Valve founder Gabe Newell (Gabe) made a surprise appearance in the welcome video for The International 2026, the most prestigious tournament in Dota 2. However, what surprised viewers even more than the event itself was Newell's dramatically changed appearance.
In the video, he looks much slimmer than he did a few years ago. Fans quickly noticed these changes and began enthusiastically discussing the Valve boss's new look on social media. In the comments section, Newell has been dubbed "Chad Gabe," with some joking that he now resembles Hugh Jackman. Some users have even nicknamed him "Babe Newell," while others are simply happy to see him looking noticeably healthier.
The exact reasons for such a noticeable weight loss remain unclear. Various theories have emerged online, ranging from Newell's lifestyle on his yacht to medical interventions, but the Valve founder himself has not issued any statement on the matter. However, these changes did not happen overnight. Fans had already noticed that he had lost a significant amount of weight when Newell attended The International 2025. Over the past year, he appears to have continued improving his physique, with a new hairstyle and the absence of his previously thick beard making the transformation even more striking.
Gabe's video itself revolves around common themes for such addresses: he looked back on previous Internationals, thanked Dota 2 players and fans, and mentioned Shanghai, the host city for this year's event.