A new data mine has dropped further hints regarding the development of Valve’s Half-Life 3 being almost complete.
Content creator Gabe Follower posted a brand new video on his YouTube channel in which he suggested that the development of Half-Life 3 may be close to completion, based on a data mine of Valve’s Source 2 engine files. He said that the often mentioned project HLX is already in optimization and upscaling phase. Upscaling technology, such as NVIDIA DLSS, Intel XeSS, and AMD FSR, usually isn’t incorporated until a developer is nearly done with a game.
A method for identifying hidden group names in Valve’s internal system has uncovered references to “hlx,” “hlxaudio,” and “hlxartists.” Additionally, console commands related to optimization, including those that modify NPC behavior and AI load, suggest the presence of a game with intricate NPC interactions. New code mentions various features such as a dynamic navigation mesh, deformable props, and enhanced dynamic hair systems, which may be linked to an upcoming Half-Life title. A zombie gorilla, previously hinted at in dialogue from Half-Life: Alyx, has been found within the Source 2 files, featuring tentacle particles. Its role in the game remains unknown.
Valve’s playtesting process consists of multiple stages, including early exploration, internal company-wide playtests, and testing with family members and close friends, all aimed at refining the game before launch. However, the testing process is not strictly sequential, as Valve can revisit previous stages or restart as needed to ensure a polished final product.
Gabe Follower’s information is in-line with the findings of content creator Tyler McVicker, who recently shared that Deadlock’s February 25, 2025, update had added FSR 3 support, and that it’s using HLX’s FSR 3 implementation, as indicated by the string “+R_HLX_FSR3_MIN_REACTIVENESS” seen in the files. Based on his information, project HLX involves heavy use of physics, with mechanics like buoyancy, flammability, deformation, and weight thresholds required for specific materials to deform. The game appears to feature advanced NPC AI, as entities can dynamically adjust their navigation meshes if and when destruction occurs within a map’s environment.
