The 'Half-Life 3 Confirmed' meme is a long-standing internet phenomenon born from the gaming community's desperate anticipation for a sequel to Valve's Half-Life 2: Episode Two, which released in 2007. The meme functions as a satirical conspiracy theory where users find the number 'three' hidden in everyday occurrences—such as three birds on a wire or a three-word tweet from Gabe Newell—and use it as 'irrefutable' proof that the game is in development. It peaked in the early 2010s as a way to cope with Valve's silence regarding the franchise. Usually featuring the Lambda symbol and dramatic red circles, the meme remains a staple of gaming culture, representing the ultimate 'vaporware' joke.