There is a new update on the survival first-person shooter video game “Half-Life 3” and it does not look good for the highly anticipated third installment of the series.
Apparently, Marc Laidlaw, the series writer for “Half-Life,” has confirmed that he has already retired from Valve Corporation.
He said during an online interview that his time working on the series is already behind him, and that information alone already puts “Half-Life 3” in jeopardy according to ensuing speculations.
Laidlaw is the reputable science-fiction writer who had worked with Valve since 1997. He was the sole writer for both “Half-Life” and “Half-Life 2,” and has also crafted the game’s wider narrative, details Gamespot.
The writer did not say whether he has finished the storyline or plotline for “Half-Life 3” before leaving the development studio at Bellevue, Washington of Valve.
Personal reasons
The fan who asked the online question or made the informal online interview with Laidlaw also shared the exchange on Reddit, and has since drawn numerous comments from gamers, mostly those who have been waiting for updates on “Half-Life 3.”
Laidlaw shared that he has retired from Valve mainly for personal reasons and that he hinted that his departure from the game development company was perfectly amicable.
He said that he is no longer a full or part-time Valve employee and is no longer involved in the day-to-day decisions or operations of the company. He added that he is also no longer a spokesperson for the company, no longer privy to most types of confidential information, and no longer working on any Valve game in any capacity.
Laidlaw said that he is already old or oldish because when he started with Valve back in 1997, he was already being called as old man Laidlaw. After 19 years, he obviously has aged, adding that the little baby level designer who gave him that nickname when he started with Valve is now older than he was then.
He said that he had a good run with Valve and the “Half-Life” series but he felt the need for a break from all the collaborative chaos of game production and return to more self-directed writing projects.
Laidlaw plans to return to writing in mediums other than games but he is open to writing for Valve in a freelance capacity maybe in the future.
He said that his friends know that they can still consult him if questions come up that he can provide answers too. He also said that wherever Valve chooses to take the “Half-Life 3” is already beyond his hands.
But if it is any consolation and glimmer of hope to gamers of “Half-Life 3,” Laidlaw’s departure from Valve can already be filled in by other notable writers including Chet Faliszek and Erik Wolpaw.
Long overdue for a sequel
“Half-Life 2” has been released more than 10 years ago and it is no surprise that gamers feel that the next installment to the game is long overdue.
Unfortunately, game developer Valve Corporation has been keeping mum about the details of the game. Most of the information about “Half-Life 3” either comes from supposed leaks, teases, or hints from former Valve employee or people who claim to be privy to the goings-on in the company, but none of them were confirmed or denied by Valve.
What seems consistent in the rumor mill is that the multiplayer zombie shooter video game “Left 4 Dead 3” will come out ahead of “Half-Life 3” given the thrust of Valve Corporation for the more profitable multiplayer games and its gaming platform Steam.
There have also been rumors saying that Valve may no longer push through with the development of “Half-Life 3” since it would be a gamble on the part of the company. Apparently, there is just too much competition among first-person shooter video games in the market, unlike in online multiplayer games segment where Valve has obvious dominance, particularly on Steam.
However, the speculation that “Half-Life 3” would be shelved for good has been debunked recently when Steam Database or SteamDB, a website for Steam games, got hold of a list of upcoming games coming to Steam.
Apart from the PlayStation 4 hit game “Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture” and “Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD,” “Half-Life 3” is also included. Apparently, SteamDB based its assumption that “Half-Life 3” is coming out soon because of the recent emergence of the game’s vaporware inside Valve’s PC game-sharing program.