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Liputan6.com, Jakarta Rumors about a sequel to the legendary game, Half-Life 3, have resurfaced and become a hot topic among the gaming community.
Many fans are hoping Valve will finally announce the long-awaited continuation of Gordon Freeman's story.
This escalation of rumors has been fueled by various dataminer findings indicating the existence of a new project codenamed "HLX" within Valve's Source 2 engine update.
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This engine is the foundation for popular games like Counter-Strike 2, fueling the belief that "HLX" is the next Half-Life game.
The most interesting news is the prediction of an official reveal in late 2025 and a potential release in spring 2026.
This speculation is also linked to Valve's plans to launch new hardware, potentially using Half-Life 3 as a "killer app" to attract market attention.
I've been asked so much. The date I was told hasn't passed yet, though not being able to get at least 2 other people to verify it has me really thinking Valve did have multiple dates to "catch leakers".Announcement date aside, source still believes it'll be announced this year…
— Mike Straw (@MikeStrawMedia) December 1, 2025
Reveal Rumor in 2026 and Release Predictions
Speculation regarding Half-Life 3's reveal and release date has been further fueled by Valve's plans to release new hardware.
The announcement of hardware such as the new Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller in November 2025 has fueled speculation that Half-Life 3 will be the "killer app" that drives sales of the new system.
This is similar to Valve's previous strategy when it released Half-Life: Alyx alongside the Valve Index.
The new Steam Machine's codename, "Fremont," has also attracted attention.
Some fans have linked it to the short story "Epistle 3" written by former Valve writer Marc Laidlaw in 2017.
Some sources even predict a March 2026 launch for this major game, possibly as a new Steam Machine exclusive.
Mike Straw of Insider Gaming expressed confidence in a Half-Life 3 announcement in late 2025, with a release date of Spring 2026.
Furthermore, G-Man's voice actor, Mike Shapiro, made a mysterious post in early 2025 hinting at an "unexpected surprise," further fueling the anticipation for Half-Life 3.
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"HLX" Project Development Status
The project, codenamed "HLX," has been a major focus of dataminers and Valve insiders for some time.
References to the project were found in Source 2 engine updates, indicating active development behind the scenes.
This finding is widely believed to be a strong indication of Half-Life 3.
According to Tyler McVicker, a prominent Valve insider, the "HLX" project was already in the "end-to-end playable" stage in May 2025.
Furthermore, in August 2025, another leaker named Gabe Follower indicated that the game was in the polishing stage.
The developers are reportedly shifting gears to other projects, indicating that most of the core work on Half-Life 3 has been completed.
The datamine also revealed code fixes, improvements to physics, weather, NPC AI, and vehicles, including specific references to the Half-Life series' signature "Thumpers" and "Antlions."
Valve's Official Statement So Far
While rumors and leaks are intensifying, Valve has not officially confirmed the existence, development, or release date of Half-Life 3.
Half-Life 2: Episode 2 ended on a cliffhanger, and while Half-Life: Alyx (2020) continues the story, it still leaves many questions unanswered.
Valve CEO Gabe Newell previously stated that he was struggling to find a way to make significant progress on Episode 3, which may have been one reason for Half-Life 3's delay.
Valve is known for making unexpected project announcements, often coinciding with significant moments in the gaming industry.
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