Game Informer's rumor column claims the long-awaited final installment of Valve's iconic series won't arrive until next year--if it arrives at all.
Source: The Loose Talk rumor section of Game Informer's February issue.
What we heard: Last fall, Half-Life series hero Gordon Freeman was voted Greatest Game Hero by GameSpot's users, despite not having been in a new game in two years. The last title to feature the crowbar-wielding physicist was 2007's The Orange Box, which featured Half-Life 2: Episode Two and its two immediate forbearers: 2006's Half-Life 2: Episode One and 2004's Half-Life 2. (The package also included Team Fortress 2 and the award-wining Portal.)
Initially, Half-Life 2's episodes were supposed to allow the developer to release a new expansion every several months. It began in June 2006 with Episode One (initially subtitled "Aftermath") and was to end "by Christmas 2007" with Episode Three. However, that scheme was derailed when Valve struck a deal with Electronic Arts to distribute the Orange Box. That compilation arrived in October 2007, and since then, Valve has remained mum on the subject of Episode Three, instead focusing on its wildly popular Left 4 Dead series.
With nary a peep about Episode Three in 2008 or 2009, many were hoping at least some new information about its release--or fate--would arrive this year. Don't count on it, says Game Informer, which claims to have knowledge that the game won't arrive until 2011--at the earliest. "There won't be any game from the franchise in 2010," the GameStop-owned magazine declared, before raising the possibility of the Half-Life 2 series skipping directly to Half-Life 3 in "a few years."
The official story: As of press time, Valve's notoriously recalcitrant PR department had not responded to requests for an update on Episode Three's status.
Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus that Episode Three isn't coming out in 2010. With Half-Life 2: Episode Two already showing its age in 2007, it's likely that Valve wants to take the time to ensure the next Half-Life title is graphically competitive. Given the visual caliber of today's first-person shooters, that may require a true sequel with all-new technology.
To make up for the wait of Half life 2: Episode 2 they gave us Half life 2, Half Life 2: Episode 1, Team Fortress 2 and the earthly manifestation of Christ. The only way they could top that is if they not only gave it to you for free but also gave you one hundred pounds sterling.
hey, i suppose there will be never a Episode 3 ! Instead a Half-Life 3 will emerge !! It will be kinda sad and cool ! http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/108821-Valve-Says-Hang-In-There-For-Half-Life-2-Episode-3
Its already half to 2011, where is episode 3 ? Guys, seriously, is there any plans to develop a 3 ?
I punched a hole through my wall when i finished episode 2. I was so pissed off because i would have to wait a long time for ep.3 (and cuz eli died). I hope valve can come out with an awesome ending to this awesome game.
i love how the best game ever created is taking so long to release its sequal. if it where crap, they would still make a bomb of cash. But yet they dont feel ready to release it......i respect this. I bet when it comes it will be the best pc game all over again! i hope :D
Valve should be ASHAMED of themselves for not having released Ep3. It was promised to us ages ago. The first two episodes were sold with the promise that further episodes would be coming every few months. It has been three years, Valve. THREE YEARS! FOR SHAME!
I am 70 years old. If Half Life E3 doesn't come out soon , it will be too late for me. If they don't want to finish the thing they could just tell us how they would have ended it. The only reason I upgrade my computer is to play Half Life 2 games and my computer is getting pretty out of date now. It won't play Far Cry 2 on the high settiongs. I figure the new Half Life 3 if it happens will cost me a new graphics card and maybe a new CPU.
I love Valve, but in this case I really think they should have finished the last ****EPISODE**** (sheesh...) long ago.... Seriously... finish it... then go on to actually make HL3 ... I don't give a s*** if it uses the source engine still as it stands...
TBH, I tend to enjoy it when a large company takes their time (a long time) to pump out a new title or sequal. The frustration and empty threats to leave their fanbase only to come crawling back five or 10 years later to a wonderful return. As long as I know Valve is going strong with titles like TF, L4D, and Portal, I can rest easy knowing Valve can't leave this series alone. I'll see you whenever HL2:E3. Can't wait.
The first two episodes were sweet but short so maybe it is taking so long because they are making a full length game like the original? That would be awesome :)
man i cant wait till valve announces episode 3. i havent gotten to play episode 2 yet but i just got another computer so im hoping i can run it. ya gotta give credit to valve though. i cant believe that they have kept quiet about half life for three years.
Its been way too long of a wait for my favorite game series ever. All i can do to wait is do Episode 2 and get my friend to be the first gnome in space again.
Valve isn't known for getting games out fast, but when this finally comes out, we all know it will be the game of the year. Take your time Valve, I believe in you!
this game prints money and brings in so much love from the gamers and critics, how is there not even an announcement yet?
I do agree that HL:EP3 needs to be finessed. But please do it, as you can see how many people agree with me here. I looove the game and love Mr.Gordon Freeman like all the people here. Where is he????
wish they would de-rail the bloody L4D series and actually finnish what they started before making entirely new projects on the same engine. 3 frakking years GABE!!!!!! for frak sake, finish it.. dont do HL3 in 3 yrs time before you've even finished HL2 please.
me_alien They will not stop. In Valve homepage you can read: "Episode Two is the second of a planned trilogy...". It will be and it will be Episode Three not Half Life 3.
half life was the best game i ever played ... are valve guys idiots ... ? this game opened a new era of fps games ... why would they stop ? this i do not understand !!!
