The British coastline witnessed the arrival of an extraordinary maritime marvel this week as a £300million superyacht belonging to American video game billionaire Gabe Newell made an unexpected stop at Poole Harbour in Dorset.
A Titan of the Seas
The colossal 364-foot vessel, named Leviathan, represents one of the most impressive private yachts to grace UK waters in recent years. Built at a staggering cost exceeding £300million, the yacht completed its construction earlier this year after work commenced in 2020.
Leviathan successfully underwent sea trials in August before departing from Dutch shipbuilders Oceanco, a shipyard that Newell is also believed to own. Registered in the Cayman Islands, the superyacht's visit to Poole Harbour served as a brief stopover before embarking on its transatlantic journey.
Luxury Beyond Imagination
The scale of amenities aboard Leviathan demonstrates why this vessel commands such an extraordinary price tag. The yacht can accommodate up to 26 guests across 11 luxurious suites, supported by a dedicated crew of 37 professionals ensuring every need is met.
Entertainment facilities include a spectacular dining hall capable of seating 54 people on the main deck, while true to Newell's gaming heritage, the yacht features a dedicated gaming lounge equipped with 15 gaming stations and two racing simulators.
Additional luxury amenities include:
- A fully-equipped gym and spa facility
- Sauna and jacuzzi for ultimate relaxation
- Surprising basketball court for active entertainment
- Conference facilities transforming the vessel into a floating headquarters
The Tech Billionaire Behind the Vessel
Gabe Newell, valued at approximately $11billion by Forbes, co-founded Valve Corporation in 1998 alongside former Microsoft colleague Mike Harrington. Under his leadership, Valve produced groundbreaking games including Half-Life before revolutionising the gaming industry with the Steam platform.
In 2019, Steam achieved the remarkable milestone of surpassing one billion accounts, continuing to break active-user records. Forbes estimates that Newell holds at least half of the revenue share from Valve, which remains privately held and based in Bellevue, Washington.
This isn't the gaming magnate's first foray into yacht ownership. Back in 2014, reports indicated he purchased another vessel named Draak, capable of hosting 26 guests with a 28-member crew.
Newell expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with Oceanco, describing the experience as "incredibly enjoyable and a lot of fun" while praising the "creative and dynamic" team. He acknowledged that they requested "unusual things" which Oceanco "embraced with open arms," resulting in a vessel that "leans into Oceanco's strengths of innovation and design."
Powered by a hybrid diesel-electric system, the 5,000-tonne Leviathan can reach speeds up to 17 knots, appropriately reflecting the technological innovation expected from one of tech's most influential billionaires. The vessel's brief British visit provided a rare glimpse of maritime luxury before it continues its journey across the Atlantic.
