So Ep 3 for Xmas of 2009???

I'm not a huge fan of episodic content. I'd rather wait a full developement cycle for a completly new game. Ep1 was a bit of a disapointment to me it felt poorly tacked on and like a typical expansion pack. If they can keep the production values up to the level of episode 2 for 3 I'l be pretty damed happy though.

I thought that E3 was going back to the convention center to try and ramp the event up again still press only but everyone in the same building.They really screwed the pooch last year by changing the format so drastically. A lot more devs are bowing out this year and holding their own events.

So with Half-Life 2: Episode 3, the Half-Life series is over? Or will there be a Half-Life 3?

Newell has stated that Episode One, Two and Three = Half Life 3

so will there be a Half-Life 4 next? So Episodes 1- 3 = half-Life 3. A Half-Life 4 might follow. Or is this the end of the Half-Life series?

that's not the official E3 website.

I would be supried if there were not. Depends on how they close episode 3

If history has any bearing on the continued storytelling for Half Life, Episode Three will probably be very open ended leaving the potential for future Gordan Freeman adventures, even if no further Half Life games are officially announced by Valve.

I could see Freeman being put back on ice in suspended animation once again.

Folks, unfortunately Ben is dead right on this one. For more information on "Valve Time" you can check these guidelines put out by the Valve Developer Community. I will post an excerpt so folks can get an idea:

PS - Why is this in MS?  Should be PC or Gaming.

My prediction:

Episode 3 + Portal 2 + Counter-Strike 2.0 bundled in a greenish-yellowish box.

P.S. I agree that this should either be in general gaming or pc discussion.