Several key members of Hopoo Games, creators of the acclaimed Risk of Rain series, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve's game development team. This significant move has sparked renewed speculation about future Valve projects.
Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve
Projects Paused, "Snail" on Hold
Hopoo Games announced the transition via Twitter (X), stating that some team members, including its co-founders, are moving to Valve. This has resulted in a temporary halt to Hopoo Games' current projects, notably the unannounced title, "Snail." While the nature of this transition—temporary or permanent—remains unclear, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list their Hopoo Games affiliations. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for contributing to future Valve titles.
Established in 2012 by Drummond and Morse, Hopoo Games gained recognition with the original Risk of Rain. Following the success of its sequel, Risk of Rain 2 (2019), Hopoo Games sold the IP to Gearbox in 2022. Drummond recently voiced confidence in Gearbox's handling of the franchise, specifically praising the direction of the recent Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC.
Valve's "Deadlock" and the Half-Life 3 Speculation
Although neither Valve nor Hopoo has revealed the specifics of the collaboration, the news has fueled speculation, particularly regarding the long-awaited Half-Life 3. Valve's current focus, the MOBA hero shooter Deadlock (currently in early access), hasn't been directly linked to this development.
Fan theories surrounding a potential Half-Life 3 intensified after a voice actor briefly listed a Valve project called "Project White Sands" in their portfolio. While quickly removed, the mention ignited discussions, with some suggesting a connection to the Black Mesa Research Facility, a key location in the Half-Life series, given the presence of a "White Sands" park in New Mexico. This speculation, reported by Eurogamer, highlights the fervent anticipation surrounding a potential Half-Life 3 announcement.
