Dataminer finds new confirmation of Half-Life 3's imminent release

Many have already despaired and are skeptical of such news, but data miners have found new evidence that Half-Life 3 is in the final stages of development, Ars Technica writes.

In a new video, longtime Valve researcher Tyler McVicker details a slew of new variables and strings found after hours of analyzing data from the latest Dota 2 update. These strings indicate a number of changes to the Source engine related to “optimization and polishing” that typically occur in the final stages of a game’s production cycle.

Among these changes is a set of new code in a file called AI_baseNPC.fgd , which is not actively used in Dota 2. The introduced code allows the engine to scale the level of NPC artificial intelligence simulation depending on the distance to the player.

The blogger also points out the February 25 Deadlock update, which introduced a new variable called “hlx_fsr3_min_reactiveness” in the game’s code. This is seen as a clear indication that AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution technology with AI support is being used in the current build of Half-Life 3.

This also confirms previous reports that the new Half Life installment, codenamed HLX, has entered the playtesting phase.

Most interestingly, the YouTuber talks about signs that HLX may include a new NPC "mood system," allowing these non-player characters to react "verbally and non-verbally" to what they see, hear, or even feel in their immediate vicinity.

The code also points to “dynamically configurable navigation grids” that will allow NPCs to easily navigate through destructible locations in real time, as well as a system of semi-random placement of game objects over multiple playthroughs, similar to the director in Left 4 Dead.