Game|rumored

Half-Life 3

The most anticipated PC game in history — NOT VR this time

Valve

Strong Rumor$59.99 (estimated)Expected: 2026

Trend: Rising

HIGH INTEREST

VR Eddie Hype Score

Key Features

/Single-player PC game (NOT VR-exclusive)

/Internal codename: HLX

/Potential Steam Machine launch title

/Active development confirmed via datamines

/Could drive VR interest via modding community

Overview

After over a decade of waiting, credible industry insiders including Tom Henderson report that Half-Life 3 is in active development under the internal codename "HLX." Unlike Half-Life: Alyx, this is reportedly a standard single-player PC game, not VR-exclusive. February 2026 datamines from Valve's Deadlock game confirmed active development references.

Rumors tie the release to Valve's new Steam Machine hardware push, with a potential March 2026 launch window. While not a VR game itself, Half-Life 3's release alongside the Steam Frame headset could drive massive interest in Valve's VR ecosystem — especially if modders bring HL3 to VR as they did with Half-Life 2.