Hacker News Reader

Comment by j1elo | Hacker News Reader

That's why lots of us are worried about when something happens to Gabe, and some black suited C level raven is promoted as CEO and starts asking questions like "why don't we push for the latest expansion packs? why don't we gate features behind subscriptions?" and all that anti-consumer shit that breaks with the original spirit of so many products.

View on HN

Indeed, it's hard to imagine a person (that I don't personally know) who I more want to ensure a very, very long and productive life than GabeN. He has done more for us Linux/open source people than nearly anyone else I can think of besides maybe the Linux kernel team, Red Hat, and Arch, Debian and other bigtime contributors.

Don't forget what Linux was like pre-Google and pre-Chrome. Google has contributed a ton to Linux, not even counting Android...

Thank you, that's an excellent point. I have my criticisms for Google but they have really done a lot for Linux and open source in general. Increasingly also Meta has been making significant contributions

That's unlikely to happen with Valve's ownership structure

He can sell his share at any moment.

If he has enough, and his kids will have enough he does not strike me as a guy that wants more for the sake of amassing it, and risk the loss of actual legacy.

Many kingdoms have fallen because the offspring of the King couldn't rule.

I'm not sure about the internal governance structures at Valve but that's really what should be important when it comes to maintaining the corporate culture alive.

I think they've done a good job so far, and I'd be surprised if they didn't have plans in place to try keeping the company going in much the same way once Gabe is gone.

He's also in his 60s. What happens to the company when he passes away?

Lets enjoy the moment while it lasts…

RIP Minecraft after Notch.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com