For the last decade, there have been three dream gaming projects that fans have wanted, but many doubted would ever actually see the light of day. And then E3 2015 happened, and two out of those three projects were announced in the form of Shenmue 3, which is being funded partially through Kickstarter, and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Unfortunately, the third dream game remains as elusive as ever.

The game in question is Half-Life 3, and while Valve seems adamant on not saying anything about the game, no one has forgotten about it. In fact, even video game developers are getting in on the fun, referencing Half-Life 3 any chance they get, like Avalanche Studios did in their recent Mad Max game.

Although most gamers would love to see Half-Life 3 become a reality, Avalanche is less optimistic. Or at least the Easter Egg they've hidden in Mad Max is not very optimistic.

The Easter Egg is found inside a cave in Mad Max's desert wasteland, in the southern section of the Grit Canyons area. Following the narrow cave tunnel will lead players to an open space that features a few items of interest that are clear and obvious references to Half-Life 3.

For example, there is a large crate with the number 3 painted on its sides with orange paint (orange being a color commonly associated with the series). On top of this crate is a severed arm that appears to have been burned or flayed, and in its grasp is a crowbar, the signature weapon of Half-Life protagonist Gordon Freeman.

Speaking of the beloved bespectacled Gordon Freeman, he can be found lying on the ground next to the crate, in just as bad of shape as his severed arm. Freeman would be completely unrecognizable in this state, if not for his signature glasses stuck to his disfigured face. All in all, considering the horrific state that we find Gordon Freeman in, it seems that the Easter Egg is suggesting that Half-Life 3 itself is dead.

Those that want to see the Half-Life 3 Easter Egg in Mad Max for themselves can check out the video below, which was uploaded by Reev on YouTube:

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At this point Easter Eggs like this one, and the Half-Life 3 Easter Egg that was found in Dota 2 earlier this year, are likely as close as gamers are going to get to the sequel. We're nearing a decade since Half-Life 2: Episode Two was released and ended on its massive cliffhanger, but so far Valve has done little to prove a follow-up is in development. And with the more time that goes by, it becomes less and less likely that we'll ever see Half-Life 3.

That being said, never say never. After all, if someone asked six months ago if Shenmue 3 would ever see the light of day, the answer would've been no. There's always a chance that Valve will end up moving forward with the development of Half-Life 3, even if it's unlikely. Perhaps they'll use the game as the killer app for SteamVR?

What do you think about the Half-Life 3 Easter Egg in Mad Max? Have you discovered any other Easter Eggs in the game's open world? Leave us a comment and let us know about your adventures in the new Mad Max video game.

Mad Max is currently available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: Reev