"2007. That's the year when Valve started talking openly about Half-Life 2: Episode 3, back when the company was still planning on continuing as a series of smaller, episodic games. After 20 years, a VR spin-off prequel, and many, many, many rumors, leaks, and hoaxes, it does feel like Valve might actually be working on the next installment of Half-Life, and with next year's launch of the recently announced Steam Machine, 2026 might be the year the long wait will end. Maybe."
"But around 2011, after Episode 3 failed to launch in December 2007 as announced, Valve became far less interested in discussing the game. It was around this time that Newell replied to a question about the game with: "If you know enough to ask the question, you know what the answer is." In the years that followed, the number three became a meme with the company as it grew Steam into a massive platform and changed PC gaming in some big ways."
Valve began discussing Half-Life 2: Episode 3 in 2007 while planning episodic sequels. Episode 3 missed a 2007 release and became increasingly unmentioned by 2011. Gabe Newell responded cryptically to questions, and the number three became a recurring meme as Valve expanded Steam and reshaped PC gaming. In 2020 Valve released Half-Life: Alyx, a VR prequel, and indicated Episode 3 had been canceled and replaced by a larger sequel concept often called Half-Life 3. Leaks, datamining, and renewed speculation in 2024 have fueled hopes that Valve might release a new Half-Life title, with some pointing to 2026.
Read at Kotaku
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