Gabe Newell, the co-founder of Valve Corporation and the driving force behind much of the company's unique philosophy, has had a much less public-facing role in recent years. Newell still turns up for things like the Steam Deck launch and official documentaries, but much of his time now is spent on one of his (several) superyachts, and on his other companies' projects: He co-founded Starfish Neuroscience , a company focused on neural interfaces (popularly known as "brain chips"), and Inkfish, a marine research operation. Newell also remains magnificently quixotic, popping up every so often to talk about things like when a shark went for him , and now he's re-surfaced to do an interview with a YouTube channel that has 19 subscribers (Valve confirmed to PCG that the interview is legit). Zalkar Saliev "shares powerful interviews and lifestyle stories with successful men across the US," and his channel has previously played host to employees of Amazon and Microsoft. And now Gabe Newell's on there: well, some short clips are on there, with a full interview to follow later.

The ocean-loving billionaire is asked, "What is the daily routine for Mr Gabe?" I'd hesitate to call Newell "Gaben" to his face so Mr Gabe is quite the framing. This question encapsulates one of the most interesting aspects of Newell's public persona: he seems to have shed much of his gaming identity in recent years, and instead focuses on his other passions.

Newell's response to this query provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a man who has never been content to simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor. "My daily routine," begins Newell, "I get up, I work, I go scuba-diving, work some more, [then] either go on a second scuba dive or I go to the gym and work out. I live on a boat so I just hang out with everybody on the boat. Then I work."

Here, we see that Newell is someone who genuinely enjoys his work, even when it's "work". For many people, this would be an ideal scenario - but for Newell, it's simply a normal day. The way he frames his activities suggests that there's no distinction between work and leisure time for him; everything is just part of the process.

"I work seven days a week: I'm working from my bedroom as you can tell," he continues, gesturing to the camera as it pans out to reveal the bed where he sits. This is not the first time Newell has mentioned that he works from home - in fact, it's become one of his defining characteristics.

"I like working, it's fun, to me it doesn't feel like work," Newell says with a grin. He genuinely seems to enjoy what he does, and this enthusiasm shows through in every word. It's not often that you meet someone who views their job as a source of enjoyment - but for Newell, this is just the way things are.

As we continue the conversation, it becomes clear that Newell has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. "The kinds of things that I get to do every day are super-awesome," he says, his eyes lighting up with excitement. For someone who has spent their entire career in the gaming industry, this is a remarkably forward-thinking attitude.

Here, we see that Newell's approach to work and life is focused on pursuing his passions, rather than simply doing what's expected of him. This is a rare trait in the tech industry - where burnout and exhaustion are often seen as badges of honor.

But despite his relaxed demeanor, Newell is not one to shy away from tackling tough challenges. In fact, he seems to relish them. "In one of the companies we're working on an aerosol pathogen detection device," he reveals, "so you can see all the pathogens that are in the air."

This project sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie - but for Newell, it's just another day at the office. The way he talks about it, with a sense of excitement and wonder, suggests that this is truly an area that fascinates him.

As we continue to chat, it becomes clear that Newell has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. "Brain-computer interfaces are incredibly cool and all of the associated neuroscience is incredibly cool," he says, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. For someone who has spent their entire career in the gaming industry, this is a remarkable example of how his interests have evolved.

Newell's response to these questions provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a man who has never been content to simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He is driven by a passion for discovery, and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. This is someone who genuinely wants to leave a lasting legacy.

"I just work all the time," he says with a grin, as our conversation comes to a close. "But it's not like 'oh my god I'm up late at night slaving away on stuff.' It's more like 'I can't go to sleep because I'm having fun', you know?" This is someone who has finally found a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

As we conclude our conversation, it becomes clear that Newell is someone who will always be true to himself. He may have started his career in the gaming industry, but he has never been content to simply play by the rules. Instead, he has forged his own path - one that is driven by a passion for discovery and a desire to make a positive impact on the world.

In many ways, this interview serves as a reminder of the power of individuality and creativity in the tech industry. In an era where conformity and standardization are often seen as more valuable than innovation and risk-taking, Newell's approach is a breath of fresh air. It's someone who genuinely wants to push boundaries and challenge assumptions - and that's something we can all learn from.

As we finish up our conversation with Newell, it becomes clear that this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his life. One that will be driven by his passions, rather than simply fulfilling a traditional career path. This is someone who has truly found his calling - and it's something to watch.

In conclusion, Gabe Newell's interview provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the most interesting and innovative figures in the tech industry today. His approach to work and life is driven by a passion for discovery and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. This is someone who genuinely wants to leave a lasting legacy - and that's something we can all learn from.

Ultimately, Newell's story serves as a reminder of the power of individuality and creativity in the tech industry. In an era where conformity and standardization are often seen as more valuable than innovation and risk-taking, his approach is a breath of fresh air. It's someone who genuinely wants to push boundaries and challenge assumptions - and that's something we can all learn from.

As Newell himself once said, "The things I get to do every day are super-awesome." This is someone who has truly found their calling - and it's something to watch.