Valve composer and audio artist Mike Morasky mentioned “HLX” during a GameSoundCon panel on October 22, 2026, reviving speculation that the rumored project could be a new Half-Life game. The remark came while he discussed audio technology, and a fellow panelist appeared to acknowledge the slip. Valve has not announced a game called HLX or confirmed it is Half-Life 3.
Key takeaways
- Morasky said both Deadlock and HLX use their own versions of Valve’s high dynamic range (HDR) audio system.
- HLX has appeared in datamined Valve-related files, but its identity remains unconfirmed.
- The comment provides no details about a title, platform, release date, or announcement plans.
For PC and gaming hardware enthusiasts, the technical context matters: Morasky was referring to audio systems, not HDR display support or graphics rendering. The brief reference suggests HLX is a name used in Valve’s development work, but it does not establish what the project is.
What happened at GameSoundCon
During a panel about Valve’s audio engine, Morasky described how different games handle audio and said Deadlock has its own version of HDR, followed by the same observation about HLX. Fellow panelist David Feise responded with what sounded like “Nice work.” At the end of the session, Feise reportedly joked that Morasky had said HLX only once; Morasky appeared surprised by the comment.
The exchange drew attention because HLX has been linked to Half-Life in earlier reports. However, neither the panel nor Valve provided an explanation of the codename or an official game announcement.
Why fans are connecting HLX to Half-Life
References to HLX reportedly surfaced in datamined files after Half-Life: Alyx, released in 2020. Fans have interpreted the name as a possible codename for a new Half-Life project, sometimes specifically Half-Life 3. The earlier Alyx project used the codename HLVR, but that does not confirm what HLX stands for or whether the projects are related.
The franchise’s unresolved story and long gap since Half-Life 2: Episode Two have made even a brief mention a major point of discussion. Still, speculation that HLX is a non-VR sequel—or that it is close to release—remains unverified. Valve has shared no schedule, platforms, or other development details, so the codename alone is not confirmation of Half-Life 3.
Via @Tyler_McV on X