After nearly two decades of waiting, Half-Life 3 continues to feel like gaming’s greatest ghost story. But a new leak from trusted Valve insider Gabefollower just dropped on February 1, 2026, and it’s packed with technical details that make the long-rumored sequel feel more real than ever. The leaked information focuses on HLX, the internal codename for what’s believed to be Half-Life 3, revealing revolutionary physics systems and AI improvements that could redefine first-person shooter gameplay.
Gabefollower released a comprehensive breakdown of data mined from Valve’s Source 2 engine updates, uncovering strings and code references directly tied to HLX development. The leak covers everything from dynamic gravitational anomalies to NPC navigation in altered gravity environments, suggesting Valve is building something far more ambitious than a simple sequel.
Revolutionary Gravity Physics System
The most eye-catching revelation centers on HLX’s approach to gravity and physics. According to Gabefollower’s findings, gravity in Half-Life 3 won’t just pull downward anymore. The new system allows gravity to be tied to specific objects or points in space, creating gravitational anomalies that affect both combat and puzzle-solving. Physical objects and NPCs will detect their current space or plane and react accordingly, opening up mind-bending gameplay possibilities.
This isn’t just a visual trick like the reality-bending sequences at the end of Half-Life: Alyx, where objects floated and defied physics for dramatic effect. In HLX, these gravitational anomalies directly influence gameplay. Imagine fighting Combine soldiers on surfaces where gravity shifts mid-battle, or solving environmental puzzles where you manipulate gravitational pull to move objects that would otherwise be impossible to reach. The leaked code suggests objects can be affected by the gravitational pull of other nearby objects, creating complex physics interactions.
NPCs That Understand Altered Gravity
What makes the gravity system even more impressive is how NPCs will respond to it. Gabefollower’s leak reveals that HLX features movable navigation meshes that adapt to altered gravity environments. In current Valve games, NPC navigation is generated when a map compiles and only changes slightly when objects block paths or doors close. But in Half-Life 3, NPCs will understand the direction of gravitational force affecting them.
This means if a flat surface starts rotating or gravity shifts direction, enemies won’t just stand there confused. They’ll adapt their movement and behavior to handle the changed environment. Non-playable characters will be able to navigate moving platforms, walk on walls if gravity allows it, and generally behave intelligently no matter which way is “up.” The system also accounts for NPCs losing balance and falling when affected by strong physical forces like wind gusts.
Advanced Weapon Ballistics and Smart Surfaces
Beyond gravity manipulation, the leak details realistic weapon ballistics coming to HLX. Gabefollower’s analysis of the code strings points to weapons behaving with far more realistic physics than previous Half-Life games. Additionally, the game will feature smart surface properties that go beyond simple textures. Surfaces will have dynamic properties including burning, conducting electricity, absorbing sound, and responding to temperature changes.
This thermal and physical surface system means shooting a flamethrower at a metal door might heat it up and affect nearby objects, or creating electrical circuits by connecting conductive surfaces could solve puzzles. The level of environmental interaction appears designed to make every surface feel reactive and meaningful, not just visual dressing. Wind and foliage simulation systems are also being implemented, with grass and plants swaying in sync with wind gusts that can physically affect both players and NPCs.
Destructible Environments and Limb Damage
Data mined code also reveals advanced damage modeling for both environments and characters. Destructible parts can be attached to models, and when destroyed, they trigger events that affect gameplay. For NPCs, this translates to a sophisticated injury system where creatures will limp, hold wounds, fall, or crawl depending on which body parts take damage. Each part of an NPC’s body including arms, legs, and head will have its own durability settings.
The destruction of limbs can be interconnected, so shooting off a leg affects the foot as well, with animations dynamically adjusting to reflect injuries. This isn’t just cosmetic gore but a gameplay system that changes how enemies behave and move based on where you shoot them. The leak also mentions voxel density and object deformation, suggesting that the environment itself will deform and react realistically to damage and force.
