From Harvard to Half-Life: Gabe Newell reflects on his unconventional path to founding Valve

Gabe Newell's journey from Harvard dropout to Valve co-founder was shaped by a chance encounter with Steve Ballmer at Microsoft. His 13-year stint there, coupled with insights from id Software's Doom, inspired him to create Valve and revolutionize PC gaming distribution through Steam. Newell's unconventional path highlights how serendipity and adaptability can lead to industry-changing innovations.