Half-Life 2: Episode Three: Difference between revisions

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'''Half-Life 2: Episode Three''' is a cancelled '''[[Half-Life 2]]''' Episode that was intended to wrap up the Episodic Trilogy. Announced in May 2006 with a supposed release of 2007-08, it was one of the most anticipated video games of all time, but ended up becoming an infamous case of [[Wikipedia:Vaporware|vaporware]]{{cite|1}}. Any chance of the game being released was diminished with the release of '''[[Half-Life: Alyx]]''' in 2020, which retconned the ending of '''[[Episode Two]]'''. The game was officially confirmed as cancelled on the twentieth anniversary of Half-Life 2's initial release, with the release of behind-the-scenes material detailing the "episode that never came to be"{{cite|2}}{{cite|3}}. Two new Episode Three weapons can be seen on the footage, with the {{cow|Unidentified_Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three_weapon|unidentified weapon|icon=hide}} have a weapon model which was later reused in Portal 2 for the cut Paint Gun weapon during it's development, and a second weapon referred as {{cow|Ice Gun|icon=hide}}, which can be used to create ice walls, make ramps to pass over fences, and freezing [[npc_combine_s|Combine Soldiers]] to death.


Similarly, '''Half-Life 3''' was in development at some point in 2013-2014, which was planned to use procedurally generated levels, but it's was also cancelled early in development as the {{source2|4}} engine at the time was unfinished{{cite|4}}.
'''Half-Life 2: Episode Three''' was the planned third and final installment in the '''[[Half-Life 2]]''' episodic trilogy. It was announced in May 2006 with a projected release in late 2007 or 2008. Over the years, it became one of the most highly anticipated but ultimately unreleased titles in gaming history — often cited as a classic example of [[Wikipedia:Vaporware|vaporware]]{{cite|1}}.


As of 18 February 2025, some Episode 3 game code is included with the updated {{tf2branch}} [[Source SDK]] on GitHub, included in the {{path|game/server/episodic/Episode3}} directory.
With the release of '''[[Half-Life: Alyx]]''' in 2020, which altered or replaced key narrative threads from '''[[Episode Two]]''', the possibility of Episode Three being released grew increasingly unlikely. The game was **officially confirmed as cancelled** on November 16, 2024 — the 20th anniversary of Half-Life 2 — when Valve released a retrospective update and behind-the-scenes content detailing the history and eventual cancellation of the project{{cite|2}}{{cite|3}}.


== Announcements ==
Footage included in the update showed several assets developed for the episode, including two previously unseen weapons:
It was ''hinted'' in a 2007 CVG interview that Episode 3 would have taken place in the arctic base{{cite|5}}. It was also been stated by Valve that this would have ended the Half-Life 2 story arc, but not the Half-Life series{{cite|6}}.
* {{cow|Unidentified_Half-Life_2:_Episode_Three_weapon|an unidentified weapon|icon=hide}}, which featured a model later reused in ''Portal 2'' as a cut Paint Gun.
* The {{cow|Ice Gun|Ice Gun|icon=hide}}, a weapon capable of freezing [[npc_combine_s|Combine Soldiers]], forming ice walls, and creating ramps to traverse environmental obstacles.
 
== Development and setting ==
It was hinted in a 2007 CVG interview that Episode Three would have been set in or near an Arctic Research Base{{cite|5}}. This location was intended to follow up on the Borealis mystery revealed in ''Episode Two'' and wrap up the ongoing narrative arc of the Resistance, the Combine, and the fate of Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance.
 
Valve stated that Episode Three would conclude the story arc of Half-Life 2, but not necessarily the Half-Life franchise as a whole{{cite|6}}.
 
== Source code leak and confirmation ==
As of February 18, 2025, portions of Episode Three's code were found in the updated {{tf2branch}} [[Source SDK]] repository on GitHub. The relevant files are located in the following directory: 
`{{path|game/server/episodic/Episode3}}`
 
These files contain entity definitions, scripted sequences, and early gameplay logic, confirming that a working build existed internally during development.
 
== Legacy ==
While Episode Three never materialized as a finished product, its legacy has remained strong in the Half-Life community. Multiple interviews with former Valve developers, including Marc Laidlaw, and content creators have shed light on various narrative drafts and gameplay concepts developed between 2006 and 2011.
 
The 2024 20th Anniversary update remains the last and most definitive statement from Valve about Episode Three's fate.


