Valve Corporation recently released a documentary to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Half-Life 2, one of the most influential first-person shooters in history. Amidst the release, fans discovered an interesting fact about the company – its success might not have been possible without a single Korean-speaking intern named Andrew.
In 2002, Valve filed a lawsuit against its publisher Sierra Entertainment over licensing issues with Counter-Strike. The case took a toll on Valve, draining the company’s resources and causing CEO Gabe Newell to consider selling his house. However, during this time, an intern named Andrew joined the legal team. As a native Korean speaker and language studies major at UCLA, Andrew was uniquely positioned to decipher the documents Vivendi had filed against Valve.
After sifting through thousands of pages, Andrew discovered crucial evidence that proved Vivendi’s involvement in destroying evidence related to the case. This revelation turned the lawsuit in Valve’s favor, securing their rights to Half-Life and Counter-Strike franchises, reimbursing their legal costs, and terminating Vivendi’s agreement with cyber cafes.
This pivotal moment ultimately led to Valve taking control of its distribution channels, paving the way for Steam to become a leading digital distribution platform. This development is often credited as the core reason for the modern PC gaming industry’s existence.
Although Andrew’s identity remains unknown, his contribution to Valve’s success is undeniable. The documentary also provides insight into the unreleased Half-Life 2: Episode 3, offering fans a glimpse into the game’s unfulfilled potential.
View the full documentary on Valve’s official channels and follow the author on various social media platforms for more gaming news and updates.
Source: https://80.lv/articles/valve-steam-the-entire-pc-gaming-industry-were-saved-by-a-single-intern