An insider regarding Half-Life 3 has shared new developments that suggest progress is being made towards the game’s release. This update is likely to stir excitement among fans who have waited for Half-Life 3 since the cliffhanger ending of Half-Life 2 Episode 2 back in 2007.

Half-Life: Alyx pleased many fans when it released in 2020, but it couldn’t fulfill the narrative desires fans hoped for as it is a prequel. Furthermore, its VR-only format excludes a part of the gaming audience.

Recent insights shared by Gabe Follower have emerged regarding the next Half-Life game, codenamed HLX. Although Valve hasn’t officially announced it, recent updates to its current titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Deadlock contain lines of code that reference Half-Life 3. Most notably, dataminers have found extensive code refactoring, which implies that the game might be nearing the end stage of development. This typically indicates a pending release.

What the Half-Life Code Leak Indicates

These findings, while not disclosing the story, suggest advancements in the technology that powers the Half-Life games. It’s been noted that significant enhancements have been made regarding physics, weather effects, NPC AI, and vehicles. Improvements in NPC behavior and object physics have been uncovered, along with references to Thumpers and Antlions, creatures unique to the Half-Life universe, indicating that this code is likely tied to the franchise.

While the excitement is real, fans should temper their expectations regarding the release of the game. Valve is known for its slow, meticulous approach to development. Even if there is movement towards revealing Half-Life 3, it may take some time to ensure the game meets the high standards expected by long-time fans.