Summary
A notable dataminer has recently discovered evidence of an in-development project at Valve that might be the long-awaitedHalf-Life 3. While rumors around the third mainline entry in the cult-classicHalf-Lifeseries have circulated for years, this new development does have some plausibility behind it.
For nearly two decades, fans of theHalf-Lifefranchise have been clamoring for a continuation of the story, which left on a cliffhanger at the end of 2007’sHalf-Life 2: Episode 2. Valve’s silence on the matter, combined with the series' iconic status, has turnedHalf-Life 3into one of the most enduring and popular memes in gaming culture. Over the years,Half-Lifefans have tried to scrape together any evidence they can find about the next entry, even going so far as to keep an eye onValve trademarks in caseHalf-Life 3shows upat any point. Sadly, the highly-anticipated game has remained elusive.
However, speculation aroundHalf-Life 3has reignited thanks to arecent Reddit postrevealing voice actor Natasha Chandel’s involvement in a Valve project codenamedProject White Sandson her resume, which has since been taken down. Now, credible Valve insider Tyler McVicker has stepped forward, asserting that this project is indeed a new, fully-fledged “non-VR"Half-Lifegame known internally at Valve asHLX. McVicker’s confidence comes from extensive datamining of Valve’s recent game updates, revealing tons of details that lend credence to this project potentially beingthe fabledHalf-Life 3.
Valve Datamine Uncovers Strange Terms That May Reference A New Half-Life Game
OnMcVicker’s YouTube channel, the leaker revealed that the aforementioned updates toValve’s Source 2 gamesinclude “string” references to an HEV Suit-wearing character inHLXwho goes “Offworld” and encounters “workers, storks, pentatanks, feral man hacks,” and “Xengorillas, Xenjellyfish, and Xenswoopers,” which all sounds straight out ofHalf-Life. McVicker speculates that these details were cut fromHalf-Life Alyxbut have continually received “some form of development” since then, and that the name “White Sands” alludes toHalf-Life 3’s New Mexico setting, which lines up with the series' lore.
Even though the last mainlineHalf-Lifeentry was released 17 years ago, fan reverence for the first-person shooter series remains as strong as ever. With 2023’sCounter Strike 2and the heavily leakedDeadlock, as well asValve’s confirmation of multiple exciting projects in the works, the company is keeping busy, with plenty of games in active development. While thisHLXrumor is not an official confirmation ofHalf-Life 3, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Valve finally followed through on the third mainline entry to the series all these years later.
