Valve's Survival Hinged on a Korean Language Intern During Legal Crisis

A pivotal discovery by a summer intern helped Valve overcome a lawsuit threat from Vivendi, securing the company's future.

Valve faced potential bankruptcy due to a lawsuit from publisher Vivendi Games over distribution rights before the release of Half-Life 2.
Vivendi's legal strategy included naming Valve's executives and their spouses personally in the lawsuit, aiming to intimidate and financially exhaust the company.
A crucial breakthrough occurred when a summer intern, fluent in Korean, uncovered evidence of document destruction by Vivendi, which shifted the legal battle in Valve's favor.
To sustain operations during the lawsuit, Valve secured a deal for Counter-Strike 2, providing much-needed financial relief.
The lawsuit concluded in 2005 with a favorable settlement for Valve, allowing the company to retain control over its intellectual property and distribution rights.