Key members of Hopoo Games, creators of the acclaimed Risk of Rain series, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve. This significant move marks a new chapter for both studios.
Hopoo Games Joins Valve: A New Beginning
Project Snail Halted, Studio Takes Indefinite Hiatus
Hopoo Games announced on Twitter (X) that several developers, including its co-founders, are transitioning to Valve. This leads to a temporary pause on all Hopoo Games projects, including the unannounced title, "Snail." While the announcement doesn't specify the duration of this hiatus, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list them as co-founders of Hopoo Games, suggesting it might not be a permanent closure. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for future collaborations. The statement concluded with the poignant phrase, "sleep tight, Hopoo Games," signaling the suspension of development on Project Snail.
Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games achieved considerable success with the Risk of Rain series. The original Risk of Rain, a challenging roguelike, captivated players with its intense action and alien planet setting. Its sequel, Risk of Rain 2, further solidified their reputation in 2019. In 2022, Hopoo Games sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, which continues to develop the franchise, recently releasing the Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC. Despite some criticism surrounding the DLC, Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's future plans for the series.
Valve's Deadlock and the Persistent Half-Life 3 Rumors
While neither Valve nor Hopoo Games has revealed the specifics of this collaboration, speculation is rife. Valve's current major project, the hero shooter Deadlock, remains in early access. However, the persistent rumors surrounding a potential Half-Life 3 have intensified with this news.
Fueling these rumors is a recent incident involving a voice actor's portfolio. A listing for a mysterious "Project White Sands," linked to Valve, was briefly posted before being removed. This sparked fervent fan theories, with some connecting "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, referencing the Black Mesa Research Facility's location in New Mexico. Eurogamer highlighted these fan theories, noting the potential connection between "White Sands" and the Black Mesa remake.
