Half-Life: Alyx could be in development for the PlayStation VR2 virtual reality headset, if a claimed leak is to be believed. The PS VR2 headset is tentatively planned to release for the PlayStation 5 in 2023. Without a firm release date, relatively few virtual reality game releases have been confirmed for the platform as of yet. A partnership between PlayStation and Valve, even if it was just for Half-Life: Alyx, would be significant and would easily be among the biggest games confirmed for PS VR2 up to this point.
Half-Life: Alyx is the latest game in Valve's iconic Half-Life franchise, serving as a prequel to the events of Half-Life 2. While the virtual reality game was developed to work with all major VR headsets, including the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, it was pushed alongside Valve's first-party VR headset the Valve Index. Valve notably did not bring Half-Life: Alyx to the PS4 via the PS VR, however. It didn't squash the possibility of a port, but understandably said its priority was PC.
The latest claimed leak, sourced from website The Leak, claims that an anonymous source has confirmed Valve and PlayStation have now reached a deal regarding Half-Life: Alyx. The leak is thin on details, but says that Sony has purchased the rights for Half-Life: Alyx and will be publishing the game on PS5 in 2023.
One detail that was confirmed in the report is that Half-Life: Alyx will not be a PS VR2 launch title. While a release date hasn't been confirmed for the PS VR2 yet, it's expected in the first half of 2023. That could mean that Half-Life: Alyx is tentatively planned for a fall or holiday 2023 release. Having Half-Life: Alyx as a PS VR2 launch title would be significant, so a delayed release would imply that there's still work to be done porting the project to console.
Obviously, Half-Life: Alyx coming to PS VR2 is a very big deal, at least with respect to the overall virtual reality gaming landscape. There is no bigger game release for virtual reality at this point than Half-Life: Alyx, and perhaps no better example of what virtual reality is capable of. Having that on PlayStation 5 means more people will get to experience Half-Life: Alyx, and that's something everyone should celebrate.
It deserves to be repeated, though, that this is a rumor and not from a source that's entirely reliable. Until Valve and PlayStation officially announce that Half-Life: Alyx is coming to PS VR2, enthusiasts should remain skeptical. That announcement may or may not come in 2022. Either way, it's a very exciting possibility.
Half-Life: Alyx is available now on PC.
Source: The Leak