I always got the impression that Gabe is a nice guy. The mess that Steam is, I feel, is because he is too nice. Too passive, not because he's a draconian asshole. He's obviously not the best leader, but hell, neither am I. The horrible shit that happens with Steam happens around him, not because of him. Of course, I could be completely wrong.
"We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far."
"Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality."