The acclaimed Risk of Rain series developers, Hopoo Games, have made a significant move. Key team members, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve, sparking renewed speculation about future projects.

Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve

Projects Paused, "Snail" on Hold

Hopoo Games announced via Twitter (X) that several developers, including its co-founders, are transitioning to Valve. This shift temporarily halts Hopoo Games' current projects, including the unannounced title "Snail." While the nature of this transition – temporary or permanent – remains unclear, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list their roles at Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for contributing to Valve's upcoming titles.

Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games gained recognition with the original Risk of Rain, a popular roguelike. Its 2019 sequel, Risk of Rain 2, further solidified its success. In 2022, Hopoo Games sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox Software, which continues to develop the franchise. Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's handling of the series.

Valve's "Deadlock" and the Half-Life 3 Whispers

While Valve hasn't revealed the Hopoo team's specific assignments, their involvement adds fuel to the ongoing Half-Life 3 rumors. Valve's current focus is on "Deadlock," a hero shooter in early access. However, the recent appearance and subsequent removal of a "Project White Sands" entry from a voice actor's portfolio, linked to Valve, has ignited fan speculation.

Eurogamer noted that fans have connected "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, drawing parallels between a New Mexico park of the same name and the Black Mesa Research Facility, a key location in the Half-Life series. This connection, however tenuous, adds to the already fervent anticipation surrounding a potential Half-Life 3 announcement.