Valve Developer Mentions 'HLX' Codename Publicly, Hinting at New Half-Life Project

Tendela Briefing · 23 Oct 2026 · 21:00 UTC

Image: Ars Technica · Source

At a recent game audio conference, a Valve developer publicly mentioned the internal codename 'HLX,' linked to the next Half-Life installment, marking the first official acknowledgment of the project.

After years of speculation about a new Half-Life game, a significant indication emerged at GameSoundCon, an industry event dedicated to game audio technology and artistry. Valve's composer and audio artist, Mike Morasky, unintentionally revealed the internal codename "HLX" when discussing the company’s implementation of high dynamic range audio during a panel session. This marked the first public instance where a Valve employee uttered this codename, which has been known to appear in Valve engine code since at least 2024 but previously avoided official public mention.

During the panel, Morasky described how different projects utilize various versions of high dynamic range audio systems, noting, "Deadlock has their own version of HDR. HLX has its own version, so on and so forth." Fellow Valve sound designer David Feise sarcastically acknowledged the slip, and the interaction underscored the sensitivity around discussing the upcoming game internally known as HLX.

The HLX codename is widely interpreted as referring to Valve’s next Half-Life project following the 2020 release of Half-Life: Alyx. Despite frequent rumors and leaks—such as previous suggestions that Half-Life 3 would launch alongside the Steam Machine—Valve has remained officially silent about the new installment’s development or release timeframe.

Industry observers and long-time Valve trackers have adjusted their expectations, with some like Tyler McVicker previously anticipating a 2026 announcement but now expressing doubt about a reveal this year. However, McVicker also pointed to recent increases in internal Valve coding activity, hinting that an official announcement could be forthcoming sooner rather than later.

The mention of HLX at GameSoundCon provides fresh hope to fans awaiting the continuation of the Half-Life franchise. While details about the project’s scope, gameplay, or release date remain undisclosed, this rare public acknowledgment confirms that work on a new Half-Life title is progressing within Valve. What remains certain is that whenever the new game is unveiled, it will face substantial expectations to satisfy the franchise’s dedicated community and to justify the long anticipation.