Newell is an ultra powerful boss

News revealed on April Fools is always difficult to know how to treat. Do you waste time verifying it? Do you assume everything’s a hoax regardless of proof? Do you just wait it out and see if the news still has updates in the coming weeks? In the case ofCrawl‘s new secret boss character we waited and things are now looking a lot more clear.

Initially unveiled on April Fools as a GIF and recently confirmed to be real, Valve head honcho Gabe Newell is being added toCrawl. A local multiplayer dungeon crawler where one player controls the hero and others control traps and monsters,Crawlwill soon allow you to fight a super powered man with a beard and lots of money.

Article image

Oh, and our very own Jed Whitaker is also in the game. Just name yourself JED and you can play as the bearded wonder himself.

@Powerhoofshort sweet email from Valve today giving the go ahead for this silly thing 🙂 turns out Valve are cool- who knew?

John and Molly sitting on the park bench

— Powerhoof (@Powerhoof)August 01, 2025

While Newell was initially added to the game without developer Powerhoof getting his permission, Powerhoof has since reached out to Valve which gave its blessing for his inclusion.

Close up shot of Marissa Marcel starring in Ambrosio

Kukrushka sitting in a meadow

Lightkeeper pointing his firearm overlapped against the lighthouse background

Overseer looking over the balcony in opening cutscene of Funeralopolis

Edited image of Super Imposter looking through window in No I’m not a Human demo cutscene with thin man and FEMA inside the house

Indie game collage of Blue Prince, KARMA, and The Midnight Walk

Close up shot of Jackie in the Box

Silhouette of a man getting shot as Mick Carter stands behind cover