'Half-Life 3' is progressing in secret and may be close to release.

Two insiders and dataminers specialized in Valve claim that Half-Life 3 is already in its final stage of development. Although Valve hasn't officially confirmed anything, analysis of the Source 2 engine code reveals clear clues about the game's progress.

For some time now, leaks about Half-Life 3 have been constant. This time, the evidence comes from updates used in Counter-Strike 2 and Deadlock, where there are direct references to an internal title called HLX.

What dataminers Gabe Follower and Tyler McVicker reveal

Gabe Follower and Tyler McVicker agree that the presence of extensive documentation and changes in the source code indicate that development is in the optimization stage. This process, known as refactoring, improves the internal structure without altering the player's final experience.

Follower pointed out that important parts of the game may already be finished. The development team has started moving on to other projects, a common sign at Valve when a title is close to completion.

Valve and its obsession with perfection

McVicker clarifies that although in other studios this stage would anticipate an imminent release, Valve is famous for spending years polishing every detail. The company even goes so far as to discard entire phases to improve the final experience.

Leaked gameplay and new features

The code also suggests that Half-Life 3 will have mod support from day one or shortly thereafter. The game will follow the line of mechanics based on physics and thermodynamic simulations, with more advanced artificial intelligence than in previous installments.

Additionally, a dynamic wind system is mentioned, probably linked to variable weather that will influence gameplay, adding realism and challenge to the title.