'Half-Life 3' release date: Sequel to finally launch in 2018 as VR game?

"Half Life 3" is expected to arrive but not anytime soon.Steam

Rumors and speculations continue to float about the much-awaited game "Half-Life 3." According to observers, Valve may finally be readying the sequel for a 2018 release as a full VR title.

Reportedly, Valve will take advantage of its VR knowledge and will release the next "Half-Life" sequel with full VR support. While this remains as pure speculation, this is not far off the mark. Valve has been a co-creator with HTC to produce the Vive VR system. In addition, the series of games in the "Half-Life" franchise is one of the most ideal genres to port as a VR title. With the VR gaming industry still a fledgling, however, it may take until 2018 for a full VR experience with "Half-Life 3."

In addition, it may take up to two years before "Half-Life 3" is ready. While it is true that the sequel has been a long time in the making – "Half-Life 2" was released in 2004 – Valve seems preoccupied with other projects at the moment. In addition, some of the key players in the series have already left Valve, the most recent one being "Half-Life" franchise creative writer Marc Laidlaw.

Valve has yet to come out with definite details on the series, leaving hardcore fans hanging. However, if some long-awaited games (like "The Last Guardian," in development since 2007) are already revealed as coming out soon, there is still hope for "Half-Life 3."

According to The News Independent, Valve is not openly denying that it is developing "Half-Life 3," though the studio also remains silent on confirming the rumors. Even Gabe Newell, Valve's CEO, has put on record that although many fans wish for the next sequel to finally be released, "The only reason we'd go back and do like a super classic kind of product is if a whole bunch of people just internally at Valve said they wanted to do it and had a reasonable explanation for why."