Valve Corporation is a prominent American video game developer and digital distribution company based in Bellevue, Washington. Founded in 1996 by former Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, Valve gained acclaim with its debut title, Half-Life, in 1998, which won over 50 Game of the Year awards. The company has since developed influential franchises such as Counter-Strike, Team Fortress, Portal, Left 4 Dead, and Dota .