The trouble began after multinational conglomerate Vivendi acquired Sierra Entertainment.
The conflict began when Vivendi began licensing Counter-Strike to Korean internet cafes.
Vivendi did this without Valve’s consent.
Valve wasn’t even asking for any compensation for the internet cafe licensing.
However, Vivendi refused, saying it had the right, so Valve filed a lawsuit.
Vivendi did not take the filing lightly.
Instead, it went “World War III” on Valve, filing multiple countersuits.
The counterclaims were not minor either.
Not only that, Vivendi filed lawsuits against Newell and Lynch, making the matter personal.
Newell admitted that there came a point when the company was nearly bankrupt.
Ironically, Valve finally got a break because of a “bullsh** move” that Vivendi pulled.
Andrew combed through the discovery and stumbled upon the needle in the haystack.
This discovery completely flipped the script.
David’s stone had struck Goliath right between the eyes.
We would have no Portal, Left 4 Dead, or Dota.
Counter-Strike’s esports legacy might never have existed.
Perhaps most importantly, there would be no Steam.
