Chile) \"Ministry of Education (Chile)\"). 26 September 1992. Retrieved 8 December 2017\u2013 via Library of the National Congress of Chile.\n2.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-2 \"Jump up\")[\"Claudio Bunster Weitzmann\"](http://www.uchile.cl/portal/presentacion/historia/grandes-figuras/premios-nacionales/ciencias-/6568/claudio-bunster-weitzmann) (in Spanish). [University of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chile \"University of Chile\"). Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n3.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-3 \"Jump up\")L\u00f3pez, Nancy (26 March 2017). [\"Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz, Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, recibe el galard\u00f3n de Women in Science 2017\"](https://www.laizquierdadiario.cl/Maria-Teresa-Ruiz-Premio-Nacional-de-Ciencias-Exactas-recibe-el-galardon-de-Women-in-Science-2017)[Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz, National Prize for Exact Sciences Winner, Receives the 2017 Women in Science Award]. _La Izquierda Diario_ (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n4.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-4 \"Jump up\")[\"Carlos Conca Rosende\"](http://www.uchile.cl/portal/presentacion/historia/grandes-figuras/premios-nacionales/ciencias-/6500/carlos-conca-rosende) (in Spanish). [University of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chile \"University of Chile\"). Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n5.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-5 \"Jump up\")[\"Miembro de Excelencia: Ricardo Baeza ser\u00e1 distinguido por la American Mathematical Society\"](http://www.utalca.cl/link.cgi/SalaPrensa/academia/5382)[Member of Excellence: Ricardo Baeza To Be Recognized by the American Mathematical Society] (in Spanish). [University of Talca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Talca \"University of Talca\"). 16 November 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n6.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-6 \"Jump up\")[\"Mario Hamuy, astr\u00f3nomo de la U. de Chile gan\u00f3 Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2015\"](http://www.elmostrador.cl/noticias/pais/2015/08/29/mario-hamuy-astronomo-de-la-u-de-chile-gano-premio-nacional-de-ciencias-exactas-2015/)[Mario Hamuy, Astronomer of the U. of Chile Wins 2015 National Prize for Exact Sciences]. _[El Mostrador](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El\\_Mostrador \"El Mostrador\")_ (in Spanish). 29 August 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n7.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-7 \"Jump up\")[\"Guido Garay recibe el Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2017\"](http://www.emol.com/noticias/Tecnologia/2017/08/24/872500/Guido-Garay-recibe-el-Premio-Nacional-de-Ciencias-Naturales-2017.html)[Guido Garay Receives the 2017 National Prize for Exact Sciences]. _[El Mercurio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El\\_Mercurio \"El Mercurio\")_ (in Spanish). Santiago. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n8.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-8 \"Jump up\")[\"Dora Altbir Drullinsky Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2019\"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190922203821/https://www.mineduc.cl/2019/08/27/dora-altbir-premio-nacional-de-ciencias-exactas-2019/). _Ministerio de educaci\u00f3n_. 2019-08-27. Archived from [the original](https://www.mineduc.cl/2019/08/27/dora-altbir-premio-nacional-de-ciencias-exactas-2019/) on 2019-09-22. Retrieved 2019-10-09.\n9.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-9 \"Jump up\")[\"Premios Nacionales - Facultad de Ciencias F\u00edsicas y Matem\u00e1ticas - Universidad de Chile\"](https://ingenieria.uchile.cl/sobre-la-fcfm/distinciones-academicas/premios-nacionales).\n\nRetrieved from \"[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&oldid=1329323985](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&oldid=1329323985)\"\n\n[Categories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Category \"Help:Category\"): \n*   [1992 establishments in Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1992_establishments_in_Chile \"Category:1992 establishments in Chile\")\n*   [Awards established in 1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Awards_established_in_1992 \"Category:Awards established in 1992\")\n*   [Chilean science and technology awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Chilean_science_and_technology_awards \"Category:Chilean science and technology awards\")\n*   [Mathematics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mathematics_awards \"Category:Mathematics awards\")\n*   [Physics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Physics_awards \"Category:Physics awards\")\n*   [Astronomy prizes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Astronomy_prizes \"Category:Astronomy prizes\")\n*   [Computer science awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Computer_science_awards \"Category:Computer science awards\")\n*   [Information science awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Information_science_awards \"Category:Information science awards\")\n*   [1992 in Chilean law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1992_in_Chilean_law \"Category:1992 in Chilean law\")\n\nHidden categories: \n*   [Articles with short description](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_with_short_description \"Category:Articles with short description\")\n*   [Short description is different from Wikidata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Short_description_is_different_from_Wikidata \"Category:Short description is different from Wikidata\")\n*   [Articles containing Spanish-language text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_containing_Spanish-language_text \"Category:Articles containing Spanish-language text\")\n*   [CS1 Spanish-language sources (es)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_Spanish-language_sources_(es) \"Category:CS1 Spanish-language sources (es)\")\n\n*    This page was last edited on 25 December 2025, at 09:05(UTC).\n*   Page was rendered with [Parsoid](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Parsoid \"mw:Special:MyLanguage/Parsoid\").\n*   Text is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License \"Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License\"); additional terms may apply. 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      "content_chars": 23971,
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    {
      "rank": 8,
      "url": "https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/07/valve-runs-its-massive-pc-gaming-ecosystem-with-only-about-350-employees",
      "title": "Valve runs its massive PC gaming ecosystem with only about 350 employees - Ars Technica",
      "content": "# Valve runs its massive PC gaming ecosystem with only about 350 employees\n\nArs\u2019 leak analysis shows a large \u201cGames\u201d department and a very well-paid \u201cAdmin\u201d team.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1346370023.jpg)\n\nAs a private and generally secretive company, Valve doesn\u2019t offer much outside visibility into its inner workings. So when years\u2019 worth of data on the company\u2019s employee and aggregate payroll numbers leaked recently, we were eager to take a deep dive to see what those numbers could tell us about the operation and evolution of a company that [has a hand in the majority of PC gaming transactions](https://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/stats/steam-statistics.html).\n\nThe recent data comes from a poorly redacted document in [Wolfire\u2019s antitrust lawsuit against Steam](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/judge-brings-dismissed-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-back-from-the-dead/), as [first noticed over the weekend by SteamDB\u2019s Pavel Djundik](https://twitter.com/thexpaw/status/1811727326138310962). While the key data in the document has now been properly hidden in the court docket, [The Verge captured the raw numbers](https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/13/24197477/valve-employs-few-hundred-people-payroll-redacted) from a table labeled \u201cEmployee Headcount and Gross Pay Data, 2003-2021.\u201d\n\nBreaking down that data by year and department with some simple graphs and statistics, seen below, gives us outsiders a rare partial glimpse into Valve\u2019s organization. All told, it\u2019s a bit hard to believe that this lynchpin of the PC gaming world has rested on the work of just a few hundred people for many years now.\n\n## Small but mighty\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.006-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.007-640x480.png)\n\nIt\u2019s striking to consider just how small Valve is compared to other major players in the game industry. In 2021, Microsoft [estimated Valve\u2019s annual revenue at $6.5 billion](https://x.com/piershr/status/1704084070169280658), roughly on the same scale as [EA\u2019s $7.5 billion in 2024 revenue](https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/electronic-arts-ea-earnings-madden-nfl-1235994653/). But Steam achieved those numbers with around 350 employees, compared to [well over 13,000 people employed by EA](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ea-cutting-5-of-workforce).\n\nThe disparity highlights just how much money Valve brings in with a relatively small workforce. And a lot of that is thanks to the chunk of revenue Valve takes from every sale on Steam. The dominant PC gaming marketplace has seen [a massive increase in the number of annual game releases](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/04/ars-analysis-80-of-steam-games-earn-under-5k-in-first-two-weeks/) since 2012 or so, thanks to initiatives like [Steam Greenlight](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/a-100-lottery-ticket-indies-discuss-steam-greenlights-new-fee/) and [Steam Direct](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/02/valve-says-goodbye-to-steam-greenlight-hello-to-direct-publishing/).\n\nYet, surprisingly, the size of the \u201cSteam\u201d department inside Valve has shrunk in recent years, from a peak of 142 employees in 2015 down to just 79 in 2021. From the outside, having just 79 employees keeping track of [more than 11,000 Steam releases in 2021](https://steamdb.info/stats/releases) is a pretty incredible ratio.\n\nSome readers may also be surprised that Valve\u2019s \u201cGames\u201d department has represented a majority of the company\u2019s headcount since 2003. That has remained true (though to a lesser extent) even in more recent years, as Valve\u2019s output of new games [has become much more occasional](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Valve_games). It seems likely a large number of those Games department employees are devoted to ultra-popular Valve games like *Dota 2* and *Counter-Strike 2*, which enjoy tens of millions of players and need significant support work.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_2226-scaled.jpg)\n\nThe leaked data also shows the slow rise of Valve\u2019s small Hardware department, which started with just three employees in 2011 as the company [began work](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/03/rumor-valve-potentially-working-on-a-steam-box-console-with-partners/) on its [doomed Steam Machines initiative](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/06/its-time-to-declare-valves-steam-machines-doa/). Transitioning into [the Valve Index era](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/05/one-week-with-the-valve-index-a-vr-game-changer-with-a-few-question-marks/) in the late 2010s, the hardware department still represented just a few dozen people and a paltry 3 to 4 percent of the company\u2019s annual payroll.\n\nBy the time we hit 2021 and [the run-up to the Steam Deck](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/02/steam-deck-the-comprehensive-ars-technica-review/), the Hardware division still makes up just 12 percent of Valve\u2019s small total headcount. Looking back, it\u2019s impressive that such a small team was able to create a portable gaming device that [quickly spawned](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/04/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-steam-deck-killing-windows-running-overlords/) a [whole micro-industry](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/06/new-steam-deck-competitor-lets-you-easily-swap-in-more-ram-storage/) of [imitators](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/01/why-more-pc-gaming-handhelds-should-ditch-windows-for-steamos/). We can only hope the Hardware team got a little more employee support in the wake of the Steam Deck\u2019s market success.\n\n\u201cWe are relatively recently a hardware company,\u201d Valve\u2019s Greg Coomer [told Rock Paper Shotgun in 2021](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-interview-valves-designers-on-all-things-hardware-software-and-knowing-when-to-stop). \u201cAnd our DNA is really in software where upgrading stuff, it takes as long as writing some code and shipping it on the internet. So the people who work here, you know, we\u2019ve hired a ton of experts in the hardware field who have all been slowly teaching us, \u2018You can\u2019t really operate the same way in hardware and just upgrade things whenever you feel like it.\u2019\u201d\n\n## Some are more equal than others\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.008-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.001-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.002-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.010-640x480.png)\n\nLooking past the departmental breakdowns, we can easily pick out a few distinct eras in Valve\u2019s recent employment history. The first is one of pretty consistent growth: With just 78 employees in 2003, Valve\u2019s total headcount increased steadily until it hit 351 employees in 2012. This period coincided with Steam becoming the primary method for PC gamers to access new titles, and it included the relatively quick death of boxed retail PC game sales.\n\nAfter 2012, Valve\u2019s total employee count remained remarkably steady, hovering between 325 and 375 employees through 2021. But total spending on gross pay for all employees continued rising even as total headcount remained steady, growing from about $300 million (inflation-adjusted 2021 dollars) in 2011 to just under $450 million in 2021.\n\nThus, the mean gross pay per employee throughout Valve shot up from about $483,000 in 2011 to $1.32 million per employee in 2021. That might sound high, but it seems downright conservative for a company bringing in roughly the same revenue as a major game publisher with about 38 times as many employees.\n\nYet these overall pay averages obscure massive discrepancies in mean gross pay by department. The handful of Hardware employees had by far the smallest average pay of the four listed departments at nearly $500,000 per year in 2021. However, the 35 members of the Admin department are well on the other end of the pay distribution, averaging $4.5 million in gross pay per employee in 2021.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.005.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.003-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.004-640x480.png)\n\nIt wasn\u2019t always this way at Valve. Back in 2004, the mean Admin employee\u2019s pay was only 95 percent of the mean non-Admin employee. That could be seen as a testament to the company\u2019s much-publicized \u201cflat\u201d organizational structure, summarized in [the Valve New Employee Handbook](https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/apps/valve/Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf) as one where \u201cwe don\u2019t have any management, and nobody \u2018reports to\u2019 anybody else. We do have a founder/president, but even he isn\u2019t your manager.\u201d\n\nBut if members of the Admin department don\u2019t act as \u201cmanagers,\u201d in aggregate, they\u2019re certainly paid like they are. Since 2005, the Admin department\u2019s mean pay ratio has generally hovered anywhere from 250 to 550 percent of mean non-Admin pay, settling in at a 474 percent ratio in 2021. All told, in 2021, the Admin department represented just 10 percent of Valve\u2019s total employees but 36 percent of its total gross payroll.\n\nIt\u2019s hard to draw out too much detail from these mean numbers, of course. For all we know, lofty eight- or nine-figure salaries for just a handful of executives could be skewing the mean pay for the 35-employee Admin department. And the pay disparities shown here seem downright quaint when CEO Bobby Kotick was [making 1,560 times as much money as the median Activision employee in 2020](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1241289/activision-blizzard-executive-officer-compensation/). Still, the existence of this well-paid \u201cAdmin\u201d class at Valve at least raises questions about the company\u2019s vaunted lack of hierarchy.\n\nOverall, this small glimpse into Valve\u2019s structure only gives a somewhat skewed, partial, and somewhat outdated picture of the employee structures that help the world\u2019s largest PC gaming platform run. But even this small glimpse is likely to be the most visibility we get into this private company for the foreseeable future.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/steam-data-delve-150x150.jpg)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/steamos1-150x150.jpg)\n\nListing image:\nGetty Images\n\n![Photo of Kyle Orland](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/k.orland-13.jpg)\n![Loading](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/themes/ars-v9/public/images/firework-loader.75ab30.gif)\n![Listing image for first story in Most Read: Due to need for \"absolute success,\" China delays critical Moon launch to 2027](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/shackleton_center_cropped-500x500.jpg)\n\nArs Technica has been separating the signal from\nthe noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of\ntechnical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts\nand sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After\nall, you don\u2019t need to know everything, only what\u2019s important.",
      "content_chars": 11189,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 9,
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/valves-success-is-on-a-completely-different-level-and-the-numbers-say-it-all-wit/1397175758442653",
      "title": "Valve\u2019s success is on a... - Gamology - Gamers On Board",
      "content": "## Gamology - Gamers On Board's Post\n\n---\n\n### [**Gamology - Gamers On Board**](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard?__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R)\n\n[December 9, 2025](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R)\u00a0 \u00b7\n\nValve\u2019s success is on a completely different level and the numbers say it all. With only 363 employees, the company behind Steam manages to generate revenues that rival the biggest tech giants in the world. Steam alone brings in $16.2 billion in yearly sales, with a staggering $4 billion coming from commissions.\n\nWhat makes it even more unbelievable is the efficiency: an average salary of $1.3 million per employee and a platform that reaches nearly 40 million concurrent users at peak times.\n\nValve has created a business model that\u2019s lean, powerful, and insanely profitable proving that you don\u2019t need tens of thousands of employees to dominate an industry. You just need the right vision, the right product, and a loyal global community. ![\ud83d\udcb0](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t5a/1/16/1f4b0.png)![\ud83d\udd25](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t50/1/16/1f525.png)\n\n[![](https://scontent.ftas9-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/592384855_1392208285606067_3475014118480082051_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1080x1350&ctp=s590x590&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=JSdVF6hr8VAQ7kNvwGgUZAG&_nc_oc=AdraVtUbqB4KFscXHzkWcqg5S8AKl5Tp4bJV4cZzuBZmFELmsE7DgvX-Knd40-4gNpc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.ftas9-1.fna&_nc_gid=jDFNMfZ01L_0EVmwLJIBKg&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIjgHgGjW76SYOLWs9KhbNNx3cssfr3zJ16yWja-BHgMw&oe=6AA4537C)](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1397175691775993&set=pcb.1397175758442653&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=*b0H-R)\n\n[![](https://scontent.ftas9-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/594063493_1392208288939400_6057369754372501426_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1080x1350&ctp=s590x590&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=BMoI18gbxa8Q7kNvwFpkiZr&_nc_oc=AdqUyujpXycdKLv4hvkZv7RLKupuEHeom2Nytauuu7vB4yqC4OSVLuw05T16FDzsf8E&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.ftas9-1.fna&_nc_gid=jDFNMfZ01L_0EVmwLJIBKg&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQJvMX7DSvrSf8XKClc67LlAx17x4zpJ9Z3T_UcdCQaTWQ&oe=6AA470A8)](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1397175695109326&set=pcb.1397175758442653&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=*b1H-R)\n\n![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg 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stop-color='%23FF5758'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3CclipPath id='clip0_15251_63610'%3E%3Cpath fill='%23fff' d='M-.001.0009h15.9992v15.9984H-.001z'/%3E%3C/clipPath%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E)\n\nAll reactions:\n\n103\n\n7 comments\n\n7 shares\n\nLike\n\nComment\n\nMost relevant\n\n\ufeff\n\nAntonio Ocasio\n\nI guarantee you not every employee is making anywhere close to that\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=914761141225847&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n[Anatoly Kozlenko](https://www.facebook.com/narx.warr?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMzk3MTc1NzU4NDQyNjUzXzg0NDc4MTEyNDgyNTA0OA%3D%3D&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nGod bless you Gabe for everything you've done for Gaming community ![\ud83d\ude4f](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t80/1/16/1f64f.png)\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=844781124825048&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n2\n\n![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg fill='none' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 16 16'%3E%3Cg clip-path='url(%23clip0_15251_63610)'%3E%3Cpath d='M15.9953 7.9996c0 4.418-3.5816 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stop-color='%232B7EFF'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E)\n\nDaniel Dahl Eriksen\n\nAVERAGE SALARY IS THAT HIGH OMG\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=1771174650248662&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nKarl Farrimond\n\nI'm gonna think that the average salary is so high because Gabe and the other big wigs salaries are included in that average. A normal staff working at Valve won't be on anywhere new 1.3m\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=736587548887740&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n[Raka Pratama](https://www.facebook.com/RakaRaptor?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMzk3MTc1NzU4NDQyNjUzXzI1MzY2OTU1Nzc2Mjk4Mzc0&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nwho have thought that make a service that the customer wanted can print money\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=25366955776298374&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n[Jay Clark](https://www.facebook.com/Lord.jayjay21?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMzk3MTc1NzU4NDQyNjUzXzg3MjA4Nzc5MTk5MDI0NQ%3D%3D&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nThis is the type of things other CEOs show each other when they put thousands of jobs\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=872087791990245&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nDevan Perry\n\nSo you're telling me with all of that, and yall still can't make threequals hmm ![\ud83e\udd14](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t34/1/16/1f914.png)![\ud83d\ude12](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6f/1/16/1f612.png)![\ud83d\ude12](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6f/1/16/1f612.png)![\ud83d\ude44](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4e/1/16/1f644.png)\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=25390695083929084&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)",
      "content_chars": 18692,
      "published_date": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 10,
      "url": "https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/13/24197477/valve-employs-few-hundred-people-payroll-redacted",
      "title": "Here\u2019s how much Valve pays its staff \u2014 and how few people it employs | The Verge",
      "content": "[The homepage](/)\n\n[The homepage](/)\n\nNavigation Drawer\n\n* [Login](/auth/login?returnPath=/)\n  [Sign Up](/auth/login?returnPath=/)\n\n[Subscribe](/subscribe?itm_campaign=menu-nav-subscribe&itm_medium=site&itm_source=navigation)\n\nComments Drawer\n\nComments\n\nLoading comments\n\nGetting the conversation ready...\n\n# Here\u2019s how much Valve pays its staff \u2014 and how few people it employs\n\nLeaked payroll data reveals just how small one of the most important companies in gaming actually is.\n\nLeaked payroll data reveals just how small one of the most important companies in gaming actually is.\n\nby Jay Peters\n\n![The Steam brand logo against a blue and black backdrop](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24062777/STK138_Stream_Kradtke_02.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)\n\n![The Steam brand logo against a blue and black backdrop](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24062777/STK138_Stream_Kradtke_02.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)\n\nImage: The Verge\n\n[![Jay Peters](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/JAY_BLURPLE.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=96)](/authors/jay-peters)\n\nJay Peters\nis a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.\n\nValve is a famously secretive company with an enormous influence on the gaming industry, particularly because it runs the massive PC gaming storefront Steam. But despite that influence, Valve isn\u2019t a large organization on par with EA or Riot Games\u2019 thousands of employees: according to leaked data we\u2019ve seen, as of 2021, Valve employed just 336 staffers.\n\nThe data was included as part of an otherwise heavily redacted document from [Wolfire\u2019s antitrust lawsuit against Valve](/2021/5/1/22413196/valve-steam-lawsuit-wolfire-games-humble-bundle-app-store-cut-epic-apple). As spotted [by SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik](https://x.com/thexpaw/status/1811727326138310962), some data in the document was viewable despite the black redaction boxes, including Valve\u2019s headcount and gross pay across various parts of the company over 18 years, and even some data about its gross margins that we weren\u2019t able to uncover fully.\n\nThe employee data starts with 2003, which is a few years after Valve\u2019s 1996 founding and [the same year Valve launched Steam](/2023/9/12/23870270/steam-20-birthday-2003-2023), and goes all the way up until 2021. The data breaks Valve employees into four different groups: \u201cAdmin,\u201d \u201cGames,\u201d \u201cSteam,\u201d and, starting in 2011, \u201cHardware.\u201d\n\nIf you want to sift through the numbers yourself, I\u2019ve included a full table of the data, sorted by year and category, at the end of this story. In the document, the headings for the third and fourth columns are fully redacted, but the table is titled \u201cEmployee Headcount and Gross Pay Data, 2003-2021\u201d so I\u2019m presuming the data in those columns represent gross pay and number of employees, respectively.\n\nOne data point I found interesting: Valve peaked with its \u201cGames\u201d payroll spending in 2017 at $221 million (the company didn\u2019t release any new games that year, but that spending could have gone toward supporting games like *Dota 2* and developing new games like [*Artifact*](/2021/3/4/22314103/valve-ending-development-artifact-tcg-dota-2)); by 2021, that was down to $192 million. Another: as of 2021, Valve employed just 79 people for Steam, which is one of the most influential gaming storefronts on the planet.\n\n\u201cHardware,\u201d to my surprise, has been a relatively small part of the company, with just 41 employees paid a gross of more than $17 million in 2021. But I\u2019m guessing Valve now employs more hardware-focused staffers following the [runaway success of the Steam Deck](/2023/11/9/23954205/valve-steam-deck-multiple-millions). In November 2023, Valve\u2019s Pierre-Loup Griffais told *The Verge* that he thinks \u201cwe\u2019re firmly in the camp of being a full fledged hardware company by now.\u201d\n\nWolfire alleged Valve \u201c...devotes a miniscule percentage of its revenue to maintaining and improving the Steam Store.\u201d\n\nThe small number of staff across the board seemingly explains why Valve\u2019s product list is so limited despite its immense business as basically the de facto PC gaming platform. It\u2019s had to get help on [hardware](https://www.andrews-cooper.com/tech-talks/valve-partnership-gaming-hardware-development/) and [software](/23499215/valve-steam-deck-interview-late-2022#:~:text=The%20Steam%20Deck%20was%20%E2%80%94%20and%20is%20%E2%80%94%20a%20distributed%20effort) and has worked with other companies to have them build Steam [boxes](/2015/11/10/9705234/valve-steam-machines-controller-link-launch) and [controllers](/2024/6/26/24186645/valve-steam-controller-officially-licensed-wireless-horipad-announcement-specs). (The company\u2019s [flat structure](/2012/4/21/2964991/valves-handbook-for-new-employees-leak) may have something to do with it, too.)\n\nValve\u2019s small staff is also something that\u2019s been a sticking point for Wolfire. When it filed its lawsuit in 2021, Wolfire alleged that Valve \u201c...devotes a miniscule percentage of its revenue to maintaining and improving the Steam Store.\u201d Valve, as a private company, doesn\u2019t have to share its headcount or financials, but Wolfire estimated that Valve had roughly 360 employees (a number likely sourced from [Valve itself in 2016](https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-misses-deadline-to-respond-to-washington-state-gambling-regulator-but-says-its-coming-soon/)) and that per-employee profit was around $15 million per year.\n\nEven if that $15 million number isn\u2019t exactly right, Valve, in its [public employee handbook](https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/apps/valve/Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf), says that \u201cour profitability per employee is higher than that of Google or Amazon or Microsoft.\u201d A document from the Wolfire lawsuit revealed [Valve employees discussing](https://newsletter.gamediscover.co/p/revealed-tim-sweeneys-epic-rant-to) just how much higher \u2014 though the specific number for Valve employees is redacted.\n\nWhile we haven\u2019t seen any leaked profit numbers from this new headcount and payroll data, the figures give a more detailed picture of how much Valve is spending on its staff \u2014 which, given the massive popularity of Steam, is probably still just a fraction of the money the company is pulling in.\n\nValve didn\u2019t immediately reply to a request for comment. After we reached out, the court pulled the document from the docket.\n\n*Sean Hollister contributed reporting.*\n\n***Update, July 13th**: Clarified why two table headings include \u201cpresumably.\u201d*\n\n## Valve employee data, 2003 - 2021\n\n| Year | Category | [Presumably: Gross pay] | [Presumably: Number of employees] |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 2003 | Admin | $454,142 | 5 |\n| 2004 | Admin | $548,833 | 8 |\n| 2005 | Admin | $11,644,172 | 9 |\n| 2006 | Admin | $7,905,166 | 11 |\n| 2007 | Admin | $1,997,107 | 12 |\n| 2008 | Admin | $19,519,296 | 14 |\n| 2009 | Admin | $20,300,752 | 18 |\n| 2010 | Admin | $34,754,590 | 19 |\n| 2011 | Admin | $35,216,732 | 22 |\n| 2012 | Admin | $68,925,186 | 24 |\n| 2013 | Admin | $48,462,690 | 20 |\n| 2014 | Admin | $90,406,510 | 23 |\n| 2015 | Admin | $91,496,697 | 24 |\n| 2016 | Admin | $95,444,499 | 35 |\n| 2017 | Admin | $83,146,640 | 38 |\n| 2018 | Admin | $103,479,550 | 39 |\n| 2019 | Admin | $109,720,296 | 39 |\n| 2020 | Admin | $118,435,121 | 39 |\n| 2021 | Admin | $157,999,567 | 35 |\n| 2003 | Games | $3,933,064 | 57 |\n| 2004 | Games | $4,471,342 | 61 |\n| 2005 | Games | $18,122,549 | 81 |\n| 2006 | Games | $17,260,260 | 97 |\n| 2007 | Games | $12,768,984 | 100 |\n| 2008 | Games | $39,677,549 | 136 |\n| 2009 | Games | $44,076,164 | 148 |\n| 2010 | Games | $66,201,302 | 173 |\n| 2011 | Games | $68,173,834 | 175 |\n| 2012 | Games | $135,484,323 | 186 |\n| 2013 | Games | $107,654,658 | 188 |\n| 2014 | Games | $152,351,554 | 185 |\n| 2015 | Games | $181,769,451 | 160 |\n| 2016 | Games | $174,660,830 | 175 |\n| 2017 | Games | $221,488,403 | 184 |\n| 2018 | Games | $216,249,204 | 192 |\n| 2019 | Games | $236,798,782 | 201 |\n| 2020 | Games | $199,306,798 | 189 |\n| 2021 | Games | $192,355,985 | 181 |\n| 2003 | Steam | $1,038,091 | 16 |\n| 2004 | Steam | $1,113,136 | 16 |\n| 2005 | Steam | $2,840,825 | 23 |\n| 2006 | Steam | $3,424,485 | 29 |\n| 2007 | Steam | $3,128,634 | 34 |\n| 2008 | Steam | $5,053,283 | 40 |\n| 2009 | Steam | $7,339,922 | 51 |\n| 2010 | Steam | $17,732,609 | 60 |\n| 2011 | Steam | $16,369,045 | 101 |\n| 2012 | Steam | $42,966,257 | 127 |\n| 2013 | Steam | $44,515,505 | 128 |\n| 2014 | Steam | $52,338,579 | 119 |\n| 2015 | Steam | $72,391,837 | 142 |\n| 2016 | Steam | $56,390,975 | 125 |\n| 2017 | Steam | $64,945,395 | 102 |\n| 2018 | Steam | $70,814,165 | 82 |\n| 2019 | Steam | $66,481,253 | 80 |\n| 2020 | Steam | $71,752,682 | 82 |\n| 2021 | Steam | $76,446,633 | 79 |\n| 2011 | Hardware | $2,252,828 | 7 |\n| 2012 | Hardware | $3,460,641 | 14 |\n| 2013 | Hardware | $5,369,203 | 20 |\n| 2014 | Hardware | $10,180,424 | 27 |\n| 2015 | Hardware | $12,396,140 | 27 |\n| 2016 | Hardware | $11,001,217 | 36 |\n| 2017 | Hardware | $16,724,365 | 39 |\n| 2018 | Hardware | $19,578,951 | 47 |\n| 2019 | Hardware | $15,831,572 | 47 |\n| 2020 | Hardware | $12,008,996 | 31 |\n| 2021 | Hardware | $17,706,376 | 41 |\n\n**Follow topics and authors** from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.\n\n* Jay Peters\n\n## Most Popular\n\nMost Popular\n\n1. 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keyboard](/games/988029/acer-project-dualplay-mini-concept-gaming-handheld-keyboard-ifa)\n\nDominic Preston\n\n![Nvidia\u2019s DLSS 5, explained](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/dlss5-200.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&w=2400)![Nvidia\u2019s DLSS 5, explained](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/dlss5-200.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)\n\n[Nvidia\u2019s DLSS 5, explained](/games/986980/nvidias-dlss-5-explained)\n\nSean Hollister\n\n[Advertiser Content From\n\n![Sponsor Logo]()\n\nThis is the title for the native ad](/)\n\n## Top Stories\n\n[Instagram\u2019s AI detection is a mess (again)](/ai-artificial-intelligence/989617/instagram-ai-content-label-confusion)\n\n[Why AI food looks like that](/ai-artificial-intelligence/989376/ai-generated-food-why-does-it-look-like-that)\n\n[What to expect at Apple\u2019s September 9th launch 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      "content_chars": 16829,
