And now, for some context
After dropping out of Harvard in 1983, Gabe Newell joined Microsoft and spent 13 years at the software company. During his tenure, he contributed to the development of Windows 1.01, 1.02, and 1.03. However, one of his most notable achievements was the porting of Doom from MS-DOS to Windows 95. At the time, subsequent games like Quake and Duke Nukem 3D were still on the horizon, slated for release the following year.
In that era, Doom's popularity was staggering. It was estimated that the game was installed on more PCs than Windows 95, Microsoft's latest operating system. Given its monumental success, Microsoft considered acquiring id Software, the developer of Doom. Yet, instead of a buyout, they decided porting the game to their new OS was the optimal strategy.
In a blend of promotion and levity, Microsoft produced a Windows 95 video ad featuring none other than Bill Gates, digitally superimposed into the world of Doom. Additionally, Excel 95 carried a hidden nod to Doom, with an Easter egg that included portraits of the game's developers.
After absorbing invaluable experiences and witnessing the fusion of software with gaming, Newell, alongside fellow employee Mike Harrington, left Microsoft in 1996.
Inspired by Michael Abrash – who had departed Microsoft to assist in developing Quake at id Software – Newell and Harrington founded Valve. Their inaugural game, Half-Life, soon became a hallmark in gaming history. Doom was released on Steam in August 2007 and can also be downloaded for free from TechSpot downloads.