Hopoo Games' Key Personnel Transition to Valve
The acclaimed Risk of Rain developers at Hopoo Games are embarking on a new venture. Several key members, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve, the renowned studio behind Counter-Strike and Half-Life. This transition has resulted in Hopoo Games temporarily halting its current projects, including the unannounced title "Snail."
The move, announced via a Twitter (X) post, leaves Hopoo Games' future uncertain. While Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list them as Hopoo Games co-founders, the studio's statement indicates a production pause. They expressed gratitude for Valve's past collaborations and excitement for future projects. The announcement concluded with a poignant "sleep tight, Hopoo Games," signaling a temporary end to development on "Snail."
Hopoo Games' Legacy and the Risk of Rain Franchise
Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games achieved significant success with the Risk of Rain series. The original roguelike and its 2019 sequel, Risk of Rain 2, garnered critical acclaim. In 2022, Hopoo Games sold the IP to Gearbox Software, which continues to develop the franchise, recently releasing the "Seekers of the Storm" DLC. Despite some mixed reception to the DLC, Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's direction.
Valve's Current Projects and the Half-Life 3 Speculation
The specifics of Hopoo Games' work at Valve remain undisclosed. Valve's current focus is on "Deadlock," a hero shooter in early access. However, the news has fueled renewed speculation about a potential Half-Life 3.
This speculation intensified following a voice actor's portfolio update mentioning a "Project White Sands" linked to Valve, later removed. The reference, as noted by Eurogamer, sparked fan theories connecting "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, drawing parallels to the Black Mesa Research Facility in New Mexico, a key location in the Half-Life series.
