Solo Developer Targets 2026 Release for 'All Good Things' Half-Life Mod

Nearly two decades after the release of Half-Life 2: Episode Two, fans are still looking for ways to resolve the game's infamous cliffhanger. While high-profile, volunteer-led efforts like Project Borealis have spent years attempting to recreate the Source engine experience in Unreal Engine, a more modest, solo project is currently approaching the finish line. Jim Partridge, a developer with a history of creating large-scale Half-Life and Left 4 Dead 2 campaigns, is aiming to launch his mod, All Good Things, in late 2026.

The Solo Approach to Epistle 3

The motivation behind All Good Things stems from Marc Laidlaw's 2017 release of Epistle 3. Published shortly after he left Valve in 2016, the story served as a collection of ideas for how the Half-Life 2 arc might have concluded. While Laidlaw has since expressed regret over the friction it caused his former colleagues, the text has become a blueprint for fans.

Partridge argues that previous attempts to adapt the outline have stalled due to the logistical challenges of managing large, volunteer-heavy teams. In a recent blog post, he emphasized that relying on a massive cast of contributors often leads to failure. Instead, he is betting on his own experience to deliver a consistent, functional campaign.

"You can have all the concept artists, model makers, composers, and script writers you like, but ultimately your project needs fun playable levels at its core," Partridge said. "I know I can crank out a set of 12 or more levels that are fun to play and FEEL like Episode 2."

Status of Development

As of his latest update, Partridge is nearing the end of his development cycle. He confirmed that the project is now just "a map and a half away" from a fully playable end-to-end experience. This milestone will allow him to move into a phase of intense playtesting before the scheduled 2026 launch.

Unlike the ambitious Project Borealis or the long-gestating Black Mesa, All Good Things is not designed to replicate the scale of a brand-new Valve title. Partridge views his work as more akin to the classic fan-made map packs that characterized the early Half-Life 2 modding scene. By keeping the scope grounded, he intends to honor the spirit of Laidlaw’s original outline, which was, at its heart, a piece of fan fiction.

For those interested in the PC gaming modding community, All Good Things represents a rare example of a project that has managed to avoid the development drift that has claimed other attempts to conclude the Half-Life saga.