      "published_date": null
    }
  ],
  "answer_text": "Valve currently employs approximately 366 people worldwide.",
  "citations": [
    {
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation",
      "title": "Valve Corporation - Wikipedia"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.reveliolabs.com/companies/valve/employees",
      "title": "Valve Number of Employees 2026"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/valve-corporation",
      "title": "Valve corporation | LinkedIn"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.trueup.io/co/valve",
      "title": "Valve Corporation - Company Profile"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/popular/valve-corporation-employee-count-2026",
      "title": "Valve Corporation Employee Count 2026"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/1e4ufu9/valve_employee_numbers_and_salaries_got_released",
      "title": "Valve employee numbers and salaries got released"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)",
      "title": "National Prize for Exact Sciences (Chile) - Wikipedia"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/07/valve-runs-its-massive-pc-gaming-ecosystem-with-only-about-350-employees",
      "title": "Valve runs its massive PC gaming ecosystem with only about 350 employees - Ars Technica"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/valves-success-is-on-a-completely-different-level-and-the-numbers-say-it-all-wit/1397175758442653",
      "title": "Valve\u2019s success is on a... - Gamology - Gamers On Board"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/13/24197477/valve-employs-few-hundred-people-payroll-redacted",
      "title": "Here\u2019s how much Valve pays its staff \u2014 and how few people it employs | The Verge"
    }
  ],
  "raw_response": {
    "query": "What is Valve Corporation's exact current number of employees?",
    "follow_up_questions": null,
    "answer": "Valve currently employs approximately 366 people worldwide.",
    "images": [],
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      {
        "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation",
        "title": "Valve Corporation - Wikipedia",
        "content": "Appearance\n\nPage semi-protected\n\nFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\nAmerican video game company\n\nValve Corporation\n\n| Former offices in Bellevue, Washington |\n| Formerly | Valve, L.L.C. (1996\u20132003) |\n| Type | Private |\n| Industry | Video games |\n| Founded | August 24, 1996; 30 years ago (1996-08-24) |\n| Founders |  Gabe Newell  Mike Harrington |\n| Headquarters | Bellevue, Washington , U.S. |\n| Key people |  Gabe Newell (president \"President (corporate title)\"))  Scott Lynch (COO) |\n| Products | Video games    Counter-Strike  Day of Defeat  Dota  Half-Life \"Half-Life (series)\")  Left 4 Dead \"Left 4 Dead (series)\")  Portal \"Portal (series)\")  Team Fortress  Hardware    HTC Vive  Steam Controller (1st gen) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\")  Steam Controller (2nd gen) \"Steam Controller (2nd generation)\")  Steam Deck  Steam Frame  Steam Link  Steam Machine  Valve Index  Software    GoldSrc  Proton \"Proton (software)\")  Source \"Source (game engine)\")  Source 2  Source Filmmaker  Steam \"Steam (service)\")  SteamOS  Valve Anti-Cheat  VOGL |\n| Revenue | US$5 billion (2023) |\n| Total equity \"Equity (finance)\") | US$6.9 billion (2024) |\n| Owner | Gabe Newell (>50%) |\n| Number of employees | 336 (2021) |\n| Subsidiaries |  Valve S.a.r.l.  Valve GmbH  Campo Santo \"Campo Santo (company)\") |\n| ASN | 32590 Edit this at Wikidata |\n|  |\n| Website | valvesoftware.com |\n| Footnotes  |Valve Corporation, also known as Valve Software, is an American video game developer, publisher, hardware, and digital distribution company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. It is the developer of game franchises including Half-Life \"Half-Life (series)\"), Counter-Strike, Portal \"Portal (series)\"), Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead \"Left 4 Dead (franchise)\") and Dota, the software service Steam \"Steam (service)\"), and hardware including the Steam Machine, Steam Deck and Valve Index.\n\nValve was founded in 1996 by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington. Their debut game, the first-person shooter (FPS) Half-Life \"Half-Life (video game)\") (1998), was a critical and commercial success that had a lasting influence on the genre. Harrington left in 2000. In 2003, Valve launched Steam, followed by Half-Life 2 (2004), the episodic sequels Half-Life 2: Episode One (2006) and Episode Two (2007), the puzzle games Portal \"Portal (video game)\") (2007) and Portal 2 (2011), and the multiplayer games Team Fortress 2 (2007), Left 4 Dead (2008), and Dota 2 (2013).\n\nDuring the 2010s, Valve released fewer games and focused on hardware and virtual reality (VR). They released the first Steam Machine console in 2015, the Valve Index VR headset in 2019, their flagship VR game, Half-Life: Alyx, in 2020, and the handheld system Steam Deck in 2022. A redesigned Steam Machine was released in 2026 and a new VR headset, Steam Frame, is scheduled for mid-2026.Valve uses a flat organizational structure, allowing employees to choose their own projects. Valve is noted for its technical and artistic innovation, with many of its games receiving mention among the greatest games of all time. They develop games through playtesting and iteration, describing game design as a kind of experimental psychology. By 2012, Valve employed around 250 people and was reportedly worth over US$3 billion. Most of Valve's revenue comes from Steam, which controlled over half of the digital PC games market in 2011 and generated an estimated $3.4 billion in 2017.\n\n## History\n\n### Founding and Half-Life (1996\u20132003)\n\n and Doug Lombardi (background), 2007\n\nValve was founded in 1996 by the former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington. Newell had spent the prior 13 years at Microsoft developing Windows, including the Windows 95 port of Doom \"Doom (1993 video game)\") from id Software. Newell had become frustrated with game developers' approach of creating bespoke interfaces for graphics acceleration, and had also seen id Software outperforming Windows in sales of Doom with an alternative distribution model.\n\nNewell and Harrington founded Valve, L.L.C. in Kirkland, Washington, about five miles from the Microsoft campus in Redmond, on August 24, 1996, Newell's wedding day. In a break from industry style of the time, Newell did not want a company name that suggested \"testosterone-gorged muscles and the 'extreme' of anything\". Alternative names considered by Newell and Harrington include Hollow Box, Fruitfly Ensemble and Rhino Scar.Valve's first game was Half-Life \"Half-Life (video game)\"), a first-person shooter (FPS) with elements of horror. The development was aided by access to the Quake engine by id Software; Valve modified this engine into its GoldSrc engine. After struggling to find a publisher, Valve eventually signed with Sierra On-Line.\n\nHalf-Life was released in November 1998 and was a critical and commercial success. With its realism, scripted sequences and seamless narrative, it had a lasting influence; according to IGN in 2014, the history of the FPS genre \"breaks down pretty cleanly into pre-Half-Life and post-Half-Life eras\".\n\nValve enlisted Gearbox Software to develop three expansions for Half-Life: Opposing Force (1999), Blue Shift (2001) and Decay (2001). In 1998, Valve acquired TF Software, a group that had made the popular Team Fortress mod \"Mod (video gaming)\") for Quake, and remade it for GoldSrc as Team Fortress Classic in 1999. Valve released the software development kit (SDK) for the GoldSrc engine, facilitating numerous user-created mods. They acquired the developers of one popular mod, Counter-Strike, to create a standalone Counter-Strike game. Happy with Valve's success, Harrington sold his stake in Valve to Newell in 2000.Valve's publishing agreement meant Sierra owned the Half-Life intellectual property and held exclusive publishing rights to future Valve games. In 2001, Valve renegotiated by threatening to cease game development and develop other software, using an offer of a partnership from Amazon \"Amazon (company)\") to create a digital storefront as a bargaining chip. After the agreement with Sierra was amended, Valve gained the Half-Life intellectual property and online distribution rights for its games.\n\n### Source, Steam, and Half-Life 2 (2003\u20132010)\n\nIn 2003, Valve moved to Bellevue, Washington, and reincorporated \"Incorporation (business)\") as Valve Corporation. In 2010, the office moved to a larger location in Bellevue. In 2016, Valve signed a nine-floor lease in the Lincoln Square \"Lincoln Square (Bellevue)\") complex in downtown Bellevue, doubling the size of its offices.\n\nValve began developing Half-Life 2 six months after the release of the first Half-Life, using its new in-house engine, Source \"Source (game engine)\"). With advanced physics systems and an increased focus on story and characters, it received critical acclaim upon its release in 2004. By 2011, it had sold 12 million copies. [...] The success of Steam means that Valve is not dependent on the success of its games. The lack of organization structure has led to project cancellations, as it can be difficult to convince other employees to work on them. In 2020, Valve acknowledged that this made it difficult to gather momentum and had slowed its output during the 2010s. Its VR projects and Half-Life: Alyx became a turning point, setting short-term studio-wide goals to focus the company. According to Walker, \"We sort of had to collectively admit we were wrong on the premise that you will be happiest if you work on something you personally want to work on the most.\"\n\nIn January 2023, People Make Games released a report on Valve's corporate structure and culture, based on interviews with several current and former employees. They found that Valve's flat structure and stack-ranking compensation system created a poor release record and a lack of employee diversity. In 2024, Forbes estimated that Newell owned 50.1% of Valve, with the rest owned by employees.\n\nAs part of Wolfire Games' lawsuit over Steam policies, case documents revealed details related to Valve's employee structure. Valve had 60 employees in 2003 and had approximately 350 employees between 2012 and 2021. Employees are categorized into administration, game development, Steam development and (from 2011) hardware development.\n\n### Valve time\n\n\"Valve Time\" redirects here. For timing of the opening and closing of valves, see Valve timing.\n\nValve time is an industry term used jokingly with game releases from Valve, used to acknowledge the difference between the \"promised\" date for released content stated by Valve and to the \"actual\" release date; \"Valve Time\" includes delays but also includes some content that was released earlier than expected. Valve has acknowledged the term, including tracking known discrepancies between ideal and actual releases on its public development wiki and using it in announcements about such delays. Valve ascribes delays to its mentality of team-driven initiatives over corporate deadlines.\n\n### Playtesting\n\nValve playtests its games extensively from the beginning of development, and iterates based on the results. It believes that \"all game designers are, in a sense, experimental psychologists\". The Valve writer Chet Faliszek said he initially blamed testers when they failed to engage with designs as expected, but changed his mind when multiple testers had the same problem: \"By the third or fourth time, all of a sudden you're realizing, 'I'm an idiot. This is pretty obvious this doesn't work. It's not their fault, it's our fault.'\" He gave an example from the development of Left 4 Dead, wherein a texture change caused every tester to miss a ladder and become stuck.Walker said playtesting helped Valve maximize the experience for players. For example, when something exciting occurs by chance during a playtest, the developers attempt to have it occur for every player. Newell contrasted this approach to that of Warren Spector, whose open-ended games are designed to be replayed with different outcomes: \"You spend all of this time to build stuff that most players will never ever ever see. ... If only one per cent of your customers see this cool thing that takes five per cent of your development budget, that's not a good use of resources.\"\n\n## Products\n\n### Games\n\nMain article: List of Valve games\n\nValve is the main developer and publisher of the single-player Half-Life \"Half-Life (series)\") and Portal \"Portal (video game)\") games and the multiplayer games Counter-Strike, Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, Day of Defeat, and Artifact \"Artifact (video game)\"). Valve also published the multiplayer game Left 4 Dead and developed and published Left 4 Dead 2. Unreleased and canceled Valve games include the fantasy role-playing game Prospero and numerous Half-Life projects, including Episode Three. Valve worked with Arkane Studios on The Crossing \"The Crossing (video game)\"), which was canceled in May 2009.\n\nValve video games are noted for their technical and artistic innovation, with virtually every mainline release from the studio receiving mention among the greatest video games of all time.\n\n### Engines\n\nMain articles: GoldSrc, Source (game engine) \"Source (game engine)\"), and Source 2",
        "score": 0.91435975,
        "raw_content": "[Jump to content](#bodyContent)\n\n[![](/static/images/icons/enwiki-25.svg)  ![Wikipedia](/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-wordmark-en-25.svg) ![The Free Encyclopedia](/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-tagline-en-25.svg)](/wiki/Main_Page)\n\n[Search](/wiki/Special:Search \"Search Wikipedia [f]\")\n\n## Contents\n\n* [1 History](#History)\n  + [1.1 Founding and *Half-Life* (1996\u20132003)](#Founding_and_Half-Life_(1996\u20132003))\n  + [1.2 Source, Steam, and *Half-Life 2* (2003\u20132010)](#Source,_Steam,_and_Half-Life_2_(2003\u20132010))\n  + [1.3 Transition to services (2010\u20132014)](#Transition_to_services_(2010\u20132014))\n  + [1.4 Source 2, virtual reality and *Half-Life: Alyx* (2015\u2013present)](#Source_2,_virtual_reality_and_Half-Life:_Alyx_(2015\u2013present))\n* [2 Structure](#Structure)\n  + [2.1 Valve time](#Valve_time)\n  + [2.2 Playtesting](#Playtesting)\n* [3 Products](#Products)\n  + [3.1 Games](#Games)\n  + [3.2 Engines](#Engines)\n  + [3.3 Steam](#Steam)\n  + [3.4 Steam Machine](#Steam_Machine)\n  + [3.5 Steam Controller](#Steam_Controller)\n  + [3.6 Valve Index and virtual reality](#Valve_Index_and_virtual_reality)\n  + [3.7 Steam Deck](#Steam_Deck)\n  + [3.8 Other projects](#Other_projects)\n    - [3.8.1 PowerPlay](#PowerPlay)\n    - [3.8.2 Pipeline](#Pipeline)\n* [4 Legal disputes](#Legal_disputes)\n  + [4.1 *Valve Corporation v. Vivendi Universal Games*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Vivendi_Universal_Games)\n  + [4.2 *Valve Corporation v. Activision Blizzard*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Activision_Blizzard)\n  + [4.3 *Dota* intellectual property ownership](#Dota_intellectual_property_ownership)\n  + [4.4 *ACCC v. Valve Corporation*](#ACCC_v._Valve_Corporation)\n  + [4.5 *UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation*](#UFC_Que_Choisir_v._Valve_Corporation)\n  + [4.6 Skins gambling](#Skins_gambling)\n  + [4.7 Anti-competitive practices](#Anti-competitive_practices)\n  + [4.8 *Valve Corporation v. Zaiger, LLC*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Zaiger,_LLC)\n  + [4.9 *Valve Corporation v. Rothschild*](#Valve_Corporation_v._Rothschild)\n* [5 References](#References)\n* [6 External links](#External_links)\n\n# Valve Corporation\n\n* [Afrikaans](https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Afrikaans\")\n* [\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81 \"\u0641\u0627\u0644\u0641 \u2013 Arabic\")\n* [\u0645\u0635\u0631\u0649](https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%87_%DA%A4%D8%A7%D9%84%DA%A4 \"\u0634\u0631\u0643\u0647 \u06a4\u0627\u0644\u06a4 \u2013 Egyptian Arabic\")\n* [Asturianu](https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Asturian\")\n* [Az\u0259rbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Azerbaijani\")\n* [\u062a\u06c6\u0631\u06a9\u062c\u0647](https://azb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B4%DB%8C%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA_%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88 \"\u0634\u06cc\u0631\u06a9\u062a \u0648\u0644\u0648 \u2013 South Azerbaijani\")\n* [\u0411\u0435\u043b\u0430\u0440\u0443\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f](https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Belarusian\")\n* [\u0411\u044a\u043b\u0433\u0430\u0440\u0441\u043a\u0438](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B2_%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B9%D1%88%D1%8A%D0%BD \"\u0412\u0430\u043b\u0432 \u041a\u043e\u0440\u043f\u043e\u0440\u0435\u0439\u0448\u044a\u043d \u2013 Bulgarian\")\n* [Brezhoneg](https://br.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Breton\")\n* [Catal\u00e0](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Catalan\")\n* [\u06a9\u0648\u0631\u062f\u06cc](https://ckb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%A4%D8%A7%DA%B5%DA%A4 \"\u06a4\u0627\u06b5\u06a4 \u2013 Central Kurdish\")\n* [\u010ce\u0161tina](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Czech\")\n* [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Danish\")\n* [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 German\")\n* [\u0395\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bd\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Greek\")\n* [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Esperanto\")\n* [Espa\u00f1ol](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Spanish\")\n* [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Estonian\")\n* [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Basque\")\n* [\u0641\u0627\u0631\u0633\u06cc](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B4%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%AA_%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88 \"\u0634\u0631\u06a9\u062a \u0648\u0644\u0648 \u2013 Persian\")\n* [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Finnish\")\n* [Fran\u00e7ais](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 French\")\n* [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Galician\")\n* [\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Hebrew\")\n* [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Croatian\")\n* [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Hungarian\")\n* [\u0540\u0561\u0575\u0565\u0580\u0565\u0576](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Armenian\")\n* [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Indonesian\")\n* [\u00cdslenska](https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Icelandic\")\n* [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Italian\")\n* [\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Japanese\")\n* [Jawa](https://jv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Javanese\")\n* [\u10e5\u10d0\u10e0\u10d7\u10e3\u10da\u10d8](https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Georgian\")\n* [\u049a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u049b\u0448\u0430](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Kazakh\")\n* [\u1797\u17b6\u179f\u17b6\u1781\u17d2\u1798\u17c2\u179a](https://km.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Khmer\")\n* [\ud55c\uad6d\uc5b4](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%B0%B8%EB%B8%8C_%EC%BD%94%ED%8D%BC%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%B4%EC%85%98 \"\ubc38\ube0c \ucf54\ud37c\ub808\uc774\uc158 \u2013 Korean\")\n* [\u0ea5\u0eb2\u0ea7](https://lo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Lao\")\n* [Lietuvi\u0173](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Lithuanian\")\n* [Latvie\u0161u](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Latvian\")\n* [Malagasy](https://mg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Malagasy\")\n* [\u041c\u0430\u043a\u0435\u0434\u043e\u043d\u0441\u043a\u0438](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Macedonian\")\n* [Bahasa Melayu](https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Malay\")\n* [\u1019\u103c\u1014\u103a\u1019\u102c\u1018\u102c\u101e\u102c](https://my.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Burmese\")\n* [\u0645\u0627\u0632\u0650\u0631\u0648\u0646\u06cc](https://mzn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88_%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C \"\u0648\u0644\u0648 \u06a9\u0648\u0645\u067e\u0627\u0646\u06cc \u2013 Mazanderani\")\n* [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Dutch\")\n* [Norsk nynorsk](https://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Norwegian Nynorsk\")\n* [Norsk bokm\u00e5l](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Norwegian Bokm\u00e5l\")\n* [Occitan](https://oc.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Occitan\")\n* [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Polish\")\n* [\u067e\u069a\u062a\u0648](https://ps.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88_%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%86 \"\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0648 \u06a9\u0627\u0631\u067e\u0648\u0631\u06cc\u0634\u0646 \u2013 Pashto\")\n* [Portugu\u00eas](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Portuguese\")\n* [Runa Simi](https://qu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Quechua\")\n* [Romn\u0103](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Romanian\")\n* [\u0420\u0443\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Russian\")\n* [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Simple English\")\n* [Sloven\u010dina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Slovak\")\n* [Sloven\u0161\u010dina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Slovenian\")\n* [Soomaaliga](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Somali\")\n* [Shqip](https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korporata_Valve \"Korporata Valve \u2013 Albanian\")\n* [\u0421\u0440\u043f\u0441\u043a\u0438 / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Serbian\")\n* [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Swedish\")\n* [Kiswahili](https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Swahili\")\n* [\u0e44\u0e17\u0e22](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99 \"\u0e27\u0e32\u0e25\u0e4c\u0e27\u0e04\u0e2d\u0e23\u0e4c\u0e1b\u0e2d\u0e40\u0e23\u0e0a\u0e31\u0e19 \u2013 Thai\")\n* [Toki pona](https://tok.wikipedia.org/wiki/kulupu_Walu \"kulupu Walu \u2013 Toki Pona\")\n* [T\u00fcrk\u00e7e](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Turkish\")\n* [\u0423\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0457\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0430](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Ukrainian\")\n* [\u0627\u0631\u062f\u0648](https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88_%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%86 \"\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0648 \u06a9\u0627\u0631\u067e\u0648\u0631\u06cc\u0634\u0646 \u2013 Urdu\")\n* [O\u02bbzbekcha / \u045e\u0437\u0431\u0435\u043a\u0447\u0430](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Uzbek\")\n* [Ti\u1ebfng Vi\u1ec7t](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Vietnamese\")\n* [\u5434\u8bed](https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A8%81%E5%B0%94%E4%B9%8C \"\u5a01\u5c14\u4e4c \u2013 Wu\")\n* [\u95a9\u5357\u8a9e / Bn-lm-g\u00ed](https://zh-min-nan.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"Valve Corporation \u2013 Minnan\")\n* [\u7cb5\u8a9e](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_%E8%A3%BD%E4%BD%9C%E7%B5%84 \"Valve \u88fd\u4f5c\u7d44 \u2013 Cantonese\")\n* [\u4e2d\u6587](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve \"Valve \u2013 Chinese\")\n\n[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q193559#sitelinks-wikipedia \"Edit interlanguage links\")\n\n* [Article](/wiki/Valve_Corporation \"View the content page [c]\")\n* [Talk](/wiki/Talk:Valve_Corporation \"Discuss improvements to the content page [t]\")\n\n* [Read](/wiki/Valve_Corporation)\n* [View source](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=edit \"This page is protected.\n  You can view its source [e]\")\n* [View history](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=history \"Past revisions of this page [h]\")\n\n\n\nTools\n\nActions\n\n* [Read](/wiki/Valve_Corporation)\n* [View source](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=edit \"This page is protected.\n  You can view its source [e]\")\n* [View history](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=history \"Past revisions of this page [h]\")\n\nGeneral\n\n* [What links here](/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/Valve_Corporation \"List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]\")\n* [Related changes](/wiki/Special:RecentChangesLinked/Valve_Corporation \"Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]\")\n* [Upload file](//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard \"Upload files [u]\")\n* [Permanent link](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&oldid=1373297435 \"Permanent link to this revision of this page\")\n* [Page information](/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&action=info \"More information about this page\")\n* [Cite this page](/w/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=Valve_Corporation&id=1373297435&wpFormIdentifier=titleform \"Information on how to cite this 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semi-protected](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1b/Semi-protection-shackle.svg/20px-Semi-protection-shackle.