Bellevue-based Valve Software is going to remain independent, according to founder Gabe Newell. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Newell says independence is what makes his studio great:

I think something that contributes to our ability to be successful is that we don't have external financing on our projects...There's no venture capitalists breathing down our neck, and I think that helps us make decisions that are more focused on what customers will like than what a third party has an opinion about.

Valve is best known for the "Half-Life" and "Counter-Strike" series of games.