I'm glad you asked me that question. You didn't? Well, I think it's only fair that we, and by that I mean I, discuss it.

"I can guarantee you people are going to be surprised at stuff we do," Newell said. "That isn't going to stop anytime soon. I'm just laughing because…people will be shocked again."

I like that word choice Gabe, I like it a lot. I grabbed that from a Gabe Newell interview with PC Gamer. There are also "three" big surprises are in store for us between now and September, so yeah, I figured I'd get my piece in while I still could. I imagine two of the surprises have already come and gone, because this interview took place last September. Of course Valve does have a problem with 3, so maybe they lied about the third surprise.

I should note that on June 15 of this year, there seemed to be a some news of Half-Life 3 being official, but alas here we are with nothing to show for it.

And, back to speculating. I present to one of the newer members of the Valve team, Doug Church.

Let's take a look at a couple of other games quick. Ultima Underworld 1 and 2. Doubtful, since Ultima seems to have been completed and buried by EA. What's more is with that adding insult to injury "Origin" launching, EA and Valve seem to be parting ways.

Ooo!!! Ooo!!! I think I found the one!

SYSTEM SHOCK 3!!!

Yeah, I'm probably reaching, but can you blame me? While you Half-Life fanboys have gotten a few releases in the past decade, System Shock hasn't seen a sequel since 1999. Yeah, it got a spiritual successor which kind of spawned its own franchise, but that little lady up there, S.H.O.D.A.N., is just begging for another chance to show you how self-serving and manipulative she is. Why? Because no one cared to notice the first two goes around, and now that gamers have matured enough to know that games like System Shock have their rightful place after experiencing the strikingly similar spiritual successor to System Shock 2, BioShock, I think it's time System Shock gets revisited. The rights to the series are currently up in the air, but since Valve and EA still seem to be at least a little bit friendly, it seems possible.

I know what you're going to say. "System Shock 3 has a 3 in the title, that disproves your lame-ass theory." Why yes, yes it does, but what better way for Valve to "shock" us than to release the original Half-Life's biggest rival when talking about the birth of the smart shooter. Not only that but the first third game Valve makes is not originally their own? It would be a shock in more ways than one. I'd probably poo everywhere if my wild theory comes true. Obviously Valve loves them some System Shock, otherwise GLaDOS probably wouldn't exist. I mean if someone were to revive System Shock, I think I'd trust Valve more than any other developer outside Irrational Games, and they seem to be preoccupied with BioShock stuff. I'm excited about that, but really, I just want S.H.O.D.A.N. to send shivers down my spine once more.

If it's not System Shock 3 and it is Half-Life 3, then I ask you Valve, please, don't market it at all and just release it one day on Steam out of nowhere, not even putting it on the front page, because if anyone can do it, it's you.

I guess I can always dream right?

I'm glad you asked me that question. You didn't? Well, I think it's only fair that we, and by that I mean I, discuss it.

"I can guarantee you people are going to be surprised at stuff we do," Newell said. "That isn't going to stop anytime soon. I'm just laughing because…people will be shocked again."

I like that word choice Gabe, I like it a lot. I grabbed that from a Gabe Newell interview with PC Gamer. There are also "three" big surprises are in store for us between now and September, so yeah, I figured I'd get my piece in while I still could. I imagine two of the surprises have already come and gone, because this interview took place last September. Of course Valve does have a problem with 3, so maybe they lied about the third surprise.

I should note that on June 15 of this year, there seemed to be a some news of Half-Life 3 being official, but alas here we are with nothing to show for it.

And, back to speculating. I present to one of the newer members of the Valve team, Doug Church.

Let's take a look at a couple of other games quick. Ultima Underworld 1 and 2. Doubtful, since Ultima seems to have been completed and buried by EA. What's more is with that adding insult to injury "Origin" launching, EA and Valve seem to be parting ways.

Ooo!!! Ooo!!! I think I found the one!

SYSTEM SHOCK 3!!!

Yeah, I'm probably reaching, but can you blame me? While you Half-Life fanboys have gotten a few releases in the past decade, System Shock hasn't seen a sequel since 1999. Yeah, it got a spiritual successor which kind of spawned its own franchise, but that little lady up there, S.H.O.D.A.N., is just begging for another chance to show you how self-serving and manipulative she is. Why? Because no one cared to notice the first two goes around, and now that gamers have matured enough to know that games like System Shock have their rightful place after experiencing the strikingly similar spiritual successor to System Shock 2, BioShock, I think it's time System Shock gets revisited. The rights to the series are currently up in the air, but since Valve and EA still seem to be at least a little bit friendly, it seems possible.

I know what you're going to say. "System Shock 3 has a 3 in the title, that disproves your lame-ass theory." Why yes, yes it does, but what better way for Valve to "shock" us than to release the original Half-Life's biggest rival when talking about the birth of the smart shooter. Not only that but the first third game Valve makes is not originally their own? It would be a shock in more ways than one. I'd probably poo everywhere if my wild theory comes true. Obviously Valve loves them some System Shock, otherwise GLaDOS probably wouldn't exist. I mean if someone were to revive System Shock, I think I'd trust Valve more than any other developer outside Irrational Games, and they seem to be preoccupied with BioShock stuff. I'm excited about that, but really, I just want S.H.O.D.A.N. to send shivers down my spine once more.

