Is Gabe Newell A-List?
YesS
Yes — Gabe Newell is above A-list, ranked S tier as an icon with generational cultural impact.
Reached A-list in 1998
Half-Life Release
Ranking Timeline
1996C$1M
Founds Valve Corporation
Co-founds Valve, marking the beginning of his influential career.
1998A▲▲$50M+$49M
Half-Life Release
Valve releases Half-Life, achieving critical and commercial success.
2003A$200M+$150M
Steam Launch
Launches Steam, revolutionizing digital game distribution.
2007A$500M+$300M
Orange Box Success
Releases the Orange Box, featuring Half-Life 2 and Portal.
2010S▲$1.5B+$1B
Steam Dominance Grows
Steam becomes the dominant digital platform for PC gaming.
2020S$3B+$1.5B
Half-Life: Alyx Release
Valve returns to Half-Life with a VR title, innovating again.
2026S$4.1B+$1.1B
Gaming Industry Icon
Remains a major force, shaping the future of video games and digital distribution.
Last updated: February 25, 2026