Valve's rumored HLX project: First public mention of the Half-Life 3 rumors
The rumors surrounding the mysterious HLX project, which the community has long associated with a potential Half-Life 3, have received their first public mention. While the name has appeared in Source 2 code for years, it has now been addressed in an official capacity.
Mention at GameSoundCon
During a Q&A session at GameSoundCon 2026, Valve composer Mike Morasky publicly referred to HLX. While discussing HDR implementations, Morasky distinguished HLX from other active projects, such as Deadlock.
According to Morasky, while Deadlock utilizes its own version of HDR, HLX features its own distinct implementation. This statement confirms that HLX is a standalone project currently under development at Valve.
Background of the rumors
The HLX designation is not new to the community. For years, datamined references to the term have been found within the Source 2 engine code, specifically in updates for Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. Although Valve has never officially confirmed that HLX is indeed Half-Life 3, these leaks have fueled long-standing speculation among fans.
While the specific genre or gameplay mechanics of the project remain unconfirmed, the public mention validates that HLX is a legitimate development effort within the studio.
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