Half-Life 2: Episode 3 Was Announced 10 Years Ago This Week

A decade ago, Valve officially announced Half-Life 2: Episode Three. Gamers are still waiting for Valve to deliver.

Polygon reminds us that on May 24, 2006, Valve confirmed that the third Half-Life 2 episode update was in development. At the time, it only said that it would be the last "in a trilogy...that will conclude by Christmas of 2007."

Half-Life has been dormant for more than seven years now, with Half-Life 2: Episode Two having been released in 2007. Fans have been awaiting news of a sequel for years, but with Valve's propensity for taking its time--not to mention the lack of any official indication that a new Half-Life is in development--it's unclear what the franchise's status is.

In 2012, Valve boss attempted to explain the wait for the next Half-Life game.

"The problem is, we think that the twists and turns that we're going through would probably drive people more crazy than just being silent about it, until we can be very crisp about what's happening next," he said at the time.

Valve added support for the Oculus Rift VR headset to Half-Life 2 in 2013. In March this year, HTC chairwoman Cher Wang offered an ambiguous statement: "We are cooperating with Half-Life, and I think... I hope, you know, it will be on it." She quickly walked back that comment, saying , "I misspoke when I referred to our working together with Valve on a particular game," according to the BBC.

For now, fan videos like the one here and this frustratingly excellent unofficial trailer are all we have to hold us over. You can also read Polygon's rundown of what's been said about the long-dormant new Half-Life episode here .

Are you still holding out hope for a new Half-Life? Let us know in the comments below!