Another day, another Half-Life 3 rumor! Valve has been ramping up with all sorts of development, and so more hints to the existence of the elusive sequel to the FPS that revolutionized the industry have popped up. Come find out and see what they entail!
Is Half-Life 3 Confirmed?
Valve Works in Mysterious Ways
- [1] Image taken from an SFM video by CoreyLaddo on Youtube
Oh boy, another drop into the two-decade ocean-worth of "Half-Life 3 confirmed?!" rumors. But wait! Hold on, because we may really, TRULY be onto something this time. As we may all notice, Valve has been quite busy in the games department the last few years, as opposed to just sitting back and letting Steam, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike print money for them.
They’ve made a new hand-held PC in the form of the Steam Deck, they’ve finally made Counter-Strike 2 using their new proprietary Source 2 Engine, and they’ve even released a full proper Half-Life game using said engine for VR devices in Half-Life: Alyx! (Let’s all collectively ignore Artifact, alright?) Oh, and, they’ve actually secretly been making a game hybrid between a Hero-based third-person shooter and a MOBA called Deadlock that has been in secret beta for months under everyone’s noses!
- [2] Image taken from an SFM video by CoreyLaddo on Youtube
Alright so, with Valve seemingly remembering that they’re a game development company, fans are always rabid at the chances of the ever elusive gaming unicorn Half-Life 3 to finally come into fruition. Some people on the internet have amassed a following from simply being dataminers of all Valve games, scouring day and night to see any potential leads such as name strings in the code that could hint at a confirmation.
However, the most recent finding wasn’t even found in code, but rather, from a resume of an actress who listed Valve as one of their last projects. Discovered around early August 2024 at their website’s resume section, the actress had written down that they provided their voice talents to a mysterious "Project White Sands" that was attributed to Valve. This is in no way another term of Deadlock, seeing as it has been an open secret for a while, and that it already has its official name. Valve has many unannounced projects in their secret slates, where most never really see the light of day.
Diehard HL fans were quick to make the connection that the term ‘White Sands’ is the name of a park located in New Mexico, where the iconic research facility of Black Mesa is situated. Though it may be a reach, this is the strongest connection that was available to the general public(excluding any datamines and leaks) pertaining to anything Half-Life related currently in the works within Valve. I say ‘was’ available, because shortly after people caught on, the credit in her resume was updated to remove the listing, and eventually the website itself became unavailable.
Then, on September 3, 2024, it was announced that Valve has bought the creators of Risk of Rain, Hoopoo Games, acquiring them into their fold of developers seemingly in need for more hands on deck. They could’ve been brought in to help alongside Deadlock, Project White Sands, or perhaps even more unannounced Valve games for all we know. What we DO know, is that Valve is certainly, FINALLY cooking again in terms of games, and that any fan of their franchises have many reasons to be excited.
However, that still begs the question, if Half-Life were to continue, then what’s the story going to be? How will it play? Well…
SPOILERS FOR THE HALF-LIFE SERIES AHEAD, PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Half-Life 3 Story Plot and Half-Life: Alyx’s Ending
- [3] Screenshot taken from Half-Life: Alyx recording uploaded by VG247.com on Youtube
For those unaware, Half-Life: Alyx was supposed to be a prequel-sequel to the series, taking place during Gordon Freeman’s long stasis between Half-Life 1 and 2. It stars the titular Alyx Vance, a rebel against the abusive rule of the Combine who travels through, over, and under City 17 in secrecy. Her quest eventually lands her with the mission to free a prisoner of the Combine that could be instrumental to the rebel cause–Gordon Freeman. That's the entire premise of the title, where it should lead up to the start of Half-Life 2 where Gordon Freeman wakes up to see Alyx first thing.
