Valve co-founder Gabe Newell is steering his resources toward the deep sea with the construction of the RV11000, an $800 million research vessel. Built by Norwegian shipbuilder Vard, this 531-foot ship is designed to be one of the most capable ocean science platforms ever created, housing a crew and research team of up to 130 people.
While Newell is better known for his work on gaming hardware like the Steam Deck and the ongoing development of the Steam Machine, the RV11000 represents a massive commitment to marine science. According to Inkfish, Newell’s research organization, the vessel is engineered to reach depths of 36,000 feet, which would allow it to explore the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench.
A Floating Laboratory for Ocean Research
The RV11000 is more than just a large ship; it is a specialized scientific tool. The vessel features the largest battery system ever installed on a ship, providing up to 12 hours of silent operation. This capability is intended to reduce both emissions and underwater noise interference during sensitive research missions.
This new addition will join an existing fleet managed by Inkfish, which currently includes the RV6000, the research ship Hydra, and the vessel Dagon. To support these operations, the project utilizes the 364-foot superyacht Leviathan as a flagship, while the 304-foot Draak—a former luxury yacht converted into an expedition support vessel—provides logistics, heavy-lift cranes, and specialized diving facilities.
Inkfish plans to make the data gathered by these expeditions available through open scientific repositories. With less than 30% of the seafloor currently mapped to modern standards, the organization aims to fill significant gaps in global oceanographic knowledge.
Meanwhile, Back on Land
While Newell’s focus is currently on the ocean, the atmosphere around Valve’s PC gaming hardware remains turbulent. Demand for Steam Machine reservations has led to inflated prices on the secondary market, and Valve has recently moved to discontinue products like the Dbrand Steam Machine Companion Cube. As the industry grapples with rising hardware costs and RAM shortages, fans continue to look for news on a potential Steam Deck 2, though nothing official has been confirmed.
Despite the separation between his maritime research and the gaming world, Newell’s hands-on approach remains consistent. Much like his well-documented past of personally delivering Steam Decks to customers, his investment in Inkfish signals a long-term dedication to his personal interests outside of the office.