'Half Life 3' release date news: Title rumored to launch in 2018; Game 4K-compatible and VR-ready?

Half-Life 2 main characters Alyx Vance and Dr. Gordon FreemanValve

"Half-Life 3" may be released in 2018, according to rumors stated by iTech Post. It is further speculated that this may happen given that 2018 is the twentieth anniversary of the franchise since the first game released back in 1998. However, Valve has yet to make any official confirmation of this rumor.

Game N Guide also states that one of the ongoing rumors is that "Half-Life 3" will be VR compatible. VR gaming is quickly becoming the next big thing with the launch of the Oculus Rift, Playstation VR and Valve's own HTC Vive, which is being co-developed by HTC.

Launching "Half-Life 3" with VR compatibility would showcase the true power of the HTC Vive and packaging the two together would help boost sales for the game and for the VR headset. Gamers will recall that launching a good game with a console has led to the success of consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super Nintendo.

Fans also speculate that with the launch of the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One Scorpio, upgraded versions of the PS4 and Xbox One, "Half-Life 3" will also be designed to support 4K resolution screens. Several games, such as "Mass Effect Andromeda," are already showcasing 4K support and it is likely "Half-Life 3" will do so as well.

The game has long been rumored but never confirmed at the game has slipped into the general consensus that it may never release, similar to how "Duke Nukem Forever" had faded out of popularity for a decade before launching and when it did it was met with lukewarm to negative reviews. The same can also be said for "Left 4 Dead 3," another game from Valve that has been in development hell for years.

It is important to note that at this point Valve has neither confirmed nor denied any of the information and as such the information should still be taken with a grain of salt.