Gabe Newell's $500M Leviathan: Submarine & Gaming PCs

The Gaming Mogul's Ultimate Playground

Valve co-founder and gaming legend Gabe Newell has just received his latest masterpiece: the $500 million superyacht Leviathan. This isn't just any luxury vessel; it's a 364-foot technological marvel that seamlessly blends Newell's passions for marine exploration and high-end gaming. Delivered in November 2025, Leviathan represents a bold new era in yachting—one that prioritizes purpose, innovation, and unparalleled comfort.

A Floating Fortress of Fun and Discovery

At first glance, Leviathan is imposing, stretching 111 meters and ranking among the top 50 largest yachts globally. But its true genius lies in its unconventional features. The lower decks house a submarine garage, a fully-equipped dive center, and a laboratory for marine research—perfect for Newell's Inkfish organization, which holds records for the deepest crewed dives in all five oceans. Adjacent to these scientific facilities is an onboard hospital staffed by a live-in nurse, complete with a 3D printing workshop for medical supplies.

Moving up, the bridge deck transforms into a gamer's paradise. Here, Newell has installed 15 high-performance gaming stations paired with two racing simulators, ensuring epic LAN parties even at sea. Additional amenities include two gyms, a sprawling 250-square-meter beach club with a spa and bar, diving platforms, and even a basketball court—proof that this yacht was designed for both work and play.

Eco-Friendly Engineering Meets Extravagance

Despite its lavish features, Leviathan is surprisingly environmentally conscious. It's powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system paired with advanced battery storage, allowing for extended periods of silent, emission-free operation. The yacht also boasts an advanced wastewater treatment system and waste-heat recovery technology, minimizing its ecological footprint. "She is not just a high-performance vessel," notes Charlie Birkett of brokerage firm Y.CO. "She is a working ecosystem, designed to support everything from world-class hospitality to scientific research."

The attention to detail is staggering. With 280 miles of cabling powering everything from air conditioning to satellites and medical equipment, the yacht maintains "extraordinary" low noise and vibration levels, according to its captain. Traditional high-maintenance materials like teak decks have been replaced with durable composites and full-height glass, ensuring longevity without compromising aesthetics.

A Vision Brought to Life

Leviathan was built by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, which Newell himself purchased in August 2025 after a close collaboration on the project. "Working with the team at Oceanco is incredibly enjoyable," Newell remarked. "We knew we were asking for unusual things, and they embraced it with open arms." The project was a true team effort, with over 2,000 individuals contributing to its creation—a testament to their dedication, immortalized in a glass panel engraved with their names in the yacht's main staircase.

Oceanco CEO Marcel Onkenhout describes Leviathan as embodying "a new philosophy of yachting—one that places greater purpose at the heart of design, ownership, and operations." This philosophy extends to the yacht's human-centric layout, which enhances crew productivity and fosters meaningful experiences for everyone onboard.

More Than Just a Yacht

For Newell, Leviathan is the culmination of a lifelong love for the ocean and cutting-edge technology. In a recent interview, he shared his daily routine: "get up, work, and go scuba diving." With this yacht, he can now do all three—and more—in unparalleled style. As Newell continues to work on "super-awesome projects" despite his retirement, Leviathan stands as a symbol of his unique vision: where gaming, science, and luxury converge on the high seas.

"Leviathan represents a new philosophy of yachting—one that places greater purpose at the heart of design, ownership, and operations."
— Deniz de Koningh, Oceanco Project Director