Yeah, sure, 2011. Not happening (due to portal 2) Yep, episode 3 is really making a DNF out of itself.
i finally played and finished episode 2 - i know i know way too late :D:D and all i can say the game is still gorgeous because the whole animation and graphics is still so slick, i agree that for episode 3 original source engine should be used and for halflife 3 source 2.0 plus if they want to end half life universe it has to happen by gordon definitly dying - not like g-man taking him again because that would mean that we can have another sequel coming
I agree with those who say that we don't need much better graphic and/or engine for episode 3. For Half Life 3 yes... but not for last episode of Half Life 2. Lets just finish this first. This is like stop eating while you are still hungry or stop doing sex and don't get orgasm... Well i think it is too late and they are in middle or close to end with episode 3... so if there is new engine and graphics then that is what we will get. I only hope that they are finishing it soon. Feels like there is only 3-5 guys making that game... that long.
This is really Pissing me off do they think they can take loyalty for granted and not give us an update even the most loyal of fans might say theyve made me wait long enough I dont want to give any of my money to these people there are plenty of others to fill the gap they think they are creating suspense alls they are doing is disenfranchising us well these tight lipped bastards wont be getting any more of my money
its terrible that the greatest game in existance is without an ending, all great things must come to an end, but not like this we need episode 3. valve doesnt need good graphics, though i dont blame them with the new demograpics of gamers,because their games were good half life 2 both looks good and is amazing l4d isnt graphically amazing but people still buy it and enjoy just like tf2 and portal 2 could have windows ME graphics i wouldnt care, because graphics dont make a game.
To any/all Valve employees who frequent GameSpot: Having only lately finished Episode 2, I can empathize with those who have been waiting since 2007 for Episode 3. We won't blame you if you guys decide to release Episode 3 with the Source engine instead of a brand-new one. I honestly think the graphics on Source look better than many of the graphics on newer games.
Hurry up with HL ep3,valve, I m not getting any younger and I want to finnish the dam game before I die!
I'm pretty sure that they are building the next game from the ground up. New engine and everything. I'd imagine that a new Counter-Strike would act as it's online component as well.
And you're all insane thinking it'll come out in 2011. Yet the latest in the "dated" promises from Valve. Hahah...fool me once...
By the time this comes out, anyone who was familiar with this series will have outgrown playing PC games.
I don't think Valve is being lazy. They are a company that doesn't release a game until its ready. Just because they haven't commented, doesn't mean its NOT in development. Valve: don't change a thing, just know that i'm totally excited for the next installment.
for everyone complaining about valve being slow. lol @ you. look at how long it took them to pretty much create every game they have. You got Half Life 1 released in what, 98 or 99. HL2 comes in 04. you got TFC which was released in... oh i'd say 98 or 99 again, and then tf2 released in 07? everyone should expect valve to be this slow -.- i mean damn, L4D1 was in development for 4-5 years
I'm usually a very non-violent type of guy, but even I'm leaning towards sending Jack Bauer to infiltrate Valve's HQ and then... having a nice, long, chat with the big-Gabe himself. Actually, just the thought of Mr. Bauer interrogating Gabe using a rusty old crowbar is mind boggling to say at least. Seriously, it's time to rise and shine Mr. Freeman, I'm ready whenever you are.
I cannot wait. I have to say, I wish they could do a remake of Opposing Force (which I actually consider to be half life 2). To me it was easily as good as the first game. Everything about it was brilliant! But yes, I cannot wait for Half Life 3.
well i really happy that they are making the half life 2 episode 3 this is going to be so kl
calm down dudes. I swear you people complain about everything. i personally hope they just make half life 3.
This is ridiculous. When Valve introduced the concept of episodic content, they claimed they intended to release shorter chunks of game MORE FREQUENTLY. Instead of finishing what they started and delivering on their promises, they got all sidetracked with L4D and other projects. What, Orange Box didn't sell well enough to fund EP3? Right. Poor form, Valve.
this is so frustrating!!! i just want to know how it ends save the new graphics and engine for HL3 and just give us EP3 already!!!!!
We voted Gordon Freeman to be the greatest game hero of all time, and they still can't give us a freakin' release date for episode three?????
@Valve Employees : We Know Were You Live ! We need a 3'rd episode for cryin' out loud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is by far crazy I was so happy when they talked about we wouldn't have to wait for 6 years for Half-Life 3 since we would be getting the episodes... Now going on 7 years and we still have a pretty unfinished story from Half-Life 2 alot of questions that just haven't been answered. Valve has always been one of the publishers/developers I keep an eye on, but this is retarded and they know it makes me think of the whole bloodlines things Vavle has to big of a head at times. As for trying to blame this on EA it's not thier fault Valve made the deal Ea has no rights to the game or what Valve does with the IP it just was forking out the money to publish the orange box across all platforms which was something Valve didn't want to risk if it failed.
Well, got a mixed opinion myself, I mean, if the game is going to undergo a major improvement, like, top-notch graphics, new gameplay, and who knows what else, I don't mind the wait, but atleast release it in 2011. But if the game stays the same in visual quality and such, I'd be dissapointed. Story is important too ofcourse, but I got the feeling Vavle wouldn't need 4 years to make a good story... Would they?
Valve cofounder Gabe Newell suggests studio has gone through numerous "twists and turns" to bring unannounced game to market; remaining silent on project is optimal for gamers.
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