Hopoo Games, the creators of the popular Risk Of Rain series, have announced that they are shutting down their studio to join Valve. This move comes as a surprise to many fans who were eagerly anticipating their upcoming game, “Snail”. Paul Morse and Duncan Drummond, the co-founders of Hopoo Games, along with other talented team members, are making the transition to work on game development at Valve. This decision marks the end of a 12-year journey for the studio, as they express gratitude towards their team and fans for their support over the years.
The absorption of indie game studios by Valve seems to be a growing trend in the gaming industry. Campo Santo, the developers of Firewatch, also made a similar move to work at Valve, leaving behind their project “In The Valley Of The Gods”. This trend raises questions about the future of indie game development and the impact of larger companies absorbing smaller studios.
The decision for Hopoo Games to join Valve comes at a time when their most recent DLC for Risk of Rain 2 received a mixed reception. Despite no longer being responsible for the series, as they sold the rights to Gearbox in 2022, the team at Hopoo Games still faced criticism. Drummond, one of the co-founders, expressed empathy for the Gearbox development team working on the game, acknowledging the challenges they faced.
While the specific projects that the former Hopoo Games team will be working on at Valve remain undisclosed, there are speculations about their involvement in Valve’s upcoming multiplayer shooter, Deadlock. Valve is known for its secretive nature and unpredictable decision-making processes, which have been highlighted in various investigations and accounts from former employees. Working for Valve offers a unique opportunity for developers to be part of a non-hierarchical structure, but it also comes with challenges and uncertainties.
The transition of Hopoo Games to Valve marks a significant shift in the indie gaming landscape. The decision to join a larger company like Valve raises questions about the future of indie studios and the impact of such acquisitions on the industry. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the relationship between independent developers and major companies like Valve will shape the direction of game development in the years to come.
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