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Few video games carry the legendary weight of Half-Life 3. Unfortunately, the wait continues. Following The Game Awards 2025, fans are grappling with a familiar blend of frustration and disappointment. Despite high hopes, Valve did not reveal the game at the event.
Speculation ran rampant leading up to the show. However, the sceptics were right. The ceremony concluded without a trailer, a teaser, or even a logo for the anticipated title.
The “One Last Thing” That Wasn’t
Many gamers held onto the hope that Half-Life 3 would be the night’s “one last thing”. This slot is usually reserved for the biggest surprise of the evening. Consequently, expectations were high for a show-stopping finale.
Instead, the final reveal went to Highguard. This is a new shooter developed by former Respawn developers. While significant, it was not the Gordon Freeman comeback story fans wanted. The night ended, and the Half-Life dream remained dormant.
Why Did the Half-Life 3 Rumours Miss?
The disappointment feels sharper this year because of specific leaks. Back in October, industry insider Tyler McVicker claimed a major announcement from Valve was imminent. Naturally, fans assumed this meant Half-Life 3.
In hindsight, McVicker’s “big announcement” likely referred to the hardware reveals in November. During that month, Valve unveiled the new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame.
Despite this, other reporters remained confident. Mike Straw of Insider Gaming steadfastly reported that Half-Life would see a reveal before the end of 2025. The Game Awards seemed like the perfect venue for such a massive moment. Furthermore, Valve is known to leak false information to identify leakers. This tactic adds a layer of confusion to any rumour regarding the franchise.
Is a 2025 Reveal Still Possible?
So, is all hope lost for this year? Not necessarily. According to reports from Straw, the game could still appear before 2025 ends. Valve certainly has the power to unveil Half-Life 3 independently before December closes out.
However, skipping The Game Awards raises questions. It seems questionable to bypass such a massive audience if a trailer is ready to launch just weeks later. If Valve is feeding false data to insiders, pinning down a release window remains impossible. For now, the long wait for Half-Life 3 is back on until further notice.
