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

Several 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 has sparked renewed speculation about various Valve projects.

Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve

Projects Paused, "Snail" on Hold

Hopoo Games announced on Twitter (now X) that some team members are transitioning to Valve. This includes key personnel joining the company known for titles like Counter-Strike and Half-Life. Consequently, Hopoo Games has temporarily halted its current projects, including the unannounced game "Snail."

While the move's permanence remains unclear, Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles still list their Hopoo Games roles. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for contributing to their future titles. The statement concluded with a playful "sleep tight, Hopoo Games," acknowledging the pause in "Snail's" development.

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

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

While the specifics of Hopoo Games' involvement at Valve are undisclosed, Valve's current focus, the hero shooter Deadlock, remains in early access. However, the news has fueled existing speculation about a potential Half-Life 3.

This renewed speculation stems from a now-removed entry in a voice actor's portfolio mentioning a Valve project called "Project White Sands." This, coupled with the Hopoo Games' move, has ignited fan theories. Eurogamer noted that fans have linked "White Sands" to Half-Life 3, referencing a New Mexico location connected to the Half-Life universe.

The joining of experienced developers from Hopoo Games to Valve, combined with the "Project White Sands" rumors, has significantly increased anticipation for future Valve projects.