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[:Category:Half-Life 2: Episode Three entities]] - entities leftover from Episode 3 found in the Source SDK
* [[:Category:Half-Life 2: Episode Three entities]] – leftover entities from Episode Three found in the Source SDK
 
== External links ==
* {{cow|Future_of_the_Half-Life_series|Half-Life 2: Episode Three}} on '''Combine OverWiki'''
* {{cow|Future_of_the_Half-Life_series|Half-Life 2: Episode Three}} on '''Combine OverWiki'''
* {{w|Half-Life 2: Episode Three}} on '''Wikipedia'''
* {{w|Half-Life 2: Episode Three}} on '''Wikipedia'''


{{references|1=
{{references|1=
{{ref2|cite id=1|[https://www.wired.com/business/2011/01/vaporware-2010-the-great-white-duke/#slideid-72634 Vaporware 2010: The Great White Duke <nowiki>|</nowiki> WIRED]}}
{{ref2|cite id=1|[https://www.wired.com/business/2011/01/vaporware-2010-the-great-white-duke/#slideid-72634 Vaporware 2010: The Great White Duke | WIRED]}}
{{ref2|cite id=2|[https://www.half-life.com/en/halflife2/20th Half-Life 2 Anniversary Update]}}
{{ref2|cite id=2|[https://www.half-life.com/en/halflife2/20th Half-Life 2 Anniversary Update] (2024)}}
{{ref2|cite id=3|[https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/my-personal-failure-was-being-stumped-gabe-newell-says-finishing-half-life-2-episode-3-just-to-conclude-the-story-wouldve-been-copping-out-of-valves-obligation-to-gamers/ 'My personal failure was being stumped': Gabe Newell says finishing Half-Life 2: Episode 3 just to conclude the story would've been 'copping out of <nowiki>[Valve's]</nowiki> obligation to gamers']}}
{{ref2|cite id=3|[https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/my-personal-failure-was-being-stumped-gabe-newell-says-finishing-half-life-2-episode-3-just-to-conclude-the-story-wouldve-been-copping-out-of-valves-obligation-to-gamers/ Gabe Newell on why Episode Three was never finished – PC Gamer]}}
{{ref2|cite id=4|[https://www.ign.com/articles/half-life-3-left-4-dead-3-details-cancelled-valve Details of multiple cancelled Valve projects revealed, including Half-Life 3 - IGN]}}
{{ref2|cite id=4|[https://www.ign.com/articles/half-life-3-left-4-dead-3-details-cancelled-valve Details of multiple cancelled Valve projects revealed – IGN]}}
{{ref2|cite id=5|[https://web.archive.org/web/20080626152707/https://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id%3D162955 PC Preview: Half-Life 2: Episode Two - ComputerAndVideoGames.com] (archived)}}
{{ref2|cite id=5|[https://web.archive.org/web/20080626152707/https://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id%3D162955 PC Preview: Half-Life 2: Episode Two – CVG (archived)]}}
{{ref2|cite id=6|{{wayback|20191012165926/https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/marc-laidlaw/|Marc Laidlaw (Valve) - Interview - Arcade Attack}} (archived)}}
{{ref2|cite id=6|{{wayback|20191012165926/https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/marc-laidlaw/|Marc Laidlaw Interview – Arcade Attack (archived)}}}}
}}
}}


Revision as of 13:21, 28 July 2025

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Half-Life 2: Episode Three was the planned third and final installment in the Half-Life 2 episodic trilogy. It was announced in May 2006 with a projected release in late 2007 or 2008. Over the years, it became one of the most highly anticipated but ultimately unreleased titles in gaming history — often cited as a classic example of vaporware[1].

With the release of Half-Life: Alyx in 2020, which altered or replaced key narrative threads from Episode Two, the possibility of Episode Three being released grew increasingly unlikely. The game was **officially confirmed as cancelled** on November 16, 2024 — the 20th anniversary of Half-Life 2 — when Valve released a retrospective update and behind-the-scenes content detailing the history and eventual cancellation of the project[2][3].

Footage included in the update showed several assets developed for the episode, including two previously unseen weapons:

  • an unidentified weapon, which featured a model later reused in Portal 2 as a cut Paint Gun.
  • The Ice Gun, a weapon capable of freezing Combine Soldiers, forming ice walls, and creating ramps to traverse environmental obstacles.

Development and setting

It was hinted in a 2007 CVG interview that Episode Three would have been set in or near an Arctic Research Base[5]. This location was intended to follow up on the Borealis mystery revealed in Episode Two and wrap up the ongoing narrative arc of the Resistance, the Combine, and the fate of Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance.

Valve stated that Episode Three would conclude the story arc of Half-Life 2, but not necessarily the Half-Life franchise as a whole[6].

Source code leak and confirmation

As of February 18, 2025, portions of Episode Three's code were found in the updated Team Fortress 2 branch Source SDK repository on GitHub. The relevant files are located in the following directory: `🖿game/server/episodic/Episode3`

These files contain entity definitions, scripted sequences, and early gameplay logic, confirming that a working build existed internally during development.

Legacy

While Episode Three never materialized as a finished product, its legacy has remained strong in the Half-Life community. Multiple interviews with former Valve developers, including Marc Laidlaw, and content creators have shed light on various narrative drafts and gameplay concepts developed between 2006 and 2011.

The 2024 20th Anniversary update remains the last and most definitive statement from Valve about Episode Three's fate.

See also

References

References
GoldSrc GoldSrc
Source Source
Source 2 Source 2
Half-Life: Alyx Half-Life: Alyx
Cancelled: Half-Life 2: Episode Three Half-Life 3  • More
Other Engines
Third-party: Codename: Gordon Codename: Gordon (Adobe Flash) • FreeHL (FTE)
Related
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