Insider expects Half-Life 3 reveal soon with Spring 2026 release date, despite conflicting leaks

GTA 6 may be the ultimate rumor factory, but Half-Life 3 is trailing not far behind. Although Valve has yet to even confirm its existence, most analysts think an announcement is inevitable. Even after several letdowns, one source remains confident that gamers will hear about the shooter before 2025 ends. Insider Gaming’s Mike Straw also believes that Half-Life 3 release date will be in Spring 2026.

Has Valve been trolling the industry?

Straw updated followers about the prospect of a reveal on social media. He explained that the projected date provided by a source has not yet passed. Even so, Straw hasn’t been able to find multiple individuals to validate the report. That could point to a deliberate strategy by Valve to contain Half-Life 3 leaks.

Replying to a poster, Straw referred to Half-Life: Alyx, which debuted in 2020. He discussed how, with the VR game, Valve apparently took a similar approach to confuse the media. If a reporter intentionally leaks the wrong timeframe, it becomes much easier to identify the culprit.

There have been signs that the company has gone to great lengths to protect a secret. During the hands-on Steam Machine demos, several journalists noticed an unusual number of security guards. The speculation is that Valve wanted to keep its new hardware insulated from ongoing software development.

The window for a Half-Life 3 news is tightening

Regardless of who knows the correct Half-Life 3 release date, several rumors point to news in the coming weeks. That may not leave many opportunities for such a major revelation. Valve employees reportedly go on winter break by mid-December. The Game Awards on December 11th is a tempting place to make headlines, but the company may have other ideas.

The show’s host, Geoff Keighley, recently shared a picture of a mysterious statue. Guesses for its significance have included a Diablo 4 expansion or a new God of War game. However, Half-Life fanatics have struggled to find a connection to what may headline the event.

If the arrival of the Steam Machine is any indication, Valve plans to make future announcements on its own terms.