Valve was founded in 1996 by Mike Harrington and Gabe Newell. Company's founder Gabe Newell is worth $3.9 billion. Valve's revenue was $4.3 billion in 2017
Majors introduced in 2013 with $1,250,000 prize pool. Initially featured 16-team GSL group stage. 2017 introduced Swiss System format with 16 teams. 2018 brought 24-team format with Offline Qualifier
Born in Colorado in 1962, grew up in Davis, California. Dropped out of Harvard University to join Microsoft in 1983. Worked as paperboy and Western Union messenger before joining Microsoft
Gordon Freeman is a MIT-educated physicist working at Black Mesa Research Facility. He was inspired by Einstein, Hawking, and Feynman. Freeman's name combines "Gordon" (Scottish) and "Freeman" (English)
Valve's first-person shooter released in 2004 after five years of development. Uses Source engine with modified Havok physics for enhanced gameplay. Required Steam installation for all players. Released in multiple editions including Bronze, Silver, and Gold
Valve created first-person shooter games combining combat, puzzles and storytelling. Original Half-Life released in 1998, featuring Gordon Freeman fighting alien invasion. Series logo is prominent orange lambda symbol throughout