Several leaks are re-igniting hopes for a Half-Life 3

Valve dataminer Tyler McVicker has discovered hints that some Half-Life may be in active development at Valve. While we’re not quite at the “Half-Life 3 confirmed!” stage of proceedings, things are looking bright for a new non-VR game in the series, for the first time in a while.

Back in 2021, we saw the release of Half-Life: Alyx. Despite launching to critical acclaim, it was a VR exclusive, meaning those without headsets were left unable to experience the latest iteration in Valve’s long-running series. Still, it was a positive sign that Valve is willing to revisit its iconic franchise, offering hope that a Half-Life 3 could finally be on the way. 2007’s Half-Life 2: Episode Two is the last time we saw a non-VR Half-Life, so it’s a wait that could realistically span two decades before anything is released by the studio.

In a video posted to his YouTube channel, McVicker confirmed numerous reasons he believes Half-Life 3 is likely in development at Valve. Datamining has led him to find strings in updates for Source 2 titles Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, hinting at a game codenamed HLX, where the playable character wears a HEV suit. Sound familiar? This protagonist goes to a location named “Offworld,” with references to “Xengorrilla” and “Xenjellyfish” NPCs. It couldn’t sound any more Half-Life.

According to McVicker, these strings have come from different updates to the previously mentioned titles. He has compiled evidence over time to confirm his suspicions that development on this project is ongoing. His speculation continues further, connecting the dots here to the resume of actress Natasha Chandel. She recently revealed the existence of a Valve project codenamed Project White Sands via her resume, before it was swiftly taken down.

So, it seems like Valve could be working on a single-player Half-Life game featuring an HEV suit-wearing protagonist. But is it actually Half-Life 3? Answering the question about his belief based on current findings, McVicker said, “I gotta be very careful when answering that question… But yes.”

Although it’s impossible to confirm whether this is the case, it offers a glimmer of hope to those who have waited almost two decades for something new. In the meantime, keep replaying Black Mesa and dreaming of what could be.