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

Key members of Hopoo Games, creators of the acclaimed Risk of Rain series, including co-founders Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse, have joined Valve. This significant move has sparked renewed speculation about future Valve projects.

Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve

Projects Paused, "Snail" on Hold

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 nature of the transition remains unclear – whether temporary or permanent – both Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list their Hopoo Games affiliations. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for contributing to future Valve titles.

Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games gained recognition with the original Risk of Rain and its successful sequel. In 2022, they sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox Software, who continue to develop the franchise. Drummond publicly voiced his confidence in Gearbox's handling of the series.

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

The specifics of Hopoo Games' involvement at Valve remain undisclosed. However, the news coincides with Valve's ongoing Deadlock early access and persistent rumors surrounding a potential Half-Life 3. Fueling these rumors is a now-removed entry from a voice actor's portfolio referencing a mysterious "Project White Sands" linked to Valve. This, coupled with the Hopoo Games' transition, has ignited considerable fan speculation. Eurogamer noted fan theories connecting "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, referencing the Black Mesa Research Facility in New Mexico, a key location in the Half-Life series.