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Protection_policy#semi \"This article is semi-protected due to vandalism\")\n\nFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\nAmerican video game company\n\nValve Corporation\n\n| Former offices in [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\") |\n| Formerly | Valve, L.L.C. (1996\u20132003) |\n| Type | [Private](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privately_held_company \"Privately held company\") |\n| Industry | [Video games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_industry \"Video game industry\") |\n| Founded | August\u00a024, 1996; 30 years ago\u00a0(1996-08-24) |\n| Founders | * [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") * [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\") |\n| Headquarters | [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\") , U.S. |\n| Key\u00a0people | * Gabe Newell ([president](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_(corporate_title) \"President (corporate title)\")) * Scott Lynch ([COO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_operating_officer \"Chief operating officer\")) |\n| Products | Video games   * *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")* * *[Day of Defeat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat \"Day of Defeat\")* * *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\")* * *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\")* * *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_(series) \"Left 4 Dead (series)\")* * *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\")* * *[Team Fortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress \"Team Fortress\")*  Hardware   * [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\") * [Steam Controller (1st gen)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") * [Steam Controller (2nd gen)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2nd_generation) \"Steam Controller (2nd generation)\") * [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\") * [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\") * [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\") * [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") * [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\")  Software   * [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") * [Proton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(software) \"Proton (software)\") * [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\") * [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") * [Source Filmmaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_Filmmaker \"Source Filmmaker\") * [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\") * [SteamOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamOS \"SteamOS\") * [Valve Anti-Cheat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Anti-Cheat \"Valve Anti-Cheat\") * [VOGL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VOGL \"VOGL\") |\n| Revenue | US$5 billion\u00a0(2023) |\n| [Total equity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equity_(finance) \"Equity (finance)\") | US$6.9 billion\u00a0(2024) |\n| Owner | Gabe Newell (>50%) |\n| Number of employees | 336\u00a0(2021) |\n| [Subsidiaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidiary \"Subsidiary\") | * Valve S.a.r.l. * Valve GmbH * [Campo Santo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_Santo_(company) \"Campo Santo (company)\") |\n| [ASN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_System_Number \"Autonomous System Number\") | [32590](https://bgp.tools/as/32590) [Edit this at Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193559#P3797 \"Edit this at Wikidata\") |\n|  |\n| Website | [valvesoftware.com](https://www.valvesoftware.com/) |\n| **Footnotes** [[1]](#cite_note-Pastis-2024a-1)[[2]](#cite_note-2)[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)[[4]](#cite_note-peters-4)[[5]](#cite_note-valve-gmbh-5) |\n\n**Valve Corporation**, also known as **Valve Software**, is an American [video game developer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_developer \"Video game developer\"), [publisher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_publisher \"Video game publisher\"), hardware, and [digital distribution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_distribution \"Digital distribution\") company headquartered in [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\"). It is the developer of game franchises including *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\")*, *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")*, *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\")*, *[Team Fortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress \"Team Fortress\")*, *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_(franchise) \"Left 4 Dead (franchise)\")* and *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\"),* the software service [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\"), and hardware including the [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\"), [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\") and [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\").\n\nValve was founded in 1996 by former [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft \"Microsoft\") employees [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") and [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\"). Their debut game, the [first-person shooter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-person_shooter \"First-person shooter\") (FPS) *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(video_game) \"Half-Life (video game)\")* (1998), was a critical and commercial success that had a lasting influence on the genre. Harrington left in 2000. In 2003, Valve launched Steam, followed by *[Half-Life 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2 \"Half-Life 2\")* (2004), the [episodic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodic_video_game \"Episodic video game\") sequels *[Half-Life 2: Episode One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_One \"Half-Life 2: Episode One\")* (2006) and *[Episode Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two \"Half-Life 2: Episode Two\")* (2007), the puzzle games *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")* (2007) and *[Portal 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 \"Portal 2\")* (2011), and the multiplayer games *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")* (2007), *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* (2008), and *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")* (2013).\n\nDuring the 2010s, Valve released fewer games and focused on hardware and [virtual reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality \"Virtual reality\") (VR). They released the first Steam Machine console in 2015, the Valve Index [VR headset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VR_headset \"VR headset\") in 2019, their flagship VR game, *[Half-Life: Alyx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Alyx \"Half-Life: Alyx\")*, in 2020, and the handheld system Steam Deck in 2022. A redesigned [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") was released in 2026 and a new VR headset, [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\"), is scheduled for mid-2026.\n\nValve uses a [flat organizational structure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_organization \"Flat organization\"), allowing employees to choose their own projects. Valve is noted for its technical and artistic innovation, with many of its games receiving mention among the [greatest games of all time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_video_games_of_all_time \"Greatest video games of all time\"). They develop games through [playtesting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playtesting \"Playtesting\") and iteration, describing game design as a kind of [experimental psychology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_psychology \"Experimental psychology\"). By 2012, Valve employed around 250 people and was reportedly worth over US$3 billion. Most of Valve's revenue comes from Steam, which controlled over half of the digital PC games market in 2011 and generated an estimated $3.4 billion in 2017.\n\n## History\n\n### Founding and *Half-Life* (1996\u20132003)\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Gabe_newell_doug_lombardi.jpg/250px-Gabe_newell_doug_lombardi.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gabe_newell_doug_lombardi.jpg)\n\n[Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") (foreground) and Doug Lombardi (background), 2007\n\nValve was founded in 1996 by the former [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft \"Microsoft\") employees [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") and [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\").[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) Newell had spent the prior 13 years at Microsoft developing [Windows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows \"Microsoft Windows\"),[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) including the [Windows 95](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_95 \"Windows 95\") port of *[Doom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_(1993_video_game) \"Doom (1993 video game)\")* from [id Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Software \"Id Software\").[[7]](#cite_note-7) Newell had become frustrated with game developers' approach of creating bespoke interfaces for [graphics acceleration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_acceleration \"Graphics acceleration\"), and had also seen id Software outperforming Windows in sales of *Doom* with an alternative distribution model.[[8]](#cite_note-8)\n\nNewell and Harrington founded Valve, L.L.C.[[9]](#cite_note-9) in [Kirkland, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkland,_Washington \"Kirkland, Washington\"), about five miles from the Microsoft campus in [Redmond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redmond,_Washington \"Redmond, Washington\"), on August 24, 1996, Newell's wedding day.[[10]](#cite_note-Steam-2007-10)[[11]](#cite_note-11)[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6)[[12]](#cite_note-12) In a break from industry style of the time, Newell did not want a company name that suggested \"testosterone-gorged muscles and the 'extreme' of anything\".[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13) Alternative names considered by Newell and Harrington include Hollow Box, Fruitfly Ensemble and Rhino Scar.[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13)[[14]](#cite_note-14)\n\nValve's first game was *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(video_game) \"Half-Life (video game)\")*, a [first-person shooter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-person_shooter \"First-person shooter\") (FPS) with elements of horror.[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13) The development was aided by access to the [*Quake* engine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_engine \"Quake engine\") by id Software; Valve modified this engine into its [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") engine.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) After struggling to find a publisher, Valve eventually signed with [Sierra On-Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_On-Line \"Sierra On-Line\").[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6)\n\n*Half-Life* was released in November 1998[[15]](#cite_note-fhhalflife5-15) and was a critical and commercial success.[[16]](#cite_note-cgw-16)[[17]](#cite_note-Gamespotrev-17)[[18]](#cite_note-gamespotfame-18) With its realism, scripted sequences and seamless narrative, it had a lasting influence; according to *[IGN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IGN \"IGN\")* in 2014, the history of the FPS genre \"breaks down pretty cleanly into pre-*Half-Life* and post-*Half-Life* eras\".[[19]](#cite_note-19)\n\nValve enlisted [Gearbox Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gearbox_Software \"Gearbox Software\") to develop three [expansions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_pack \"Expansion pack\") for *Half-Life*: *[Opposing Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Opposing_Force \"Half-Life: Opposing Force\")* (1999), *[Blue Shift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Blue_Shift \"Half-Life: Blue Shift\")* (2001) and *[Decay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Decay \"Half-Life: Decay\")* (2001).[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6)[[20]](#cite_note-20) In 1998, Valve acquired TF Software, a group that had made the popular *Team Fortress* [mod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_(video_gaming) \"Mod (video gaming)\") for *Quake*, and remade it for GoldSrc as *[Team Fortress Classic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_Classic \"Team Fortress Classic\")* in 1999.[[21]](#cite_note-21) Valve released the [software development kit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_kit \"Software development kit\") (SDK) for the GoldSrc engine, facilitating numerous user-created mods. They acquired the developers of one popular mod, *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")*, to create a standalone *Counter-Strike* game.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) Happy with Valve's success, Harrington sold his stake in Valve to Newell in 2000.[[22]](#cite_note-Geoff-22)[[13]](#cite_note-flhalflife22-13)\n\nValve's publishing agreement meant Sierra owned the *Half-Life* [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") and held exclusive publishing rights to future Valve games. In 2001, Valve renegotiated by threatening to cease game development and develop other software, using an offer of a partnership from [Amazon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company) \"Amazon (company)\") to create a digital storefront as a bargaining chip. After the agreement with Sierra was amended, Valve gained the *Half-Life* intellectual property and online distribution rights for its games.[[23]](#cite_note-23)[[24]](#cite_note-24)\n\n### Source, Steam, and *Half-Life 2* (2003\u20132010)\n\nIn 2003, Valve moved to [Bellevue, Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington \"Bellevue, Washington\"), and [reincorporated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incorporation_(business) \"Incorporation (business)\") as Valve Corporation.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) In 2010, the office moved to a larger location in Bellevue. In 2016, Valve signed a nine-floor lease in the [Lincoln Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Square_(Bellevue) \"Lincoln Square (Bellevue)\") complex in downtown Bellevue, doubling the size of its offices.[[25]](#cite_note-Levy-2016-25)\n\nValve began developing *[Half-Life 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2 \"Half-Life 2\")* six months after the release of the first *Half-Life*, using its new in-house engine, [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\").[[22]](#cite_note-Geoff-22) With advanced [physics systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_engine \"Physics engine\") and an increased focus on story and characters, it received critical acclaim upon its release in 2004. By 2011, it had sold 12 million copies.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)\n\nIn 2002, Valve launched [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\"), a digital storefront and delivery platform.[[26]](#cite_note-26)[[27]](#cite_note-27) Steam initially offered only Valve games, and was mandatory to install *Half-Life 2*, but it later became a publisher of third-party games.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3) As Valve became its own publisher via Steam, it transitioned to a [flat organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_organization \"Flat organization\"). Outside of executive management, Valve does not have bosses and uses an [open allocation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_allocation \"Open allocation\") system, allowing employees to move between departments at will.[[28]](#cite_note-office-28)[[29]](#cite_note-bosses-29) In July 2005, [Electronic Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Arts \"Electronic Arts\") was announced to partner with Valve for a multi-year game distribution agreement, following Vivendi Universal's promise to end distribution on August 31.[[30]](#cite_note-30)\n\nAfter having taken five years to develop *Half-Life 2*, Valve moved to [episodic development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodic_video_game \"Episodic video game\"), planning to release shorter games more frequently.[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31) *[Half-Life 2: Episode One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_One \"Half-Life 2: Episode One\")*, the first in a planned trilogy of episodic *Half-Life 2* sequels, was released in 2006.[[32]](#cite_note-32) *[Episode Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two \"Half-Life 2: Episode Two\")* followed in 2007, alongside the multiplayer game *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")* and the puzzle game *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")*, developed from the student project *[Narbacular Drop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narbacular_Drop \"Narbacular Drop\")*.[[33]](#cite_note-seattletimes-33) In February 2007, Valve announced *The Black Box* and *[The Orange Box](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Orange_Box \"The Orange Box\"),* both bundles of multiple games and [expansions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_pack \"Expansion pack\"), to be distributed by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[[34]](#cite_note-34) In January 2008, Valve announced the acquisition of [Turtle Rock Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Rock_Studios \"Turtle Rock Studios\"),[[35]](#cite_note-Valve_2008-01-10-35) which was renamed Valve South.[[36]](#cite_note-36) Turtle Rock developed *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* and *[Left 4 Dead 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_2 \"Left 4 Dead 2\")* while associated with Valve. Turtle Rock Studios spun out of Valve again in March 2010.[[37]](#cite_note-37) *[Forbes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes \"Forbes\")* estimated that Valve had grossed $70 million in 2005.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)\n\n### Transition to services (2010\u20132014)\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Valve_old_logo.svg/250px-Valve_old_logo.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Valve_old_logo.svg)\n\nLogo until 2018\n\nIn 2009, Valve hired [IceFrog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IceFrog \"IceFrog\"), the developer of *[Defense of the Ancients](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_the_Ancients \"Defense of the Ancients\")*, a *[Warcraft III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos \"Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos\")* mod.[[38]](#cite_note-38) IceFrog led the development of a sequel not associated with the *Warcraft* elements, *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")*, released in 2013.[[39]](#cite_note-39) Alongside *Dota 2* in 2011, Valve started [the International](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_International_(Dota_2) \"The International (Dota 2)\"), an annual [esports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESport \"ESport\") tournament for *Dota 2* with a prize pool supported by Valve and funds from microtransactions from [battle passes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_pass \"Battle pass\") purchased by players.[[40]](#cite_note-Reilly-40) Valve released *[Portal 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 \"Portal 2\")* in April 2011.[[41]](#cite_note-vg247_early_release-41) As with the original *Portal*, Valve employed a [Digipen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DigiPen_Institute_of_Technology \"DigiPen Institute of Technology\") student team to help develop it; the team behind *[Tag: The Power of Paint](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag:_The_Power_of_Paint \"Tag: The Power of Paint\")* implemented the new gel gameplay.[[42]](#cite_note-42) In April 2010, Valve launched Steam for [Mac OS X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS \"MacOS\") along with ports of several of its games including the *Half-Life* series.[[43]](#cite_note-43)[[44]](#cite_note-44)\n\nThe [Screen Digest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Digest \"Screen Digest\") analyst Ed Barton estimated Valve's 2010 revenue to be in the \"high hundreds of millions of dollars\".[[25]](#cite_note-Levy-2016-25) As of 2011, Valve had an estimated worth of $2 to 4 billion and employed 250 people; according to Newell, this made it more profitable per employee than [Google](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google \"Google\") or [Apple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc. \"Apple Inc.\"). Most of Valve's revenue came from Steam, which controlled 50 to 70% of the market for downloaded PC games in 2011.[[3]](#cite_note-Chiang-2011-3)\n\nBy 2011, Valve had replaced episodic development with a platform-oriented approach, whereby games such as *Left 4 Dead 2* and *Team Fortress 2* were continually updated through Steam updates.[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31) In June 2012, Valve hired the economist [Yanis Varoufakis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanis_Varoufakis \"Yanis Varoufakis\") to study the online economies of their games.[[45]](#cite_note-45) That December, Valve acquired Star Filled Studios, a two-person studio, to open a San Francisco office.[[46]](#cite_note-46) Valve closed the office in August 2013 when it decided it had little benefit.[[47]](#cite_note-47) At the 2013 [D.I.C.E. Summit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.I.C.E._Summit \"D.I.C.E. Summit\"), Newell announced that he and the film director [J. J. Abrams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Abrams \"J. J. Abrams\") were collaborating to produce a *Half-Life* or *Portal* film, as well as a possible game.[[48]](#cite_note-48)\n\nIn the 2010s, Valve released fewer games and invested in hardware development. Newell intended to make Valve more like [Nintendo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo \"Nintendo\"), which develops games in tandem with hardware, allowing it to create innovative games such as *[Super Mario 64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_64 \"Super Mario 64\")*.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Valve initially focused on [augmented reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality \"Augmented reality\"), but in 2013 Newell laid off many staff to focus on [virtual reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality \"Virtual reality\") (VR).[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Valve began porting its games to [Linux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux \"Linux\") in 2023, including Half-Life 2 and Left 4 Dead 2.[[50]](#cite_note-50)[[51]](#cite_note-51) In 2015, Valve released the [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machines \"Steam Machines\"), a line of [gaming computers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaming_computer \"Gaming computer\"), which sold poorly.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Media commentators speculated that Valve's transition to service provider with Steam, which generated an estimated $3.4 billion in 2017, had driven it away from game development.[[52]](#cite_note-52)\n\nValve canceled games including [numerous *Half-Life* projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreleased_Half-Life_games \"Unreleased Half-Life games\") (including *[Episode Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three \"Half-Life 2: Episode Three\")*), *Left 4 Dead 3*, a [Soulslike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulslike \"Soulslike\") game, and a [voxel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voxel \"Voxel\")-based game, *A.R.T.I*. Additional VR projects included *SimTrek*, developed by members of the *[Kerbal Space Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerbal_Space_Program \"Kerbal Space Program\")* development team, and a new VR device, Vader, that was determined to be too costly for consumers.[[53]](#cite_note-53)[[54]](#cite_note-54) According to the designer [Robin Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Walker_(game_designer) \"Robin Walker (game designer)\"), the abundance of projects that failed to gain traction, with no shared vision, damaged morale.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) Many players grew frustrated in anticipation of a new *Half-Life* game.[[55]](#cite_note-55)\n\n### Source 2, virtual reality and *Half-Life: Alyx* (2015\u2013present)\n\nValve announced the [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") engine in March 2015, and ported *Dota 2* to Source 2 in September.[[56]](#cite_note-56)[[57]](#cite_note-57) That year, Valve collaborated with the electronics company [HTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC \"HTC\") to develop the [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\"), a [VR headset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VR_headset \"VR headset\") released in 2016.[[58]](#cite_note-The_Final_Hours-58) Valve experimented with VR games, and in 2016 released *[The Lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lab_(video_game) \"The Lab (video game)\")*, a collection of VR minigames.[[59]](#cite_note-Reeves-59)\n\nValve recognized that many players wanted a more ambitious VR [AAA game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_game \"AAA game\"), and began exploring the development of a major VR game.[[59]](#cite_note-Reeves-59) They developed several prototypes, with three further VR projects under development by 2017.[[60]](#cite_note-60)[[61]](#cite_note-61) Finding that the portal systems of its puzzle series *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\")* were disorienting in VR, it settled on *Half-Life*.[[58]](#cite_note-The_Final_Hours-58) Walker said that *Half-Life 3* had been a \"terrifyingly daunting prospect\", and the team saw VR as a way to return to the series.[[58]](#cite_note-The_Final_Hours-58)\n\nFull development of a VR *Half-Life* game started around late 2016, with the largest team in Valve's history.[[62]](#cite_note-arstech_fhalyx-62)[[63]](#cite_note-finalhours_alyx-63) Valve acquired the 3D audio software developer Impulsonic in January 2017.[[64]](#cite_note-64) In April 2018, Valve acquired the independent developer [Campo Santo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_Santo_(company) \"Campo Santo (company)\"), known for the 2016 adventure game *[Firewatch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewatch \"Firewatch\")*. Campo Santo planned to develop its own games under Valve, though it initially helped develop *Half-Life: Alyx*.[[65]](#cite_note-65)[[66]](#cite_note-PC_Gamer_12-66)\n\nIn November 2018, Valve released *[Artifact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artifact_(video_game) \"Artifact (video game)\")*, a [digital collectible card game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_collectible_card_game \"Digital collectible card game\") based on *Dota 2*, with design by [Richard Garfield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Garfield \"Richard Garfield\"), the creator of *[Magic: The Gathering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic:_The_Gathering \"Magic: The Gathering\")*. *Artifact* had unusual pay-for mechanics to acquire new cards, and did not draw a large playerbase, losing 95% of players months after release.[[67]](#cite_note-Disappointment-67) In April 2021, Valve abandoned efforts to reboot the project, saying it had not found enough interested players to justify development.[[68]](#cite_note-68) In June 2019, Valve released its second-generation VR hardware, the [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\").[[69]](#cite_note-69) They also released *[Dota Underlords](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_Underlords \"Dota Underlords\")* into early access, an [auto battler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_battler \"Auto battler\") based on a *Dota 2* community-created mode *[Dota Auto Chess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_Auto_Chess \"Dota Auto Chess\")*.[[70]](#cite_note-70)\n\nIn March 2020, Valve released *[Half-Life: Alyx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Alyx \"Half-Life: Alyx\")*, a VR game.[[71]](#cite_note-71) It received acclaim[[72]](#cite_note-metacritic2-72) and was described as VR's first [killer app](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_app \"Killer app\").[[73]](#cite_note-73)[[74]](#cite_note-74)[[75]](#cite_note-75)[[76]](#cite_note-76) Newell said in January 2021 that the success of *Alyx* created desire within the company to develop more games, and that several were under development.[[77]](#cite_note-77) Valve collaborated with [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix \"Netflix\") for *[Dota: Dragon's Blood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota:_Dragon's_Blood \"Dota: Dragon's Blood\")*, an animated television series based on *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\")*, which premiered in March 2021.[[78]](#cite_note-78) In February 2022, Valve released the [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\"), a portable game system that runs on Linux-based [SteamOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamOS \"SteamOS\") with the [Proton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(software) \"Proton (software)\") compatibility layer that allows most Windows games on Steam to run on Linux without modification.[[79]](#cite_note-79) In September 2023, Valve released *[Counter-Strike 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_2 \"Counter-Strike 2\")*. It received generally favorable reviews, but player reception was mixed.[[80]](#cite_note-80)[[81]](#cite_note-81)\n\nIn 2024, Valve began beta-testing a new multiplayer game, *[Deadlock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlock_(video_game) \"Deadlock (video game)\")*, a combination of a [hero shooter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_shooter \"Hero shooter\") and [MOBA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOBA \"MOBA\").[[82]](#cite_note-82) In September, staff members from Hopoo Games, developers of *[Risk of Rain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_of_Rain \"Risk of Rain\")*, announced that they had been employed at Valve.[[83]](#cite_note-83) According to a report by *Forbes Australia* published in December 2024, Valve had an annual revenue of $5 billion by 2023, with a 40% profit margin. Steam accounted for around 60% of this revenue, double that of 2019.[[1]](#cite_note-Pastis-2024a-1)\n\nIn November 2025, Valve announced a redesigned [Steam Controller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2nd_generation) \"Steam Controller (2nd generation)\") and [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") and a new VR headset, [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\"). They were scheduled for release in early 2026,[[84]](#cite_note-84) but were delayed by the [RAM crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025\u2013present_global_memory_supply_shortage \"2025\u2013present global memory supply shortage\").[[85]](#cite_note-85) The second-generation Steam Controller was released on May 4, with no release date set for the Steam Frame as of July 2026.[[86]](#cite_note-86)\n\nIn June 2026, Valve released the Steam Machine, its first dedicated living room gaming PC since the original Steam Machines introduced in 2015. The company launched the device with a randomized reservation system because of limited production caused by global memory and storage shortages, with prices starting at $1,049 for the base model.