Game maker Valve left some fans disappointed last week when it failed to unveil an official Steambox, but a new trademark application may lift some gamers’ spirits.

As reported by Polygon(Opens in a new window), Valve recently filed for the “Half-Life 3” trademark via the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market — the EU’s trademark and designs registry.

Filed on Sept. 29(Opens in a new window), the document lists Valve Corporation as the trademark owner, but was filed by international patent and trademark firm Casalonga & Associates. Still under examination by the OHIM, Valve’s application covers “downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices,” among other goods and services.

Meanwhile, Ars Technica said(Opens in a new window) Valve’s internal bug tracker recently listed Half-Life 3.

Valve did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website provided no equivalent application.

First-person-shooter Half-Life 2 debuted in Nov. 2004. The game picked up six years after an “incident” at a secret research facility left Earth overrun by aliens and vengeful military organizations.

There is no word on what Half-Life 3 could hold for players. Valve has been focused lately on revamping gaming via new platforms. Late last year, Valve’s Big Picture mode launched publicly for users to access Steam games on the large screen. And just last week, Valve unveiled the new SteamOS, Steam Machines, and Steam Controller.

“I’m cautiously optimistic about what Valve is working on,” PCMag analyst Will Greenwald said about the new Steam offerings. “And considering the gaming landscape, it’s probably doing the best thing it could be doing by introducing new hardware.”

Still, Greenwald was disappointed by what the recent announcements lacked: news of an official “Steambox” and word on Half-Life 3.

“But put that aside and look at what SteamOS and the Steam Machines might offer,” he said. “Better yet, have a look at what the Steam Controller might offer first, because it shows exactly how Valve could have a huge success on its hands.”

For more, see PCMag’s review of Half-Life 2 and the slideshow above.