Gabe Newell, a billionaire and co-founder of Valve Corporation – the company behind the Steam platform – just entered a new level of extravagance. In November 2025 he picked up his new superyacht called Leviathan, worth about $500 million. This 111-metre long colossus, built by the Dutch shipyard Oceanco, is not just a yacht – it is a floating paradise for players, scientists and luxury lovers. Leviathan was among the 50 longest yachts in the world, combining elements of an amusement park, a marine laboratory, and a five-star hotel.
From a player's dream to a sea empire
Newell, known as "Gaben" in the gaming community, has been investing in technology and innovation for years. Steam revolutionized video game distribution, making it one of the richest people in the tech industry. His fortune is estimated at billions of dollars, and Leviathan is the latest proof of how he likes to combine passions with business. The yacht, originally known as the Y722 design, was designed to accommodate 22 guests and 33 crew members. But that's not all – Newell was so fascinated by the construction process that in August 2025 he bought the entire Oceanco shipyard for about half a billion dollars. It's a movement that allows him to further experiment with marine innovations.
Leviathan is powered by a hybrid-electric system with azipods and battery capacity of 5.5 MWh, making it an ecological giant in the waters. The maximum speed is 18 knots, and the volume is over 5,000 tons. The yacht not only swims, but also supports scientific projects through the Inkfish organization, founded by Newell for marine research.
Extravagance on board: From game room to garage for submarines
What makes Leviathan a "gamer" at sea? The bridge features a gaming room with 15 gaming stations, each equipped with computers worth $20,000 each. Plus two racing simulators and comfortable seats for Newell's friends. This is the perfect place for marathons in Counter-Strike or Dota 2, while the ocean waves behind the window.
Ale rozrywka to nie wszystko. Jacht oferuje dwie siłownie, 250-metrowy beach club ze spa i barem, platformy do nurkowania, boisko do koszykówki oraz sundeck z jacuzzi. Dla miłośników przygód jest garaż nałódźpodwodną, a nawet małyhospitalna pokładzie – w końcu bezpieczeństwo to podstawa podczas morskich ekspedycji. Wnętrza zaprojektowane przez Marka Berrymana łączą luksus z funkcjonalnością: dąb, wenge i wytrzymałe materiały jak syntetyczne deski Bolidt.
Flying Laboratory: Learning Over Luxury
Leviathan is not just a rich man's toy. The yacht serves as a floating laboratory, equipped with a diving centre, a scientific laboratory and ocean research equipment. Newell, a science enthusiast, integrates his love for the sea here with the Inkfish mission. The crew has access to a workshop with 3D printers to manufacture spare parts, which emphasizes the practical aspect of the project. This is a unique combination: the luxury amusement park meets with serious research, inspiring crew and guests to cooperate.
Why does Leviathan attract attention?
W świecie miliarderów jachty to symbol statusu, ale Leviathan wyróżnia się wizją Newella. Kupno Oceanco pokazuje, że nie chodzi tylko o posiadanie – to o kształtowanie przyszłości. W erze, gdy tech-miliarderzy jakElon Muskczy Jeff Bezos inwestują wSpace, Newell wybiera oceany. Czy to początek nowej ery morskich innowacji? Czas pokaże, ale jedno jest pewne: Leviathan to więcej niż jacht – to pływający manifest pasji do gier, nauki i luksusu.
