Shortly after fans were disappointed by a no-show at The Game Awards 2024, aHalf-Lifevoice actor reignited rumors surrounding the upcoming release of a long-awaited sequel, the prospectiveHalf-Life 3. Rumors surroundingHalf-Life 3, orHalf-Life 2: Episode 3, have been present, in one form or another, since the release ofHalf-Life 2: Episode Twoin 2007, but have always proven to be unreliable or false, creating the impression that the series was dead, more or less, until the release ofHalf-Life: Alyxin 2020.
As per aReddit postfrom user BalorigPotloodventer,Mike Shapiro, who voices the G-Man inHalf-Life, has posted an “ominous” videoonX. The video is ostensibly celebrating the new year in the G-Man’s voice, with the tags “#Valve #Half-Life #GMan #2025”. Although the post doesn’t officially announce anything, it, along with previous rumors and announcements regarding a possible upcomingHalf-Lifegame, has renewed speculation surrounding an upcoming reveal or release ofHalf-Life 3.
The Latest Half-Life 3 Rumors, Explained
Rumors Surrounding Half-Life 3 Have Been Building In Recent Years
Shapiro’s post isn’t the only reason to think that Valve is legitimately working on a newHalf-Lifesequel. MultipleHalf-Life 3rumors and leakshave pointed to internal Valve projects codenamed “Project White Sands” and “HLX”, leading to speculation that either or both titles could be newHalf-Lifegames, with one beingHalf-Life 3. Another possible indicator is Valve’s seemingly renewed interest in theHalf-Lifefranchise, as bothHalf-LifeandHalf-Life 2have received recent, major updates for their respective anniversaries in 2023 and 2024.
Notably, a documentary released forHalf-Life 2’s 20th anniversaryalso had the game’s developers discuss the reasons behind Valve’s failure to release anEpisode 3for the game, with vague allusions to future projects in the franchise. Finally, thoughHalf-Life: Alyx’s VR exclusivity makes it a relatively niche title, the game did provide an unexpected follow-up toHalf-Life 2’s infamous cliffhanger ending, with an implied sequel tease right at the end.
Our Take: It’s Time For A New Half-Life
Seventeen Years And Counting Since Half-Life 2, A New Sequel Is Long Overdue
Over seventeen years afterHalf-Life 2: Episode 2, it’s easy to say that a newHalf-Lifesequel that serves as a proper continuation of the series' story is long overdue. Luckily, there are plenty of signs that Valve seems to agree, and the studio may well be actively developing newHalf-Lifegames.Whether a prospectiveHalf-Life 3can live up to seventeen years' worth of expectations remains to be seen, though, and, if a sequel is in the works, it’s likely to be drastically different from what Valve might have released in the years directly afterHalf-Life 2: Episode 2.
Half-Life 2 Episode 3 Fan Project Finally Provides An Update After Two Years Of Silence
After two years of radio silence, the Half-Life 2: Episode Three fan sequel Project Borealis shares a surprising update. Here’s what to know.
Of course, without any official announcements, it’s always important to take leaks and rumors with a grain of salt. While evidence of a newHalf-Lifesequel has mounted over the course of 2023 and 2024 and it’s hard to imagine that Valve isn’t working on some kind of follow-up toAlyx, there’s also the unfortunate reality that a game that hasn’t been released in seventeen years can easily continue that trend. Until the time of an official announcement, though,Half-Lifefans can continue to hold out hope forHalf-Life 3.
