Half-Life 3 Rumored to Have RPG, Open World Elements

[Asrokhel]

It sounds like Half-Life 3 may be more like Rage this time, only more interactive than id Software's latest post-apocalyptic open-world shooter.

Half-Life 3 is back on the rumor mill again, conveniently one day after Valve's hardware division spoke with Engadget about its 2013 plans. An unnamed source has reportedly spilled details regarding the mysterious Half-Life sequel, confirming that the game is indeed in development (duh), but there's a lot that still needs to be done.

Breaking away from the rumor for just a moment, there's a good chance Valve is working on Source 2 in conjunction with Half-Life 3 much like id Software did with Rage and id Tech 5. The original Source engine made its debut back in June 2004 with the launch of Counter-Strike: Source and shortly thereafter Half-Life 2. Thus, it's easy to assume Source 2 and Half-Life 3 will be connected and launched simultaneously.

Building on that, on a business level, it's probably time to update both the engine and Valve's flagship franchise, especially with Epic taking up all the licensing opportunities with its commercial-friendly Unreal Engine.

This Source 2 concept seemingly backs up the remainder of the current rumor which claims Half-Life 3 will be open-world with many RPG elements. The team has reportedly been so inspired by Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series that they want NPCs and "quests". This will likely be similar to Rage, staying true to its FPS roots while dishing out missions in a vast environment.

Now here's something else to think about: the release date. Sources claim that the game won't make an appearance until after 2013. Bummer we know, but we're betting Source 2 / Half-Life 3 will be next-generation console friendly. The 2013 marker also indicates that Valve's hardware ambitions may be tied into the project, as the first beta is expected to launch sometime next year.

Remember, this is all speculation and rumor save for the possible beta of Valve's first hardware attempt next year. But this latest rumor does make sense given that today's technology allows the Half-Life universe to be even more immersive than it was back in 2004.

http://www.tomshardw...-NPC,17751.html

[Roadrunna]

Sounds interesting but please don't use Rage as an inspiration. It wasn't bad but it wasn't really open-world.

[bjoswald]

Sounds kind of dumb but I'm still optimistic. HL just doesn't seem like the questing type of game. :s

Oh, and Rage was a steaming pile of ****. I hope Valve has been paying attention.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

I hope nothing leaks before the game's release date.

[nvllsvm]

Meh, this doesn't sound too good. I was hoping for gameplay similar to the original Half-Life. :/

[x-byte]

Rumor from yesterday. Will never happen. Doesn't fit Valve's profile and the series. Please let this die.

[The Laughing Man]

RPG elements? Come on stick to the games original path...

[Xerxes]

Half-Life 3 is a lie.....(see what I did there? :laugh:)

[deactivated_]

Please don't make the Half-Life series into a MMORPG.

[Xerxes]

Please don't make the Half-Life series into a MMORPG.

Well considering the wild success of WOW, it's more likely to become a MMORPG since that is where the money is. I never got into the whole MMO[insert genre] fad in general but everything seems to be going down that path, even Elder Scrolls is (but thankfully seems to be more a spin off then actually sequel). Wait and see I guess. Been waiting for so long now, past the point of caring :p when we get concrete info on a possible release and details on what we are likely to get, concrete not rumours, I'll get excited for it again!

[deactivated_]

Well considering the wild success of WOW, it's more likely to become a MMORPG since that is where the money is. I never got into the whole MMO[insert genre] fad in general but everything seems to be going down that path, even Elder Scrolls is (but thankfully seems to be more a spin off then actually sequel). Wait and see I guess. Been waiting for so long now, past the point of caring :p when we get concrete info on a possible release and details on what we are likely to get, concrete not rumours, I'll get excited for it again!

Yeah, I'm sure that's where the money is, but I can guarantee *my* money won't be there if it's an MMO-type game.

[_neutrino Veteran]

more like Half-Life 3 is rumored to exist.

[lnmnky]

I quite like the quiet quest parts from Episode 2. (Searching for radars in stashes) Although these were entirely linear, it was a nice change of pace.

The pacing is the one thing that is perfect in HL. They understand that FPS fatigue sets in and maybe any RPG elements would now allow for these changes to be at the player's discresion. (Rather than the linear method at the moment).

[Asrokhel]

Please don't make the Half-Life series into a MMORPG.

Open world & RPG != MMORPG

For example:

Sacred 2 is an open world rpg, and is not an MMORPG!

[deactivated_]

Open world & RPG != MMORPG

For example:

Sacred 2 is an open world rpg, and is not an MMORPG!

Did I say Open World & RPG = MMORPG? No. I just said "Please don't make the Half-Life series into a MMORPG." It would be an injustice to the Half-Life series if it were to be made into a MMO game. That is all.

[lnmnky]

Did I say Open World & RPG = MMORPG? No. I just said "Please don't make the Half-Life series into a MMORPG." It would be an injustice to the Half-Life series if it were to be made into a MMO game. That is all.

With that logic, I need to add, please don't make HL3 into a cartoon-kart based racing game.

[f0rk_b0mb]

That sucks! I want a game that plays similar to HL2! Atleast BMS is really good...

Also, Rage did not suck. It was very good after all the graphics issues were fixed.

[devBrian]

Did I say Open World & RPG = MMORPG? No. I just said "Please don't make the Half-Life series into a MMORPG." It would be an injustice to the Half-Life series if it were to be made into a MMO game. That is all.

Seriously, what the hell are you talking about? Nobody said anything about making it into an MMO, ever, at any time. I hope they don't turn it into an arcade shoot-em-up, too... wtf?

[deactivated_]

With that logic, I need to add, please don't make HL3 into a cartoon-kart based racing game.

Seriously, what the hell are you talking about? Nobody said anything about making it into an MMO, ever, at any time. I hope they don't turn it into an arcade shoot-em-up, too... wtf?

And I hope no one would berate you for having your opinion. However, it appears I am not allowed to express mine.

[cropcircles]

Please don't make the Half-Life series into a MMORPG.

Agreed.

[Kirkburn]

Sounds odd - Valve are well known for experimenting, but at the same time, those experiments have to work really well for them to release them. It's quite possible they are testing a huge range of concepts internally.

And I hope no one would berate you for having your opinion. However, it appears I am not allowed to express mine.

The issue was, it seemed to be a completely random insert into the topic. No-one had suggested HL2 might be an MMO.

[Noir Angel]

Whilst I'm not going to jump to assumptions until I see some tangible evidence, in my mind Half-Life always has been an FPS series, and it should end as an FPS series.

[qdave]

This is quite disappointing. But one thing doesnt makes sense...if they are inspired by rage that means all the work valve did before will be put to waste? Or partly at least.

[Athernar]

Reliable source? HAH.

Where did they get this "news" from, a random post on /v/?

I also have a reliable source that Valve are going to buy Microsoft and open-source Windows.

Honestly, is anyone really dumb enough to believe that Valve are going to take a series lauded for it's extremely high quality linear story-driven gameplay, and turn it into some sort of mutant crossbreed of Half-Life and RAGE, a game that failed?

[Asrokhel]

Honestly, is anyone really dumb enough to believe that Valve are going to take a series lauded for it's extremely high quality linear story-driven gameplay, and turn it into some sort of mutant crossbreed of Half-Life and RAGE, a game that failed?

RAGE may have failed, but Borderlands didn't!