Recently, Valve CEO Gabe Newell, often called “G胖” by Steam players, kicked off the 2026 International esports tournament for *Dota 2* with a new promotional video. However, fans quickly noticed that the executive seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight, looked very healthy, and even bore a striking resemblance to several Hollywood actors?
In this video, Gabe Newell takes players through the highlights of past Dota 2 esports tournaments, looks ahead to the game’s future in the esports industry, and thanks fans, players, and the city of Shanghai for helping host this year’s event. But what really sparked heated discussion among fans centered on this executive.
“I’m really glad he lost so much weight, he can probably stay with us for another 10 to 15 years.” a Reddit user wrote.
Right? I’m just so glad he looks healthy! And he can stay with us for a longer time,” another netizen replied.
Many fans have started discussing how Gabe Newell managed to lose so much weight. Some fans think it’s related to him living on a yacht for a while, others speculate he used cosmetic procedures to slim down, and a Reddit user half-jokingly said that because he’s lived in New Zealand too long, he’s started absorbing Australian genes. In addition, many netizens think Gabe Newell’s new look bears a striking resemblance to Australian X-Men actor Hugh Jackman, who is actually only 6 years younger than Gabe Newell.
In the comment section of this video, some netizens think Gabe Newell looks like Russell Crowe in his early days, but Russell Crowe himself has come to resemble the way Gabe Newell used to look. No matter who he resembles, fans are relieved to see Gabe Newell looking so healthy lately. However, Gabe Newell’s transformation in appearance has actually been going on for quite a while.
Back when he appeared at The International for Dota 2 in 2025, Gabe Newell already looked noticeably slimmer than in his past appearances, but now the change is even more striking. Still, some fans think it’s because he shaved off his beard, which makes him look cleaner overall.
While it is indeed a bit odd to hold a billionaire in such high regard, especially in this modern era where the wealthy and powerful often engage in all sorts of erratic behavior, Gabe Newell truly leads a lifestyle that is worlds apart from other frequently controversial tycoons. He brought players Steam, a platform that completely transformed the PC gaming ecosystem, and to this day has never taken Valve public. On top of that, he has quietly taken his wealth to the other side of the world to enjoy a peaceful life.
Source: KOCPC Chinese