Half-Life 3: 2025 Release Finally Confirmed?

Half-Life 3: 2025 Release Finally Confirmed?

For over two decades, Half-Life 3 has been shrouded in rumor. But as 2025 approaches, a critical mass of leaks and hints suggests a real possibility of an official announcement.

G-Man’s Cryptic Message

The latest clue comes from G-Man’s voice actor, Mike Shapiro, who posted a cryptic New Year’s Eve video. In character, he hinted at “unexpected surprises,” his first post in four years. In 2020, Shapiro mentioned working on a “blast from the past” project, describing it as “mindblowing” and a “complete re-understanding” of the story.

Project HLX: Fueling the Hype

Adding to the excitement is the discovery of “HLX,” an internal Valve project referenced in Source 2 game files. Noted Valve watcher Tyler McVicker analyzed the code and concluded HLX is a fully-fledged non-VR Half-Life game, highlighting features like voxel-based deformation, zero-g and underwater navigation, and extensive flammability elements.

Further evidence comes from YouTuber Gabe Follower, who claims Valve has started HLX playtests with friends and family. Successful testing could lead to a 2025 announcement.

Project White Sands: Another Piece of the Puzzle

Leaks about a mysterious “Project White Sands,” referenced in Valve’s public hiring announcements, further fuel speculation. While past hopes have been dashed, the confluence of these hints suggests a genuine possibility of Half-Life 3 finally becoming a reality.