[[87]](#cite_note-87) In September 2026, around 12TB of data was extracted from Steam, including complete games, beta versions and prototypes dating between 2003 and 2013, from both Valve and other third-party developers. The anonymous person that disseminated the data claimed it was available without protection from older Steam servers used during that period, which Valve since transitioned from.[[88]](#cite_note-88)\n\n## Structure\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Robin_Walker_3.jpg/250px-Robin_Walker_3.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Robin_Walker_3.jpg)\n\nDesigner [Robin Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Walker_(game_designer) \"Robin Walker (game designer)\") at Steam Dev Days 2014\n\nInitially, Valve used a hierarchical structure typical of other development firms, driven by the nature of physical game releases through [publishers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_publisher \"Video game publisher\") that required tasks to be completed by deadlines.[[89]](#cite_note-GD2017-89) However, as Valve became its own publisher via Steam, it found the hierarchical structure was hindering progress.[[62]](#cite_note-arstech_fhalyx-62)\n\nAfter completing *Half-Life 2*, Valve transitioned to a [flat organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_organization \"Flat organization\"). Outside of executive management, Valve does not have bosses, and uses an [open allocation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_allocation \"Open allocation\") system.[[28]](#cite_note-office-28)[[29]](#cite_note-bosses-29) Valve's marketing manager, Doug Lombardi, said: \"Nobody writes a design doc and hands it to somebody and says, 'you go build this'. It's the teams that are coming up with the ideas and pushing in the directions that they want to take the product.\"[[90]](#cite_note-90) This approach allows employees to work on whatever interests them, but requires them to take ownership of their product and mistakes they may make, according to Newell. Newell recognized that this structure works well for some but that \"there are plenty of great developers for whom this is a terrible place to work\".[[89]](#cite_note-GD2017-89) Following the difficult development of *Half-Life 2*, Newell said he became \"obsessed\" with improving Valve's [work-life balance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work\u2013life_balance \"Work\u2013life balance\").[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31)\n\nAlthough Valve has no bosses, some employees hold more influence due to seniority or relationships. De facto project leads became \"centralized conduits\" for organization and sharing information, and decisions are made collectively. Valve uses a process named Overwatch to gather feedback from senior members, which teams may use or ignore.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49)[[31]](#cite_note-Crossley-2011-31)\n\nThe success of Steam means that Valve is not dependent on the success of its games.[[91]](#cite_note-Macgregor-2023-91) The lack of organization structure has led to project cancellations, as it can be difficult to convince other employees to work on them.[[92]](#cite_note-layoffs-92)[[93]](#cite_note-yanis-93)[[94]](#cite_note-94) In 2020, Valve acknowledged that this made it difficult to gather momentum and had slowed its output during the 2010s.[[95]](#cite_note-95) Its VR projects and *Half-Life: Alyx* became a turning point, setting short-term studio-wide goals to focus the company. According to Walker, \"We sort of had to collectively admit we were wrong on the premise that you will be happiest if you work on something you personally want to work on the most.\"[[62]](#cite_note-arstech_fhalyx-62)\n\nIn January 2023, *[People Make Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_Make_Games \"People Make Games\")* released a report on Valve's corporate structure and culture, based on interviews with several current and former employees. They found that Valve's flat structure and [stack-ranking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_ranking \"Stack ranking\") compensation system created a poor release record and a lack of employee diversity.[[91]](#cite_note-Macgregor-2023-91)[[96]](#cite_note-96) In 2024, *Forbes* estimated that Newell owned 50.1% of Valve, with the rest owned by employees.[[1]](#cite_note-Pastis-2024a-1)\n\nAs part of Wolfire Games' lawsuit over Steam policies, case documents revealed details related to Valve's employee structure. Valve had 60 employees in 2003 and had approximately 350 employees between 2012 and 2021. Employees are categorized into administration, game development, Steam development and (from 2011) hardware development.[[4]](#cite_note-peters-4)\n\n### Valve time\n\n\"Valve Time\" redirects here. For timing of the opening and closing of valves, see [Valve timing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_timing \"Valve timing\").\n\n**Valve time** is an industry term used jokingly with game releases from Valve, used to acknowledge the difference between the \"promised\" date for released content stated by Valve and to the \"actual\" release date; \"Valve Time\" includes delays but also includes some content that was released earlier than expected. Valve has acknowledged the term, including tracking known discrepancies between ideal and actual releases on its public development wiki[[97]](#cite_note-97) and using it in announcements about such delays.[[98]](#cite_note-98)[[99]](#cite_note-99) Valve ascribes delays to its mentality of team-driven initiatives over corporate deadlines.[[100]](#cite_note-faliszek_valvetime-100)\n\n### Playtesting\n\nValve [playtests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playtest \"Playtest\") its games extensively from the beginning of development,[[101]](#cite_note-Remo-2008-101) and iterates based on the results.[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) It believes that \"all game designers are, in a sense, [experimental psychologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_psychologist \"Experimental psychologist\")\".[[49]](#cite_note-Keighley-2020-49) The Valve writer [Chet Faliszek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Faliszek \"Chet Faliszek\") said he initially blamed testers when they failed to engage with designs as expected, but changed his mind when multiple testers had the same problem: \"By the third or fourth time, all of a sudden you're realizing, 'I'm an idiot. This is pretty obvious this doesn't work. It's not their fault, it's our fault.'\"[[101]](#cite_note-Remo-2008-101) He gave an example from the development of *Left 4 Dead*, wherein a [texture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_mapping \"Texture mapping\") change caused every tester to miss a ladder and become stuck.[[101]](#cite_note-Remo-2008-101)\n\nWalker said playtesting helped Valve maximize the experience for players. For example, when something exciting occurs by chance during a playtest, the developers attempt to have it occur for every player.[[102]](#cite_note-Bramwell-102) Newell contrasted this approach to that of [Warren Spector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Spector \"Warren Spector\"), whose open-ended games are designed to be replayed with different outcomes: \"You spend all of this time to build stuff that most players will never ever ever see.\u00a0... If only one per cent of your customers see this cool thing that takes five per cent of your development budget, that's not a good use of resources.\"[[102]](#cite_note-Bramwell-102)\n\n## Products\n\n### Games\n\nMain article: [List of Valve games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Valve_games \"List of Valve games\")\n\nValve is the main developer and publisher of the single-player *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\")* and *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")* games and the multiplayer games *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")*, *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")*, *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")*, *[Day of Defeat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat \"Day of Defeat\")*, and *[Artifact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artifact_(video_game) \"Artifact (video game)\")*. Valve also published the multiplayer game *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* and developed and published *[Left 4 Dead 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_2 \"Left 4 Dead 2\")*. Unreleased and canceled Valve games include the fantasy [role-playing game](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_video_game \"Role-playing video game\") *Prospero* and [numerous *Half-Life* projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreleased_Half-Life_games \"Unreleased Half-Life games\"), including *[Episode Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three \"Half-Life 2: Episode Three\")*.[[103]](#cite_note-raisingbar_prospero-103) Valve worked with [Arkane Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkane_Studios \"Arkane Studios\") on *[The Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crossing_(video_game) \"The Crossing (video game)\")*, which was canceled in May 2009.[[104]](#cite_note-104)\n\nValve video games are noted for their technical and artistic innovation, with virtually every mainline release from the studio receiving mention among the [greatest video games of all time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_video_games_of_all_time \"Greatest video games of all time\").[[105]](#cite_note-105)[[106]](#cite_note-106)[[107]](#cite_note-107)[[108]](#cite_note-108)[[109]](#cite_note-109)\n\n### Engines\n\nMain articles: [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\"), [Source (game engine)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\"), and [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\")\n\nValve has developed at least three game engines that have been used in its games. [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") is based on a modified [*Quake* engine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake_engine \"Quake engine\") by [id Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Software \"Id Software\"), and used for the basis of *Half-Life*.[[6]](#cite_note-hist-6) [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\") was internally built from scratch as a replacement for GoldSrc, and was used for most of Valve's games in the early 2000s, including *Half-Life 2*, *Team Fortress 2*, and the *Portal* series.[[110]](#cite_note-110) [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") is a refinement of the Source engine initially released in 2015, and has been used for *Dota 2*, *CounterStrike 2*, *The Lab*, and *Half-Life: Alyx*.[[111]](#cite_note-SteamFree-111)\n\n### Steam\n\nMain article: [Steam (service)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\")\n\nValve announced Steam, its [digital distribution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_distribution \"Digital distribution\") service, at the 2002 [Game Developers Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Developers_Conference \"Game Developers Conference\").[[112]](#cite_note-112)[[113]](#cite_note-113) It was launched in September 2003 and was first used to deliver [patches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patch_(computing) \"Patch (computing)\") and other updates to Valve's online games.[[114]](#cite_note-114)[[115]](#cite_note-115)\n\nOn August 1, 2012, Valve announced revisions to the Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA) to prohibit [class action](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_action \"Class action\") [lawsuits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawsuit \"Lawsuit\") by users against the service provider.[[116]](#cite_note-augustrockpapershotgun-116)[[117]](#cite_note-valveaugustssa-117) By July 2014, there were over 3,400 games available on Steam, with over 150 million registered accounts by January 2018.[[118]](#cite_note-steamgrowth_2014-118)[[119]](#cite_note-119)\n\nAlongside these changes to the SSA, the company also declared publicly the incorporation of Valve [S.a.r.l.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci\u00e9t\u00e9_\u00e0_responsabilit\u00e9_limit\u00e9e \"Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e0 responsabilit\u00e9 limit\u00e9e\"), a subsidiary based in [Luxembourg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg \"Luxembourg\").[[116]](#cite_note-augustrockpapershotgun-116)[[117]](#cite_note-valveaugustssa-117) Valve set up a physical office in [Kirchberg, Luxembourg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirchberg,_Luxembourg \"Kirchberg, Luxembourg\"). According to Valve's project manager Mike Dunkle, the location was chosen for eCommerce capabilities and infrastructure, talent acquisition, tax advantages and central geographic location\u00a0\u2013 most major partners are accessible, 50% within driving distance.[[120]](#cite_note-120)\n\nValve S.a.r.l. was used to sell games to UK users to avoid paying the full 20% [value-added tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value-added_tax \"Value-added tax\") (VAT).[[121]](#cite_note-121) The [tax loophole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_avoidance \"Tax avoidance\") was expected to close on January 1, 2015.[[122]](#cite_note-122) In December 2015, the French consumer group [UFC Que Choisir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_Que_Choisir \"UFC Que Choisir\") initiated a lawsuit against Valve for several of its Steam policies that conflict or run afoul of French law. One of the reasons was for using the tax loophole.[[123]](#cite_note-123) Valve S.a.r.l. ceased business on January 1, 2017, with the main company taking over EU sales again.[[124]](#cite_note-124) In August 2017, Valve announced that Steam had reached over 67 million monthly and 33 million [daily active users](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_active_users \"Daily active users\") on the platform.[[125]](#cite_note-125)\n\n### Steam Machine\n\nMain article: [Steam Machine (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine_(2015) \"Steam Machine (2015)\")\n\nNewell has been critical of the direction that Microsoft has taken with making Windows a [closed architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_architecture \"Open architecture\") similar to Apple's products, and has stated that he believes that the changes made in Windows 8 are \"a catastrophe for everyone in the [personal computer] space\".[[126]](#cite_note-ign_windows_8-126) Newell identified the open-source Linux platform as an ideal platform for Steam and said the only thing holding back its adoption is the lack of games.[[126]](#cite_note-ign_windows_8-126)\n\nIn 2012, Valve announced that they were working on a console-PC hybrid for the living room, dubbed by media as the \"Steam Box\".[[127]](#cite_note-127)[[128]](#cite_note-128) A precursor to such a unit is SteamOS, a freely available Linux-based operating system that builds upon the Steam client functionality that includes media services, live streaming across home networks, game sharing within families, and parental controls. SteamOS was officially announced in September 2013 as the first of several announcements related to the Steam Machine platform[[129]](#cite_note-129) as well as its unique game controller.[[10]](#cite_note-Steam-2007-10) In May 2014, Valve announced that the company's own SteamOS-powered Steam Machine would be delayed until 2015 due to problems with the game controller.[[130]](#cite_note-130) In 2015, [Alienware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alienware \"Alienware\"), [ZOTAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZOTAC \"ZOTAC\"), and [CyberPowerPC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyberPowerPC \"CyberPowerPC\") launched its versions of the Steam Machine. By June 2016, fewer than half a million had been sold.[[131]](#cite_note-131) While the Steam Machine line has been effectively canceled, Valve continued to manufacture and sell [Steam Controllers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") until late November 2019,[[132]](#cite_note-132) and publishes both mobile apps and software for the [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\"), allowing in-home streaming.\n\n### Steam Controller\n\nMain articles: [Steam Controller (1st generation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") and [Steam Controller (2nd generation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2nd_generation) \"Steam Controller (2nd generation)\")\n\nValve has released two versions of a [game controller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_controller \"Game controller\") aimed to be used for Steam games, the Steam Controller. The first model was released in November 2015, alongside the original Steam Machine concept, while the second was released in May 2026 ahead of Valve's dedciated Steam Machine model and Steam Frame. Among other features, both generations of the controller use two small trackpads with [haptic feedback](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haptic_technology \"Haptic technology\") which can be used either as traditional controller actions like a joystick, but also like a computer mouse input to control many personal computer games that lack traditional controller support.\n\n### Valve Index and virtual reality\n\nMain articles: [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\") and [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\")\n\nAt the [Game Developers Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Developers_Conference \"Game Developers Conference\") in March 2015, Valve and Taiwanese electronics company [HTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC \"HTC\") unveiled [SteamVR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamVR \"SteamVR\") and the [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\")\u2014a [virtual reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality \"Virtual reality\") platform and a [virtual reality headset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality_headset \"Virtual reality headset\"). The platform would be distinguished by its \"Lighthouse\" motion tracking system, where sensors on the headset and its included [motion controllers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_controller \"Motion controller\") read the position of two base station devices mounted in the play area. This would allow for \"room-scale\" VR experiences, where the player would not be required to remain in a stationary position in front of a camera and would be able to freely walk around the space.[[133]](#cite_note-133)[[134]](#cite_note-134)\n\nIn November 2017, Microsoft added beta support for the [SteamVR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamVR \"SteamVR\") service for Windows Mixed Reality headsets.[[135]](#cite_note-135)[[136]](#cite_note-136) In June 2019, Valve released its own VR headset, known as the [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\"), positioned as a higher-end device with wider [field of view](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_of_view \"Field of view\") and higher refresh rate. They were accompanied by updated motion controllers, which are strapped against the user's palms and have sensors to detect input pressure and individual fingers.[[137]](#cite_note-137)[[138]](#cite_note-138)[[139]](#cite_note-139) In November 2025, Valve announced the [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\"), a standalone VR headset.[[140]](#cite_note-140)\n\n### Steam Deck\n\nMain article: [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\")\n\n[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Steam_Deck_%28front%29.png/250px-Steam_Deck_%28front%29.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steam_Deck_(front).png)\n\nFront of a [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\")\n\nAnnounced in July 2021, the Steam Deck is a hybrid game console similar to the [Nintendo Switch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch \"Nintendo Switch\"). It is primarily a handheld device that supports playing of Steam games, but through a separate dock unit, the console can output to an external monitor and use external power, networking, and USB accessories connected to the dock. The hardware is based on customized [AMD Zen 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_2 \"Zen 2\") and [RDNA 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDNA_2 \"RDNA 2\") chipsets. Units started shipping in February 2022. An [OLED](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED \"OLED\") version of the Steam Deck was released in November 2023; besides the improved display, the OLED modeling includes increased battery life, improved audio, and more storage compared to the original model.[[141]](#cite_note-141)\n\n### Other projects\n\n#### PowerPlay\n\nPowerPlay was a technological initiative headed by Valve and [Cisco Systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Systems \"Cisco Systems\") to decrease the latency for online games, announced in January 2000.[[142]](#cite_note-142) It was described as a set of protocols and deployment standards at the [router](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router_(computing) \"Router (computing)\") level to improve performance. It was claimed that a player with 1000\u00a0ms [ping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ping_(networking_utility) \"Ping (networking utility)\") was able to play against another player on a [LAN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network \"Local area network\") connection with no noticeable disadvantage.[[143]](#cite_note-planetfortress-143) Initially the protocol was to be released with PowerPlay 1.0 focusing on [quality of service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_service \"Quality of service\") (QoS) and later a revision, PowerPlay 2.0 that would focus on functionality. Cisco and Valve intended to deliver a single dial-up service in Q1 2000 in the United States with a 30-day free trial with a bundled copy of *[Team Fortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress \"Team Fortress\")* modified to support PowerPlay.[[144]](#cite_note-144)\n\nThe standard was to involve purchasing PowerPlay approved Cisco hardware and infrastructure that had adequate bandwidth and QoS standards that prioritize PowerPlay gaming packets at all others' expense. Newell conceded that [Internet service providers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider \"Internet service provider\") (ISPs) would bear the brunt of this expense: \"The ISPs are going to need to spend a fair amount of money to be compliant with PowerPlay. But how they get that back is up to them. Some will have a tiered service, and some will just try to recoup their investment through reduced customer churn and customer acquisition.\"[[145]](#cite_note-eurogamer1-145) Despite never deploying the dial-up plan featuring PowerPlay 1.0, Valve announced in January 2001 that the standard had indeed been finalized.[[143]](#cite_note-planetfortress-143) 12 months after its announcement, PowerPlay was abandoned.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed \"Wikipedia:Citation needed\")*]\n\n#### Pipeline\n\nIn July 2013, Valve announced Pipeline, an [intern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internship \"Internship\") project consisting of ten high school students working together to learn how to create video game content.[[146]](#cite_note-146) Pipeline serves to discuss and answer questions that teenagers often ask about the video game industry,[[147]](#cite_note-pipeline_home-147) and see if it is possible to train a group of teenagers with minimal work experience to work for a company like Valve.[[147]](#cite_note-pipeline_home-147) The latter purpose breaks Valve's tradition of employing experienced developers, as the company is not good at \"teaching people straight out of school\".[[147]](#cite_note-pipeline_home-147)\n\n## Legal disputes\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Vivendi Universal Games*\n\nBetween 2002 and 2005, Valve was involved in a complex legal dispute with its publisher, [Vivendi Universal Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivendi_Universal_Games \"Vivendi Universal Games\") (under Vivendi's brand [Sierra Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Entertainment \"Sierra Entertainment\")). Valve had entered into a publishing agreement with Sierra to release *Half-Life* and subsequent games in 1997, with the contract giving Sierra some [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") (IP) rights to Valve's games. After Valve began development of *Half-Life 2*, it agreed a new contract with Sierra in 2001, removing these rights from Sierra and giving Valve some rights for digital distribution.[[148]](#cite_note-gamespot_valve_v_sierra-148) Internally, Valve started work on Steam as a means to digitally distribute these games, and first revealed this project at the March 2002 [Game Developers Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Developers_Conference \"Game Developers Conference\").[[148]](#cite_note-gamespot_valve_v_sierra-148)\n\nBy August 2002, Valve had found that Sierra was distributing copies of their games to [Internet cafes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_cafe \"Internet cafe\") against the terms of their contracts and filed a lawsuit against Sierra and Vivendi. In addition to claims of [copyright infringement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_infringement \"Copyright infringement\"), Valve asserted that Sierra [breached contract](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breach_of_contract \"Breach of contract\") by withholding royalties and delaying the release of *[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Condition_Zero \"Counter-Strike: Condition Zero\")* until after the holiday season. Vivendi and Sierra countersued, stating that Valve had misrepresented their position in the revised 2001 contract since they had been working on Steam at that point as a means to circumvent the publishing agreement. Vivendi sought [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") rights to *Half-Life* and a ruling preventing Valve from using Steam to distribute *Half-Life 2*.[[148]](#cite_note-gamespot_valve_v_sierra-148) The countersuits, if successful, likely would have bankrupted Valve, according to COO Scott Lynch. As part of the discovery phase, Valve received a number of documents in Korean, which a new intern at Valve was able to translate, purporting that Vivendi had directed the destruction of evidence for the case. When shown to the court, the judge took action to block Vivendi's countersuits, turning the case in Valve's direction.[[149]](#cite_note-149)\n\nOn November 29, 2004, Judge [Thomas Samuel Zilly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Samuel_Zilly \"Thomas Samuel Zilly\") of the [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._District_Court_for_the_Western_District_of_Washington \"U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington\") ruled in favor of Valve. The ruling stated that Vivendi Universal and its affiliates (including Sierra) were not authorized to distribute Valve games, either directly or indirectly, through cyber caf\u00e9s to end users for [pay-to-play](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay-to-play \"Pay-to-play\") activities pursuant to the parties' publishing agreement. In addition, Judge Zilly ruled that Valve could recover copyright damages for infringements without regard to the publishing agreement's limitation of liability clause.[[150]](#cite_note-150) Valve posted on the Steam website that the companies had come to a settlement in court on April 29, 2005.[[151]](#cite_note-151) As a result of the trial, the arbitrator also awarded Valve $2,391,932.[[152]](#cite_note-gamepolitics-152)\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Activision Blizzard*\n\nIn April 2009, Valve sued [Activision Blizzard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activision_Blizzard \"Activision Blizzard\"), which acquired [Sierra Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Entertainment \"Sierra Entertainment\") after a merger with its parent company, [Vivendi Universal Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivendi_Universal_Games \"Vivendi Universal Games\"). Activision had allegedly refused to honor the *Valve v. Vivendi* arbitration agreement. Activision had only paid Valve $1,967,796 of the $2,391,932 award, refusing to pay the remaining $424,136, claiming it had overpaid that sum in the past years.[[152]](#cite_note-gamepolitics-152)[[153]](#cite_note-153)\n\n### *Dota* intellectual property ownership\n\n*[Defense of the Ancients](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_the_Ancients \"Defense of the Ancients\")* (DotA) was a landmark [mod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_(video_gaming) \"Mod (video gaming)\") first released in 2003 that created the basis of the genre of [multiplayer online battle arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplayer_online_battle_arena \"Multiplayer online battle arena\") (MOBA). It was originally developed by Kyle Sommer (who goes by the alias *Eul*) within [Blizzard Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_Entertainment \"Blizzard Entertainment\")'s *[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos \"Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos\")* via its [world editor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III_World_Editor \"Warcraft III World Editor\"), and spawned several similar efforts, notably *DotA-Allstars*. While there had been several that contributed to *DotA-Allstars*, the project was managed primarily by [Steve \"Guinsoo\" Feak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_ \"Steve \"), and later by \"[IceFrog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IceFrog \"IceFrog\")\". IceFrog was eventually hired by Valve in 2009, with the rights to the *DotA* [intellectual property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property \"Intellectual property\") being sold to Valve the following year. Eul was also hired into Valve by 2010.[[154]](#cite_note-dota_ip-154) Valve then subsequently filed [trademarks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark \"Trademark\") towards a sequel to *DotA*, titled *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")*. DotA-Allstars, LLC, a group of former contributors to the *DotA-Allstars* project, filed an opposing trademark in August 2010 to contest Valve's claim it owned the property rights.[[155]](#cite_note-155)\n\nDotA-Allstars, LLC was eventually acquired by Blizzard to start development of *Blizzard All-Stars*. Blizzard took over the trademark challenge. The [United States Patent & Trademark Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Patent_&_Trademark_Office \"United States Patent & Trademark Office\") initially ruled in Valve's favor. By this point, [Riot Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Games \"Riot Games\") had hired Guinsoo to help develop its own MOBA, *[League of Legends](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends \"League of Legends\")*. Feak transferred his rights to the *Dota* property to Riot, who in turn sold those to Blizzard. Blizzard filed a lawsuit against Valve to challenge Valve's ownership, pitting the rights assigned by Guinsoo at odds to those assigned to Valve by IceFrog and Eul.