Valve is a company of perfectionists. They don’t like to release any game that they are not sure meets their expectations. That’s why we have been waiting for Half-Life 3 for decades. That’s why every game they release, whether it’s a success or not, is always a small or big revolution for the video game industry. They are a company that has the means to take all the time they need, thanks to Steam, and that’s why the announcement of each new project is always interesting.
In this case, the announcement is that Hopoo Games has paused an ongoing project to work on a new Valve title. Although we don’t know which project it is, Hopoo says they are very excited, even if it means putting the current project they were working on, called Snail, on hold. Showing their great interest in it.
If the name Hopoo Games doesn’t ring a bell, this is a studio co-founded by Paul Morse and Duncan Drummond who have made games like Risk of Rain, Risk of Rain 2, and Deadbolt. Specialized in 2D aesthetic games with pixels and a strong focus on platforms and action, it is expected that Valve’s next game could go in that direction. Although it is completely possible that they are working on something completely different from what Hopoo Games has accustomed us to.
Meanwhile, at Valve, they are still developing at least one more game, Deadlock. A MOBA that was officially unveiled last August, but its existence had already been leaked since last May and a select group of players had been testing it since 2023. Their intention is to combine the shooter elements of Overwatch with the MOBA elements of DOTA. Currently, although announced, the game can only be accessed by invitation from a friend.
What project the people at Hopoo Games are working on is something we don’t know. Surely, it is something we won’t know, at least, until next year. But considering the brilliance that is Risk of Rain and the tremendous success that Risk of Rain 2 has been, we will be keeping an eye on what they are doing with the guys from Gabe Newell.
