Half-Life 3 Speculations Spark Again as Risk of Rain Original Devs Join Valve's Game Dev Team

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 on Twitter (now X) that several developers, including its co-founders, are transitioning to Valve. This shift has temporarily halted Hopoo Games' current projects, including the unannounced title "Snail." While the move's permanence is unconfirmed, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles indicate their continued roles at Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for contributing to Valve's upcoming titles. However, development on "Snail" is officially paused.

Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games rose to prominence with the original Risk of Rain, a successful roguelike. The sequel, Risk of Rain 2, followed in 2019. In 2022, Hopoo Games sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox, who continue to develop the series (including the recent Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC). Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's handling of the franchise.

Valve's "Deadlock" and Half-Life 3 Rumors Intensify

While Valve and Hopoo haven't revealed specifics about the collaboration, the news coincides with Valve's ongoing Deadlock (in early access) and persistent Half-Life 3 rumors. A voice actor's portfolio briefly mentioned a Valve project, "Project White Sands," before its removal, fueling fan speculation. Eurogamer reported that the "White Sands" reference, potentially linked to the Black Mesa Research Facility in New Mexico (a key location in the Half-Life series), has further ignited anticipation for Half-Life 3.