Former Half-Life 2 Writer Doesn’t Want to Pen Half-Life 3: “I Don’t Want to Touch Anything Old”

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Do you remember the excitement around Half-Life 3, specifically when rumors suggested it would release with the Steam Machine? That hype died down after the Steam Machine was delayed. Now, Chet Faliszek, a writer for Half-Life 2: Episode One and Two, as well as both Left 4 Dead games, is saying he doesn’t even want to work on the sequel.

This comes from a response to a YouTube comment (as reported by PC Gamer) suggesting that making Half-Life 3 would be simple because the story could go in any direction. Before explaining his thoughts, Faliszek made it clear he wasn’t teasing a possible announcement, but was referencing ideas from over ten years ago. Ultimately, he stated he has no interest in revisiting the project, saying he wouldn’t ‘touch that with a 10-foot pole.’

People often ask if I’d like to work on established franchises, but the answer is usually no. I really prefer to create new things. I don’t want to deal with existing stories or histories, even popular ones like Left 4 Dead. It’s just stressful having to worry about established lore and potentially facing criticism from fans who remember details better than I do, especially when it comes to things with a long history.

When discussing the possibility of working with Bungie, the studio behind Destiny 2, Faliszek expressed some hesitation. He mentioned Bungie’s games are known for having incredibly detailed backstories, saying the sheer amount of lore was daunting. He admitted he doesn’t even know much about his own life story, let alone a game’s, and didn’t want the pressure of contributing to such a complex universe. He added that he generally avoids sequels, finding them creatively challenging and undesirable.

Despite any requests, he has no interest in revisiting the Half-Life series. He stated he wouldn’t touch it under any circumstances, not even if he had tools like the gravity gun to help him. He was emphatic, saying he wouldn’t even do it with the help of Dog’s robotic arms.

Still no confirmation on Half-Life 3, but it’s worth noting what Valve designer Faliszek has said about it. The bigger question is whether Valve is taking into account the story and events of previous games, particularly Half-Life: Alyx, when thinking about the future.

The Steam Machine is still expected to launch this year, so we should know more soon. Only time will reveal what happens.

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2026-05-17 23:11