- [3] Screenshot taken from Half-Life: Alyx recording uploaded by VG247.com on Youtube
However… at the very end of Half-Life: Alyx, she mistakenly (or rather, was tricked or was fed false information) into freeing the prison of someone else: The G-Man. It was never explained how a powerful being such as G-man could’ve been captured by the Combine, but she would never have the chance let alone inkling to think of such, as she was immediately given mysterious riddles and ramblings by the interdimensional being. He spoke to her, asking what she would like to change in the course of history–seemingly being given a wish like a genie. Alyx of course desires for the Earth to be free from the Combine and so that peace may return, but G-Man says that that would be far beyond his powers and would be "a considerably large nudge."
He then continues his deception, showing her the events of the ending of Half-Life 2: Episode 2, the last mainline entry to the series released way back in 2007. During the finale, Alyx’s father, Eli Vance, is killed by a Combine Advisor, where Gordon and Eli were forced to watch powerless. Our current Alyx sees everything and immediately wants to save her dad from the future, and so G-Man obliges and lets her act upon her wishes to save Eli Vance, killing the Combine Advisor holding him hostage in exchange. However, in doing so, Alyx has become eligible to be ‘hired’ by G-Man and his mysterious ‘Employers,’ forcibly coercing Alyx into their plans, never to be seen again. Thus, the end credits roll, and the game is over.
…Or so we think.
- [3] Screenshot taken from Half-Life: Alyx recording uploaded by VG247.com on Youtube
As the last bits of credits vanish, the familiar sounds of an H.E.V suit checking the wearer’s vitals commences, and the voice of Eli Vance starts to be heard. Our character’s eyes flicker open, and we see ourselves back at the ending of Half-Life 2: Episode 2 where Eli was killed–except he’s alive, very furious, and is calling us by our name, Gordon. He’s enraged as he fills us in with what’s happened: he’s alive, the Combine Advisor that should’ve taken his life is dead, and G-Man has taken Alyx under his command, citing their "Unforeseen Consequences."
- [3] Screenshot taken from Half-Life: Alyx recording uploaded by VG247.com on Youtube
Afterwards, Dog (not an actual dog, but a robot named Dog), descends into view and hands Eli a peculiar crowbar, to which he then offers it to us. The game ends as Gordon takes up his signature weapon of choice as Eli proclaims, "Come on Gordon, we have work to do."
This, by all means, is a gigantic sign that the overarching plotline of the Half-Life universe will still continue. Valve has weaved a perfect setup for a future new entry to the series by providing a prequel to satiate the hardcore HL fans, as well as advance the story in a truly unexpected way straight from where they left off almost two decades ago. Although many could say that the same thing happened with the aforementioned ending of HL2:E2, where they left on the massive cliffhanger of Eli’s death and such. However, with the timeline now seemingly ‘nudged’ by Alyx and G-Man, it seems like the captivating narrative starring the beloved silent protagonist Gordon Freeman will continue in perhaps Half-Life 3, where he’ll have to go on a rescue mission to save Alyx from G-Man’s control.
It could very well be another VR title with how fleshed out HL:Alyx was, but with a small percentage of gamers with access to VR devices, the overwhelming majority will be left out if they were to do so. Their best bet would be to make a normal PC game that can be accessible to anyone and everyone. What’s more is that HL:Alyx was made in tandem with Valve’s own VR console, the Valve Index. Since then, the company has produced another console that has been much more successful than the Index…
All I’m saying is, Valve has the perfect chance to release Half-Life 3 on PC so that it will also be playable on the more accessible and flexible Steam Deck.
Sources:
Eurogamer | Valve working on new project with a codename fans are linking to Half-Life
Risk of Rain developer cancels next project to join game development at Valve
[1] [SFM] G-Man Roasts Gordon Freeman | Corey Laddo
[2] [SFM] G-Man Accepts the GOTY Award for Half-Life Alyx | Corey Laddo
[3] Half-Life: Alyx ending - full ending and post-credits scene | VG247.com
Putting Our Tinfoil Hats On About Other Games…
 |
Baldur’s Gate 4 Release Date Predictions |
 |
Will There be Another God of War Game? |
 |
Resident Evil 9 Release Date and Time Predictions |
 |
Witcher 4 Release Date and Time Predictions |
