Under a different set of circumstances, Gooseman might have already been enjoying his retirement.
Minh “Gooseman” Le, the creator of the legendary Counter-Strike, was recruited by Valve in the early 2000s. However, after a few years, the developer began to feel his career had hit a plateau. Yearning to embark on a fresh project but unable to find the right fit within the company’s internal structure, he ultimately decided to part ways with the studio.
In a recent conversation with EDGE, Le admitted to a slight sense of regret regarding his departure from Valve, noting that it cost him the kind of financial security his former colleagues eventually achieved:
“Many of the people I still stay in contact with from Valve strike me as being exceptionally wealthy individuals today.”
After his tenure at Valve, Gooseman developed the now-delisted tactical shooter Tactical Intervention, contributed to the hit survival game Rust, spent time at Pearl Abyss (the studio behind Black Desert Online), and created the police-themed action project Alpha Response:
“Had I stayed at Valve, I would likely be in a position to retire by now. Instead, I chose a different, far more demanding path. However, I feel this journey has been significantly more rewarding for my career and personal development. I’ve gained insights into the gaming industry that I would never have discovered had I remained at Valve.”
Source: iXBT.games