A recent update from a knowledgeable Valve insider has put the future of Half-Life 3 in jeopardy, casting doubt on its much-anticipated announcement. Speculation has intensified in recent months about Half-Life 3, suggesting the long-awaited sequel might finally be announced this year. However, Valve has not made any official comments regarding the situation.

The story of Half-Life 3 has been an elusive one since the project was effectively shelved over a decade ago after the release of Half-Life 2. Hopes were briefly revived by the release of the VR spin-off Half-Life: Alyx in 2020, which indicated that Valve still had an interest in the franchise. Recently, data mining and other leaks have hinted at a new Valve project known as HLX, believed to be linked to Half-Life 3.

One data miner claimed that the announcement for Half-Life 3 could happen “any day” now as the project is reportedly in the final stages of development. However, Valve insider Gabe Follower recently pointed out that the original domain name for Half-Life 3, registered in 1999, has expired. This immediately raised concerns among fans about the likelihood of an imminent announcement, leading many to speculate why Valve would let such a significant domain lapse if they were on the verge of a major reveal.

While the domain is currently in a grace period allowing Valve the chance to reacquire it, the timing of this expiration has caused alarm among the fanbase. Despite the uncertainty brought on by these domain issues, insiders continue to affirm the existence of Half-Life 3, leaving fans hopeful that HLX may indeed be a substantial continuation of the franchise’s story as opposed to just another spin-off.