Valve's Gabe Newell Coming to Australia

Post by Steve Farrelly @ 09:53am 02/10/09 | 25 Comments

A little while ago, Newell was asked if he would fly a local game designer, Joe W-A, to Seattle after Joe had heard Newell flew the heads of a boycott community, rallying around Left 4 Dead 2, to their Seattle-based HQ. Apparently Joe had a Mod he desperately wanted Newell to see, and jokingly in return, Newell said if Joe could raise the funds to get him to Australia, he would come.

That money was raised in 48 hours, and now, true to his promise, the Valve head has issued a press release stating that he'd be heading to Australia to meet Joe. Oddly enough, AusGamers was asked to keep a date next week free for some specific Valve-related press event, leading us to believe the two are linked.

This couldn't come at a better time though, with Left 4 Dead 2 RC'd by the ratings board, putting this much media and press behind the game, and Valve themselves will likely work in favour of the recent RC appeal issued by Valve.

The official 'Gabe Rocking Aus' press release also states: "If you are based in Australia or visiting there during the middle of next week, please let us know if you would like to attend the meeting".

Stay tuned to see how this all pans out.

gabe newell valve

Latest Comments

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tequila
Posted 09:57am 02/10/09

Can I come?

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tspec
Posted 09:58am 02/10/09

Noooo. If only Cisco Networkers had been next week, I just got back to Melbourne last night.

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trog
Posted 10:25am 02/10/09

Heh I just read the press release to find out where it is. They didn't include a city. I'm not sure if Valve realises Australia is a really big country that actually has multiple cities.

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ravn0s
Posted 10:29am 02/10/09

well the joe guy lives in brisbane so im guessing gabes probably coming to brissie.

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Crash
Posted 11:01am 02/10/09

Hes going to Sydney from what I've been told, I've been invited along for an interview but no time has been advised yet.

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$ack
Posted 11:04am 02/10/09

I heard its in Inala.

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trillion
Posted 11:08am 02/10/09

Honda should make Valve's Dog, Asimo is one boring ass space marine :P

From sic em Dog

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thermite
Posted 11:44am 02/10/09

This whole thing pisses me off, it's sickening to live in a world where people have the gall to just demand things, throw money at the situation, and get it. Rewards should come to those who keep their mouth shut and let their work speak for itself. Valve should have told him to have some manners, and banned his steam account.

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ctd
Posted 12:26pm 02/10/09

How about you get banned from this forum please.

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trillion
Posted 12:31pm 02/10/09

does it say somewhere this Joe W-A person was making demands thermite? Why not use capitalist systems for what they're good for, i.e. raising money to get stuff done. Sounds like fun if you ask me, but I don't get why this Joe guy with an interesting mod couldn't have just sent the mod to them rather than giving Gabe Newell a good excuse to see Australia. Who needs a reasoning anyway, it's probably the best one of all: because they can.

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tequila
Posted 12:32pm 02/10/09

hey thermite, keep your mouth shut

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Tiny
Posted 12:48pm 02/10/09

This whole thing pisses me off, it's sickening to live in a world where people have the gall to just demand things, throw money at the situation, and get it. Rewards should come to those who keep their mouth shut and let their work speak for itself. Valve should have told him to have some manners, and banned his steam account.

You really are one giant idiot.

On another note, i hope this helps to get L4D 2 unbanned.

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d[o_0]b
Posted 12:54pm 02/10/09

how hard would an Inala or Sunnybank campaign in l4d rock

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infi
Posted 01:04pm 02/10/09

I would pay good money for a Beenleigh line campaign.

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Steve Farrelly
Posted 01:08pm 02/10/09

It'll be taking place in Sydney and AusGamers will be on-hand. Also, in the end, Valve paid for themselves to come over as they were impressed with how it all worked out. The money Joe W-A raised is now being donated to the Penny-Arcade "Child's Play" fund.

Everyone wins.

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