[[156]](#cite_note-156) The case *Blizzard Entertainment v. Valve Corporation* was settled out of court in May 2012; Valve retained the right to use *Dota* commercially, while Blizzard reserved the right for fans to use *Dota* non-commercially.[[157]](#cite_note-157) Blizzard changed the names of its own projects to remove the *Dota* term, and renamed *Blizzard All-Stars* as *[Heroes of the Storm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_of_the_Storm \"Heroes of the Storm\")*. Valve's *Dota 2* was released in 2013.[[158]](#cite_note-158)\n\nIn 2014, mobile developers Lilith and uCool released its games *Dota Legends* and *Heroes Charge*, respectively. Both were influenced by *Dota* and the sequels. In 2017, Valve and Blizzard took joint action against these companies, citing copyright issues related to the *Dota* names. uCool argued that the *Dota* games were a [collective work](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_work_(US) \"Collective work (US)\") and could not be copyrighted by anyone in particular, but the presiding judge, [Charles R. Breyer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_R._Breyer \"Charles R. Breyer\"), felt that, due to the trio's actions as maintainers of the *Dota* mods, they had a rightful copyright claim to this. Separately, Lilith and uCool argued that Eul had, in a forum post from September 2004, assigned an [open-source copyright license](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software \"Open-source software\") to *Dota*, which would make Valve and Blizzard's copyright claims void. The case was later heard by a jury.[[154]](#cite_note-dota_ip-154)\n\n### *ACCC v. Valve Corporation*\n\nThe [Australian Competition & Consumer Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Competition_&_Consumer_Commission \"Australian Competition & Consumer Commission\") (ACCC) announced it was taking action against Valve in 2014. On March 29, 2016, Valve was found guilty of breaching Australian consumer law because:[[159]](#cite_note-159)[[160]](#cite_note-160)\n\n* Valve claimed consumers were not entitled to a refund for digitally downloaded games purchased from Valve via the Steam website or Steam Client (in any circumstances);\n* Valve had excluded statutory guarantees or warranties that goods would be of acceptable quality; and\n* Valve had restricted or modified statutory guarantees or warranties of acceptable quality.\n\nDuring the prosecution of this case, Valve implemented a refund policy for Steam purchases, but the case still reviewed Valve's actions prior to the onset of the lawsuit. The court overseeing the case sided with the ACCC in assigning a [A$](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_dollar \"Australian dollar\")3\u00a0million (about US$2.1\u00a0million) fine against Valve in December 2016, as well as requiring Valve to inform Australian consumers of their rights when purchasing games from Steam.[[161]](#cite_note-161) Valve appealed the court's determination that it \"engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations about consumer guarantees\", as well as seeking to appeal the fine, but the Australian higher courts rejected the appeals in December 2017.[[162]](#cite_note-162) In January 2018, Valve filed for a \"special leave\" of the court's decision, appealing to the [High Court of Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Court_of_Australia \"High Court of Australia\").[[163]](#cite_note-163) The High Court dismissed this claim in April 2018, asserting that Valve still was liable under Australian law since it sold products directly to its citizens.[[164]](#cite_note-164)\n\n### *UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation*\n\nConsumer rights group [UFC Que Choisir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_Que_Choisir \"UFC Que Choisir\"), based in France, filed a lawsuit against Valve in December 2015, claiming users should be able to resell their software.[[165]](#cite_note-165)[[166]](#cite_note-166) The [High Court of Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribunal_de_grande_instance_de_Paris \"Tribunal de grande instance de Paris\") ruled in favor of UFC Que Choisir in September 2019, stating that Valve must allow the resale of Steam games. Valve stated it will appeal the decision.[[167]](#cite_note-167)\n\nIn 2022, the [Court of Appeal of Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_Appeal_of_Paris \"Court of Appeal of Paris\") overturned the lower court's decision, ruling in Valve's favour. In 2024, The [French Supreme Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_Cassation_(France) \"Court of Cassation (France)\") later confirmed this ruling, citing the EU [Copyright and Information Society Directive 2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_and_Information_Society_Directive_2001 \"Copyright and Information Society Directive 2001\").[[168]](#cite_note-168)\n\n### Skins gambling\n\nMain article: [Skin gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling \"Skin gambling\")\n\nValve was named as a defendant in two lawsuits in June and July 2016 related to third-party gambling sites that use the Steamworks API to allow betting with the virtual currency of cosmetic weapon replacement textures, better known as \"skins\", from *[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Global_Offensive \"Counter-Strike: Global Offensive\")*, which through these sites can be converted from or to real-world money. Both suits assert Valve aiding in underaged [gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling \"Gambling\").[[169]](#cite_note-polygon_gambling_overview-169) Valve subsequently stated it has no commercial ties with these sites, and that it would demand these sites cease their use of the Steamworks API as they violate the authorized use policies.[[170]](#cite_note-170)[[171]](#cite_note-171) In October 2016, the Washington State Gambling Commission required Valve to stop the use of virtual skins for gambling on Steam, stating they would face legal repercussions if they failed to co-operate.[[172]](#cite_note-172) On October 17, 2016, Valve sent a letter to the Washington State Gambling Commission stating that it had \"no business relationship with such gambling sites\", asserting that they come into existence, operate, and go out of existence without its knowledge and consent, adding that it was not aware of any such law that Steam or any of its games were violating.[[173]](#cite_note-173)[[174]](#cite_note-174)\n\n### Anti-competitive practices\n\nIn February 2017, the [European Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Commission \"European Commission\") began investigating Valve and five other publishers\u2014[Bandai Namco Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandai_Namco_Entertainment \"Bandai Namco Entertainment\"), [Capcom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capcom \"Capcom\"), [Focus Home Interactive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_Home_Interactive \"Focus Home Interactive\"), [Koch Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koch_Media \"Koch Media\") and [ZeniMax Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZeniMax_Media \"ZeniMax Media\")\u2014for anti-competitive practices, specifically the use of geo-blocking through the Steam storefront and Steam product keys to prevent access to software to citizens of certain countries. Such practices would be against the [Digital Single Market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Single_Market \"Digital Single Market\") initiative by the European Union.[[175]](#cite_note-175) While the other five companies named are in stages of settling with the EU as of August 2019, Valve has stated it plans to fight the charges, asserting that geo-blocking affects less than 3% of its games, and that it had turned off such geo-blocking within the EU in 2015.[[176]](#cite_note-176)\n\nIn January 2021, five gamers filed a proposed class-action [antitrust](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_law \"Competition law\") lawsuit in California against Valve, alleging that the company \"abuses the Steam platform's market power\" by requiring game developers and publishers to enter into a \"[most favored nation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_favored_nation \"Most favored nation\")\" agreement with Valve, restricting their ability to sell games for less on other platforms and thereby preventing price competition.[[177]](#cite_note-177)[[178]](#cite_note-178) This suit was later consolidated with the Wolfire Games lawsuit.\n\nIn May 2021, [Wolfire Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfire_Games \"Wolfire Games\") filed a proposed class-action antitrust lawsuit against Valve, alleging that the company exerts [monopoly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly \"Monopoly\") power over the PC gaming market and uses its \"gatekeeper role\" to \"wield extreme power over publishers of PC Desktop Games\" and to extract \"an extraordinarily high cut from nearly every sale that passes through its store.\"[[179]](#cite_note-179)[[180]](#cite_note-180) Although a motion by Valve to dismiss the original lawsuit was granted in November 2021, Wolfire was allowed to file a revised complaint, and in May 2022 US District Court Judge [John C. Coughenour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Coughenour \"John C. Coughenour\") ruled that that lawsuit could proceed, finding that Wolfire's allegations were \"sufficient to plausibly allege unlawful conduct.\"[[181]](#cite_note-181) In November 2024, it was affirmed into a class-action lawsuit, with any developer affected by Valve's revenue cut able to be part of the class.[[182]](#cite_note-182)\n\nIn June 2024, Vicki Shotbolt, a children's digital rights activist, filed a lawsuit with the [Competition Appeal Tribunal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competition_Appeal_Tribunal \"Competition Appeal Tribunal\") in the UK that accuses Valve of \"rigging the market\" for PC games, alleging that Valve used its market dominance to overcharge 14 million people in the UK and seeking damages of \u00a322 to \u00a344 per affected customer, or \u00a3656 million in total.[[183]](#cite_note-183)[[184]](#cite_note-184)\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Zaiger, LLC*\n\nIn 2023, Valve sued a law firm, Zaiger, alleging that it attempted to extort settlements from Valve by threatening to bring numerous antitrust [arbitration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbitration \"Arbitration\") cases on behalf of Steam customers, a tactic referred to as \"mass arbitration\". Valve also brought suit against a litigation financier for Zaiger over the funding of a social media campaign to recruit Steam users as clients. Valve alleged that it improperly interfered with its contracts with Steam customers and abused the arbitration process by signing up clients with the intent of obtaining settlements slightly lower than the cost of arbitration filing fees, rather than arbitrating their claims. Valve said that it was targeted due to the terms of the Steam Subscriber Agreement, in which Valve would be responsible for the fees and costs associated with arbitration. The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice by the [US District Court for the Western District of Washington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_District_Court_for_the_Western_District_of_Washington \"US District Court for the Western District of Washington\") in 2024 due to [personal jurisdiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_jurisdiction \"Personal jurisdiction\") issues.[[185]](#cite_note-arsSep27-185)[[186]](#cite_note-186) In September 2024, Valve changed its Steam Subscriber Agreement to require disputes to proceed in court, specifically in King County, Washington, with no option of arbitration.[[185]](#cite_note-arsSep27-185)\n\n### *Valve Corporation v. Rothschild*\n\nIn 2015, Display Technologies LLC, one of several IP-holding companies owned by Leigh Rothschild, sued Valve over patent infringement. While the suit was dismissed by January 2016, Valve shortly followed by acquiring licenses to twenty patents owned across Rothschild's firms.[[187]](#cite_note-rothschild_2023-187)\n\nAround 2022, another Rothschild company, Patent Asset Management, began sending Valve demands to buy new licenses to two of the patents Valve already had licensed. Valve filed a lawsuit against the company in 2023 under Washington state's [Patent Troll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_Troll \"Patent Troll\") Protection and Consumer Protection Acts. In the months that followed, at least three lawsuits were filed in Texas by Rothschild's companies against Valve accusing Valve of additional patent infringement.[[187]](#cite_note-rothschild_2023-187) Valve argued these suits were retaliatory to their Washington suit, and requested them to be dismissed.[[187]](#cite_note-rothschild_2023-187) In February 2026, a jury found in Valve's favor on all counts.[[188]](#cite_note-188)\n\n1. 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[\u2191](#cite_ref-171) [\"News \u2013 In-Game Item Trading Update\"](http://store.steampowered.com/news/22883/). *Steam Store*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160715061050/http://store.steampowered.com/news/22883/) from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.\n172. [\u2191](#cite_ref-172) McAloon, Alissa (October 5, 2016). [\"Washington state authority orders Valve to stop allowing CS:GO skin gambling\"](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/washington-state-authority-orders-valve-to-stop-allowing-i-cs-go-i-skin-gambling). *[Gamasutra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamasutra \"Gamasutra\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161006151941/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/282773/Washington_state_authority_orders_Valve_to_stop_allowing_CSGO_skin_gambling.php) from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2022.\n173. [\u2191](#cite_ref-173) Grosso, Robert (October 17, 2016). [\"[Update] Valve to Respond to Washington Gambling Commission After Given Deadline\"](https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/update-valve-to-respond-to-washington-gambling-commission-after-given-deadline). *techraptor.net*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161114001643/https://techraptor.net/content/valve-respond-washington-gambling-commission-given-deadline) from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2022.\n174. [\u2191](#cite_ref-174) Chalk, Andy (October 18, 2016). [\"Valve denies wrongdoing in skin gambling legal rumblings: 'no factual or legal support for these accusations'\"](http://www.pcgamer.com/valve-misses-deadline-to-respond-to-washington-state-gambling-regulator-but-says-its-coming-soon/). *PC Gamer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161018232817/http://www.pcgamer.com/valve-misses-deadline-to-respond-to-washington-state-gambling-regulator-but-says-its-coming-soon/) from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.\n175. [\u2191](#cite_ref-175) Handrahan, Matthew (February 2, 2017). [\"Valve under investigation by European Commission for Steam geo-blocking\"](http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-02-02-valve-under-investigation-by-european-commission-for-steam-geo-blocking). *[GamesIndustry.biz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GamesIndustry.biz \"GamesIndustry.biz\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170202184925/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-02-02-valve-under-investigation-by-european-commission-for-steam-geo-blocking) from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.\n176. [\u2191](#cite_ref-176) Chee, Foo Yun (August 29, 2019). [\"Exclusive: Valve to fight EU antitrust charges, five videogame publishers to settle: sources\"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-antitrust-videogames-exclusive/exclusive-valve-to-fight-eu-antitrust-charges-five-videogame-publishers-to-settle-sources-idUSKCN1VJ26R). [Reuters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters \"Reuters\"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190829213459/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-antitrust-videogames-exclusive/exclusive-valve-to-fight-eu-antitrust-charges-five-videogame-publishers-to-settle-sources-idUSKCN1VJ26R) from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.\n177. [\u2191](#cite_ref-177) Gardner, Eriq (January 28, 2021). [\"Popular Gaming Platform Accused of Abusing Market Power Through Contracts\"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/). *[The Hollywood Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter \"The Hollywood Reporter\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231009231803/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/) from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.\n178. [\u2191](#cite_ref-178) Yin-Poole, Wesley (January 30, 2021). [\"Lawsuit accuses Valve of abusing Steam market power to prevent price competition\"](https://www.eurogamer.net/new-lawsuit-accuses-valve-of-abusing-steam-market-power-to-prevent-price-competition). *[Eurogamer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurogamer \"Eurogamer\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240614075316/https://www.eurogamer.net/new-lawsuit-accuses-valve-of-abusing-steam-market-power-to-prevent-price-competition) from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.\n179. [\u2191](#cite_ref-179) Orland, Kyle (April 30, 2021). [\"Humble Bundle creator brings antitrust lawsuit against Valve over Steam\"](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/04/humble-bundle-creator-brings-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve-over-steam/). *[Ars Technica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_Technica \"Ars Technica\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240314090728/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/04/humble-bundle-creator-brings-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve-over-steam/) from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.\n180. [\u2191](#cite_ref-180) Hollister, Sean (May 1, 2021). [\"As Epic v. Apple approaches the courtroom, Valve is getting sued over Steam too\"](https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/1/22413196/valve-steam-lawsuit-wolfire-games-humble-bundle-app-store-cut-epic-apple). *[The Verge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Verge \"The Verge\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240411235319/https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/1/22413196/valve-steam-lawsuit-wolfire-games-humble-bundle-app-store-cut-epic-apple) from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.\n181. [\u2191](#cite_ref-181) Zwiezen, Zack (May 11, 2022). [\"Lawsuit Claiming Steam Gives Valve Too Much Power Is Moving Forward After All\"](https://kotaku.com/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-wolfire-games-us-court-1848912204). *[Kotaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotaku \"Kotaku\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240613143959/https://kotaku.com/valve-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-wolfire-games-us-court-1848912204) from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.\n182. [\u2191](#cite_ref-182) Batchelor, James (November 28, 2024). [\"Wolfire and Dark Catt's antitrust lawsuit against Valve granted class action status\"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/wolfire-and-dark-catts-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve-granted-class-action-status). *[GamesIndustry.biz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GamesIndustry.biz \"GamesIndustry.biz\")*. Retrieved November 28, 2024.\n183. [\u2191](#cite_ref-183) Rahman-Jones, Imran (June 12, 2024). [\"Steam owner Valve accused of ripping off 14m UK gamers\"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwwyj6v24xo). [BBC News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News \"BBC News\"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240615021327/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwwyj6v24xo) from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.\n184. [\u2191](#cite_ref-184) Kan, Michael (June 13, 2024). [\"$837 Million Lawsuit Accuses Valve's Steam of Overcharging PC Gamers\"](https://www.pcmag.com/news/837-million-lawsuit-accuses-valves-steam-of-overcharging-pc-gamers). *[PCMag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCMag \"PCMag\")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240614051956/https://www.pcmag.com/news/837-million-lawsuit-accuses-valves-steam-of-overcharging-pc-gamers) from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.\n185. [1](#cite_ref-arsSep27_185-0) [2](#cite_ref-arsSep27_185-1) [\"Steam doesn't want to pay arbitration fees, tells gamers to sue instead\"](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/09/steam-doesnt-want-to-pay-arbitration-fees-tells-gamers-to-sue-instead/). *Ars Technica*. September 27, 2024.\n186. [\u2191](#cite_ref-186) [\"Mass arbitration target Valve accuses law firm, litigation funder of 'extortion'\"](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/column-mass-arbitration-target-valve-accuses-law-firm-litigation-funder-2023-12-08/). Reuters. December 8, 2023.\n187. [1](#cite_ref-rothschild_2023_187-0) [2](#cite_ref-rothschild_2023_187-1) [3](#cite_ref-rothschild_2023_187-2) Castle, Lauren (November 7, 2023). [\"Valve Wants Rothschild 'Retaliatory Lawsuit' in Texas Thrown Out\"](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/valve-wants-rothschild-retaliatory-lawsuit-in-texas-thrown-out). [Bloomberg Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomberg_Law \"Bloomberg Law\"). Retrieved February 18, 2026.\n188. [\u2191](#cite_ref-188) Evanson, Nick (February 18, 2026). [\"Valve wins lawsuit against Rothschild and associated entities, with a jury agreeing they violated an anti-patent troll protection act\"](https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/valve-wins-lawsuit-against-rothschild-and-associated-entities-with-a-jury-agreeing-they-violated-an-anti-patent-troll-protection-act/). *[PC Gamer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Gamer \"PC Gamer\")*. Retrieved February 19, 2026.\n\n## External links\n\n[![Wikimedia Commons logo](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/40px-Commons-logo.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg)\n\nWikimedia Commons has media related to [Valve Corporation](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Valve%20Corporation \"commons:Category:Valve Corporation\").\n\n* [Official website](https://www.valvesoftware.com) [![Edit this at Wikidata](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/20px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193559#P856 \"Edit this at Wikidata\")\n\n| * [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Valve \"Template:Valve\") * [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Valve \"Template talk:Valve\") * [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Valve \"Special:EditPage/Template:Valve\") |\n| --- |\n| [Games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Valve_games \"List of Valve games\") | |  |  | | --- | --- | | [*Half-Life*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(series) \"Half-Life (series)\") | * *[Half-Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_(video_game) \"Half-Life (video game)\")*   + *[Opposing Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Opposing_Force \"Half-Life: Opposing Force\")*   + *[Blue Shift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Blue_Shift \"Half-Life: Blue Shift\")*   + *[Decay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Decay \"Half-Life: Decay\")* * *[Half-Life 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2 \"Half-Life 2\")*   + *[Deathmatch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Deathmatch \"Half-Life 2: Deathmatch\")*   + *[Lost Coast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Lost_Coast \"Half-Life 2: Lost Coast\")*   + *[Episode One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_One \"Half-Life 2: Episode One\")*   + *[Episode Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two \"Half-Life 2: Episode Two\")*   + *[Episode Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three \"Half-Life 2: Episode Three\")* (canceled) * *[Half-Life: Alyx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life:_Alyx \"Half-Life: Alyx\")* * [Unreleased games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreleased_Half-Life_games \"Unreleased Half-Life games\") | | [*Portal*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(series) \"Portal (series)\") | * *[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game) \"Portal (video game)\")* * *[Portal 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 \"Portal 2\")* * *[Potato Sack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_Sack \"Potato Sack\")* * *[The Lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lab_(video_game) \"The Lab (video game)\")* * *[Aperture Hand Lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture_Hand_Lab \"Aperture Hand Lab\")* * *[Aperture Desk Job](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture_Desk_Job \"Aperture Desk Job\")* | | *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike \"Counter-Strike\")* | * *[Counter-Strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_(video_game) \"Counter-Strike (video game)\")* * *[Condition Zero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Condition_Zero \"Counter-Strike: Condition Zero\")* * *[Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Source \"Counter-Strike: Source\")* * *[Global Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike:_Global_Offensive \"Counter-Strike: Global Offensive\")* * *[Counter-Strike 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_2 \"Counter-Strike 2\")* | | *Team Fortress* | * *[Team Fortress Classic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_Classic \"Team Fortress Classic\")* * *[Team Fortress 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_2 \"Team Fortress 2\")*   + \"[2Fort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2Fort \"2Fort\")\"   + *[Team Fortress Comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Fortress_Comics \"Team Fortress Comics\")*   + [Heavy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_(Team_Fortress_2) \"Heavy (Team Fortress 2)\")   + [Medic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medic_(Team_Fortress_2) \"Medic (Team Fortress 2)\") | | *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_(franchise) \"Left 4 Dead (franchise)\")* | * *[Left 4 Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead \"Left 4 Dead\")* * *[Left 4 Dead 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_4_Dead_2 \"Left 4 Dead 2\")* | | *[Dota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota \"Dota\")* | * *[Dota 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2 \"Dota 2\")* * *[Artifact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artifact_(video_game) \"Artifact (video game)\")* * *[Dota Underlords](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_Underlords \"Dota Underlords\")* | | Other | * *[The Orange Box](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Orange_Box \"The Orange Box\")* * *[Day of Defeat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat \"Day of Defeat\")*   + *[Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Defeat:_Source \"Day of Defeat: Source\")* * *[Garry's Mod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry's_Mod \"Garry's Mod\")* * *[Alien Swarm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Swarm \"Alien Swarm\")* * *[The Crossing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crossing_(video_game) \"The Crossing (video game)\")* * *[Deadlock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlock_(video_game) \"Deadlock (video game)\")* | |\n| Technology | |  |  |  |  |  |  | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Hardware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_hardware \"Steam hardware\") | |  |  | | --- | --- | | Current | * [Steam Controller (2026)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(2026) \"Steam Controller (2026)\") * [Steam Deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck \"Steam Deck\") * [Steam Frame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Frame \"Steam Frame\") * [Steam Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machine \"Steam Machine\") | | Discontinued | * [Steam Controller (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Controller_(1st_generation) \"Steam Controller (1st generation)\") * [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\") * [Steam Machines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Machines \"Steam Machines\") * [Valve Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Index \"Valve Index\") | | | Software | * [GoldSrc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldSrc \"GoldSrc\") * [OpenVR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenVR \"OpenVR\") * [Proton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(software) \"Proton (software)\") * [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) \"Source (game engine)\") * [Source 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 \"Source 2\") * [Source Filmmaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_Filmmaker \"Source Filmmaker\") * [Steam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service) \"Steam (service)\") * [Steam Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Link \"Steam Link\") * [SteamOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteamOS \"SteamOS\") * [Valve Anti-Cheat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Anti-Cheat \"Valve Anti-Cheat\") | |\n| People | |  |  | | --- | --- | | Current | * [Sam Lantinga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Lantinga \"Sam Lantinga\") * [Mike Morasky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Morasky \"Mike Morasky\") * [Olly Moss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olly_Moss \"Olly Moss\") * [Brad Muir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Muir \"Brad Muir\") * [Gabe Newell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Newell \"Gabe Newell\") * [Jay Pinkerton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Pinkerton \"Jay Pinkerton\") * [Jake Rodkin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Rodkin \"Jake Rodkin\") * [Sean Vanaman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Vanaman \"Sean Vanaman\") * [Robin Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Walker_(game_designer) \"Robin Walker (game designer)\") * [Erik Wolpaw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Wolpaw \"Erik Wolpaw\") | | Former | * [Bay Raitt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_Raitt \"Bay Raitt\") * [Chet Faliszek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Faliszek \"Chet Faliszek\") * [Chris Remo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Remo \"Chris Remo\") * [Doug Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Church \"Doug Church\") * [Jane Ng](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Ng \"Jane Ng\") * [Jeri Ellsworth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeri_Ellsworth \"Jeri Ellsworth\") * [Jess Cliffe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jess_Cliffe \"Jess Cliffe\") * [Kelly Bailey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Bailey_(composer) \"Kelly Bailey (composer)\") * [Kim Swift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Swift \"Kim Swift\") * [Marc Laidlaw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Laidlaw \"Marc Laidlaw\") * [Michael Abrash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Abrash \"Michael Abrash\") * [Mike Ambinder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ambinder \"Mike Ambinder\") * [Mike Booth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Booth \"Mike Booth\") * [Mike Harrington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Harrington \"Mike Harrington\") * [Minh Le](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minh_Le \"Minh Le\") * [Ted Kosmatka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kosmatka \"Ted Kosmatka\") * [Viktor Antonov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Antonov_(artist) \"Viktor Antonov (artist)\") * [Yanis Varoufakis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanis_Varoufakis \"Yanis Varoufakis\") | |\n| Related | * [Campo Santo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_Santo_(company) \"Campo Santo (company)\") * [Count to Three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_to_Three_(The_Chalkeaters_song) \"Count to Three (The Chalkeaters song)\") * [*Counter-Strike* in esports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_in_esports \"Counter-Strike in esports\") * [HTC Vive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Vive \"HTC Vive\") * [Saxxy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxxy_Awards \"Saxxy Awards\") * [Skin gambling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_gambling \"Skin gambling\") * [Steam Trading Cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Trading_Cards \"Steam Trading Cards\") * [The Steam Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Steam_Awards \"The Steam Awards\") * [Turtle Rock Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Rock_Studios \"Turtle Rock Studios\") |\n|  |\n\n[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals \"Wikipedia:Contents/Portals\"):\n\n* ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Industry5.svg/20px-Industry5.