The latest buzz surrounding Half-Life 3, Valve’s notoriously long-awaited next instalment in the Half-Life saga claims that the game is currently “playable, end-to-end” and might even see an announcement soon, followed by a release later this year. This speculation originates from Tyler McVicker, a figure known for reporting on Valve-related rumours, during his recent Q&A livestream. According to McVicker, the game has reached a stage where it is playable from its beginning to its conclusion, leading him to surmise that this could position it for a potential announcement and launch within 2025.
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Beyond McVicker’s extensive livestream, there have been other recent hints fuelling the anticipation for Valve’s highly coveted title. In March, Valve concept artist Evgeniy Evstratiy reportedly stated on the CG Voices Podcast that he was “in the room where Valve made Half-Life 3.” That same month, another prominent Valve leaker, known as Gabe Follower, suggested that Half-Life 3 would mark the “end of Gordon’s adventure,” potentially indicating a conclusive, non-cliffhanger ending for one of gaming’s most celebrated franchises. Adding to the speculative fire, internet detectives have uncovered code referencing “HLX,” widely believed to be the internal codename for Half-Life 3, within significant updates to Valve’s other titles, Deadlock and Dota 2.
While these various rumours remain unconfirmed by official sources, they collectively present promising, albeit still unofficial, signs of life for Half-Life 3. During his livestream, McVicker specifically stated that the “HLX” project is not another virtual reality title akin to Half-Life: Alyx. He also mentioned the presence of procedural generation features within the game, clarifying that these are not intended for terrain generation or roguelike gameplay mechanics, hinting at potentially novel applications of this technology within the Half-Life universe. However, before allowing hopes to soar too high, it’s crucial to remember the significant passage of time since the last mainline instalment. Half-Life 2 recently commemorated its 20-year anniversary, and Valve has yet to provide any official confirmation regarding a direct follow-up game. As gaming enthusiasts across the globe keenly await any concrete news, these rumours, however tantalizing, should still be approached with a degree of cautious optimism. The history of Half-Life 3 speculation is long and winding, and official confirmation from Valve remains the ultimate benchmark.
