A few years ago, Valve boss Gabe Newell greatly surprised players with a new look. At that time, his photo was published on the website of Starfish Neuroscience, a neurointerface company – he had noticeably lost weight.
Recently, a recording of the opening ceremony of the MOBA game Dota 2 tournament "The International 2026" appeared online. During the event, Valve's boss addressed the tournament viewers:
15 years ago, I had the pleasure of welcoming players and fans to the very first The International. Much has changed since then. Dota itself has changed – it is constantly evolving, and the best players and teams evolve with it. The Aegis of Champions itself has also changed. 58 players have inscribed their names on this legendary award. They have left their mark both on the Aegis and in the game we all love. But there is one thing that never changes: whether you are in the arena in Shanghai or watching from home, the skill, passion, and talent of these players are always worthy of celebration. And that is what we are here to do. So thank you to the fans for joining us. Thank you to the city of Shanghai for hosting us again. And thank you to the players for giving us a reason to celebrate. Today, the best Dota players in the world will strive to win the Aegis of Champions. To everyone in the arena and everyone who has joined us from around the world, I proudly say: Welcome to The International.
Players were very surprised by the thinness of Valve's boss.
This is how Gabe Newell appeared in the photo in 2024 (left) // and in 2026 in his address at The International 2026 (right):
One of the most popular comments about Gabe Newell's new look was left by a user under the nickname Blumixguy: "no longer Santa." Other discussion participants noted that Valve's boss "bulked up like Jeff Bezos" (Amazon founder).