As most of you know, HL3 is pretty much the most popular “vaporware” game out there. Something always rumored and in development, but never heard again after a certain point.

What I don’t understand is why Gabens refusal to expand on the halted development of this game, it would’ve smashed sales absolutely and be the shining example in the modern gaming scene.

It just doesn’t make sense, you’d think a games firm would be smacking it’s lip ready for another full plate of gamers wallets.

Is it because the hype train is dangerous? Does Gaben prefer steam sales more?

What are your thoughts!

  • MentalEdgeEnglish
    56·
    2 months ago

    Valve doesn’t need to make games anymore. Their corporate structure allows for it, but relies on people at the company wanting to work on it.

    But if they don’t, it’s not really a problem. The company is doing fine.

    I think they just lost interest. They got back to it with Alyx because VR was exciting and new territory to explore.

    • Coelacanth@feddit.nuEnglish
      10·
      2 months ago

      This is the correct answer I think. They’re also not interested in releasing sub-par games, and again like you say they don’t need to release games at all to make money anymore. So if they’re not that interested and haven’t come up with anything conceptually/mechanically that reaches the high bar they’ve set for themselves, it makes more sense to scrap/postpone.

      Their reputation is much more important, and they’re just not going to half-ass Half Life 3. It will come out when they feel they have something truly extraordinary, or it won’t come out at all.

    • WraithGear@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      2 months ago

      They seem to release these games as some sort of tech demo show showcasing what they see is the future of games. One has the set peice structure of game design, two was the physics engine, and Alex was VR. So other then the continuation of the time line, half life Alex pretty much was half life three. Also they know the hype/meme train has been building for so long that nothing will be good enough. Like Duke nukem.

    • VaultBoyNewVegas@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      2 months ago

      Pretty much this. I’m fairly certain that I read years ago that Gabe just wasn’t interested as well. Which fair enough valve don’t need to develop games now because they have to but because they want to.