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 transitioned to 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 joining Valve. This shift has resulted in a temporary halt to Hopoo Games' current projects, notably the unannounced title, "Snail."

While the nature of this transition remains unclear—permanent or otherwise—Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list their Hopoo Games roles. In their announcement, Hopoo Games expressed gratitude for their decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement about contributing to Valve's upcoming titles. The statement concluded with a playful "sleep tight, Hopoo Games," signifying the pause in "Snail's" development.

Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games achieved recognition with the original Risk of Rain, a popular roguelike. Its 2019 sequel, Risk of Rain 2, further solidified their success. In 2022, Hopoo Games sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, which continues to develop the franchise (most recently releasing the Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC). Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's direction for the series.

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

Although neither Valve nor Hopoo has confirmed specifics, the timing of this collaboration fuels speculation, particularly concerning Valve's current project, the MOBA hero shooter Deadlock (currently in early access), and the persistent rumors surrounding Half-Life 3.

Recent updates to a voice actor's portfolio, mentioning a mysterious "Project White Sands" linked to Valve (later removed), have further ignited fan theories about a potential Half-Life 3. Eurogamer noted fan speculation connecting "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, referencing the Black Mesa Research Facility's location in New Mexico.

This unexpected collaboration between Hopoo Games and Valve has certainly captured the attention of the gaming community, leaving many eagerly anticipating future announcements.