'Half-Life 3' release date news, updates: Movie adaptation in the works; is a movie–game tie-in possible?

"Half-Life 3" has become somewhat of a myth over the past years with persistent release rumors that never quite evolved into reality. But are these speculations truly unfounded, or has a third "Half-Life" game really been in the works all this time?

During the red carpet premiere of the western thriller series "Westworld" held last Sept. 28, award-winning director and screenwriter J.J. Abrams confirmed to IGN that developmental work on the "Half- Life" big screen adaptation, which was first hinted at in 2013, is still on-going. He said that he would be meeting up with Valve this week to further discuss their plans for both the "Half-Life" and "Portal" movies.

This news has renewed hope that the elusive "Half-Life 3" may be in the works, too.  There are speculations that the rumored third installment to the massively popular first-person shooter game might even tie in with Abrams' upcoming movie.

However, when asked if the planned movie adaptations would be based on the games' storylines, the highly acclaimed director of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" chose to be vague about what the movies will be all about. He said that discussing a game he had loved playing with someone who "just gets it" was an incredible experience. The collaboration between a passionate gamer and the minds behind the said game would surely produce a movie that will both be familiar and exceptional.

Meanwhile, MobiPicker speculated that the underwater Kraken Base that was supposed to have been in "Half-Life 2" may finally be featured in the rumored "Half-Life 3," and could take the story under the sea.

In the story that was originally planned for this particular setting, the game's protagonist, Dr. Gordon Freeman, will climb aboard a submarine and travel to the Kraken Base where he would meet a double-crosser named Dr. Helena Mossman, who would later on cause the destruction of the underwater base. Gordon will somehow manage to survive the wreckage unharmed.

There is still no official news regarding the rumored "Half-Life 3." However, the "Half-Life" movie adaptation is now in its developmental stages, and should give fans of the game something more concrete to look forward to.