The Power of the Internet: Gabe Newell possibly headed to Australia

Recently, Valve invited the ringleaders of the L4D2 Boycott group to their HQ to check out the product (you can read more in Slapnut's blog).  A fair few must have been wondering to themselves, "why those guys?  They've vocally opposed L4D2 since its announcement and so they get to play it early?"  Well, one particular user - LaCabra - asked Gabe Newell why he wasn't invited to Valve HQ, on the premise of needing them to check out his campaign.  When Gabe playfully responded that they were boycotting his campaign...  he offered to fly Gabe (and Erik) out to Australia to preview it.

The story could easily have ended there as another amusing example of Valve's enjoyable take on PR.  Instead, LaCabra started a collection for money to fly Gabe and Erik to Australia, and the internet has delivered.  As of this morning, the fund now exceeds $2,500, more than the $2,400 cost of a round trip flight for the two of them from Seattle to Brisbane.

Gabe's latest response?  "Uh oh."

Whether this will go ahead is yet to be seen (but if not, it's $2,500 towards Child's Play), but you can keep yourself updated at LaCabra's blog here.