Valve marketing exec Doug Lombardi has put a lid on the speculations that E3 2008 may be home to the first sighting of Half-Life 2: Episode 3. He said that the game will not be debuting there and the focus of the company will be on upcoming co-op FPS Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360, PC).

That might disappoint some Valve followers, but to make up for it, Lombardi said a playable Left 4 Dead demo will be available in the event. Left 4 Dead is scheduled to launch this fall.

Valve star developer Gabe Newell describes Left 4 Deadd as the co-op shooting scene's answer to the legendary Counter-Strike which served as the groundwork to modern multiplayer shooting.

Perhaps it's a bit too soon to ask for the next Half-Life 2 episode. After all, the last one launched only last year. But hey, who can blame the fans for wanting more? Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal from The Orange Box were just so sweet!