Valve CEO Gabe Newell’s Neuralink competitor is expecting its first brain chip this year

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Gabe Newell’s Vision: Bridging the Gap Between Brain and PC

It’s no secret that Valve, the powerhouse behind iconic titles like *Half-Life*, *DOTA 2*, and *Counter-Strike*, has always been at the forefront of innovation. But did you know that the company has been quietly exploring the concept of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for years? It all started over a decade ago when in-house psychologists began studying players’ biological reactions to video games. At one point, Valve even toyed with the idea of incorporating earlobe monitors into its early VR headset prototypes. Fast forward to 2019, and the company made headlines at GDC when it openly discussed the potential of BCIs for gaming. However, the idea didn’t stay under Valve’s roof for long. Around the same time, Gabe Newell spun off the concept into a separate venture. Under the radar, he quietly founded a new startup called Starfish Neuroscience. Now, this mysterious company has surfaced with bold ambitions—to unveil its first-ever brain chip later this year.

Introducing Starfish Neuroscience

The startup’s debut blog post, discovered by keen Valve observer Brad Lynch, sheds light on what we can expect. Rest assured, this isn’t some futuristic sci-fi dream—it’s a practical step toward making brain-computer interfaces more accessible. Think of it as a highly advanced “electrophysiology” chip designed to both record brain activity and stimulate neural pathways. While Neuralink can decode thoughts to help patients interact with computers, Starfish aims to achieve similar results—but with a twist. Their focus is on creating a less invasive solution that can access multiple brain regions simultaneously, all without requiring cumbersome batteries. According to Starfish neuroengineer Nate Cermak, their initial chips are expected to arrive in late 2025. In the meantime, the company is actively seeking collaborators who could leverage this technology to pioneer groundbreaking applications. “We anticipate our first chips arriving in late 2025 and we are interested in finding collaborators for whom such a chip would open new and exciting avenues,” Cermak writes, hinting at potential partnerships with other firms to refine the tech further.

The Tech Behind Starfish’s Chip

So, what makes Starfish’s approach so unique? For starters, their chip is incredibly compact and energy-efficient. Measuring just 2 x 4mm with a 0.3mm pitch BGA, it consumes a mere 1.1 milliwatts during normal operation—a fraction of Neuralink’s N1 chip, which guzzles around 6 milliwatts. Yet, despite its size, it packs impressive capabilities: it supports both recording (spikes and LFP) and stimulation (biphasic pulses), boasts 32 electrode sites, and can handle 16 simultaneous recording channels at 18.75kHz. The chip also features a single current source for arbitrary electrode stimulation, onboard impedance monitoring, and real-time stim voltage transient measurement. Best of all, its digital onboard processing reduces the need for high-bandwidth wireless interfaces, making it easier to integrate into existing devices. To put things in perspective, Neuralink’s N1 chip boasts 1,024 electrodes spread across 64 threads, but its full implant measures 23mm wide and 8mm thick. In contrast, Starfish envisions something far smaller and less intrusive, focusing on wireless power transmission instead of bulky batteries.

Why Multiple Brain Regions Matter

One of the standout aspects of Starfish’s approach lies in its ambition to target multiple brain regions simultaneously. As Cermak explains, many neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, stem from circuit-level dysfunctions where interactions between different brain areas go awry. By enabling access to multiple regions, Starfish hopes to address these complex issues more effectively than previous solutions. Beyond gaming, the company is also developing tools like a precision hyperthermia device for tumor treatment and a brain-reading, robotically guided TMS system for mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and depression. These innovations could revolutionize fields beyond entertainment.

Back to Gaming: Valve’s Vision Comes Full Circle

If you’re curious about how this ties back to gaming, look no further than Valve’s GDC 2019 presentation. In it, the company outlined the potential of BCIs to enhance immersion, responsiveness, and overall gaming experiences. Imagine a future where your thoughts dictate actions in real-time, eliminating delays and creating seamless connections between mind and machine. While we’re not quite there yet, Starfish’s progress brings us closer than ever. For now, the possibilities remain tantalizingly close—but within reach.

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