Hopoo Games, the creative force behind the acclaimed Risk of Rain series, has embarked on a new journey as key members, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, transition to roles at Valve. This shift marks a significant change for the studio, known for its innovative approach to gaming.
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 developers, including Drummond and Morse, are moving to Valve, the powerhouse behind iconic titles like Counter-Strike and Half-Life. This transition has led to an indefinite hiatus for Hopoo Games, putting a pause on their ongoing projects, including the much-anticipated game "Snail."
While it's uncertain whether this move to Valve is permanent, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles indicate that they still hold positions at Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude towards Valve for their longstanding partnership and excitement about contributing to Valve's future projects. However, this shift means halting production on "Snail," with Hopoo Games signing off with a poignant "sleep tight, Hopoo Games."
Founded in 2012 by Drummond and Morse, Hopoo Games first captured gamers' hearts with Risk of Rain, an action-packed roguelike set on an alien planet. The success of the original game led to the release of Risk of Rain 2 in 2019. In 2022, the studio sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, which has since continued the series' development, including the recent Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC. Despite some mixed reviews, Drummond remains confident in Gearbox's direction for the series.
Valve's Deadlock in Early Access While Rumors of Half-Life 3 Spark Up
Though neither Valve nor Hopoo Games has revealed what the team will be working on at Valve, speculation abounds. Valve's current project, the MOBA hero shooter "Deadlock," remains in early access. Additionally, the persistent rumors surrounding the development of Half-Life 3 have intensified with Hopoo Games' involvement.
Recent buzz about Half-Life 3 was fueled by an update to a voice actor's portfolio, mentioning a mysterious "Project White Sands" linked to Valve. Although the project was quickly removed, it reignited fan theories about the long-awaited sequel. As reported by Eurogamer, fans have connected "white sand" to the Half-Life universe, noting that "White Sands is a park in New Mexico," which ties into the Black Mesa setting of the original Half-Life games.