If it's not System Shock 3 and it is Half-Life 3, then I ask you Valve, please, don't market it at all and just release it one day on Steam out of nowhere, not even putting it on the front page, because if anyone can do it, it's you.

I guess I can always dream right?

Hats, yo.

The ramblings of a madman.

They are actually working on a Half Life RTS game, my uncle's best friends wife's boyfriend works for valve and showed me some videos of it in action. It runs on Source Engine 2 and each unit has as 1000 times the polygons as Alyx's ass in HL2.

I always thought that Valve would make an RPG, and System-Shock idea definitely sounds intriguing. Now you got me hyped probably for nothing.
 
@Sweep said:

Hats, yo.

money. They're working on making more money.

Wait, Valve can't count to three? Like Capcom in the 90s? Does that mean that in twelve years, Valve will be getting a ton of shit for canceling Half-Life 3 while releasing Ultimate Team Fortress 2 without updating a lot?

Why System Shock 3 will/should never be released (at least with Shodan in it):  http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/12/the-girl-who-wanted-to-be-god/#more-15868  (also a damn fine article on Shodan in its own right).  Also, won't Irrational own the System Shock name?  The only reason Valve can get away with 'DOTA 2' is because it's a sequel to a mod and hence not an IP owned by any company.
 
You're right though that Doug Church joining Valve is pretty excited based on what other people have said about him.  I just wish the LMNO project he was working on before actually made it out.

Hats, yo.

The ramblings of a madman.

They are actually working on a Half Life RTS game, my uncle's best friends wife's boyfriend works for valve and showed me some videos of it in action. It runs on Source Engine 2 and each unit has as 1000 times the polygons as Alyx's ass in HL2.

I always thought that Valve would make an RPG, and System-Shock idea definitely sounds intriguing. Now you got me hyped probably for nothing.
 

@Sweep

said:

Hats, yo.

Just... How do you come up with that stuff? Teach me of your ways, master.  

The entirety of TF2 is actually an elaborate viral marketing campaign for Half-Life 3.

Damn.

Why System Shock 3 will/should never be released (at least with Shodan in it):  http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/08/12/the-girl-who-wanted-to-be-god/#more-15868  (also a damn fine article on Shodan in its own right).  Also, won't Irrational own the System Shock name?  The only reason Valve can get away with 'DOTA 2' is because it's a sequel to a mod and hence not an IP owned by any company.  You're right though that Doug Church joining Valve is pretty excited based on what other people have said about him.  I just wish the LMNO project he was working on before actually made it out.

didn't gabe mention counterstrike 2 some time ago?

Dota2

They're working on a way to turn people's imaginative speculation on half life 3 into energy they can rule the planet with.

They are secretly working on Persona 5. You get to S-Link with Alyx Vance.  
 
When you get to Rank 10, the internet explodes.

@Sweep said:

Hats, yo.

Or maybe Valve will try to attract the female audience with shoes.

Valve must be working on Half Life 3 or Ep. 3 or whatever its being called. It would be insane for them not to be doing something with half life...

@Dalai said:

@Sweep said:

Hats, yo.

Or maybe Valve will try to attract the female audience with shoes.

ali baba's wee booties.

IT ALREADY STARTED

Hats.....for left4dead

@Dalai said:

@Sweep said:

Hats, yo.

Or maybe Valve will try to attract the female audience with shoes.

Not all women are hypnotised by shoes, Dalai. You sexist sexy motherfucker.

I'd bet money that theres a Portal 3 before Half Life 3. Same goes for Left 4 Dead 3. Or maybe they are at work on another popular online shooter!

I bet they're making a whole new game engine that will appear on the next generation of consoles. I believe Half Life 3 will be the game to use it. I want to believe!

This was very interesting reading, even if it's just speculation-- you never claimed otherwise anyway :)
I don't think it'll be Valve's next project to come to light, but I think that no matter what comes next, they're also secretly working on an avatar-like animated Half-Life movie produced and made by Valve themselves, to be released in like, 2015 or so. Also just (insane and crazy) speculation, but a man can dream xD
As for System Shock 3, I'd love a sequel, but I'm not sure if Ken Levine would be too happy to part ways with SHODAN...

but since Valve and EA still seem to be at least a little bit friendly, it seems possible.

You know what, I have no idea what they're up to.

@RsistncE: they worked with each other on Portal 2

@Dalai said:

@Sweep said:

Hats, yo.

Or maybe Valve will try to attract the female audience with shoes.

ali baba's wee booties.

IT ALREADY STARTED

BF3 won't be on steam either

What if Half Life 3 was a dual joystick shooter as a tie in for Half Life 4 to be released in 2024, in valve time.

@morecowbell24 said:

BF3 won't be on steam either

Is that confirmed yet or still just speculation?

EA owns the rights to the System Shock name.

They're probably playing golf. 
 
Not in a game. Just regular golf. It's not like they have to worry about ever making a game ever again

they are working on selling hats, and keys for team fortress 2. pretty soon, half life episode 2, left 4 dead 2, will have hats and keys for sale. your hearing this first people.

They're probably waiting for a team of fans to make HLE3 for them so they can buy the team.

Your mom.