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail) [Companies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Companies \"Portal:Companies\")\n* ![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Free_and_open-source_software_logo_%282009%29.svg/20px-Free_and_open-source_software_logo_%282009%29.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail) [Free and open-source software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Free_and_open-source_software \"Portal:Free and open-source software\")\n* [![icon](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Noun-technology.svg/20px-Noun-technology.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Noun-technology.svg) [Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Technology \"Portal:Technology\")\n* ![flag](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail) [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States \"Portal:United States\")\n* 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| * [IdRef](https://www.idref.fr/197372090) * [MusicBrainz label](https://musicbrainz.org/label/e6ad2f00-9ea0-4206-ba14-27cdaa2598a6) * [ELMCIP](https://elmcip.net/node/18048) * [Yale LUX](https://lux.collections.yale.edu/view/group/c71b0a52-e552-45b5-b9e8-41f23b66724f) |\n\nRetrieved from \"<https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valve_Corporation&oldid=1373297435>\"\n\n[Categories](/wiki/Help:Category \"Help:Category\"):\n\n* [Valve Corporation](/wiki/Category:Valve_Corporation \"Category:Valve Corporation\")\n* [1996 establishments in Washington (state)](/wiki/Category:1996_establishments_in_Washington_(state) \"Category:1996 establishments in Washington (state)\")\n* [Companies based in Bellevue, Washington](/wiki/Category:Companies_based_in_Bellevue,_Washington \"Category:Companies based in Bellevue, Washington\")\n* [Computer companies of the United States](/wiki/Category:Computer_companies_of_the_United_States \"Category:Computer companies of the United States\")\n* 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\"Category:Commons category link from Wikidata\")\n\nValve Corporation\n\n[Add topic](#)\n\n ",
        "id": "1d5acd-00"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.reveliolabs.com/companies/valve/employees",
        "title": "Valve Number of Employees 2026",
        "content": "Valve Corp. has approximately 366 total employees worldwide as of March 2026, Valve's total headcount has grown 4.7% from 350 employees in 2023 to 366 in 2026.",
        "score": 0.8958969,
        "raw_content": null,
        "id": "1f1f42-01"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/company/valve-corporation",
        "title": "Valve corporation | LinkedIn",
        "content": "# Valve corporation\nWe make games, Steam, and hardware. Join us.\nComputer Games \u2022 Bellevue, WA \u2022 296,716 followers \u2022 201-500 employees\n\n## Overview\nValve is an entertainment software and technology company founded in 1996 and based in Bellevue, Washington. The company\u2019s debut title, Half-Life, has won over 50 Game of the Year Awards and was named \"Best PC Game Ever\" in the November 1999, October 2001, and April 2005 issues of PC Gamer, the world's best-selling PC games magazine. Valve\u2019s portfolio also includes titles in the award-winning Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, Portal and Dota franchises. This portfolio of titles accounts for over 100 million units sold worldwide, and include some of the most played online games in the world. In addition to producing best-selling entertainment titles, Valve is a developer of leading-edge technologies including the Source\u00ae game engine and Steam\u00ae, a leading platform for digital content offering thousands of games to millions of users around the world. In 2015, Valve introduced the Steam Hardware devices, a collection of hardware devices designed to extend Steam beyond the desktop. In 2016, launched SteamVR, a platform for the creation and distribution of leading edge VR products. Today, Valve is composed of over 300 of the industry's best artists, programmers, and writers. In the company's history, it has risen from \"unlikely new entry\" to industry leader, producing a string of best-selling and critically-acclaimed PC products and technologies.\n\n### Website\n\n### Crunchbase\nN/A\n### LinkedIn\nN/A\n\n### Industry\nComputer Games\n\n### Company Size\n201-500 employees  \n1819 associated members (LinkedIn members who've listed Valve corporation as their current workplace on their profile)\n\n### Founded\n1996\n\n### Funding\nLast Round Date: N/A\nLast Round Type: N/A\nTotal Rounds: N/A\nLast Round Raised: N/A\n\n### Investors\nN/A\n\n### Specialties\nsoftware, hardware, platforms, product design, engineering, virtual reality, vr, gaming, film making, audio design, hardware engineering, software engineering, and ux design\n\n## Locations\nBellevue, WA 98004, US\n\n### Get Directions\nDirections\n\n## Employees\nYosef Durr (N/A):  LinkedIn Member (N/A): N/A; LinkedIn Member (N/A): N/A; LinkedIn Member (N/A): N/A; LinkedIn Member (N/A): N/A\n\n## Similar Companies\nRiot Games (Computer Games):  (Los Angeles, CA); Ubisoft (Computer Games):  (Saint-Mand\u00e9, \u00cele-de-France); Epic Games (Computer Games):  (Cary, NC); Rockstar Games (Computer Games):  (New York, New York); Nintendo (Computer Games):  (Redmond, Washington); CD PROJEKT RED (Computer Games):  (N/A); Electronic Arts (EA) (Entertainment Providers):  (Redwood City, CA); Blizzard Entertainment (Entertainment Providers):  (Irvine, CA); Naughty Dog (Computer Games):  (Santa Monica, CA); Activision (Entertainment Providers):  (Santa Monica, California)\n\n## Posts\n\n## Media\n- Images: \n- Logo: Company Logo\n\n## Additional  \nAdditional jobs info: Engineer (555,845 open jobs). Developer (258,935 open jobs). Designer (65,273 open jobs). Analyst (694,057 open jobs). Intern (71,196 open jobs). Software Engineer (300,699 open jobs). User Experience Designer (13,659 open jobs). Unity Developer (1,540 open jobs). Manager (1,880,925 open jobs). 3D Artist (902 open jobs). Producer (102,690 open jobs). Director (1,220,357 open jobs). Human Resources Specialist (34,340 open jobs). Graphic Designer (16,599 open jobs). Associate (1,091,945 open jobs). Animator (4,949 open jobs). Scientist (48,969 open jobs). Marketing Manager (106,879 open jobs). Project Manager (253,048 open jobs). Writer (26,384 open jobs)",
        "score": 0.88372874,
        "raw_content": "# Valve corporation\nWe make games, Steam, and hardware. Join us.\nComputer Games \u2022 Bellevue, WA \u2022 296,716 followers \u2022 201-500 employees\n\n## Overview\nValve is an entertainment software and technology company founded in 1996 and based in Bellevue, Washington. The company\u2019s debut title, Half-Life, has won over 50 Game of the Year Awards and was named \"Best PC Game Ever\" in the November 1999, October 2001, and April 2005 issues of PC Gamer, the world's best-selling PC games magazine. Valve\u2019s portfolio also includes titles in the award-winning Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, Portal and Dota franchises. This portfolio of titles accounts for over 100 million units sold worldwide, and include some of the most played online games in the world. In addition to producing best-selling entertainment titles, Valve is a developer of leading-edge technologies including the Source\u00ae game engine and Steam\u00ae, a leading platform for digital content offering thousands of games to millions of users around the world. In 2015, Valve introduced the Steam Hardware devices, a collection of hardware devices designed to extend Steam beyond the desktop. In 2016, launched SteamVR, a platform for the creation and distribution of leading edge VR products. Today, Valve is composed of over 300 of the industry's best artists, programmers, and writers. In the company's history, it has risen from \"unlikely new entry\" to industry leader, producing a string of best-selling and critically-acclaimed PC products and technologies.\n\n### Website\n[https://www.valvesoftware.com/](https://www.valvesoftware.com/)\n### Crunchbase\n[N/A](N/A)\n### LinkedIn\n[N/A](N/A)\n\n### Industry\nComputer Games\n\n### Company Size\n201-500 employees  \n1819 associated members (LinkedIn members who've listed Valve corporation as their current workplace on their profile)\n\n### Founded\n1996\n\n### Funding\n**Last Round Date:** N/A\n**Last Round Type:** N/A\n**Total Rounds:** N/A\n**Last Round Raised:** N/A\n\n### Investors\nN/A\n\n### Specialties\nsoftware, hardware, platforms, product design, engineering, virtual reality, vr, gaming, film making, audio design, hardware engineering, software engineering, and ux design\n\n## Locations\nBellevue, WA 98004, US\n\n### Get Directions\n[Directions](https://www.bing.com/maps?where=Bellevue+98004+WA+US&trk=org-locations_url)\n\n## Employees\n**Yosef Durr** (N/A): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosef-durr-830110?trk=org-employees](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosef-durr-830110?trk=org-employees); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A); **LinkedIn Member** (N/A): [N/A](N/A)\n\n## Similar Companies\n**Riot Games** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/riot-games?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/riot-games?trk=similar-pages) (Los Angeles, CA); **Ubisoft** (Computer Games): [https://fr.linkedin.com/company/ubisoft?trk=similar-pages](https://fr.linkedin.com/company/ubisoft?trk=similar-pages) (Saint-Mand\u00e9, \u00cele-de-France); **Epic Games** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-games?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-games?trk=similar-pages) (Cary, NC); **Rockstar Games** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockstar-games?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockstar-games?trk=similar-pages) (New York, New York); **Nintendo** (Computer Games): [https://jp.linkedin.com/company/nintendo?trk=similar-pages](https://jp.linkedin.com/company/nintendo?trk=similar-pages) (Redmond, Washington); **CD PROJEKT RED** (Computer Games): [https://pl.linkedin.com/company/cd-projekt-red?trk=similar-pages](https://pl.linkedin.com/company/cd-projekt-red?trk=similar-pages) (N/A); **Electronic Arts (EA)** (Entertainment Providers): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-arts?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-arts?trk=similar-pages) (Redwood City, CA); **Blizzard Entertainment** (Entertainment Providers): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/blizzard-entertainment?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/blizzard-entertainment?trk=similar-pages) (Irvine, CA); **Naughty Dog** (Computer Games): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/naughty-dog?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/naughty-dog?trk=similar-pages) (Santa Monica, CA); **Activision** (Entertainment Providers): [https://www.linkedin.com/company/activision?trk=similar-pages](https://www.linkedin.com/company/activision?trk=similar-pages) (Santa Monica, California)\n\n## Posts\n\n\n## Media\n- **Images:** https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/C561BAQEP7Xp9N4o_WQ/company-background_10000/company-background_10000/0/1584088181773/valve_corporation_cover?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=Dqpcnm0ZHOh61Rjr7bZGI5E_gN86FjZ53idUObi1Uw0\n- **Logo:** ![Company Logo](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/C560BAQFFslEKKfysQg/company-logo_200_200/company-logo_200_200/0/1630629926947/valve_corporation_logo?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=w2aVBXqwtS37KtNSEtjXsdOu64zuSwMIkiZUqT9GtJk)\n\n## Additional  \nAdditional jobs info: Engineer (555,845 open jobs). Developer (258,935 open jobs). Designer (65,273 open jobs). Analyst (694,057 open jobs). Intern (71,196 open jobs). Software Engineer (300,699 open jobs). User Experience Designer (13,659 open jobs). Unity Developer (1,540 open jobs). Manager (1,880,925 open jobs). 3D Artist (902 open jobs). Producer (102,690 open jobs). Director (1,220,357 open jobs). Human Resources Specialist (34,340 open jobs). Graphic Designer (16,599 open jobs). Associate (1,091,945 open jobs). Animator (4,949 open jobs). Scientist (48,969 open jobs). Marketing Manager (106,879 open jobs). Project Manager (253,048 open jobs). Writer (26,384 open jobs)",
        "id": "e6d5b6-02"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.trueup.io/co/valve",
        "title": "Valve Corporation - Company Profile",
        "content": "It is currently valued at $3.0 billion as a private company. 500 people work at Valve Corporation. The company was founded in 1996. Company grid. Employee",
        "score": 0.87782305,
        "raw_content": null,
        "id": "75ab78-03"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/popular/valve-corporation-employee-count-2026",
        "title": "Valve Corporation Employee Count 2026",
        "content": "Log In\n\nSign Up\n\n# Valve Corporation Employee Count 2026\n\nWatch reels about valve corporation employee count 2026 from people around the world.\n\n## corporate employee\n\n## valve employee count 2026\n\n## valve corporation employee count 2025 or 2026\n\n## valve employee count\n\nValve's Steam revenue faces a court challenge over alleged illegal practices. Big tech under scrutiny. #Steam #Valve #TechNews #Lawsuit #GamingIndustry #BigTech\n\n1,464\n\nValve's Steam revenue faces a court challenge over alleged illegal practices. Big tech under scrutiny. #Steam #Valve #TechNews #Lawsuit #GamingIndustry #BigTech\n\nValve have been quiet about when exactly their Steam Machine is meant to be releasing...\n \nIn their latest earnings call the AMD CEO assured investors that the company is on track to begin shipping \u2018early this year\u2019 although did not specify when\n\n2,807\n\nValve have been quiet about when exactly their Steam Machine is meant to be releasing... In their latest earnings call the AMD CEO assured investors that the company is on track to begin shipping \u2018early this year\u2019 although did not specify when\n\nvalve continues to outstrip the competition in just about any contest you can throw at them, or at least that's what aliena analytics have said - according to a new report from them, valve generates almost $50m per each of their employees (currently estimated at around 350) - to compare, apple generates about $2.4 million per employee and has around 164,000 employees\n\n494K\n\nvalve continues to outstrip the competition in just about any contest you can throw at them, or at least that's what aliena analytics have said - according to a new report from them, valve generates almost $50m per each of their employees (currently estimated at around 350) - to compare, apple generates about $2.4 million per employee and has around 164,000 employees\n\n\ud83c\udfae\ud83d\udd70\ufe0f Valve breaks the silence\u2026 but keeps the price a secret\n\nAfter months of speculation, Valve has finally shared an update on its long-awaited living-room hardware. The verdict? A classic good news / bad news situation.\n\n\ud83d\udcb8 The bad news first\nValve has delayed the announcement of pricing and exact release dates for its upcoming devices, including the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller. For a community eager to compare prices with the PS5 or Xbox Series X \u2014 and plan purchases \u2014 the wait is frustrating.\n\n\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f The good news\nDespite the silence on price tags, Valve insists the hardware itself is still on track to launch within the originally promised window. No production delay, no last-minute engineering disaster \u2014 just unfinished logistics and unanswered marketing questions.\n\n#Valve #SteamMachine  #GamingNews\n\n1,383 [...] M\u00e1s info en historias o tarreo.com\n\n497K\n\nP3333NC4 En 2021, el desarrollador Wolfire Games aleg\u00f3 que Steam recurre a pr\u00e1cticas monop\u00f3licas e interpuso una demanda en la que acusa a la plataforma por competencia desleal. Este caso contin\u00faa, y recientemente dio de qu\u00e9 hablar porque los abogados de los demandantes aparentemente presentaron publicaciones escritas por jugadores como pruebas en contra de Valve. Steam es la tienda de PC m\u00e1s grande del mundo y como tal tiene el control de una gran cuota del mercado. \u00bfEso significa que existe monopolio? No necesariamente, pues la plataforma de Gabe Newell tiene competencia: desde la Epic Games Store hasta GOG. Pero claro, el dominio casi absoluto de la tienda de Valve no es del agrado de algunos estudios y desarrolladores, quienes creen que dependen de la plataforma. Un editor molesto present\u00f3 una demanda, pero un desliz del cuerpo de abogados podr\u00eda derrumbar este caso antimonopolio. M\u00e1s info en historias o tarreo.com\n\nValve faces a $900M lawsuit over 'price parity'. Are devs forced to sell games at the same price everywhere? The details explained. #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #GameDev #PriceParity #Steam #VideoGames #Reels\n\n860\n\nValve faces a $900M lawsuit over 'price parity'. Are devs forced to sell games at the same price everywhere? The details explained. #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #GameDev #PriceParity #Steam #VideoGames #Reels\n\nSteam Sued for $900M in the UK\n\nSteam is in trouble over a $900M UK lawsuit.\nThe claim? Steam\u2019s PC gaming monopoly.\n\nOn Steam, all DLC and in-game purchases must go through them.",
        "score": 0.81418616,
        "raw_content": "[Log In](/accounts/login/?next=%2Fpopular%2Fvalve-corporation-employee-count-2026&source=desktop_nav)\n\n[Sign Up](/accounts/emailsignup/)\n\n# Valve Corporation Employee Count 2026\n\nWatch reels about valve corporation employee count 2026 from people around the world.\n\n## [corporate employee](/popular/corporate-employee/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n## [valve employee count 2026](/popular/valve-employee-count-2026/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n## [valve corporation employee count 2025 or 2026](/popular/valve-corporation-employee-count-2025-or-2026/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n## [valve employee count](/popular/valve-employee-count/?utm_source=topic_pill)\n\n[![Valve's Steam revenue faces a court challenge over alleged illegal practices. Big tech under scrutiny. #Steam #Valve #TechNews #Lawsuit #GamingIndustry #BigTech](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/624912158_1389725496229864_7366862331189901101_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=qE8JAgMk-sYQ7kNvwGeWVrT&_nc_oc=AdrrmxmCF_3n_CDn_deItr5L3N4WpwP9j-2LPJpACA9GSBCmB0UvW8lmwA-m4SVKiTs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQKvusm7PC9RzitYhzz9oVwuenAWAaSXFRELt8hbcrefvA&oe=6AA644BD)\n\n1,464\n\nValve's Steam revenue faces a court challenge over alleged illegal practices. Big tech under scrutiny. #Steam #Valve #TechNews #Lawsuit #GamingIndustry #BigTech](/reel/DUH7YD9FVLe/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve have been quiet about when exactly their Steam Machine is meant to be releasing...\n \nIn their latest earnings call the AMD CEO assured investors that the company is on track to begin shipping \u2018early this year\u2019 although did not specify when](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/628448370_17898555363379359_947078692774445188_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=98HNiKbWAHEQ7kNvwHtQPYW&_nc_oc=AdoILP2II8aQpVn79Cn0xGCBZ91p7U76OMM3wc3qz_OaUf9u0F4QZ19Hvr-Lmhs3UH0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQLqUTfWTdp_32EmDQs_SOvCYuaGNPH7WwVMW1GEtKJjqg&oe=6AA62EBC)\n\n2,807\n\nValve have been quiet about when exactly their Steam Machine is meant to be releasing... In their latest earnings call the AMD CEO assured investors that the company is on track to begin shipping \u2018early this year\u2019 although did not specify when](/reel/DUYNk8tjANo/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![valve continues to outstrip the competition in just about any contest you can throw at them, or at least that's what aliena analytics have said - according to a new report from them, valve generates almost $50m per each of their employees (currently estimated at around 350) - to compare, apple generates about $2.4 million per employee and has around 164,000 employees](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/589200913_17889775767379359_7337751499226286716_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=CiqV3N9zv10Q7kNvwGMb1CL&_nc_oc=AdrhxYYMHonQKbloBk6pKL7AhKPeENl249CAG5o4TCaun_C4ayr9B1LLESFM2FkAQGc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQLJ2gavnLRIp-9Ce1qOiWzXLRgHxIFn3WBJlkqI-zThCQ&oe=6AA622F6)\n\n494K\n\nvalve continues to outstrip the competition in just about any contest you can throw at them, or at least that's what aliena analytics have said - according to a new report from them, valve generates almost $50m per each of their employees (currently estimated at around 350) - to compare, apple generates about $2.4 million per employee and has around 164,000 employees](/reel/DRfAmsTDKKx/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![\ud83c\udfae\ud83d\udd70\ufe0f Valve breaks the silence\u2026 but keeps the price a secret\n\nAfter months of speculation, Valve has finally shared an update on its long-awaited living-room hardware. The verdict? A classic good news / bad news situation.\n\n\ud83d\udcb8 The bad news first\nValve has delayed the announcement of pricing and exact release dates for its upcoming devices, including the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller. For a community eager to compare prices with the PS5 or Xbox Series X \u2014 and plan purchases \u2014 the wait is frustrating.\n\n\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f The good news\nDespite the silence on price tags, Valve insists the hardware itself is still on track to launch within the originally promised window. No production delay, no last-minute engineering disaster \u2014 just unfinished logistics and unanswered marketing questions.\n\n#Valve #SteamMachine  #GamingNews](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/628232415_1053299960329693_7033860024471913761_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=UCDb_G4Oa9MQ7kNvwETDMiK&_nc_oc=AdpZlqP3GUbJVlWh7gWQ0mypizHRMi2eT2xPiTD1pEC4LxW6hdq7LZS87R4t3tw041Q&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQKrdSoe4oYLsrtmZZ3xRJWESPMvTHIv-kD7GrG-rM8oaw&oe=6AA62731)\n\n1,383\n\n\ud83c\udfae\ud83d\udd70\ufe0f Valve breaks the silence\u2026 but keeps the price a secret After months of speculation, Valve has finally shared an update on its long-awaited living-room hardware. The verdict? A classic good news / bad news situation. \ud83d\udcb8 The bad news first Valve has delayed the announcement of pricing and exact release dates for its upcoming devices, including the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller. For a community eager to compare prices with the PS5 or Xbox Series X \u2014 and plan purchases \u2014 the wait is frustrating. \ud83d\udee0\ufe0f The good news Despite the silence on price tags, Valve insists the hardware itself is still on track to launch within the originally promised window. No production delay, no last-minute engineering disaster \u2014 just unfinished logistics and unanswered marketing questions. #Valve #SteamMachine #GamingNews](/reel/DUYyVciDkRO/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve faces UK class action: allegedly rigged Steam prices, impacting 14M gamers. Could this affect you? #Steam #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #UK #PCGaming #Gamer](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/624910094_2775859712764099_8565374394122534253_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=zCXxc5qXI0kQ7kNvwGrgKuZ&_nc_oc=Adqb3UcakJ9jp0JSEit-dIoTM4vXVnyRWD_oSQeKvDgmH4faSCg8VpjeE7qlULonySw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQItth66QgyRzBH_YMUd8hNkx6jb38I8j21DEeJEtZAORQ&oe=6AA6302E)\n\n533\n\nValve faces UK class action: allegedly rigged Steam prices, impacting 14M gamers. Could this affect you? #Steam #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #UK #PCGaming #Gamer](/reel/DUJODqdCeBu/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Steam is being SUED for $900,000,000\n\nFolly Town reacts to Atozy\u2019s coverage of the $900 million antitrust lawsuit against Valve and the Steam marketplace.\n\nIs the Steam monopoly finally being challenged? Today, Folly Town is reacting to Atozy\u2019s latest breakdown of the massive $900,000,000 lawsuit hitting Valve.\n\n @atozy  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_dz2rEIGI\n\nA UK tribunal just gave the green light for a collective action claim involving over 14 million gamers. The allegations? That Valve is ](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/637708132_18093321221069899_4566158628405287957_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=FPJdfzsdcUQQ7kNvwE6wuDn&_nc_oc=AdpPfkdp2nM6kyF33GFAhHekmlAq5eLGHP_PT8irrZOkRFi7WWA9j1Bzxok07RwT4hE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQJOQ3nn6z4i9FBLoUMAhSig9R4NZaaQH43Y8ZF-RDfnLA&oe=6AA6267A)\n\n54\n\nSteam is being SUED for $900,000,000 Folly Town reacts to Atozy\u2019s coverage of the $900 million antitrust lawsuit against Valve and the Steam marketplace. Is the Steam monopoly finally being challenged? Today, Folly Town is reacting to Atozy\u2019s latest breakdown of the massive $900,000,000 lawsuit hitting Valve. @atozy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ\\_dz2rEIGI A UK tribunal just gave the green light for a collective action claim involving over 14 million gamers. The allegations? That Valve is \"rigging the market\" by forcing price parity, taking an \"excessive\" 30% cut, and locking players into their ecosystem through DLC restrictions. We\u2019re diving into the details Atozy covered: Is Gabe Newell\u2019s empire actually acting as an illegal monopoly, or is this just another case of lawyers trying to cash in on Steam\u2019s success? We also discuss Tim Sweeney (Epic Games) chiming in and what this could mean for the future of game prices. In this reaction, we break down: The $900M Legal Battle: Why the UK tribunal let this move forward. Atozy\u2019s Coverage: The facts, the \"junk fees,\" and the potential payouts for gamers. The 30% Cut: Is Steam\u2019s revenue split outdated in 2026? Folly Town\u2019s Take: Would a Valve loss actually help gamers, or just hurt the best platform we have? LINKS: Join the Patreon! https://patreon.com/FablesFolly Join this channel to get early access to all videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DsRAZFb8sdUamrz\\_J-qWQ/join Tip me: https://wallet.rumble.com/tip/c/c-7763922](/reel/DU9htmtmXg6/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve Fixing Steam Survey](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/641241064_863737206715205_651123084092949209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=YipRwU3ZqfoQ7kNvwHycLc6&_nc_oc=Adpb7_xGaTSLy0E4sNsBQtA1s1Md30SSyaLQa42d3XPrKM6j7vWPBIFKAwaEjz9FTHM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIMvJHMFwtOYL08HHn34xS7shzib6phr7fmyuO_5MS4Cg&oe=6AA647BE)\n\n13K\n\nValve Fixing Steam Survey](/reel/DVQdt-FD0VK/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![P3333NC4\n\nEn 2021, el desarrollador Wolfire Games aleg\u00f3 que Steam recurre a pr\u00e1cticas monop\u00f3licas e interpuso una demanda en la que acusa a la plataforma por competencia desleal. Este caso contin\u00faa, y recientemente dio de qu\u00e9 hablar porque los abogados de los demandantes aparentemente presentaron publicaciones escritas por jugadores como pruebas en contra de Valve.\n\nSteam es la tienda de PC m\u00e1s grande del mundo y como tal tiene el control de una gran cuota del mercado. \u00bfEso significa que existe monopolio? No necesariamente, pues la plataforma de Gabe Newell tiene competencia: desde la Epic Games Store hasta GOG.\n\nPero claro, el dominio casi absoluto de la tienda de Valve no es del agrado de algunos estudios y desarrolladores, quienes creen que dependen de la plataforma. Un editor molesto present\u00f3 una demanda, pero un desliz del cuerpo de abogados podr\u00eda derrumbar este caso antimonopolio.\n\nM\u00e1s info en historias o tarreo.com](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/600447107_4362327030670414_6935229916234764353_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=hfClWIykIVsQ7kNvwGZmjus&_nc_oc=AdqndZejmq6lE3Imz1R-1ZtVGyRRf4_YpkiBj_soNMFu0UiPQDeJd1XRxqA9N0GPTGs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIOybm8P8jnojaiC6b7a275eEPpNnuw6jfjLc_rc6VVig&oe=6AA615E9)\n\n497K\n\nP3333NC4 En 2021, el desarrollador Wolfire Games aleg\u00f3 que Steam recurre a pr\u00e1cticas monop\u00f3licas e interpuso una demanda en la que acusa a la plataforma por competencia desleal. Este caso contin\u00faa, y recientemente dio de qu\u00e9 hablar porque los abogados de los demandantes aparentemente presentaron publicaciones escritas por jugadores como pruebas en contra de Valve. Steam es la tienda de PC m\u00e1s grande del mundo y como tal tiene el control de una gran cuota del mercado. \u00bfEso significa que existe monopolio? No necesariamente, pues la plataforma de Gabe Newell tiene competencia: desde la Epic Games Store hasta GOG. Pero claro, el dominio casi absoluto de la tienda de Valve no es del agrado de algunos estudios y desarrolladores, quienes creen que dependen de la plataforma. Un editor molesto present\u00f3 una demanda, pero un desliz del cuerpo de abogados podr\u00eda derrumbar este caso antimonopolio. M\u00e1s info en historias o tarreo.com](/reel/DSaLbOyEVoV/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Valve faces a $900M lawsuit over 'price parity'. Are devs forced to sell games at the same price everywhere? The details explained. #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #GameDev #PriceParity #Steam #VideoGames #Reels](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/625149424_2154208182013024_5701224790656291962_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=llB_o3vfzc4Q7kNvwEP8K92&_nc_oc=AdqFQ0jPUbgIGPHUM09u19-JiGa9sV8qnKkI98RD6n4toM-j1eJslL6TycXstEFVEPw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIwAwcwFjaecDaV1ljsE0Y52687Nx06M3MnfXml25LM7Q&oe=6AA6188B)\n\n860\n\nValve faces a $900M lawsuit over 'price parity'. Are devs forced to sell games at the same price everywhere? The details explained. #Valve #Lawsuit #GamingNews #GameDev #PriceParity #Steam #VideoGames #Reels](/reel/DULydJYjCsZ/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Steam Sued for $900M in the UK\n\nSteam is in trouble over a $900M UK lawsuit.\nThe claim? Steam\u2019s PC gaming monopoly.\n\nOn Steam, all DLC and in-game purchases must go through them.\n\nBut Epic Games and other stores let devs sell DLC anywhere, even on their own sites.\n\nSo is Steam abusing power\u2026 or just winning the market?\nDrop your take \ud83c\udfae\n\n#steam #steamgames #steamslawsuit #steammonopoly #steamstore](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/625049778_17910524814325493_4381616174687141979_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=sRCTYMue6LAQ7kNvwGODHQY&_nc_oc=AdrF5sQQhyirCa1OMyQV_bbg6mhx3n4siQ2BiK1vD4NLfrQiMJkSA2GKb3ySYat3EiU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQI2AyfVIIZ01dNB1fhX3SNcOfAofiD6JFAHSXOXp-SZwA&oe=6AA62CB5)\n\n62.1K\n\nSteam Sued for $900M in the UK Steam is in trouble over a $900M UK lawsuit. The claim? Steam\u2019s PC gaming monopoly. On Steam, all DLC and in-game purchases must go through them. But Epic Games and other stores let devs sell DLC anywhere, even on their own sites. So is Steam abusing power\u2026 or just winning the market? Drop your take \ud83c\udfae #steam #steamgames #steamslawsuit #steammonopoly #steamstore](/reel/DUGMtG1E0hG/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![How Valve Almost Went Bankrupt](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/643544272_18565865968044220_7229472350641377925_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=szAqyhDmuUUQ7kNvwEUPuSn&_nc_oc=AdoJR8a-ZXg5ufU1OYbDV6IPK_y2HWeJUuDyC-rb_V8usiguuRwx8bEXLYLXfc1PboI&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQKqGr_sU6OTobO1VJj-Nsqh6IYzJBObD6XVKpK11B90Lw&oe=6AA632AD)\n\n630K\n\nHow Valve Almost Went Bankrupt](/reel/DVeqDOvkVHX/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\n[![Is Valve a digital landlord? Are their commissions worth it? Are they even innovating anymore? \ud83e\udd14 #GamingIndustry #Valve #Steam #DigitalLandlord #GameDev #PCGaming #IndieDev](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/626820949_1996663254527144_459246912673990512_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=6vFPlyfb_qsQ7kNvwGtSMvk&_nc_oc=Adr9-wfDGIrqmGPZ3Gl6Y6LYIX1fPohVYPOIwSBAlSXo2-wkdX7cu5I1ep-SkVCWzJ8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=vQ51xcxAGepXb05Ib2d1mQ&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQI8MIWm6965sxiK4yvR9IKKVLVOfZqsA6tvkbB1hbwEhQ&oe=6AA62958)\n\n790\n\nIs Valve a digital landlord? Are their commissions worth it? Are they even innovating anymore? \ud83e\udd14 #GamingIndustry #Valve #Steam #DigitalLandlord #GameDev #PCGaming #IndieDev](/reel/DUWGkX7jNCc/?utm_source=popular_topic_grid)\n\nGet the full experience\n\n[Sign up for Instagram](/accounts/emailsignup/?next=%2Fpopular%2Fvalve-corporation-employee-count-2026)",
