The mythology of Gabe Newell now includes Mongolian throat singing

Minh Gooseman Le played a key role in shaping PC gaming history as a college student, co-creating Counter-Strike. When he and his development partner sold the IP to Valve, they were hired as employees upon completing their degrees. During his six years at Valve, Le witnessed some memorable moments, including Gabe Newell's fascination with Mongolian throat singing.

In a YouTube interview, Le described Newell as a "very eccentric" person who was known to take up unusual hobbies. Newell's interest in Mongolian-Tuvan throat singing began after he watched a documentary about the technique, sparked by his CEO's enthusiasm. Le recounted hearing Newell practicing the singing throughout the office, which often annoyed his colleagues. However, the phase only lasted about five months.

Newell's interests extended beyond throat singing, as Le also mentioned his passion for knives, swords, and axes. He kept a collection of various medieval swords and axes in his office. When asked about Newell's behavior, Le noted that he sometimes posed difficult questions, such as explaining what makes a great game during a company lunch with the CEO. Despite this, Le described Newell as a "very nice guy."

Le also shared a personal anecdote about Newell's love for corndogs. When Le passed the CEO in the hallway, he noticed Newell enjoying a corndog. Le encouraged him to share one with him, highlighting the similarity between Newell and a regular colleague.