Late last year, it seemed like Half-Life 3, the third entry in the Valve series, was about to be announced. Every available indication, whether updates to the Source 2 engine or rumors from reliable insiders about a trailer in preparation, seemed to point to an imminent reveal before the end of 2025.
However, 2025 has ended without any confirmation of what the HLX project is, and the complete lack of information from the usual sources plunged the community into doom and gloom, with many starting to doubt the game really exists, or believing it was ultimately cancelled.
While we still don't know if HLX is indeed the long-awaited Half-Life 3, we now know that development of the project is proceeding, at least in some capacity.
A few hours ago, Gabefollower, one of the most reliable sources of rumors about Valve's projects, confirmed on X that the latest Deadlock update includes some new mentions of the HLX project. By itself, the new mentions don't mean much, but at least they have confirmed that "HLX survived Valve's winter break," as Gabefollower put.
The community reaction to the news that development of what is supposedly Half-Life 3 did not disappoint, divided between those inhaling generous doses of hopium like X user Marcelo and those who believe "Nothing Ever Happens," like X user tzatziki. Others, however, are giving up hope, now believing HLX is not the third entry in the series, but something else entirely.
'Gabe, I think that it's getting to a point that HLX isnt half life X or 3. I think it's just a new addition to games that could be for moderation, making the games better, or something else completely. Stop giving us hopium that eventually turns into dispairium,' said X user dude3reborn. Was this a plea to Gabefollower or to Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve? Who knows, but this statement summarizes well the wild state the Half-Life community has been since it started to seem like Half-Life 3 wasn't a fever dream, but a concrete possibility.
Although there's no concrete indication that HLX could indeed be Half-Life 3, the datamined discoveries made over the years suggest this project could be a very interesting game coming with a lot of unique mechanics, such as fire and heat conductivity, a gravity gun with complex physics mechanics likely used for puzzles, and advanced NPC AI with superior hearing that, on paper, could make for a very immersive experience. As for when it will be revealed, it's really difficult to say at the moment.
As the project is reportedly launching alongside the Steam Machine, which has been slightly delayed due to the current RAM shortages and price spikes, there's also the chance the project's reveal and release may have been delayed, as Valve tends to tie its game releases to new hardware, as was with Half-Life Alyx and the Index VR headset. To the never-ending disappointment of a community that can no longer live on hopium (or dispairium).
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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