“I guess Steam wasn’t enough,” as Gabe Newell allegedly put USD 815 million into a real‑life Subnautica‑style vessel
Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve and Steam, has reportedly invested approximately $815 million to fund the construction of an advanced deep-sea research vessel. According to reports, Newell has signed a contract with Norwegian shipbuilder VARD to build the RV11000, a research vessel designed to support submarine operations and conduct scientific exploration of Earth’s deepest and most uncharted oceanic regions.
The vessel, associated with Newell’s Inkfish organization, represents an ambitious venture into marine research and deep-sea exploration. The project’s scale and cost underscore Newell’s expanding interests beyond his core role in the gaming industry. The RV11000 is being engineered to operate in extreme deep-sea environments, supporting scientific missions to map and study previously unexplored ocean depths.
This investment highlights how prominent technology entrepreneurs continue to diversify their portfolio with ventures into scientific research and exploration initiatives. The deep-sea research vessel represents a significant commitment to marine science infrastructure, potentially enabling breakthrough discoveries about Earth’s ocean systems. The partnership with VARD, a specialized Norwegian shipbuilder experienced in research vessel construction, suggests this project prioritizes technical excellence and specialized expertise.