        "id": "8e812e-04"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/1e4ufu9/valve_employee_numbers_and_salaries_got_released",
        "title": "Valve employee numbers and salaries got released",
        "content": "According to according to leaked data, as of 2021, Valve employed just 336 staffers, meaning it's remarkably small compared to other gaming",
        "score": 0.8091708,
        "raw_content": null,
        "id": "99030a-05"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)",
        "title": "National Prize for Exact Sciences (Chile) - Wikipedia",
        "content": "7.   \u2191#cite_ref-7 \"Jump up\")\"Guido Garay recibe el Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2017\"[Guido Garay Receives the 2017 National Prize for Exact Sciences]. _El Mercurio_ (in Spanish). Santiago. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n8.   \u2191#cite_ref-8 \"Jump up\")\"Dora Altbir Drullinsky Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2019\". _Ministerio de educaci\u00f3n_. 2019-08-27. Archived from the original on 2019-09-22. Retrieved 2019-10-09.\n9.   \u2191#cite_ref-9 \"Jump up\")\"Premios Nacionales - Facultad de Ciencias F\u00edsicas y Matem\u00e1ticas - Universidad de Chile\".",
        "score": 0.8036392306000001,
        "raw_content": "[Jump to content](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#bodyContent)\n\n- [x] Main menu \n\nMain menu\n\nmove to sidebar hide\n\n Navigation \n\n*   [Main page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page \"Visit the main page [alt-z]\")\n*   [Contents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents \"Guides to browsing Wikipedia\")\n*   [Current events](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_events \"Articles related to current events\")\n*   [Random article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random \"Visit a randomly selected article [alt-x]\")\n*   [About Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About \"Learn about Wikipedia and how it works\")\n*   [Contact us](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us \"How to contact Wikipedia\")\n\n Contribute \n\n*   [Help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents \"Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia\")\n*   [Learn to edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Introduction \"Learn how to edit Wikipedia\")\n*   [Community portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portal \"The hub for editors\")\n*   [Recent changes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RecentChanges \"A list of recent changes to Wikipedia [alt-r]\")\n*   [Upload file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:File_upload_wizard \"Add images or other media for use on Wikipedia\")\n*   [Special pages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:SpecialPages \"A list of all special pages [alt-q]\")\n\n[![Image 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/icons/enwiki-25.svg)![Image 2: Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-wordmark-en-25.svg)![Image 3: The Free Encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-tagline-en-25.svg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)\n\n[Search](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search \"Search Wikipedia [alt-f]\")\n\nSearch\n\n- [x] Appearance \n\n*   [Donate](https://donate.wikimedia.org/?wmf_source=donate&wmf_medium=sidebar&wmf_campaign=en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en)\n*   [Create account](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=National+Prize+for+Exact+Sciences+%28Chile%29 \"You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory\")\n*   [Log in](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=National+Prize+for+Exact+Sciences+%28Chile%29 \"You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. 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[alt-o]\")\n\n## Contents\n\nmove to sidebar hide\n\n*   [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#)\n*   [1 Jury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#Jury)\n\n*   [2 Winners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#Winners)\n\n*   [3 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#See_also)\n\n*   [4 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#References)\n\n- [x] Toggle the table of contents \n\n# National Prize for Exact Sciences (Chile)\n\n- [x] 1 language \n\n*   [Espa\u00f1ol](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premio_Nacional_de_Ciencias_Exactas_de_Chile \"Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas de Chile \u2013 Spanish\")\n\n[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q9062313#sitelinks-wikipedia \"Edit interlanguage links\")\n\n*   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version](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&printable=yes \"Printable version of this page [alt-p]\")\n\n In other projects \n\n*   [Wikidata item](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q9062313 \"Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [alt-g]\")\n\nAppearance\n\nmove to sidebar hide\n\nText\n\n*   Small  Standard  Large   \n\nThis page always uses small font size\n\nWidth\n\n*   Standard  Wide   \n\nThe content is as wide as possible for your browser window.\n\nColor \n\n*   Automatic  Light  Dark   \n\nThis page is always in light mode.\n\nFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia\n\nAward\n\n| National Prize for Exact Sciences |\n| --- |\n| For the scientist whose work in the respective field of knowledge makes him worthy of said distinction |\n| Sponsored by | [Ministry of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Education_(Chile) \"Ministry of Education (Chile)\") |\n| Country | [Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile \"Chile\") |\n| First award | 1992 |\n\nThe **National Prize for Exact Sciences** ([Spanish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language \"Spanish language\"): _**Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas**_) was created in 1992 as one of the replacements for the [National Prize for Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Sciences_(Chile) \"National Prize for Sciences (Chile)\") under Law 19169.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-1) The other two prizes in this same area are for [Natural Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Natural_Sciences_(Chile) \"National Prize for Natural Sciences (Chile)\") and [Applied Sciences and Technologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Applied_Sciences_and_Technologies_(Chile) \"National Prize for Applied Sciences and Technologies (Chile)\").\n\nIt is part of the [National Prize of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_of_Chile \"National Prize of Chile\").\n\n## Jury\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=1 \"Edit section: Jury\")]\n\nThe [jury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juried_(competition) \"Juried (competition)\") is made up of the Minister of Education, who calls it, the Rector of the [University of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chile \"University of Chile\"), the President of the [Chilean Academy of Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_Academy_of_Sciences?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Chilean Academy of Sciences (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academia%20Chilena%20de%20Ciencias \"es:Academia Chilena de Ciencias\")], a representative of the Council of Rectors, and the last recipient of the prize.\n\n## Winners\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=2 \"Edit section: Winners\")]\n\n*   1981, [Igor Saavedra Gatica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Saavedra_Gatica?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Igor Saavedra Gatica (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor%20Saavedra%20Gatica \"es:Igor Saavedra Gatica\")] (physics)\n*   1991, [Enrique Tirapegui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique_Tirapegui?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Enrique Tirapegui (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique%20Tirapegui \"es:Enrique Tirapegui\")] (physics)\n*   1993, [Servet Mart\u00ednez](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servet_Mart%C3%ADnez?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Servet Mart\u00ednez (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servet%20Mart%C3%ADnez \"es:Servet Mart\u00ednez\")] and [Eric Goles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Goles \"Eric Goles\") (mathematics)\n*   1995, [Claudio Bunster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudio_Bunster \"Claudio Bunster\") (physics)[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-2)\n*   1997, [Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_Teresa_Ruiz \"Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz\") (astronomy)[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-3)\n*   1999, [Jos\u00e9 Maza Sancho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Maza_Sancho \"Jos\u00e9 Maza Sancho\") (astronomy)\n*   2001, [Fernando Lund Plantat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Lund_Plantat?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Fernando Lund Plantat (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando%20Lund%20Plantat \"es:Fernando Lund Plantat\")] (physics)\n*   2003, [Carlos Conca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Conca \"Carlos Conca\") (mathematics)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-4)\n*   2005, [Rafael Benguria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Benguria?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Rafael Benguria (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael%20Benguria \"es:Rafael Benguria\")] (physics)\n*   2007, [Miguel Kiwi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Kiwi?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Miguel Kiwi (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel%20Kiwi \"es:Miguel Kiwi\")] (physics)\n*   2009, [Ricardo Baeza Rodr\u00edguez](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Baeza_Rodr%C3%ADguez \"Ricardo Baeza Rodr\u00edguez\") (mathematics)[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-5)\n*   2011, [Patricio Felmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricio_Felmer?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Patricio Felmer (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricio%20Felmer \"es:Patricio Felmer\")] (mathematics)\n*   2013, [Manuel del Pino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_del_Pino?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Manuel del Pino (page does not exist)\") (mathematics)\n*   2015, [Mario Hamuy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Hamuy \"Mario Hamuy\") (astronomy)[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-6)\n*   2017, [Guido Garay Brignardello](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guido_Garay_Brignardello?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Guido Garay Brignardello (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guido%20Garay%20Brignardello \"es:Guido Garay Brignardello\")] (astronomy)[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-7)\n*   2019, [Dora Altbir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dora_Altbir \"Dora Altbir\") (nanoscience and nanotechnology)[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-8)\n*   2021, [M\u00f3nica Rubio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B3nica_Rubio?action=edit&redlink=1 \"M\u00f3nica Rubio (page does not exist)\")[[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B3nica%20Rubio%20(astr%C3%B3noma) \"es:M\u00f3nica Rubio (astr\u00f3noma)\")] (astronomy)\n*   2023, [Jaime San Mart\u00edn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_San_Mart%C3%ADn?action=edit&redlink=1 \"Jaime San Mart\u00edn (page does not exist)\") (mathematics)[[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_note-9)\n\n## See also\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=3 \"Edit section: See also\")]\n\n*   [CONICYT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONICYT \"CONICYT\")\n*   [List of astronomy awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_astronomy_awards \"List of astronomy awards\")\n*   [List of computer science awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_computer_science_awards \"List of computer science awards\")\n*   [List of mathematics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mathematics_awards \"List of mathematics awards\")\n*   [List of physics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_physics_awards \"List of physics awards\")\n\n## References\n\n[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&action=edit&section=4 \"Edit section: References\")]\n\n1.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-1 \"Jump up\")[\"Ley 19169: Establece normas sobre otorgamiento de Premios Nacionales\"](http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=30536&idVersion=1992-09-26)[Law 19169: Establishes Rules on Granting National Prizes] (in Spanish). [Ministry of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Education_(Chile) \"Ministry of Education (Chile)\"). 26 September 1992. Retrieved 8 December 2017\u2013 via Library of the National Congress of Chile.\n2.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-2 \"Jump up\")[\"Claudio Bunster Weitzmann\"](http://www.uchile.cl/portal/presentacion/historia/grandes-figuras/premios-nacionales/ciencias-/6568/claudio-bunster-weitzmann) (in Spanish). [University of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chile \"University of Chile\"). Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n3.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-3 \"Jump up\")L\u00f3pez, Nancy (26 March 2017). [\"Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz, Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, recibe el galard\u00f3n de Women in Science 2017\"](https://www.laizquierdadiario.cl/Maria-Teresa-Ruiz-Premio-Nacional-de-Ciencias-Exactas-recibe-el-galardon-de-Women-in-Science-2017)[Mar\u00eda Teresa Ruiz, National Prize for Exact Sciences Winner, Receives the 2017 Women in Science Award]. _La Izquierda Diario_ (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n4.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-4 \"Jump up\")[\"Carlos Conca Rosende\"](http://www.uchile.cl/portal/presentacion/historia/grandes-figuras/premios-nacionales/ciencias-/6500/carlos-conca-rosende) (in Spanish). [University of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chile \"University of Chile\"). Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n5.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-5 \"Jump up\")[\"Miembro de Excelencia: Ricardo Baeza ser\u00e1 distinguido por la American Mathematical Society\"](http://www.utalca.cl/link.cgi/SalaPrensa/academia/5382)[Member of Excellence: Ricardo Baeza To Be Recognized by the American Mathematical Society] (in Spanish). [University of Talca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Talca \"University of Talca\"). 16 November 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n6.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-6 \"Jump up\")[\"Mario Hamuy, astr\u00f3nomo de la U. de Chile gan\u00f3 Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2015\"](http://www.elmostrador.cl/noticias/pais/2015/08/29/mario-hamuy-astronomo-de-la-u-de-chile-gano-premio-nacional-de-ciencias-exactas-2015/)[Mario Hamuy, Astronomer of the U. of Chile Wins 2015 National Prize for Exact Sciences]. _[El Mostrador](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El\\_Mostrador \"El Mostrador\")_ (in Spanish). 29 August 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n7.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-7 \"Jump up\")[\"Guido Garay recibe el Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2017\"](http://www.emol.com/noticias/Tecnologia/2017/08/24/872500/Guido-Garay-recibe-el-Premio-Nacional-de-Ciencias-Naturales-2017.html)[Guido Garay Receives the 2017 National Prize for Exact Sciences]. _[El Mercurio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El\\_Mercurio \"El Mercurio\")_ (in Spanish). Santiago. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.\n8.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-8 \"Jump up\")[\"Dora Altbir Drullinsky Premio Nacional de Ciencias Exactas 2019\"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190922203821/https://www.mineduc.cl/2019/08/27/dora-altbir-premio-nacional-de-ciencias-exactas-2019/). _Ministerio de educaci\u00f3n_. 2019-08-27. Archived from [the original](https://www.mineduc.cl/2019/08/27/dora-altbir-premio-nacional-de-ciencias-exactas-2019/) on 2019-09-22. Retrieved 2019-10-09.\n9.   [\u2191](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)#cite_ref-9 \"Jump up\")[\"Premios Nacionales - Facultad de Ciencias F\u00edsicas y Matem\u00e1ticas - Universidad de Chile\"](https://ingenieria.uchile.cl/sobre-la-fcfm/distinciones-academicas/premios-nacionales).\n\nRetrieved from \"[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&oldid=1329323985](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Prize_for_Exact_Sciences_(Chile)&oldid=1329323985)\"\n\n[Categories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Category \"Help:Category\"): \n*   [1992 establishments in Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1992_establishments_in_Chile \"Category:1992 establishments in Chile\")\n*   [Awards established in 1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Awards_established_in_1992 \"Category:Awards established in 1992\")\n*   [Chilean science and technology awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Chilean_science_and_technology_awards \"Category:Chilean science and technology awards\")\n*   [Mathematics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mathematics_awards \"Category:Mathematics awards\")\n*   [Physics awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Physics_awards \"Category:Physics awards\")\n*   [Astronomy prizes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Astronomy_prizes \"Category:Astronomy prizes\")\n*   [Computer science awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Computer_science_awards \"Category:Computer science awards\")\n*   [Information science awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Information_science_awards \"Category:Information science awards\")\n*   [1992 in Chilean law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1992_in_Chilean_law \"Category:1992 in Chilean law\")\n\nHidden categories: \n*   [Articles with short description](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_with_short_description \"Category:Articles with short description\")\n*   [Short description is different from Wikidata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Short_description_is_different_from_Wikidata \"Category:Short description is different from Wikidata\")\n*   [Articles containing Spanish-language text](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Articles_containing_Spanish-language_text \"Category:Articles containing Spanish-language text\")\n*   [CS1 Spanish-language sources (es)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_Spanish-language_sources_(es) \"Category:CS1 Spanish-language sources (es)\")\n\n*    This page was last edited on 25 December 2025, at 09:05(UTC).\n*   Page was rendered with [Parsoid](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Parsoid \"mw:Special:MyLanguage/Parsoid\").\n*   Text is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License \"Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License\"); additional terms may apply. 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        "id": "763e4a-06"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/07/valve-runs-its-massive-pc-gaming-ecosystem-with-only-about-350-employees",
        "title": "Valve runs its massive PC gaming ecosystem with only about 350 employees - Ars Technica",
        "content": "# Valve runs its massive PC gaming ecosystem with only about 350 employees\n\nArs\u2019 leak analysis shows a large \u201cGames\u201d department and a very well-paid \u201cAdmin\u201d team.\n\nAs a private and generally secretive company, Valve doesn\u2019t offer much outside visibility into its inner workings. So when years\u2019 worth of data on the company\u2019s employee and aggregate payroll numbers leaked recently, we were eager to take a deep dive to see what those numbers could tell us about the operation and evolution of a company that has a hand in the majority of PC gaming transactions.\n\nThe recent data comes from a poorly redacted document in Wolfire\u2019s antitrust lawsuit against Steam, as first noticed over the weekend by SteamDB\u2019s Pavel Djundik. While the key data in the document has now been properly hidden in the court docket, The Verge captured the raw numbers from a table labeled \u201cEmployee Headcount and Gross Pay Data, 2003-2021.\u201d\n\nBreaking down that data by year and department with some simple graphs and statistics, seen below, gives us outsiders a rare partial glimpse into Valve\u2019s organization. All told, it\u2019s a bit hard to believe that this lynchpin of the PC gaming world has rested on the work of just a few hundred people for many years now.\n\n## Small but mighty\n\nIt\u2019s striking to consider just how small Valve is compared to other major players in the game industry. In 2021, Microsoft estimated Valve\u2019s annual revenue at $6.5 billion, roughly on the same scale as EA\u2019s $7.5 billion in 2024 revenue. But Steam achieved those numbers with around 350 employees, compared to well over 13,000 people employed by EA.\n\nThe disparity highlights just how much money Valve brings in with a relatively small workforce. And a lot of that is thanks to the chunk of revenue Valve takes from every sale on Steam. The dominant PC gaming marketplace has seen a massive increase in the number of annual game releases since 2012 or so, thanks to initiatives like Steam Greenlight and Steam Direct.\n\nYet, surprisingly, the size of the \u201cSteam\u201d department inside Valve has shrunk in recent years, from a peak of 142 employees in 2015 down to just 79 in 2021. From the outside, having just 79 employees keeping track of more than 11,000 Steam releases in 2021 is a pretty incredible ratio.\n\nSome readers may also be surprised that Valve\u2019s \u201cGames\u201d department has represented a majority of the company\u2019s headcount since 2003. That has remained true (though to a lesser extent) even in more recent years, as Valve\u2019s output of new games has become much more occasional. It seems likely a large number of those Games department employees are devoted to ultra-popular Valve games like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2, which enjoy tens of millions of players and need significant support work. [...] ## Some are more equal than others\n\nLooking past the departmental breakdowns, we can easily pick out a few distinct eras in Valve\u2019s recent employment history. The first is one of pretty consistent growth: With just 78 employees in 2003, Valve\u2019s total headcount increased steadily until it hit 351 employees in 2012. This period coincided with Steam becoming the primary method for PC gamers to access new titles, and it included the relatively quick death of boxed retail PC game sales.\n\nAfter 2012, Valve\u2019s total employee count remained remarkably steady, hovering between 325 and 375 employees through 2021. But total spending on gross pay for all employees continued rising even as total headcount remained steady, growing from about $300 million (inflation-adjusted 2021 dollars) in 2011 to just under $450 million in 2021.\n\nThus, the mean gross pay per employee throughout Valve shot up from about $483,000 in 2011 to $1.32 million per employee in 2021. That might sound high, but it seems downright conservative for a company bringing in roughly the same revenue as a major game publisher with about 38 times as many employees.\n\nYet these overall pay averages obscure massive discrepancies in mean gross pay by department. The handful of Hardware employees had by far the smallest average pay of the four listed departments at nearly $500,000 per year in 2021. However, the 35 members of the Admin department are well on the other end of the pay distribution, averaging $4.5 million in gross pay per employee in 2021.",
        "score": 0.7701369,
