Original sentence: The sequel, Half-Life 2, was merely a rumor until a strong impression at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2003 launched it into levels of hype perhaps unequalled by any other game
Edited sentence: The sequel, Half-Life 2, was merely a rumor until a strong impression at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2003 launched it into levels of hype perhaps unequalled by any other game (except perhaps 3D Realm's still in-production Duke Nukem Forever)