Valve's 'Project White Sands' Leak Sparks Half-Life 3 Speculation

Recent leaks suggest that Valve is developing a new Half-Life game under the codename "Project White Sands." The rumor gained traction after a video game voice actor's resume listing the project surfaced on Reddit, followed by a dataminer's discovery of references to a new Half-Life game within "strings from Counter-Strike 2 & Dota 2."

While the game has not been confirmed as Valve's long-awaited sequel to Half-Life 2, it is known that it won't be a VR-exclusive title like Half-Life: Alyx. Valve appears to be working on this new title alongside an upcoming hero shooter called Deadlock.

New Leaks Hint at Half-Life 3's Existence

Speculation intensified after data miner Tyler McVicker released a video analyzing recent updates to Valve’s Source 2 games, such as Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, which referenced an unannounced single-player game. The data mined files use the codename “HLX” and describe a player character wearing an HEV suit who travels “off-world.”

The files also mention enemy types cut from Half-Life: Alyx, including “Xengorillas,” “Xenjellyfish,” and “Xenswoopers,” as well as driveable vehicles and “Penta Tanks.” McVicker suggests that the game is likely Half-Life 3, although the title is not explicitly mentioned, and it will not be a VR game.

All indications point to a new Half-Life game finally being in development, even if it may not be a direct sequel to Half-Life 2. Valve is reportedly developing the project alongside its upcoming hero shooter Deadlock, described as a 6v6 PvP game with a fantasy-steampunk setting.