Character Interactions and Mood Systems
Gabefollower’s leak also touches on enhanced character interactions and facial animations in HLX. The code reveals improvements to how characters express emotions and react to situations. More intriguingly, references to a mood system for NPCs suggest that characters will have emotional states that influence their behavior and dialogue.
This could mean allies react differently to Gordon Freeman based on recent events, or enemies become more aggressive or cautious depending on how battles unfold. Combined with the advanced facial animation system, this should make characters feel more alive and reactive than in any previous Half-Life game. The attention to these details suggests Valve wants HLX to deliver not just technical innovation but emotional storytelling that resonates with players.
When Will We See It?
Despite all this leaked technical information, the actual announcement and release date for Half-Life 3 remains frustratingly unclear. Multiple insider sources including Tyler McVicker and Gabefollower himself have claimed the game would be announced in 2025 with a spring 2026 release window. However, others suggest Valve has been feeding different dates to different people as a canary trap to catch leakers.
What does seem increasingly clear is that HLX has entered the friends and family testing phase, meaning it’s playable from beginning to end. Valve is reportedly in the optimization and polish phase of development, working on performance improvements and refining systems. Some leakers believe the announcement could still happen in early 2026, possibly tied to the reveal of Valve’s new hardware like the Steam Frame VR headset or the next generation of Steam Machines.
FAQs
What is HLX?
HLX is the internal codename that Valve uses for what’s believed to be Half-Life 3. Data miners have found references to HLX throughout Source 2 engine updates, along with groups labeled “hlxaudio” and “hlxartists” in Valve’s development systems.
What are gravitational anomalies in Half-Life 3?
According to Gabefollower’s leak, gravitational anomalies are physics systems where gravity can be tied to objects or specific points in space rather than just pulling downward. This allows for gameplay where objects and characters are affected by multiple gravitational forces, creating unique combat and puzzle scenarios.
How will NPCs behave in altered gravity?
The leak reveals that NPCs in HLX will have navigation systems that understand the direction of gravitational force. They can adapt their movement to walk on surfaces regardless of orientation, navigate moving platforms, and adjust behavior when gravity shifts during gameplay.
When will Half-Life 3 be announced?
No official announcement date has been confirmed by Valve. Insider sources have suggested announcements ranging from late 2025 to early 2026 with a potential spring 2026 release, but Valve may have deliberately spread different dates to identify leakers. The game is reportedly in the friends and family testing phase as of February 2026.
Will Half-Life 3 be VR or traditional?
Based on leaked information, HLX appears to be a traditional non-VR Half-Life game, unlike Half-Life: Alyx which was designed specifically for virtual reality. The game reportedly features a character in an HEV suit, suggesting a return to Gordon Freeman’s story.
What other features were leaked for Half-Life 3?
Beyond gravity physics, the leak revealed realistic weapon ballistics, smart surfaces with thermal and physical properties, destructible environments, advanced NPC damage modeling with limb-specific injuries, wind and foliage simulation, improved facial animations, and a mood system for characters.
Who is Gabefollower?
Gabefollower is a prominent Valve content creator and leaker known for data mining Source 2 engine updates and accurately reporting on Valve’s development projects. The account has previously leaked information about games like Deadlock and Half-Life: Alyx before their official announcements.
Conclusion
Whether Half-Life 3 arrives in spring 2026 or takes a few more years to materialize, Gabefollower’s latest leak paints a picture of a game that’s pushing technical boundaries in ways only Valve attempts. The gravitational physics systems, adaptive AI, and environmental interactions suggest HLX could be as revolutionary for gaming as Half-Life 2 was back in 2004. For now, all we can do is analyze the leaked code strings, watch for more information, and hope that after nearly 20 years of waiting, Gordon Freeman’s return is finally approaching. The technical ambition on display certainly makes it feel like Valve is building something worth the wait.