No, Valve is not announcing Half-Life 3 at Gamescom in August

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the same source later clarified he just found out that the Gamescom companion app he had used was outdated and no longer available on Google Play, effectively debunking his findings.

Nevertheless, some fans keep their hopes alive for an announcement about a Half-Life: Alyx sequel, the mysterious Neon Prime game, or even the long-awaited Half-Life 3.

From another perspective, Valve's expected presence at Gamescom might not necessarily suggest a major revelation. It is worth noting that Valve's primary focus in recent years has shifted to the development of the Steam platform, a move that has proven to be a significant revenue stream for the company. Valve's presence at the convention might simply indicate a more business-oriented agenda, rather than the announcement of a new game.

Despite this, the possible involvement of Geoff Keighley, who has a strong connection with Valve and was able to showcase Half-Life: Alyx at The Game Awards, could suggest a more significant revelation. Could it be another Half-Life spin-off, or the long-rumored Half-Life 3?

Or, maybe, just, maybe, Gamescom is where Valve will officially release Counter-Strike 2 to the rest of the world, similar to what it did with DOTA 2 over a decade ago.

As the gaming community teeters between hope and skepticism, we must remember to keep our expectations in check. If Valve does have something to show at Gamescom, it might not be Half-Life 3. It might be a minor announcement or, indeed, nothing at all. It's also worth considering that the mention of Half-Life could just be a placeholder.

Regardless, the desire to see a continuation of the iconic series remains as evident. Valve understands this and the ball is in its court to make something happen. As the Gamescom convention approaches, gamers worldwide are left waiting, hoping, and speculating on what might be revealed. Until then, the future of Half-Life remains a mystery.