Datamining results in references to Source 2 in Source Filmmaker

Fansite Valve Time recently reported that evidence has been found in the script files in the recently released Source Filmmaker. The website reports that there are many references in the script files to “Source 2”. The exact script is on line 1387 of the script file and reads:
“Return an str with the current engine version.
If key doesn't doesn't exist, assume 'Source', otherwise invalid -- assume next-gen 'Source 2'.”

The Source Engine may be getting a new version

There are references to Source, Hybrid, and Source 2 in the file. It is speculated that Hybrid is the base for which Source 2 is sitting on. Source 2 also seems to be using the same pipeline as Source, meaning that it will probably be keeping the .BSP format it uses for levels. There haven’t been any references to DirectX or OpenGL found yet, or Episode 3 or Half-Life 3 for that matter.

Valve says this about their current Source Engine: “We don’t like to brag, but Source is considered the most flexible, comprehensive, and powerful game development environment out there. And it’s about to get even better.”

Valve released the Source Filmmaker in July this year. In its blog, Valve said, “The Source Filmmaker (SFM) is the movie-making tool built and used by us here at Valve to make movies inside the Source game engine. Because the SFM uses the same assets as the game, anything that exists in the game can be used in the movie, and vice versa. By utilising the hardware rendering power of a modern gaming PC, the SFM allows storytellers to work in a what-you-see-is-what-you-get environment so they can iterate in the context of what it will feel like for the final audience“.

Before the Source Film Maker, budding machinima makers had to rely on development tools provided by Valve, which are usually used for making games or mods based on the Source Engine. People also used Garry’s Mod, which is a physics sandbox. Unlike regular games, Garry’s Mod has no aims or goals. It is primarily used to play around with the Source Engine physics and art assets, or make comics or movies.

Few companies in the gaming world are followed as closely as Valve. This may be largely because of its utter silence on the sequel to Half-Life 2: Episode 2, which is based on the Source Engine. The game ends on a cliffhanger, and has caused people to be thoroughly annoyed with the company as it has been almost five years since Half-Life 2: Episode 2 was released through the Orange Box. Many speculate and talk about rumours of the fabled next iteration of the game. Some believe it will be Half-Life 2: Episode 3, others believe it will be Half-Life 3. If Valve were to follow their regular pattern, a supposed Half-Life 3 would showcase the capabilities of a new graphics and physics engine.