So, I’m gonna lead with the bad news first so you don’t get ahead of yourselves.
Yes, you can watch genuine gameplay fromHalf-Life 2: Episode 3right now. It’s not a mod or a fan-made project - this is real footage from aValve-developedsequel toHalf-Life 2: Episode 2.
But here’s the bad news: this doesn’t meanHalf-Life 2: Episode 3is actually coming out, nor will it be playable in any way.
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To celebrate the 20th anniversary ofHalf-Life 2, Valve has been pumping out a whole slew of freebies.
First things first in case you aren’t aware,Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, andHalf-Life 2: Lost Coastare all now free onSteamuntil 6 pm today.
If you’re curious how to claim all four games and all the new extra content added alongside them, check outour write-up about it here.
Now, on to theHalf-Life 2: Episode 3details.
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To commemorateHalf-Life 2turning 20, Valve recently uploaded the “Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary” on YouTube.
It’s over two hours long and it is absolutely packed with little tidbits and info regarding the development of the game and its sequels, and I highly suggest giving the whole thing a watch.
However, if you don’t have two hours spare, the point in the documentary where they get to the juicy details regardingHalf-Life 2: Episode 3isright here at 1:53:03.
The team behindHalf-Life 2and even Gabe Newell himself offer up a bunch of info regardingEpisode 3’sconception and eventual cancellation.
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They also include some concept art for the unreleased game, alongside some gameplay footage of its prototype. The gameplay footage shows off a new enemy type, a brand new ice gun, and a few details regarding its setting.
So, what happened? Why did Valve not finishEpisode 3, even though it was supposedly (according to one of its developers) “six months” into development?
That’s unfortunately pretty simple to explain. Valve was busy, and Gabe Newell says that he didn’t want to push a half-baked project out the door and cop out on their “obligation to gamers”.
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Valve believed it was too late to finish the game when the engine they’d used to develop the prototype was now outdated.
Sad, yes, but ultimately… it sounds like it was the right decision.
Topics:Steam,Valve,Half Life,Half-Life 2
