It has been over two decades since Valve debuted "Half-Life 2," and there have been various rumors that its successor, "Half-Life 3," is right around the corner, especially as the new Steam Machine has been announced.
'Half-Life 3' Expectations: What's Rumored
The Game Awards 2025 could have been the perfect moment for "Half-Life 3" to shine, but to the dismay of fans and players worldwide, Valve stayed silent about the game yet again.
Despite this, many are still expecting massive things from the franchise but for a later announcement.
Based on the latest "Insider Gaming Weekly" podcast, Valve skipped an announcement for The Game Awards as it is planning for a special reveal for the game next year.
That being said, there are still no confirmations of any kind about the legitimacy of the game, with fans left to grasp at straws and rumors shared online.
Previous claims about the game center on "procedurally generated combat scenarios" coming, instead of the first game's "script fight sequences," following the direction "Left 4 Dead" took.
Rumors said that players should expect a game that leans more into linear narrative storytelling as the company reportedly wants to build into its plot.
'Half-Life 3' Is Steam Machine's Launch Title
According to one of the podcast's hosts, Mike Straw, the Steam Machine, the frame, its controller, and "Half-Life 3" are all expected to arrive by spring 2026. If this turns out to be true, this could be one of the biggest launches from Valve in a long time.
Steam Machine is a big deal for Valve, marking the return of its console-like PC gaming machine, and debuting a launch title as big as "Half-Life 3" is only fitting for the device.
Will There be a 'Half-Life 3'?
Sources are sure that there will be a "Half-Life 3" coming in the future, and they believe that the best time for Valve to release this is alongside the launch of its Steam Machine.
Historically, entertainment companies that bring new gaming platforms add a launch title alongside their devices, with the Xbox Series S and X launching alongside "Halo Infinite" in 2020. The Nintendo Switch 2 debuted with "Mario Kart World" and "Donkey Kong Bananza" in 2025.
Despite the uncertainty, many fans and insiders believe that "Half-Life 3" is coming, with the podcast claiming that "At the end of the day, the game is real."
