PC gaming billionaire Gabe Newell is on a quest to upgrade his $250 million superyacht, Tranquility, with the aim of seamlessly connecting even the most remote corners of the planet to a non-stop gaming extravaganza.
Where the heart goes, where the hand goes, for this billionaire, everything is under control. Gabe Newell has long been accustomed to crafting a fleet of superyachts to his liking. Desperate for safety and security in the midst of the pandemic, he transformed the original support boat, the Dapple (now resold under Mark Zuckerberg's name), into a fully equipped floating hospital.
In the field of business studies, Gabe Newell also showed extraordinary vision and courage. He owns a super scientific research ship called the "Pressure Drop", which is not only the result of technology, but also his right-hand man in exploring the unknown.
Oceanco's 111m project Y722 is ready for outfitting in June 2023
To show off his billionaire status, he is on the verge of becoming the exclusive owner of the Y722 project, an 111-metre-long superyacht touted as the third largest construction project to date by the Dutch shipyard Oceanco, which is expected to debut in 2025. Its brilliance is second only to Jeff Bezos's $500 million Koru, which is rumored to be expensive to build, with an estimated cost of no less than $350 million to $400 million.
However, there is no other way to express his unique personality as a gamer than the 92-metre-long gaming leisure superyacht Tranquility. Born in 2014, after a decade of circumnavigating the world, the yacht has arrived at Oceanco's factory in Zwijndrecht, ready for an unprecedented "transformative refit". The shipyard has created a series of enhancements tailored to the yacht, allowing the tech mogul to enjoy seamless online gaming even in the most remote corners of the planet. The interior will also be refreshed, with the stern subtly expanded to create more outdoor living areas, while the exterior will be repainted for a new look.
It is worth mentioning that the refit will also inject new "eco-friendly" impetus into the yacht and use environmentally friendly materials to demonstrate the concern for environmental impact. The latest technological changes in the AVIT and NAVCOM systems will provide seamless connectivity and navigation, allowing the billionaire co-founder of Valve to enjoy the game while feeling the convenience and comfort of technology.
The man who created games like Half-Life, Portal 2, Death Knight 4 and Counter-Strike—and the reason millions of players play online at the same time—knows he can't afford to be hung on his nearly $250 million yacht and not enjoyed. Therefore, he hopes that through this upgrade, more people can feel the convenience and fun brought by seamless connection, whether they are in a bustling city or a remote island, as long as they board this superyacht, they can immediately immerse themselves in the exciting game world, and enjoy the beauty of virtual and real integration.
As an award-winning, world-class expedition yacht that spans the oceans, this yacht has undergone several refits and will continue to be upgraded. This world-class yacht must be environmentally conscious, and Oceanco's team will enable Tranquility to do the same. ”
Marcel Onkenhout, CEO of Oceanco, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Serenity back to Oceanco and join forces with our dedicated lifecycle support team on this massive conversion journey, which not only demonstrates our dedication to innovation, but also the care and support we provide to our yachts at every stage of their lifecycle. Together with our highly skilled craftsmen and partners, we will transform the Tranquility in line with the owner's vision." ”
Charlie Birkett, co-founder and CEO of the brokerage Y.CO, added: "The Y.CO team and I are honoured to be instrumental in bringing the Tranquility back to the shipyard for a major refit. The Owner's choice of refit is exciting and will not only allow the Tranquility to be integrated into the new fleet with a new attitude, opening up an impressive cruising journey around the world, but also opening up a new path for eco-friendly cruising." We look forward to working with Oceanco, YTMC and the crew to embark on the next chapter of Tranquility' operations." ”
Tranquility was the first superyacht to be built in accordance with the Passenger Yacht Regulations (PYC). Formerly known as "Equanimity."
"From the moment it was delivered to the original owner in June 2014, the Calm has left its mark on the yachting world with its striking steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Until 2018, the yacht was still the 60th largest yacht in the world, underlining its extraordinary status.
However, her saga is much more than that. The yacht originally belonged to Malaysian billionaire Jho Low before it was seized by the Indonesian government, but was later sold to Genting Group in 2019 and renamed the Serenity. However, the yacht changed hands again in 2023, with Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve Corporation, becoming the new owner.
The original name of the ship "Tranquility" contains profound meaning. It represents mental peace and composure, especially in the face of challenges and turmoil. The word is of Latin origin, which translates to "calm heart" in Chinese, aptly reflecting the serene experience offered by this luxury yacht.
The original interior design is attributed to Winch Design, and the interior design of the yacht is full of oriental charm. The clever use of materials such as wenge, bamboo and gold leaf creates an atmosphere of unparalleled elegance that makes one feel like you are in a dreamlike space with oriental charm. These design elements not only hint at the original owner's Chinese roots, but also pay homage to his grandfather's birthplace.
Aboard the Tranquility, guests can enjoy the ultimate in comfort and luxury. The yacht's accommodation is spacious and comfortable, accommodating up to 22 guests and 28 full-time crew members. The owner's deck, convertible study and private balcony with Jacuzzi are all available to provide guests with an unparalleled luxury experience.
The lifestyle includes a huge beach club, two stop-and-go helipads and a gym with a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, experience showers, plunge pool and massage treatment rooms. In addition, the yacht has a luxurious main salon that exudes all prestige, which is the perfect expression of taste and style; The restaurant is a place where food meets art, and the melodious melody of the piano reverberates in the space, adding infinite charm to every meal.
Once the yacht has undergone a spectacular upgrade and refit, it will be transformed into a more sophisticated, eco-friendly and luxurious superyacht that will offer an experience that will exceed expectations. Oceanco has two 111-meter yachts reportedly under construction. Among them was the aforementioned Y722 project, which was last seen on its way to Alblasserdam in preparation for outfitting.