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- Screenshot from Half-Life 2, Courtesy of Valve

Is Valve Finally Teasing Half-Life 3? Fans Decode Steam’s Funny Joke

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Susana Rocha | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 6:16 PM ET

Valve’s latest Steam trailer drops a cheeky “can’t count to three” joke, and the fans speculate that it’s a cryptic tease for Half-Life 3 or HLX. Here’s what we know:

Valve’s Joke Rekindles Half-Life 3 Hype

For years, the phrase “Valve can’t count to three” has been a running joke in the gaming community. I’ve never heard the joke before writing this, so I didn’t understand the meaning of the joke. However, it doesn’t stop fans from turning this into a meme. But now, that meme might be morphing into something that of a prophetic reality. In a recent trailer for Steam’s Third-Shooter Fest, Valve PR rep Kaci Aitchison Boyle dropped a line that sent Half-Life gamers into a frenzy:

This is for all of you who have made fun of us for not being able to count to three.”

That single sentence has reignited speculation that Half-Life 3 —or a spiritual successor —is finally on the horizon.

Reddit lit up with various theories following the announcement. Users like u/ChaosFulcrum and u/pryvisee dissected the timing, tone, and delivery of the joke, suggesting it was far too deliberate to be just a random coincidence. Some pointed out past Valve interviews, including Gabe Newell’s cryptic 2019 comment about “unexpected things,” while others referenced recent leaks about a non-VR Half-Life sequel codenamed HLX.

HLX Rumors and What Fans Expect Next

Screenshot of Half-Life, Courtesy of Valve

Adding fuel to the fire, voice actor Mike Shapiro- known for iconic roles like G-Man and Barney Calhoun- recently teased “surprises” for HLX fans in 2025. Whether that’s a cameo, a full game, or clever marketing remains to be seen.

But here’s where things get interesting: many fans believe HLX won’t be called Half-Life 3 at all. Potential titles floating in the internet abyss include Half-Life: Ultimatum, Half-Life: Epilogue, or Half-Life X. This naming strategy could allow Valve to sidestep the pressure of delivering a “true” third installment while still expanding the universe.

According to leaks, HLK has already passed internal playtests and entered the optimization phase- suggesting a reveal could be imminent. Still, the community remains divided. Some call it “copium”, others are convinced 2025 is the year the game has finally broken the curse.

Whether it’s a clever nod to the original meme that gamers have been joking about for years, or a genuine little breadcrumb for a candy house in the woods, Valve’s joke has done its job: the fandom is buzzing again. And in a world where the silence has been the norm, even a little echo or whisper can feel like a roar. You know that old saying: if you hear a tree falling in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

Thanks for reading!

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This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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