The acclaimed Risk of Rain series developers, Hopoo Games, have made a significant move. Key team members, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve, sparking renewed speculation about future projects.
Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve
Projects Paused, "Snail" on Hold
Hopoo Games announced via Twitter (now X) that several developers, including its co-founders, are transitioning to Valve. This leads to a temporary halt on Hopoo Games' current projects, including the unannounced title "Snail." While the move's permanence remains unclear, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles indicate continued roles at Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement about contributing to their upcoming titles. However, "Snail" is officially on hold, as the announcement concluded with "sleep tight, Hopoo Games."
Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games rose to prominence with the original Risk of Rain. The studio later released the successful sequel, Risk of Rain 2, in 2019. In 2022, they sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, who continue to develop the series (including the recent Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC). Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's direction for the franchise.
Valve's "Deadlock" and the Half-Life 3 Speculation
While Valve and Hopoo remain tight-lipped about the team's new endeavors, the move fuels speculation, particularly regarding Half-Life 3. Valve's current major project, the hero shooter "Deadlock," is in early access. However, persistent Half-Life 3 rumors intensify with this news.
A voice actor's portfolio briefly mentioned a Valve project codenamed "Project White Sands," before its removal. This sparked fan theories connecting "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, referencing the Black Mesa Research Facility's location in New Mexico. As reported by Eurogamer, the connection to Black Mesa, a fan-made Half-Life remake, further fueled the speculation.
