Gabe Newell, the head of Valve, is also the co-founder of Starfish Neuroscience, a company set to roll out its first brain interface chip later in 2025. The company is focused on pioneering new methods for brain interaction and plans to introduce a unique neural interface.

Newell’s interest in brain-computer interfacing isn’t novel; back in 2021, he discussed the potential of brain-computer interfaces in gaming. In fact, he expressed fascination with biometric technology as far back as 2010.

Recently, Starfish Neuroscience made its presence felt by sharing a blog post describing their vision. According to neuroengineer Nate Cermak, the company is taking a different route compared to others in the industry, like Neuralink.

Cermak indicated that traditional approaches often focus on single brain regions but Starfish aims to address circuit-level brain issues. “We anticipate our first chips arriving in late 2025 and we are interested in finding collaborators for whom such a chip would open new and exciting avenues,” he mentioned.

Furthermore, Starfish is also working on a targeted hyperthermia device for potential cancer treatment, which shows their broader vision for addressing neurological challenges. This news is significant, especially for those awaiting the next installment of Half-Life.