The gaming community is buzzing with excitement as Hopoo Games, the creative force behind the acclaimed Risk of Rain series, announces a significant shift in its trajectory. Key members of the studio, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve's game development team. This move has sparked a flurry of speculation and anticipation about what's next for both studios.
Hopoo Games Joins Valve's Game Development Efforts
Studio on Indefinite Hiatus, Project Snail Put on Hold
In a recent announcement on Twitter (X), Hopoo Games revealed that several of their developers, including Drummond and Morse, will be transitioning to work at Valve, the legendary company behind Counter-Strike and Half-Life. This transition has led to an indefinite hiatus for Hopoo Games and the suspension of their unannounced project, "Snail."
While the specifics of this move remain uncertain, it's evident that Hopoo Games is not shutting down permanently. According to the co-founders' LinkedIn profiles, they still hold positions at Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude towards Valve for their partnership over the past decade and their enthusiasm to contribute to Valve's renowned titles. However, this shift means that "Snail" is currently on hold, with the studio signing off with a poignant "sleep tight, Hopoo Games."
Founded in 2012 by Drummond and Morse, Hopoo Games first gained recognition with the launch of Risk of Rain, a thrilling roguelike where players navigate the challenges of an alien planet. The success of the original game paved the way for Risk of Rain 2 in 2019. In 2022, Hopoo sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, who have since continued to develop the series, including the latest Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC. Despite some criticism, Drummond remains optimistic about Gearbox's stewardship of the franchise.
Valve's Deadlock in Early Access While Rumors of Half-Life 3 Spark Up
Though details about the specific projects Hopoo Games will work on at Valve remain under wraps, Valve's current major project, the MOBA hero shooter "Deadlock," is in its early access phase. Moreover, the gaming world is abuzz with rumors about the potential development of Half-Life 3, fueled by recent events.
Speculation about Half-Life 3 intensified when a voice actor's portfolio briefly mentioned a mysterious "Project White Sands" linked to Valve. Though quickly removed, this mention reignited fan theories. As reported by Eurogamer, some fans connect "white sand" to Half-Life 3, noting its potential ties to the Black Mesa Research Facility in New Mexico, a key setting in the Half-Life series and the fan-made remake, Black Mesa.
The joining of Hopoo Games with Valve not only marks a new chapter for the studio but also fuels anticipation and speculation among gamers worldwide, particularly around the possibility of seeing new developments in the Half-Life universe.
