In a significant update for gaming enthusiasts, fresh rumors indicate that Valve Software’s long-speculated Half-Life 3 not only exists, but is reportedly playable from start to finish. Recent leaks suggest that an official announcement for the game could occur later this year.

SEE ALSO: ‘Half-Life: Alyx’ trailer exposes a VR narrative prior to the events of ‘Half-Life 2’

As with all discussions surrounding Half-Life 3, it’s prudent to maintain a healthy skepticism. The latest chatter originates from Valve insider and prominent leaker Tyler McVicker, who shared a series of enigmatic hints during a recent livestream. McVicker asserts that the game has progressed to a point of extensive internal playtesting, with some testers beginning to spill details.

These new assertions are consistent with earlier conjectures, including McVicker’s own datamining activities from last summer. In February, further hints appeared when dataminers found references to “HLX” in update files for Valve’s forthcoming MOBA-style game, Deadlock—intensifying speculation that a Half-Life project is currently underway.

“This is the furthest [HLX] has ever progressed. Period,” McVicker stated during the stream. “The game is playable—from start to finish. Period. Previous HL3 or Episode 3 initiatives never attained this level. They’re optimizing, refining. It’s likely content-locked, or at least mechanics-locked.”

Despite the thrill, fans should approach the information with cautious excitement. McVicker clarified that this Half-Life 3 is separate from Half-Life 2: Episode Three, the much-anticipated sequel to Episode Two that was initially announced in 2007 but never came to fruition.

It has been reported that development on this iteration of Half-Life 3 commenced around 2013 or 2014. A leak from 2020 suggested that the game could include procedurally generated levels, a detail McVicker confirmed during his recent Q&A session.

Regardless of the particulars, it’s evident that significant developments are occurring behind closed doors at Valve. If Half-Life 3 is released, it would mark the first mainline installment in the legendary franchise since Episode Two in 2007, and the first new title since the 2020 VR-exclusive Half-Life: Alyx.