Valve has used the original Source engine since the days of Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2, but the company used this year's GDC as a platform to announce the successor, Source 2.

The announcement isn't exactly a surprise; years ago, Valve's Gabe Newell confirmed that company was working a new version of the engine. However, the formal announcement means that we have a better idea what the engine can accomplish.

"With Source 2, our focus is increasing creator productivity. Given how important user generated content is becoming, Source 2 is designed not for just the professional developer, but enabling gamers themselves to participate in the creation and development of their favorite games," says Valve's Jay Stelly in a press release.

Valve also revealed a product called Steam Link, which is a unit that allows you to stream Steam content from your PC or Steam Machine to other devices on the same network. The basic unit will cost $50, but comes with a Steam Controller for an additional $50. Steam Link supports 1080p, and will be available in November.

For more on Valve's GDC news, see these stories about SteamVR and Steam Machines.

Our Take

I'm sure that we will see the Source 2 announcement bear fruit in the future, but the reveal of a new engine falls a little flat without a new game to demonstrate the capabilities alongside it. I know that legions of gamers hoping to play Half-Life 3 are thinking the same thing.