Forbes Lists Valve's Gabe Newell As A Name You'll Need To Know

You know Gabe Newell as co-founder and president of Valve Corporation known for Half-Life and Portal, and of course, download service Steam. Newell, an ex-Microsoft employee, quit the company and formed Valve back in 1996. Now because of his company's success, Newell has made it onto Forbes' "Names You'll Need To Know In 2011" list.

Part of the reason for the entry is the overwhelming success of the corporation. Since it began, Valve has generated some impressive numbers thanks to its digital distribution service, Steam.

• Steam storefront accounts for 70 percent of the digital distribution market in the gaming industry
• There are currently 1,200 PC and Mac titles available on Steam
• Steam has 30 million active users
• In the last 12 months, Steam sales have seen a growth of more than 200 percent

Congrats to Valve!