"A Call for Communication (Half-Life)" Steam Group passes 10,000 members

More than 10,000 gamers have joined the Steam Group campaigning for more Half-Life communication from Valve.

In other words, fans want to know when the series will return, be it via Half Life 2: Episode 3 or Half-Life 3.

"The lack of communication between Valve and the Half-Life community has been a frustrating experience," stated the group. "While continued support for current and future products is greatly appreciated, fans of the Half-Life series have waited years for a word on when the franchise will return.

"So, Instead of focusing efforts in a negative and disrespectful way, we have decided to gain Valve's attention by delivering a basic message:

"Your oldest and longest running fanbase would like better communication."

A Call for Communication, Steam Group

"Your oldest and longest running fanbase would like better communication."

The Steam Group, named A Call for Communication (Half-Life), added that, "Waiting patiently for over four years is a daunting task, especially when E3 comes and goes without any beat of a Half-Life pulse, time and time again."

"Valve had stated that information was scheduled to be released towards the end of 2008, and we believe that if they have chosen, for whatever reason, to withhold this information, fans should at least be acknowledged in some way, regardless of developmental plans for the next Half-Life project.

"The entire trilogy of episodes was supposed to be completed and released by 2007, and if Valve have decided to do other things for the time being, that is fine; all that we ask for is a basic response on the matter, and to let fans know whether or not the current story arc is scheduled to conclude at another point in time.

"In addition: This message is in no way, shape or form attempting to rush the development of the Half-Life series; in fact, most members agree that Valve should take the time needed to deliver a complete and polished product."

The post concluded with a line asking gamers to join the A Call for Communication Steam Group if they agreed with the sentiment.

"Hopefully such attention will be recognized by Valve," the post closed, "and the community's voice will be heard."

Half-Life 2: Episode 2 was released alongside Portal and Team Fortress 2 in autumn 2007. Since then, Valve has produced Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Alien Swarm and Portal 2.

Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are in development.

Few of those games originated inside Valve, however - most were ideas that belonged to external teams or creators Valve eventually hired.

Some observers suggest that Steam's development has hampered Valve's game development; in building the world's most successful PC game digital distribution service, Valve neglected to create new games of its own.