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. This significant move has sparked renewed speculation about future Valve projects.
Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve
Projects Paused, "Snail" on Hold
Hopoo Games announced on Twitter (now X) that several developers, including its co-founders, are transitioning 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, both 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.
Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games achieved significant success with the Risk of Rain series. Following the 2022 sale of the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, the studio continued its work on other projects. Drummond recently voiced confidence in Gearbox's handling of the franchise.
Valve's "Deadlock" and the Persistent Half-Life 3 Rumors
While the specifics of Hopoo Games' involvement at Valve are undisclosed, the timing coincides with Valve's ongoing "Deadlock" early access phase and the persistent, fervent rumors surrounding Half-Life 3. The recent (and quickly retracted) mention of a "Project White Sands" linked to Valve in a voice actor's portfolio further fueled these speculations. Online speculation, notably from Eurogamer, connects "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, referencing the Black Mesa Research Facility in New Mexico, a key location in the Half-Life series. This connection, however tenuous, has ignited significant excitement among fans.
