Half-Life 3 Rumors Reignite with Valve Hiring

Several 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. This significant move has sparked renewed speculation about future Valve projects.

Hopoo Games' Transition to Valve

Projects Paused, "Snail" on Hold

A recent Twitter (X) announcement revealed that Hopoo Games personnel are now working with Valve. This transition has temporarily halted Hopoo Games' current projects, including the unannounced title "Snail." While the arrangement's permanence remains unclear, both Drummond and Morse's LinkedIn profiles indicate continued roles at Hopoo Games. The studio expressed gratitude for their decade-long partnership with Valve and excitement for contributing to upcoming Valve titles. The statement concluded with a playful "sleep tight, Hopoo Games," signifying the pause in "Snail's" development.

Founded in 2012, Hopoo Games achieved recognition with the original Risk of Rain, a popular roguelike. Its 2019 sequel, Risk of Rain 2, further solidified their success. In 2022, Hopoo Games sold the Risk of Rain IP to Gearbox Software, which continues development, recently releasing the 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 Speculation

While the specifics of Hopoo Games' involvement at Valve are undisclosed, their contributions could potentially support Valve's current projects. Valve's "Deadlock," a MOBA hero shooter in early access, is a prominent possibility. However, the news has fueled long-standing speculation regarding a potential Half-Life 3.

This renewed speculation stems from a now-removed entry in a voice actor's portfolio mentioning a Valve project codenamed "Project White Sands." This cryptic reference, as reported by Eurogamer, has ignited fan theories, with some suggesting a connection between "White Sands" and Half-Life 3, drawing parallels to the Black Mesa Research Facility in New Mexico, a key location in the Half-Life series.