Fans of the Half-Life series continue to wait for official word on a third mainline game, more than two decades after Half-Life 2 was released. While Valve has remained silent, new comments from an industry insider have once again linked Half-Life 3 to upcoming Valve hardware.
Speaking on the Insider Gaming Weekly podcast on YouTube, games journalist Mike Straw said sources he has spoken to still believe Half-Life 3 is planned as a launch title for Valve’s Steam Machine. According to Straw, people familiar with the situation remain “adamant” that the game is tied to the hardware’s release, despite earlier rumors failing to result in an announcement.
The Steam Machine was previously expected to be revealed alongside major software news, including speculation around Half-Life 3. That announcement window has passed without confirmation, leading to renewed questions about Valve’s timeline. Straw suggested the absence of news does not mean the plan has changed, but rather that Valve is still working through unresolved issues.
One of those issues appears to be pricing. Straw noted concerns inside Valve related to the cost of DRAM, which has seen sharp fluctuations. These market conditions may be delaying final decisions on the Steam Machine’s retail price and configuration. Valve has only said the system will be priced closer to a comparable DIY gaming PC rather than a traditional console.
Straw also claimed Valve may have shared incorrect launch windows with journalists to track leaks or reduce the impact of early reporting. Several rumored dates have passed without updates, adding to speculation around controlled messaging.
Valve has confirmed the Steam Machine is targeting an early 2026 release, which points to a first-quarter launch. No official pricing or software lineup has been announced. As with past reports, the status of Half-Life 3 remains unconfirmed, and Valve has not commented on the claims.
