Valve Welcomes Risk of Rain Devs Amidst Half-Life 3 Rumors

Key members of Hopoo Games, creators of the acclaimed Risk of Rain series, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve's game development team. This significant move marks a new chapter for both entities.

Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve

Projects Paused, Future Uncertain

Hopoo Games announced on Twitter (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 announcement suggests a pause, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list their roles at Hopoo Games, leaving the long-term implications unclear. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for contributing to future Valve projects.

Established in 2012 by Drummond and Morse, Hopoo Games gained recognition with the original Risk of Rain. Following the success of its sequel, Risk of Rain 2 (2019), Hopoo Games sold the IP to Gearbox in 2022. Drummond recently voiced confidence in Gearbox's handling of the franchise, specifically praising their direction with the recently released Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC.

Valve's Deadlock and the Half-Life 3 Speculation

While the specifics of Hopoo Games' involvement at Valve remain undisclosed, the timing coincides with Valve's ongoing Deadlock early access and persistent rumors surrounding Half-Life 3. The recent, albeit quickly retracted, mention of a "Project White Sands" linked to Valve in a voice actor's portfolio has further fueled speculation about a potential Half-Life 3 development. Eurogamer reported on fan theories connecting "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, referencing Black Mesa, a fan-made Half-Life remake, and its New Mexico setting. This adds fuel to the already fervent speculation surrounding the long-awaited sequel.