Valve Welcomes Risk of Rain Creators, Fueling Half-Life 3 Rumors

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 (X) that some team members are transitioning to Valve, resulting in a temporary halt to current projects, including the unannounced title "Snail." While the nature of this transition remains unclear, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles suggest continued involvement with Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement about contributing to Valve's upcoming titles. The statement concluded with a playful "sleep tight, Hopoo Games," signaling the temporary suspension of "Snail's" development.

Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games achieved recognition with the release of Risk of Rain, a successful roguelike game. Its sequel, Risk of Rain 2, followed in 2019. In 2022, Hopoo Games sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox Software, which continues to develop the franchise, recently releasing the Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC. Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's handling of the series.

Valve's "Deadlock" and Half-Life 3 Speculation

While Valve and Hopoo haven't revealed the specifics of the collaboration, the timing coincides with Valve's ongoing Deadlock (in early access) and persistent rumors surrounding Half-Life 3. Recent speculation centers around a now-removed entry from a voice actor's portfolio referencing a "Project White Sands" linked to Valve. This cryptic reference, noted by Eurogamer, has fueled 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. The connection is further strengthened by the existence of a White Sands park in New Mexico.

The addition of experienced developers from Hopoo Games to Valve's team adds fuel to the already simmering anticipation for what Valve will unveil next.