Erik Wolpaw, the brilliant writer behind iconic games like Psychonauts, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Portal, and Left 4 Dead, joined Valve in 2004. His storytelling helped define some of the most beloved games in history.
What few people know is that when Erik first joined Valve, he had just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis — a chronic illness that severely impacts health. Fearing that the condition would affect his work, Erik submitted his resignation.
But then something unexpected happened.
Gabe Newell, Valve’s CEO, rejected his resignation. Instead, he made an offer that seemed almost too good to be true: Erik could take time off to rest and recover — and still get paid. Gabe's exact words were:
"Your job is to get better. That’s your job description at Valve. So go home to your wife, and come back when you’re feeling better."
In the United States, there’s no law that requires employers to pay staff during medical leave. What Gabe did wasn’t legally required — it was simply human kindness at its best.
Erik eventually left Valve in 2017, but their bond remained strong. Valve continued to bring him in for projects on a freelance basis. For Erik, Valve wasn’t just a company. It was a second home.
