Valve's hardware announcements have reignited my long-held fever dream of Half-Life 3.
The trio of hardware products announced by Valve - a Steam Machine console, a Steam Controller, and the Steam Frame VR headset - seems like a perfect setup for a new game in one of the most beloved franchises in gaming. The sheer breadth of the Valve ecosystem now makes it more likely than ever that we'll see Half-Life 3.
The past year has seen several subtle hints at Valve's continued interest in reviving the Half-Life series. A comprehensive update to Half-Life 2, which included improved performance and visuals, was a significant step forward for the franchise. Furthermore, YouTuber Gabe Follower claimed that a Valve project internally titled 'HLX' had reached the play-testing stage, suggesting that a new Half-Life game is indeed in development.
Another interesting development is the recent post from Michael Shapiro, who voiced the enigmatic G-Man in the series, announcing he'd see viewers in the year to come. This was eerily similar to his message in 2020 prior to the launch of Half-Life: Alyx, sparking speculation among fans about a possible connection between these announcements.
With The Game Awards less than a month away, it's an ideal time for Valve to make a major announcement. The hardware announcements have set the stage, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see a trailer or a release date for Half-Life 3 soon.
While I'm not getting too carried away with excitement just yet, there is enough smoke to suggest that the fire might indeed be real this time around. As Valve continues to expand its hardware offerings, it's hard not to feel hopeful about the prospect of a new Half-Life game. Maybe it's finally time to wake up and smell the ashes - or in this case, the virtual reality headsets being developed by Valve.
The trio of hardware products announced by Valve - a Steam Machine console, a Steam Controller, and the Steam Frame VR headset - seems like a perfect setup for a new game in one of the most beloved franchises in gaming. The sheer breadth of the Valve ecosystem now makes it more likely than ever that we'll see Half-Life 3.
The past year has seen several subtle hints at Valve's continued interest in reviving the Half-Life series. A comprehensive update to Half-Life 2, which included improved performance and visuals, was a significant step forward for the franchise. Furthermore, YouTuber Gabe Follower claimed that a Valve project internally titled 'HLX' had reached the play-testing stage, suggesting that a new Half-Life game is indeed in development.
Another interesting development is the recent post from Michael Shapiro, who voiced the enigmatic G-Man in the series, announcing he'd see viewers in the year to come. This was eerily similar to his message in 2020 prior to the launch of Half-Life: Alyx, sparking speculation among fans about a possible connection between these announcements.
With The Game Awards less than a month away, it's an ideal time for Valve to make a major announcement. The hardware announcements have set the stage, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see a trailer or a release date for Half-Life 3 soon.
While I'm not getting too carried away with excitement just yet, there is enough smoke to suggest that the fire might indeed be real this time around. As Valve continues to expand its hardware offerings, it's hard not to feel hopeful about the prospect of a new Half-Life game. Maybe it's finally time to wake up and smell the ashes - or in this case, the virtual reality headsets being developed by Valve.