Some interesting data mining appears to reveal several new games from Valve, including a sequel to Half-Life: Alyx and a new Portal project. The beloved developer is known for creating the Half-Life and Portal series, along with the digital distribution platform Steam, however its production of new games has become almost non-existent in recent years. The recent release of the handheld Steam Deck brought gamers back to the quirky world of Portal with a demo called Aperture Desk Job, and this short title could hold hints about the developer’s upcoming titles.
1998’s Half-Life, a first-person shooter that combined fast-paced shooter gameplay with an immersive sci-fi story, placed Valve on the map of the video game industry. Half-Life 2 was even more acclaimed in 2004, and Valve reached the height of its popularity with Orange Box (2007). The epic compilation included Half-Life 2: Episode 2, the first-person puzzle game Portal and the class-based first-person shooter Team Fortress 2. However, The Orange Box also marked the end of Valve’s golden age of gaming. However, Half-Life: Alyx 2020 renewed fans’ hopes for more new titles, and now, rumors suggest that Valve is developing several new projects after the delivery of Half-Life in virtual reality.
As revealed by YouTuber Tyler McVicker, the data found in Aperture Desk Job seems to reveal several future projects of Valve. The information points to four games: a continuation of Half-Life: Alyxa Source 2 port of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, a game of Portal previously canceled and a multiplayer game called Citadel. The long-rumored Citadel, the most detailed of the four leaked titles, seems to combine class-based shooters with real-time strategy games to create a unique competitive experience. While these leaks are exciting, it’s important to take them with a grain of salt until there’s an official announcement from Valve.
Although Valve is notoriously wary of new projects, Aperture Desk Job hints that there are several very interesting titles in development. Citadel seems to be a really fascinating combination of first-person shooter and real-time strategy, and the new games in the Portal and Half-Life universe are always exciting. With several new titles in development, Valve could be gathering strength for a worthy successor to The Orange Box.