Longtime Valve composer Mike Morasky has seemingly let slip the internal codename "HLX" for the rumored Half-Life 3 during a recent developer panel. Morasky mentioned the codename while discussing the Source 2 engine's sound system on October 21, at GameSoundCon, alongside fellow Valve sound designers David Feise and Carlye Nyte.
"And in fact, I think Deadlock has their own version of HDR. You know, HLX has its own version, so on and so forth," Morasky stated. The mention of HLX is significant because it is not the name of any officially announced Valve game. Instead, HLX is widely believed by fans to be the internal, non-public codename for the long-awaited Half-Life 3, a project that has been the subject of extensive datamining and leaks for years.
Following the slip-up, Feise can be heard whispering sarcastically, "Nice work." This incident suggests that the codename HLX was not intended for public disclosure. Morasky has reportedly mentioned working on more than one Half-Life game in the past, despite only being officially credited for Half-Life: Alyx.
The codename HLX has been circulating within the community for over five years, with fans meticulously cataloging information about the game's development. The frequency with which the codename is used in fan discussions and forums may have led Morasky to inadvertently treat it as public knowledge.
While Valve has not officially commented on the incident, it is speculated that the company may either ignore the remark or attempt to attribute it to a misstatement, possibly referencing Half-Life: Alyx. However, the extensive development history and the reported playability of HLX from start to finish, as suggested by reports in 2025, indicate that the game is significantly further along than some might assume. Speculation is now turning towards a potential announcement of Half-Life 3 later this year, with The Game Awards in December being a focal point for such expectations.