Rumor: Valve's E3 Surprise is Source 2, Maybe Half-Life 3

[John Funk]

Rumor: Valve's E3 Surprise is Source 2, Maybe Half-Life 3

Valve's mystery E3 surprise may not be Half-Life 2: Episode 3, but one unnamed source is claiming that it's the next iteration of the aging Source engine - and perhaps Half-Life 3.

In our industry, the moments surrounding E3 is always a time of year for surprises and announcements, and this year one of the biggest mysteries is, "Just what the hell is going on over at Valve?" While the PC developer had initially been planning to show Portal 2 off at a special event next week, it suddenly and abruptly canceled the event.

Rumors and (faked) images made the rounds, leading many to speculate that it would be the long-awaited announcement of Half-Life 2: Episode 3, but Valve big man Gabe Newell put the kibosh [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/101146-Gabe-Newell-Valve-E3-Surprise-Isnt-Episode-3] on that idea.

Now, a source who "wished to remain anonymous" HL2 [http://www.vg247.com/2010/06/08/rumor-valves-e3-surprise-is-source-engine-2/] on Source), the source (that is, the other kind of sources) says we could also see the announcement and reveal of a full-fledged Half-Life 3.

Don't get too excited just yet, though. This is still an anonymous source and their information could be wrong - or could be little more than guesses. Dampening speculation is the fact that Valve's Newell will not be attending E3 - and if this were Half-Life 3, you'd think he'd probably want to be showing up, yeah?

Either way, we do know one thing for certain. You don't just cancel a big event for a big game right before E3 unless A.) you have something huge to replace it with, or B.) things are actually in one hell of a mess under the surface.

I know which of those two we'd all prefer.

(VG247 [http://www.vg247.com/2010/06/08/rumor-valves-e3-surprise-is-source-engine-2/])

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[Lowbreed]

If this means a new Counter strike: Hurrah!
If not I personally couldn't really care, and it's still just a rumour (we'll see in time...)

 

[Dr. wonderful]

...Please HL3...please HL3...Please HL3!...

 

[anthony87]

Well considering it's valve I doubt things are a mess under the surface.

Everything but the pubic hairs crossed for a great announcement.

 

[Simalacrum]

Hmmm, interesting...

Such a move would certainly make up for the 6 bloody years that they have made us wait for Episode 3... and it is true that the Source engine is becomming a bit dated.

I hope it doesn't lose what makes the Source engine great though, namely the facial expressions bit.

 

[SovietSecrets]

If they wont show EP 3 why would they show HL 3?

 

[insaneHoshi]

Dude, Source two is going to be awsome, even though it will take ten years to come out

 

[The Bandit]

Everytime someone mentions Half-Life 3, I feel sorry for them. You poor, optimistic little children.

 

[Omega V]

meh don't really care, I just want more portal.

 

[The Ambrosian]

E3 has come round fast this year...
I hope its Source engine, with the amount of brilliant games that have been made using it, I hope it gets its long deserved upgrade.
Oh and HL3 should be fun too : D

 

[Airsoftslayer93]

i was thinking about this today during an exam, probably not the best time, wondering whether it would be a totally new ip or whether valve would announce l4d3, then i remembered someone mentioning that source was getting old, so i reckon it will be source 2, then i come on here this evening and i read this, i must be amazingly smart, shame i probably failed my exam

 

[John Funk]

If they wont show EP 3 why would they show HL 3?

Well, presumably the thought here is that they realized EP3 was taking too long so decided to expand on it and turn it into a full-fledged game, and the lack of information about EP3 was just designed to conceal this. So when Gabe Newell says "There won't be anything on Episode 3 this year" it's technically true, because they're making HL3.




That's not to say it's TRUE, or that they aren't pipe dreams. But I think that's the interpretation.

 

[PipBoy2000]

This bit of news is so awesome that I just died and instantaneously came back to life!

 

[SovietSecrets]

If they wont show EP 3 why would they show HL 3?

Well, presumably the thought here is that they realized EP3 was taking too long so decided to expand on it and turn it into a full-fledged game, and the lack of information about EP3 was just designed to conceal this. So when Gabe Newell says "There won't be anything on Episode 3 this year" it's technically true, because they're making HL3.




That's not to say it's TRUE, or that they aren't pipe dreams. But I think that's the interpretation.

Yeah, I thought about that the second after I hit post. More thinking is required next time for me.

 

[CaptainKoala]

If they wont show EP 3 why would they show HL 3?

Exactly, ValvE needs to make an episode 3 first so they can provide some closure for the plot of the first two episodes before they can release Half-Life 3, which (presumably) would have a completely different plot than the episodes.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Stop...planting...beautiful dreams...in my head!

I just know Valve will let me down on this one. Damn you Gabe, you've gotten arrogant! Make me believe again!

 

[The Austin]

...Please HL3...please HL3...Please HL3!...

...Please HL3 for 360... Please HL3 for 360... Please HL3 for 360!

 

[CaptainKoala]

Oh my god, Source 2. I can just see all of the cool shit this will make possible on Garry's Mod.

You would probably have to pay for a new Garry's mod, though. If they spent so much time, resources, and money making a Source 2, they aren't going to give it away for free so you can add it to all your games with the old Source engine. They would lose so much money on that.

 

[DigitalSushi]

If this means a new Counter strike: Hurrah!
If not I personally couldn't really care, and it's still just a rumour (we'll see in time...)

Counterstrike is currently being beefed up, so your wish is granted!

Well considering it's valve I doubt things are a mess under the surface.

Ermm, you do remember the release of Half Life 2 right? you know, in September 2003?, that was messy.

Hmm, it would be sexy to see...SUPER SOURCE in action. Still, I'd really like some info on Episode 3 a lot more, but didn't they say they wanted to make HL3 basically what Episode 3 was supposed to be anyways? ;O

Yep, Half Life EP 1, EP2 and EP3 were essentially meant to be Half Life 3.

But judging by how Valve have kept quiet and the tech test they did with Portal, EP2 and L4D it seemed to me they were upgrading Source for a full HL3 experience.

I think they really want to blow everyone away like they did with HL1 and HL2.