Recent datamining and Valve's hardware announcements have fueled speculation about an upcoming Half-Life 3 reveal. Community excitement continues despite no official confirmation from the studio. Insiders and leaks suggest a project codenamed HLX could launch in 2026.
Background on the Speculation
The Half-Life series has left fans waiting since Half-Life 2: Episode 2 released in 2007, ending on a major cliffhanger. Half-Life: Alyx, a 2020 VR prequel, addressed part of that storyline but raised new questions involving protagonist Gordon Freeman and the enigmatic G-Man. Now, 17 years after Episode 2 and five years post-Alyx, dataminers have uncovered code in Valve games since late 2021 pointing to a new entry codenamed HLX.
Recent Developments
In November 2025, Valve announced three new gaming hardware products without pairing them to any software titles, sparking questions about a missing launch game. This timing aligns with rumors of HLX as a potential Steam Machine title for 2026. Additional signs include insider teases of a big reveal, increased security at Valve during hardware demos, and indications of an unrevealed Valve game on Steam.
Potential Features and Impact
Leaks suggest HLX would mark Valve's first non-VR, full-length single-player release since Portal 2 in 2011. Datamined details hint at advanced simulation technology for elements like object wetness and surface flammability, potentially enhancing puzzles and combat. As a studio unbound by external pressures, Valve could deliver a focused AAA action-shooter without microtransactions or trend-chasing elements.
While no announcement is confirmed, the accumulation of evidence keeps anticipation high for what could conclude the franchise's narrative arc started in 1998.