        "raw_content": "# Valve runs its massive PC gaming ecosystem with only about 350 employees\n\nArs\u2019 leak analysis shows a large \u201cGames\u201d department and a very well-paid \u201cAdmin\u201d team.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1346370023.jpg)\n\nAs a private and generally secretive company, Valve doesn\u2019t offer much outside visibility into its inner workings. So when years\u2019 worth of data on the company\u2019s employee and aggregate payroll numbers leaked recently, we were eager to take a deep dive to see what those numbers could tell us about the operation and evolution of a company that [has a hand in the majority of PC gaming transactions](https://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/stats/steam-statistics.html).\n\nThe recent data comes from a poorly redacted document in [Wolfire\u2019s antitrust lawsuit against Steam](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/judge-brings-dismissed-steam-antitrust-lawsuit-back-from-the-dead/), as [first noticed over the weekend by SteamDB\u2019s Pavel Djundik](https://twitter.com/thexpaw/status/1811727326138310962). While the key data in the document has now been properly hidden in the court docket, [The Verge captured the raw numbers](https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/13/24197477/valve-employs-few-hundred-people-payroll-redacted) from a table labeled \u201cEmployee Headcount and Gross Pay Data, 2003-2021.\u201d\n\nBreaking down that data by year and department with some simple graphs and statistics, seen below, gives us outsiders a rare partial glimpse into Valve\u2019s organization. All told, it\u2019s a bit hard to believe that this lynchpin of the PC gaming world has rested on the work of just a few hundred people for many years now.\n\n## Small but mighty\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.006-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.007-640x480.png)\n\nIt\u2019s striking to consider just how small Valve is compared to other major players in the game industry. In 2021, Microsoft [estimated Valve\u2019s annual revenue at $6.5 billion](https://x.com/piershr/status/1704084070169280658), roughly on the same scale as [EA\u2019s $7.5 billion in 2024 revenue](https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/electronic-arts-ea-earnings-madden-nfl-1235994653/). But Steam achieved those numbers with around 350 employees, compared to [well over 13,000 people employed by EA](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ea-cutting-5-of-workforce).\n\nThe disparity highlights just how much money Valve brings in with a relatively small workforce. And a lot of that is thanks to the chunk of revenue Valve takes from every sale on Steam. The dominant PC gaming marketplace has seen [a massive increase in the number of annual game releases](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/04/ars-analysis-80-of-steam-games-earn-under-5k-in-first-two-weeks/) since 2012 or so, thanks to initiatives like [Steam Greenlight](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/a-100-lottery-ticket-indies-discuss-steam-greenlights-new-fee/) and [Steam Direct](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/02/valve-says-goodbye-to-steam-greenlight-hello-to-direct-publishing/).\n\nYet, surprisingly, the size of the \u201cSteam\u201d department inside Valve has shrunk in recent years, from a peak of 142 employees in 2015 down to just 79 in 2021. From the outside, having just 79 employees keeping track of [more than 11,000 Steam releases in 2021](https://steamdb.info/stats/releases) is a pretty incredible ratio.\n\nSome readers may also be surprised that Valve\u2019s \u201cGames\u201d department has represented a majority of the company\u2019s headcount since 2003. That has remained true (though to a lesser extent) even in more recent years, as Valve\u2019s output of new games [has become much more occasional](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Valve_games). It seems likely a large number of those Games department employees are devoted to ultra-popular Valve games like *Dota 2* and *Counter-Strike 2*, which enjoy tens of millions of players and need significant support work.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_2226-scaled.jpg)\n\nThe leaked data also shows the slow rise of Valve\u2019s small Hardware department, which started with just three employees in 2011 as the company [began work](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/03/rumor-valve-potentially-working-on-a-steam-box-console-with-partners/) on its [doomed Steam Machines initiative](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/06/its-time-to-declare-valves-steam-machines-doa/). Transitioning into [the Valve Index era](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/05/one-week-with-the-valve-index-a-vr-game-changer-with-a-few-question-marks/) in the late 2010s, the hardware department still represented just a few dozen people and a paltry 3 to 4 percent of the company\u2019s annual payroll.\n\nBy the time we hit 2021 and [the run-up to the Steam Deck](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/02/steam-deck-the-comprehensive-ars-technica-review/), the Hardware division still makes up just 12 percent of Valve\u2019s small total headcount. Looking back, it\u2019s impressive that such a small team was able to create a portable gaming device that [quickly spawned](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/04/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-steam-deck-killing-windows-running-overlords/) a [whole micro-industry](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/06/new-steam-deck-competitor-lets-you-easily-swap-in-more-ram-storage/) of [imitators](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/01/why-more-pc-gaming-handhelds-should-ditch-windows-for-steamos/). We can only hope the Hardware team got a little more employee support in the wake of the Steam Deck\u2019s market success.\n\n\u201cWe are relatively recently a hardware company,\u201d Valve\u2019s Greg Coomer [told Rock Paper Shotgun in 2021](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-interview-valves-designers-on-all-things-hardware-software-and-knowing-when-to-stop). \u201cAnd our DNA is really in software where upgrading stuff, it takes as long as writing some code and shipping it on the internet. So the people who work here, you know, we\u2019ve hired a ton of experts in the hardware field who have all been slowly teaching us, \u2018You can\u2019t really operate the same way in hardware and just upgrade things whenever you feel like it.\u2019\u201d\n\n## Some are more equal than others\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.008-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.001-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.002-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.010-640x480.png)\n\nLooking past the departmental breakdowns, we can easily pick out a few distinct eras in Valve\u2019s recent employment history. The first is one of pretty consistent growth: With just 78 employees in 2003, Valve\u2019s total headcount increased steadily until it hit 351 employees in 2012. This period coincided with Steam becoming the primary method for PC gamers to access new titles, and it included the relatively quick death of boxed retail PC game sales.\n\nAfter 2012, Valve\u2019s total employee count remained remarkably steady, hovering between 325 and 375 employees through 2021. But total spending on gross pay for all employees continued rising even as total headcount remained steady, growing from about $300 million (inflation-adjusted 2021 dollars) in 2011 to just under $450 million in 2021.\n\nThus, the mean gross pay per employee throughout Valve shot up from about $483,000 in 2011 to $1.32 million per employee in 2021. That might sound high, but it seems downright conservative for a company bringing in roughly the same revenue as a major game publisher with about 38 times as many employees.\n\nYet these overall pay averages obscure massive discrepancies in mean gross pay by department. The handful of Hardware employees had by far the smallest average pay of the four listed departments at nearly $500,000 per year in 2021. However, the 35 members of the Admin department are well on the other end of the pay distribution, averaging $4.5 million in gross pay per employee in 2021.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.005.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.003-640x480.png)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/valve-pay-latest.004-640x480.png)\n\nIt wasn\u2019t always this way at Valve. Back in 2004, the mean Admin employee\u2019s pay was only 95 percent of the mean non-Admin employee. That could be seen as a testament to the company\u2019s much-publicized \u201cflat\u201d organizational structure, summarized in [the Valve New Employee Handbook](https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/apps/valve/Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf) as one where \u201cwe don\u2019t have any management, and nobody \u2018reports to\u2019 anybody else. We do have a founder/president, but even he isn\u2019t your manager.\u201d\n\nBut if members of the Admin department don\u2019t act as \u201cmanagers,\u201d in aggregate, they\u2019re certainly paid like they are. Since 2005, the Admin department\u2019s mean pay ratio has generally hovered anywhere from 250 to 550 percent of mean non-Admin pay, settling in at a 474 percent ratio in 2021. All told, in 2021, the Admin department represented just 10 percent of Valve\u2019s total employees but 36 percent of its total gross payroll.\n\nIt\u2019s hard to draw out too much detail from these mean numbers, of course. For all we know, lofty eight- or nine-figure salaries for just a handful of executives could be skewing the mean pay for the 35-employee Admin department. And the pay disparities shown here seem downright quaint when CEO Bobby Kotick was [making 1,560 times as much money as the median Activision employee in 2020](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1241289/activision-blizzard-executive-officer-compensation/). Still, the existence of this well-paid \u201cAdmin\u201d class at Valve at least raises questions about the company\u2019s vaunted lack of hierarchy.\n\nOverall, this small glimpse into Valve\u2019s structure only gives a somewhat skewed, partial, and somewhat outdated picture of the employee structures that help the world\u2019s largest PC gaming platform run. But even this small glimpse is likely to be the most visibility we get into this private company for the foreseeable future.\n\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/steam-data-delve-150x150.jpg)\n![](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/steamos1-150x150.jpg)\n\nListing image:\nGetty Images\n\n![Photo of Kyle Orland](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/k.orland-13.jpg)\n![Loading](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/themes/ars-v9/public/images/firework-loader.75ab30.gif)\n![Listing image for first story in Most Read: Due to need for \"absolute success,\" China delays critical Moon launch to 2027](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/shackleton_center_cropped-500x500.jpg)\n\nArs Technica has been separating the signal from\nthe noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of\ntechnical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts\nand sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After\nall, you don\u2019t need to know everything, only what\u2019s important.",
        "id": "1b85f8-07"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/valves-success-is-on-a-completely-different-level-and-the-numbers-say-it-all-wit/1397175758442653",
        "title": "Valve\u2019s success is on a... - Gamology - Gamers On Board",
        "content": "## Gamology - Gamers On Board's Post\n\n### Gamology - Gamers On Board\n\nDecember 9, 2025  \u00b7\n\nValve\u2019s success is on a completely different level and the numbers say it all. With only 363 employees, the company behind Steam manages to generate revenues that rival the biggest tech giants in the world. Steam alone brings in $16.2 billion in yearly sales, with a staggering $4 billion coming from commissions.\n\nWhat makes it even more unbelievable is the efficiency: an average salary of $1.3 million per employee and a platform that reaches nearly 40 million concurrent users at peak times.\n\nValve has created a business model that\u2019s lean, powerful, and insanely profitable proving that you don\u2019t need tens of thousands of employees to dominate an industry. You just need the right vision, the right product, and a loyal global community. \ud83d\udcb0\ud83d\udd25 [...] All reactions:\n\n103\n\n7 comments\n\n7 shares\n\nLike\n\nComment\n\nMost relevant\n\n\ufeff\n\nAntonio Ocasio\n\nI guarantee you not every employee is making anywhere close to that\n\n 38w\n\nAnatoly Kozlenko\n\nGod bless you Gabe for everything you've done for Gaming community \ud83d\ude4f\n\n 38w\n\n2",
        "score": 0.750937,
        "raw_content": "## Gamology - Gamers On Board's Post\n\n---\n\n### [**Gamology - Gamers On Board**](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard?__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R)\n\n[December 9, 2025](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R)\u00a0 \u00b7\n\nValve\u2019s success is on a completely different level and the numbers say it all. With only 363 employees, the company behind Steam manages to generate revenues that rival the biggest tech giants in the world. Steam alone brings in $16.2 billion in yearly sales, with a staggering $4 billion coming from commissions.\n\nWhat makes it even more unbelievable is the efficiency: an average salary of $1.3 million per employee and a platform that reaches nearly 40 million concurrent users at peak times.\n\nValve has created a business model that\u2019s lean, powerful, and insanely profitable proving that you don\u2019t need tens of thousands of employees to dominate an industry. You just need the right vision, the right product, and a loyal global community. ![\ud83d\udcb0](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t5a/1/16/1f4b0.png)![\ud83d\udd25](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t50/1/16/1f525.png)\n\n[![](https://scontent.ftas9-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/592384855_1392208285606067_3475014118480082051_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1080x1350&ctp=s590x590&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=JSdVF6hr8VAQ7kNvwGgUZAG&_nc_oc=AdraVtUbqB4KFscXHzkWcqg5S8AKl5Tp4bJV4cZzuBZmFELmsE7DgvX-Knd40-4gNpc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.ftas9-1.fna&_nc_gid=jDFNMfZ01L_0EVmwLJIBKg&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQIjgHgGjW76SYOLWs9KhbNNx3cssfr3zJ16yWja-BHgMw&oe=6AA4537C)](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1397175691775993&set=pcb.1397175758442653&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=*b0H-R)\n\n[![](https://scontent.ftas9-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/594063493_1392208288939400_6057369754372501426_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1080x1350&ctp=s590x590&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=BMoI18gbxa8Q7kNvwFpkiZr&_nc_oc=AdqUyujpXycdKLv4hvkZv7RLKupuEHeom2Nytauuu7vB4yqC4OSVLuw05T16FDzsf8E&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.ftas9-1.fna&_nc_gid=jDFNMfZ01L_0EVmwLJIBKg&_nc_ss=7f289&oh=00_AQJvMX7DSvrSf8XKClc67LlAx17x4zpJ9Z3T_UcdCQaTWQ&oe=6AA470A8)](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1397175695109326&set=pcb.1397175758442653&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=*b1H-R)\n\n![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg 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stop-color='%23FF5758'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3CclipPath id='clip0_15251_63610'%3E%3Cpath fill='%23fff' d='M-.001.0009h15.9992v15.9984H-.001z'/%3E%3C/clipPath%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E)\n\nAll reactions:\n\n103\n\n7 comments\n\n7 shares\n\nLike\n\nComment\n\nMost relevant\n\n\ufeff\n\nAntonio Ocasio\n\nI guarantee you not every employee is making anywhere close to that\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=914761141225847&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n[Anatoly Kozlenko](https://www.facebook.com/narx.warr?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMzk3MTc1NzU4NDQyNjUzXzg0NDc4MTEyNDgyNTA0OA%3D%3D&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nGod bless you Gabe for everything you've done for Gaming community ![\ud83d\ude4f](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t80/1/16/1f64f.png)\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=844781124825048&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n2\n\n![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg fill='none' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 16 16'%3E%3Cg clip-path='url(%23clip0_15251_63610)'%3E%3Cpath d='M15.9953 7.9996c0 4.418-3.5816 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stop-color='%232B7EFF'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E)\n\nDaniel Dahl Eriksen\n\nAVERAGE SALARY IS THAT HIGH OMG\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=1771174650248662&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nKarl Farrimond\n\nI'm gonna think that the average salary is so high because Gabe and the other big wigs salaries are included in that average. A normal staff working at Valve won't be on anywhere new 1.3m\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=736587548887740&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n[Raka Pratama](https://www.facebook.com/RakaRaptor?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMzk3MTc1NzU4NDQyNjUzXzI1MzY2OTU1Nzc2Mjk4Mzc0&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nwho have thought that make a service that the customer wanted can print money\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=25366955776298374&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\n[Jay Clark](https://www.facebook.com/Lord.jayjay21?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMzk3MTc1NzU4NDQyNjUzXzg3MjA4Nzc5MTk5MDI0NQ%3D%3D&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nThis is the type of things other CEOs show each other when they put thousands of jobs\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=872087791990245&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)\n\nDevan Perry\n\nSo you're telling me with all of that, and yall still can't make threequals hmm ![\ud83e\udd14](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t34/1/16/1f914.png)![\ud83d\ude12](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6f/1/16/1f612.png)![\ud83d\ude12](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6f/1/16/1f612.png)![\ud83d\ude44](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4e/1/16/1f644.png)\n\n* [38w](https://www.facebook.com/gamersboard/posts/pfbid0pjDYHeMTTdQxyANMyGLDF4sjjP4hdMZc12kHwb91eRPyBHZCyv2wJ45CfH9dxNE8l?comment_id=25390695083929084&__cft__[0]=AZiu_kePChFhOtr_fBdR4FPlNgkaLss4hdIt9IIRDdxS1H4XAzRTk0Im3n2i5HKAZeG4hF4XWntk8xV8RFoH1-aOTfbYc_D1tyTgSVatc1j4SmJi2ASS17uK5VSrQSOTXhK4HmY6AxHEW2231Jnpj58nEE-HUSjB&__tn__=R]-R)",
        "id": "08cdf6-08"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/13/24197477/valve-employs-few-hundred-people-payroll-redacted",
        "title": "Here\u2019s how much Valve pays its staff \u2014 and how few people it employs | The Verge",
        "content": "The homepage\n\nThe homepage\n\nNavigation Drawer\n\n Login\n  Sign Up\n\nSubscribe\n\nComments Drawer\n\nComments\n\nLoading comments\n\nGetting the conversation ready...\n\n# Here\u2019s how much Valve pays its staff \u2014 and how few people it employs\n\nLeaked payroll data reveals just how small one of the most important companies in gaming actually is.\n\nLeaked payroll data reveals just how small one of the most important companies in gaming actually is.\n\nby Jay Peters\n\nThe Steam brand logo against a blue and black backdrop\n\nThe Steam brand logo against a blue and black backdrop\n\nImage: The Verge\n\nJay Peters\n\nJay Peters\nis a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.\n\nValve is a famously secretive company with an enormous influence on the gaming industry, particularly because it runs the massive PC gaming storefront Steam. But despite that influence, Valve isn\u2019t a large organization on par with EA or Riot Games\u2019 thousands of employees: according to leaked data we\u2019ve seen, as of 2021, Valve employed just 336 staffers.\n\nThe data was included as part of an otherwise heavily redacted document from Wolfire\u2019s antitrust lawsuit against Valve. As spotted by SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik, some data in the document was viewable despite the black redaction boxes, including Valve\u2019s headcount and gross pay across various parts of the company over 18 years, and even some data about its gross margins that we weren\u2019t able to uncover fully.The employee data starts with 2003, which is a few years after Valve\u2019s 1996 founding and the same year Valve launched Steam, and goes all the way up until 2021. The data breaks Valve employees into four different groups: \u201cAdmin,\u201d \u201cGames,\u201d \u201cSteam,\u201d and, starting in 2011, \u201cHardware.\u201d\n\nIf you want to sift through the numbers yourself, I\u2019ve included a full table of the data, sorted by year and category, at the end of this story. In the document, the headings for the third and fourth columns are fully redacted, but the table is titled \u201cEmployee Headcount and Gross Pay Data, 2003-2021\u201d so I\u2019m presuming the data in those columns represent gross pay and number of employees, respectively.\n\nOne data point I found interesting: Valve peaked with its \u201cGames\u201d payroll spending in 2017 at $221 million (the company didn\u2019t release any new games that year, but that spending could have gone toward supporting games like Dota 2 and developing new games like Artifact); by 2021, that was down to $192 million. Another: as of 2021, Valve employed just 79 people for Steam, which is one of the most influential gaming storefronts on the planet.\n\n\u201cHardware,\u201d to my surprise, has been a relatively small part of the company, with just 41 employees paid a gross of more than $17 million in 2021. But I\u2019m guessing Valve now employs more hardware-focused staffers following the runaway success of the Steam Deck. In November 2023, Valve\u2019s Pierre-Loup Griffais told The Verge that he thinks \u201cwe\u2019re firmly in the camp of being a full fledged hardware company by now.\u201dWolfire alleged Valve \u201c...devotes a miniscule percentage of its revenue to maintaining and improving the Steam Store.\u201d\n\nThe small number of staff across the board seemingly explains why Valve\u2019s product list is so limited despite its immense business as basically the de facto PC gaming platform. It\u2019s had to get help on hardware and software and has worked with other companies to have them build Steam boxes and controllers. (The company\u2019s flat structure may have something to do with it, too.)\n\nValve\u2019s small staff is also something that\u2019s been a sticking point for Wolfire. When it filed its lawsuit in 2021, Wolfire alleged that Valve \u201c...devotes a miniscule percentage of its revenue to maintaining and improving the Steam Store.\u201d Valve, as a private company, doesn\u2019t have to share its headcount or financials, but Wolfire estimated that Valve had roughly 360 employees (a number likely sourced from Valve itself in 2016) and that per-employee profit was around $15 million per year.\n\nEven if that $15 million number isn\u2019t exactly right, Valve, in its public employee handbook, says that \u201cour profitability per employee is higher than that of Google or Amazon or Microsoft.\u201d A document from the Wolfire lawsuit revealed Valve employees discussing just how much higher \u2014 though the specific number for Valve employees is redacted.",
        "score": 0.7485182,
        "raw_content": "[The homepage](/)\n\n[The homepage](/)\n\nNavigation Drawer\n\n* [Login](/auth/login?returnPath=/)\n  [Sign Up](/auth/login?returnPath=/)\n\n[Subscribe](/subscribe?itm_campaign=menu-nav-subscribe&itm_medium=site&itm_source=navigation)\n\nComments Drawer\n\nComments\n\nLoading comments\n\nGetting the conversation ready...\n\n# Here\u2019s how much Valve pays its staff \u2014 and how few people it employs\n\nLeaked payroll data reveals just how small one of the most important companies in gaming actually is.\n\nLeaked payroll data reveals just how small one of the most important companies in gaming actually is.\n\nby Jay Peters\n\n![The Steam brand logo against a blue and black backdrop](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24062777/STK138_Stream_Kradtke_02.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)\n\n![The Steam brand logo against a blue and black backdrop](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24062777/STK138_Stream_Kradtke_02.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400)\n\nImage: The Verge\n\n[![Jay Peters](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/JAY_BLURPLE.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=96)](/authors/jay-peters)\n\nJay Peters\nis a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.\n\nValve is a famously secretive company with an enormous influence on the gaming industry, particularly because it runs the massive PC gaming storefront Steam. But despite that influence, Valve isn\u2019t a large organization on par with EA or Riot Games\u2019 thousands of employees: according to leaked data we\u2019ve seen, as of 2021, Valve employed just 336 staffers.\n\nThe data was included as part of an otherwise heavily redacted document from [Wolfire\u2019s antitrust lawsuit against Valve](/2021/5/1/22413196/valve-steam-lawsuit-wolfire-games-humble-bundle-app-store-cut-epic-apple). As spotted [by SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik](https://x.com/thexpaw/status/1811727326138310962), some data in the document was viewable despite the black redaction boxes, including Valve\u2019s headcount and gross pay across various parts of the company over 18 years, and even some data about its gross margins that we weren\u2019t able to uncover fully.\n\nThe employee data starts with 2003, which is a few years after Valve\u2019s 1996 founding and [the same year Valve launched Steam](/2023/9/12/23870270/steam-20-birthday-2003-2023), and goes all the way up until 2021. The data breaks Valve employees into four different groups: \u201cAdmin,\u201d \u201cGames,\u201d \u201cSteam,\u201d and, starting in 2011, \u201cHardware.\u201d\n\nIf you want to sift through the numbers yourself, I\u2019ve included a full table of the data, sorted by year and category, at the end of this story. In the document, the headings for the third and fourth columns are fully redacted, but the table is titled \u201cEmployee Headcount and Gross Pay Data, 2003-2021\u201d so I\u2019m presuming the data in those columns represent gross pay and number of employees, respectively.\n\nOne data point I found interesting: Valve peaked with its \u201cGames\u201d payroll spending in 2017 at $221 million (the company didn\u2019t release any new games that year, but that spending could have gone toward supporting games like *Dota 2* and developing new games like [*Artifact*](/2021/3/4/22314103/valve-ending-development-artifact-tcg-dota-2)); by 2021, that was down to $192 million. Another: as of 2021, Valve employed just 79 people for Steam, which is one of the most influential gaming storefronts on the planet.\n\n\u201cHardware,\u201d to my surprise, has been a relatively small part of the company, with just 41 employees paid a gross of more than $17 million in 2021. But I\u2019m guessing Valve now employs more hardware-focused staffers following the [runaway success of the Steam Deck](/2023/11/9/23954205/valve-steam-deck-multiple-millions). In November 2023, Valve\u2019s Pierre-Loup Griffais told *The Verge* that he thinks \u201cwe\u2019re firmly in the camp of being a full fledged hardware company by now.\u201d\n\nWolfire alleged Valve \u201c...devotes a miniscule percentage of its revenue to maintaining and improving the Steam Store.\u201d\n\nThe small number of staff across the board seemingly explains why Valve\u2019s product list is so limited despite its immense business as basically the de facto PC gaming platform. It\u2019s had to get help on [hardware](https://www.andrews-cooper.com/tech-talks/valve-partnership-gaming-hardware-development/) and [software](/23499215/valve-steam-deck-interview-late-2022#:~:text=The%20Steam%20Deck%20was%20%E2%80%94%20and%20is%20%E2%80%94%20a%20distributed%20effort) and has worked with other companies to have them build Steam [boxes](/2015/11/10/9705234/valve-steam-machines-controller-link-launch) and [controllers](/2024/6/26/24186645/valve-steam-controller-officially-licensed-wireless-horipad-announcement-specs). (The company\u2019s [flat structure](/2012/4/21/2964991/valves-handbook-for-new-employees-leak) may have something to do with it, too.)\n\nValve\u2019s small staff is also something that\u2019s been a sticking point for Wolfire. When it filed its lawsuit in 2021, Wolfire alleged that Valve \u201c...devotes a miniscule percentage of its revenue to maintaining and improving the Steam Store.\u201d Valve, as a private company, doesn\u2019t have to share its headcount or financials, but Wolfire estimated that Valve had roughly 360 employees (a number likely sourced from [Valve itself in 2016](https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-misses-deadline-to-respond-to-washington-state-gambling-regulator-but-says-its-coming-soon/)) and that per-employee profit was around $15 million per year.\n\nEven if that $15 million number isn\u2019t exactly right, Valve, in its [public employee handbook](https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/apps/valve/Valve_NewEmployeeHandbook.pdf), says that \u201cour profitability per employee is higher than that of Google or Amazon or Microsoft.\u201d A document from the Wolfire lawsuit revealed [Valve employees discussing](https://newsletter.gamediscover.co/p/revealed-tim-sweeneys-epic-rant-to) just how much higher \u2014 though the specific number for Valve employees is redacted.\n\nWhile we haven\u2019t seen any leaked profit numbers from this new headcount and payroll data, the figures give a more detailed picture of how much Valve is spending on its staff \u2014 which, given the massive popularity of Steam, is probably still just a fraction of the money the company is pulling in.\n\nValve didn\u2019t immediately reply to a request for comment. After we reached out, the court pulled the document from the docket.\n\n*Sean Hollister contributed reporting.*\n\n***Update, July 13th**: Clarified why two table headings include \u201cpresumably.\u201d*\n\n## Valve employee data, 2003 - 2021\n\n| Year | Category | [Presumably: Gross pay] | [Presumably: Number of employees] |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 2003 | Admin | $454,142 | 5 |\n| 2004 | Admin | $548,833 | 8 |\n| 2005 | Admin | $11,644,172 | 9 |\n| 2006 | Admin | $7,905,166 | 11 |\n| 2007 | Admin | $1,997,107 | 12 |\n| 2008 | Admin | $19,519,296 | 14 |\n| 2009 | Admin | $20,300,752 | 18 |\n| 2010 | Admin | $34,754,590 | 19 |\n| 2011 | Admin | $35,216,732 | 22 |\n| 2012 | Admin | $68,925,186 | 24 |\n| 2013 | Admin | $48,462,690 | 20 |\n| 2014 | Admin | $90,406,510 | 23 |\n| 2015 | Admin | $91,496,697 | 24 |\n| 2016 | Admin | $95,444,499 | 35 |\n| 2017 | Admin | $83,146,640 | 38 |\n| 2018 | Admin | $103,479,550 | 39 |\n| 2019 | Admin | $109,720,296 | 39 |\n| 2020 | Admin | $118,435,121 | 39 |\n| 2021 | Admin | $157,999,567 | 35 |\n| 2003 | Games | $3,933,064 | 57 |\n| 2004 | Games | $4,471,342 | 61 |\n| 2005 | Games | $18,122,549 | 81 |\n| 2006 | Games | $17,260,260 | 97 |\n| 2007 | Games | $12,768,984 | 100 |\n| 2008 | Games | $39,677,549 | 136 |\n| 2009 | Games | $44,076,164 | 148 |\n| 2010 | Games | $66,201,302 | 173 |\n| 2011 | Games | $68,173,834 | 175 |\n| 2012 | Games | $135,484,323 | 186 |\n| 2013 | Games | $107,654,658 | 188 |\n| 2014 | Games | $152,351,554 | 185 |\n| 2015 | Games | $181,769,451 | 160 |\n| 2016 | Games | $174,660,830 | 175 |\n| 2017 | Games | $221,488,403 | 184 |\n| 2018 | Games | $216,249,204 | 192 |\n| 2019 | Games | $236,798,782 | 201 |\n| 2020 | Games | $199,306,798 | 189 |\n| 2021 | Games | $192,355,985 | 181 |\n| 2003 | Steam | $1,038,091 | 16 |\n| 2004 | Steam | $1,113,136 | 16 |\n| 2005 | Steam | $2,840,825 | 23 |\n| 2006 | Steam | $3,424,485 | 29 |\n| 2007 | Steam | $3,128,634 | 34 |\n| 2008 | Steam | $5,053,283 | 40 |\n| 2009 | Steam | $7,339,922 | 51 |\n| 2010 | Steam | $17,732,609 | 60 |\n| 2011 | Steam | $16,369,045 | 101 |\n| 2012 | Steam | $42,966,257 | 127 |\n| 2013 | Steam | $44,515,505 | 128 |\n| 2014 | Steam | $52,338,579 | 119 |\n| 2015 | Steam | $72,391,837 | 142 |\n| 2016 | Steam | $56,390,975 | 125 |\n| 2017 | Steam | $64,945,395 | 102 |\n| 2018 | Steam | $70,814,165 | 82 |\n| 2019 | Steam | $66,481,253 | 80 |\n| 2020 | Steam | $71,752,682 | 82 |\n| 2021 | Steam | $76,446,633 | 79 |\n| 2011 | Hardware | $2,252,828 | 7 |\n| 2012 | Hardware | $3,460,641 | 14 |\n| 2013 | Hardware | $5,369,203 | 20 |\n| 2014 | Hardware | $10,180,424 | 27 |\n| 2015 | Hardware | $12,396,140 | 27 |\n| 2016 | Hardware | $11,001,217 | 36 |\n| 2017 | Hardware | $16,724,365 | 39 |\n| 2018 | Hardware | $19,578,951 | 47 |\n| 2019 | Hardware | $15,831,572 | 47 |\n| 2020 | Hardware | $12,008,996 | 31 |\n| 2021 | Hardware | $17,706,376 | 41 |\n\n**Follow topics and authors** from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.\n\n* Jay Peters\n\n## Most Popular\n\nMost Popular\n\n1. 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