Hopoo Games, the creative minds behind the critically acclaimed Risk of Rain series, have embarked on an exciting new journey with several key team members, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, joining Valve's game development team.
Hopoo Games Joins Valve's Game Development Efforts
Studio on Indefinite Hiatus, Project Snail Put on Hold
The developers at Hopoo Games, renowned for their work on the Risk of Rain series, have announced a significant shift as several team members, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, transition to new roles at Valve. This move was shared via a thread on X (formerly Twitter), marking a notable collaboration with the company behind iconic titles like Counter-Strike and Half-Life. As a result, Hopoo Games has put a temporary halt on their ongoing projects, including the eagerly anticipated game "Snail."
While it remains uncertain whether this transition to Valve is permanent, Drummond's and Morse's LinkedIn profiles indicate that their roles at Hopoo Games remain active. In their announcement, the studio expressed gratitude towards Valve for their partnership over the past decade and excitement about contributing to Valve's titles. However, they confirmed the cessation of production on "Snail," concluding their message with a heartfelt "sleep tight, Hopoo Games."
Since its inception in 2012 by Drummond and Morse, Hopoo Games has captivated gamers with the launch of Risk of Rain, an action-packed roguelike that challenges players to escape a hostile alien planet. The success of the original game led to the release of Risk of Rain 2 in 2019. In a significant move in 2022, Hopoo Games sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, which has continued to expand the series, including the recent Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC. Despite some criticism, Drummond has publicly supported Gearbox's direction, expressing confidence in their stewardship of the series.
Valve's Deadlock in Early Access While Rumors of Half-Life 3 Spark Up
While specific details about the projects that Hopoo Games members will work on at Valve remain undisclosed, Valve's current major project, the MOBA hero shooter "Deadlock," is progressing through its early access phase. Additionally, the gaming community is abuzz with persistent rumors about the development of Half-Life 3, with speculation that Hopoo Games' involvement could be tied to this long-awaited sequel.
The rumors gained traction following an update to a voice actor's portfolio that briefly mentioned a mysterious "Project White Sands" linked to Valve. Although the mention was quickly removed, it reignited discussions and theories among fans about the possibility of Half-Life 3. As reported by Eurogamer, enthusiasts have connected "white sand" to the Half-Life series, noting that "White Sands is a park in New Mexico," which ties into the Black Mesa Research Facility, a key setting in the Half-Life universe and the fan-made remake, Black Mesa.
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