'Half-Life 3' release date, rumors: Sequel to debut in Steam Dev Days 2017?

"Half-Life 3," one of the most highly anticipated video game sequels today, could be unveiled in 2017.

While Valve, the publisher behind the popular "Half-Life" video game series, has not officially confirmed that it will be releasing "Half-Life 3," recent rumors nonetheless indicate that the first-person shooter video game could be launched at next year's Steam Dev Days.

According to gamers, though Valve has kept mum about a possible full-length follow-up to 1998's "Half-Life" and 2004's "Half-Life 2," the video game publisher could be working on the third installment and gearing up to introduce the new title in 2017. This contradicts the thinking that because more than a decade has passed since "Half-Life 2," a third full-length sequel is out of the question.

Still, determined fans remain hopeful for a comeback. Fortunately, recent rumors may have given a glimmer of hope to the prospect of a "Half-Life 3" release.

Sources suggested that there is a possibility that Valve will officially debut "Half-Life 3" during a major gaming event. As Steam Dev Days 2016 has already ended, gaming pundits are reportedly anticipating a sequel reveal when the two-day developers conference returns next year.

This may have been corroborated by Valve's recent announcement that while they were focused on hardware during this year's Steam Dev Days, they will have more software-related announcements during next year's event.

Though Valve failed to disclose which titles it will be introducing at Steam Dev Days 2017, some fans are suggesting that "Half-Life 3" could be one of them.

Meanwhile, there are also rumors of an upcoming virtual reality "Half-Life" game. Earlier this month, Valve News Network reported that a recent update for "Dota 2" reportedly contained certain lines of code alluding to a "HLVR" player, which has been taken to mean "Half-Life: VR."

Valve has yet to announce anything about a possible "Half-Life" virtual reality (VR) title, but rumors indicate that the company is already working on the game and that it could launch VR content in 2017.

Valve has yet to officially announce the rumored titles "Half-Life 3" and "Half-Life: VR."