Half-Life game fans started getting excited when news of the Half-Life 3 logo popping up on a Steam update spread last month. This fueled speculations that the game is in production and will utilize Valve's Source 2 engine. Now gamers are hoping and eagerly awaiting for more news to be released during this month's E3 conference.

Since the release of Half-Life 2:  Episode Two, fans have been looking forward to Half-Life 3 news, reportedly the new installment for the popular first person shooter game franchise.  Last month, Motoring Crunch reported that the game's logo was "leaked" when App 323900 was added to a Steam update.  Valve has removed the logo from Steam but it nonetheless created a buzz amongst gamers that Half-Life 3 is in production.

Aside from the alleged release news, there are also speculations that the game will run on Source 2.  This free new engine is the successor to the original Source engine and was designed not just for the professional developer to maximize use of latest Vulcan graphics hardware, but also enables gamers to participate in the creation and development of their games.  With the Source 2 engine running Half-Life 3, the game will reportedly be more detailed and faster.

Though Valve co-founder Gabe Newell's previous statement mentioned that they are not working on game at the moment, there are recent reports that Half-Life 3 might make an appearance during this year's E3 conference. According to Yibada, Valve will be showing off the game during the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) to be held at Los Angeles Convention Center from June 16-18.  The article also mentions Valve game developers working on Left 4 Dead 3, the third installment to the Left 4 Dead franchise, and that it will also utilize the Source 2 engine.

There is no official word from Valve if the logo leak was a teaser or if the company really is working on Half-Life 3.  But if the third installment to Half-Life is in development, game fans might have to wait until 2016 for a possible release date.  Valve has been known to delay game title announcements for months and years on end. 

Regardless whether Half-Life 3 is in production or not, this month's E3 conference will definitely be an exciting venue where players and game fanatics can have a taste of what's up and coming in the gaming industry.