9) Half-Life 3
It wouldn’t be E3 would some old-fashioned speculation about Half-Life 3 now would it? Few sequels – if any – have garnered as big a following as Valve’s long-dormant follow-up, and nary a day goes by without an unsubstantiated tidbit rising to the fore in some dark corner of the Internet. CEO Gabe Newell has been notoriously coy about the existence of the threequel, but surely the series’ following is too big to ignore?
In fact, since the release of Half-Life 2: Episode Two back in 2007, Half-Life 3 has almost reached mythic status, with fans chomping at the bit to experience the next chapter in Gordon Freeman’s sci-fi adventure. With Valve omitting itself from the glitz and glam once again, there’s little-to-no chance of the title finally being showcased during next week’s trade show, and even if it is, could it possibly live up to expectations?
Many have suggested that the PC giant will remain radio silent on the project until it is ready to hit the market, raising the rather tantalizing prospect of Half-Life 3 debuting day and date on Steam and effectively melting the Internet to its embryonic core. In terms of Episode Three, the lost chapter is essentially vaporware at this point, with nary a sight nor sound of the installment following its reveal in 2007.
If and when Valve announces the threequel, it’ll likely be on the company’s on terms, but we just couldn’t resist throwing it into the hat for old times’ sake.