Gabe Newell hints Valve esports events may be held in New Zealand

Valve president Gabe Newell says there is a "realistic possibility" that future Valve esports events will take place in New Zealand. Valve hosts some of the biggest esports tournaments which boast the largest prize pools, with Dota 2's The International leading the line as one the world's most prestigious esports competitions.

Newell has been living in New Zealand for nearly a year, after his short trip to the country coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic and New Zealand's subsequent national lockdown.

As PCGamesN reported, Newell said he can "work [in New Zealand] pretty much as effectively as I would if I were home". In October, he applied for residency in the country, but at the time had no plans to move Valve offices to the country. However, it seems that he has rethought his position, as he tells TVNZ's One News that "there's absolutely no reason that game development companies couldn't be located here."

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