The PC segment of the gaming industry owes a lot to Steam, Valve's popular service which offers users an easy place to find most video game releases, old and new, a place where indie games can earn the spotlight and a place where communities can be formed. It's also a place to find insanely great deals, so much so that Electronic Arts has started trying to compete with their own Origin platform.

Steam launched seven years ago and since, has more than doubled in sales every year. The success of the platform has allowed Valve to take their sweet, sweet time with games development while they focus on their biggest money maker, the same money maker which has made Valve co-founder and figurehead Gabe Newell a billionare.

Forbes magazine shares news that Newell has made the cut on their billionaires lists, labeling him one of the richest people on the planet.

Gabe Newell, co-founder and managing director of Valve Corporation, is one of the richest people on the planet. With an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion dollars, he ranks 854th out of 1,226 global billionaires.

Valve is a private company and Forbes explains that Newell is secretive about his finances, so they came to value him by looking at his 50% stake in the company, and consulted insiders and analysts to come to a number that's at the very least greater than $3 billion.

The fans who formed the Steam group demanding communication from Valve regarding the future of Half-Life must be losing their minds. So much money and so much love of the franchise, yet nothing on a Half-Life 2: Episode Three or a Half-Life 3 in years.

Let's hope Valve blows us away with something Half-Life related this year at E3 to put an end to the continued rumors and speculation. Oh, and now there's the rumored Valve gaming console potentially joining the next-gen. Lots of secrets.

But even if that's not the case, congratulatory cheer must go out to Valve for what they've created and continued to do for the industry and community. Drinks are on you, Gabe!

Would you be surprised if Valve announced a new console or a new Half-Life this year?

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Follow me on Twitter @rob_keyes.

Source: Forbes