Key members of Hopoo Games, the creators of the acclaimed Risk of Rain series, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have transitioned to Valve. This significant move has sparked renewed speculation about various projects at Valve, most notably, the long-awaited Half-Life 3.
Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve
Projects Paused, Future Uncertain
Hopoo Games announced on Twitter (X) that several developers, including its co-founders, are joining Valve. This has resulted in an indefinite hiatus for Hopoo Games, placing their unannounced project, "Snail," on hold. While the announcement suggests a temporary pause, the co-founders' LinkedIn profiles still list their roles at Hopoo Games, leaving the long-term implications unclear. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement about contributing to future Valve titles.
Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games achieved significant success with the Risk of Rain franchise. Following the 2022 sale of the IP to Gearbox, Hopoo Games remains optimistic about Gearbox's stewardship of the series, with Drummond expressing confidence in their direction.
Valve's Deadlock and the Half-Life 3 Speculation
While Valve hasn't revealed the specifics of Hopoo Games' involvement, the timing coincides with ongoing development of Deadlock, Valve's MOBA hero shooter in early access, and persistent rumors surrounding Half-Life 3. Recent speculation intensified after a voice actor briefly listed a mysterious "Project White Sands" linked to Valve on their portfolio. Although quickly removed, this fueled fan theories, with some suggesting a connection to Half-Life 3 due to the real-world location's association with Black Mesa, a key setting in the Half-Life series. Eurogamer highlighted this fan speculation, further igniting the anticipation for a potential Half-Life 3 announcement.
