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The Game Awards is known for its annual bluster as the world waits to see what new games get announced at the ceremony alongside who picks up the gongs – trailers and announcements are as big as the winners.
Last year’s showcase was held against the backdrop of swingeing industry layoffs which added a surreal feel to the event as it was mostly glossed over. Be under no illusion, this year’s layoffs will be ignored once more, especially if some of the rumors about what is getting announced tonight come off.
The big one doing the rounds, and it’s almost so unbelievable it goes full circle to being believable again, is that Valve’s Gabe Newell is going to appear on stage to announce Half-Life 3. Now, whether that happens or not, the fact that we are talking about finally getting a new Half-Life game – and granted there have been rumors of something in the pipes for months now, is incredible and the only outcomes now are disappointment or elation. Nothing lies in between.
The rumor I heard, and I am not kidding here, is that Gabe will be there to announce Half-Life 3.
I personally don’t believe it. But that could be what Jason’s talking about! https://t.co/fRFUwnhHi0
— Nima Zeighami (@NimaZeighami) December 11, 2024
It’s probably not true. But it could be? People are talking about it, and while there is a lot of putting two and two together and coming up with 3 (that’s quite a clever joke, you are welcome), there is a slight undercurrent that this could be the kind of Grand Theft Auto 6 boost that the games industry is crying out for.
You could argue that the only thing less likely to happen is for it to be announced as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, but we don’t know. For some reason, our spidey senses are not allowing us to rule it out completely.
Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) says there will be at least 2 announcements at #TheGameAwards that people won't believe is there!
"There are at least 2 things that will make you guys reacting be like 'Holy sh*t!, I can't believe this thing is here!'"
He also said that they may… pic.twitter.com/4lC5PAWPkq
— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) December 11, 2024
Industry legend Jason Schrierer has already said, “There are at least 2 things that will make you guys reacting be like ‘Holy sh*t! I can’t believe this thing is here!'”
Half-Life 3 is more likely to be one of those than, say, EA FC26, but now we are in the realms of if it is just another Star Wars game from somewhere we will be disappointed.
So could it be? Who knows? We will find out probably around four hours after the show starts and you can find out how to watch it unfold for yourself with our handy guide.
