Valve's Team Expands, Fueling Half-Life 3 Rumors

Key members of Hopoo Games, the 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 placed Hopoo Games' current projects, including the unannounced title "Snail," on indefinite hold.

Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve

The transition, announced via a Twitter (now X) thread, marks a new chapter for the studio. While the nature of their involvement with Valve remains undisclosed, both Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles indicate their continued association with Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude for its decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement about contributing to their upcoming projects. However, the immediate consequence is a pause in development for "Snail."

Risk of Rain Legacy and Future

Hopoo Games, established in 2012, achieved notable success with the Risk of Rain franchise. Following the 2022 sale of the IP to Gearbox, development of the series, including the recent Risk of Rain 2: Seekers of the Storm DLC, continues under Gearbox's direction. Drummond expressed confidence in Gearbox's stewardship of the series.

Speculation Mounts Regarding Half-Life 3

Valve's current focus remains on Deadlock, its MOBA hero shooter currently in early access. However, the Hopoo Games acquisition has fueled renewed speculation about a potential Half-Life 3. This speculation is further amplified by a now-removed entry from a voice actor's portfolio referencing a Valve project codenamed "Project White Sands." The removal only intensified fan theories, with some connecting "White Sands" to Black Mesa, a significant location in the Half-Life universe. The connection, however tenuous, has reignited the long-standing hopes of Half-Life fans for a sequel. While no official confirmation exists, the confluence of events certainly adds fuel to the fire of anticipation.