Valve lets us loose in its new offices, unlocks the doors to a rare merch room

BELLEVUE, Washington-We've visited Valve Software's Seattle-area headquarters in the past, but this week's gameplay reveal for a new release was met with something else: a chance to check out the company's biggest-ever office upgrade. I took my camera on this office visit expecting to maybe see a big new mural or a couple of new things, but instead, I wound up with a memory card full of stuff I hadn't seen in my previous visits, thanks to an office swap roughly six months ago.

So, what does it look like at Valve's new digs-at least, in the spaces I was allowed to take photos? I've broken the answer down in four galleries. The first is a general overview of the space, with a focus on game-related art. In addition to the usual Half-Life, Team Fortress, and Dota 2-themed paintings and sculptures, I also caught some weird stuff, like a lovely tiled mural in the company's cafeteria and a ridiculous rug that portrays TF2 character Saxton Hale facing off against a bear. (I also, er, asked to hold the Dota 2 Aegis, and Valve obliged my silly request.)

Sam Machkovech

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