Insider Claims Half-Life 3 Is in Final Stages of Development

Another month, another wave of rumors surrounding the long-awaited Half-Life 3. While Valve remains officially silent, insiders continue to suggest that the project is nearing completion.

This time, new claims come from blogger and dataminer Maxim Poletaev, better known online as Gabe Follower.

“HLX” Reportedly Nearing Completion

In a recent video, Gabe Follower discussed findings from updates to Valve’s Source 2 engine. According to his analysis, internal references to a project codenamed HLX — widely believed to be Half-Life 3 — suggest that development is in its final stages.

One of the key arguments presented is a shift in staff allocation inside Valve. Poletaev claims that more developers appear to be moving on to other projects, which could indicate that the core production phase of HLX is largely complete.

Over the years, Gabe Follower has built a reputation for uncovering reliable information related to Valve projects, lending some credibility to his latest claims — though none of it has been officially confirmed.

Raising the Bar Reprint Delay Raises Questions

The insider also addressed the delayed expanded edition of Raising the Bar, a book chronicling the development of Half-Life 2.

The updated edition was announced for the game’s 20th anniversary and originally expected in 2025. However, its release has been postponed.

According to Poletaev, the delay could be linked to new material referencing Half-Life 3 — potentially requiring coordination with Valve’s marketing plans.

Hardware Not a Factor?

Another rumor circulating within the community suggested that Half-Life 3’s release might depend on new Valve hardware, possibly tied to Steam Machines or other devices.

Poletaev dismissed this theory, stating that current hardware-related issues — including memory supply challenges — are unrelated to the rumored project.

If accurate, this would mean Half-Life 3’s timeline is not dependent on a new hardware launch strategy.

Analysis: Why Half-Life Rumors Never Die

Half-Life 3 remains one of the most persistent rumors in gaming history. Every engine update, job listing, or internal codename sparks renewed speculation.

Several factors keep the rumor cycle alive:

  • Valve’s long development timelines
  • The cultural legacy of the Half-Life franchise
  • The company’s history of surprise releases

If HLX truly is in its final phase, it would represent one of the most significant comebacks in modern gaming. However, without official confirmation from Valve, the claims remain speculative.

For now, fans will have to continue navigating the familiar cycle of hope, leaks, and silence.

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