Hopoo Games, known for their popular roguelike games Risk Of Rain and Risk Of Rain 2, have announced that they are closing their studio to join Valve. The co-founders, along with other team members, have decided to take on new game development roles at Valve, leaving their previously unannounced game “Snail” behind. This marks the end of a 12-year journey for the developers, who expressed gratitude towards their team and fans for their support over the years.
The absorption of indie studios by Valve is not a new phenomenon, with Campo Santo, the creators of Firewatch, also making a similar move in the past. Despite the cancellation of their next game, Campo Santo joined Valve, adding to the list of small studios becoming a part of the Valve family. This trend brings into question the fate of independent game development in the face of corporate acquisitions.
With Hopoo Games now part of Valve, the future of their game development projects remains uncertain. While Valve is known to be working on multiplayer shooter Deadlock, the exact projects that the former Hopoo team will be working on have not been revealed. Valve’s internal workings are shrouded in mystery, with little information available to the public about its game development strategies and projects.
The decision to close Hopoo Games comes in the aftermath of a lukewarm reception to Risk of Rain 2’s most recent DLC. Despite no longer holding the rights to the series, the developers expressed understanding and support for Gearbox, the current custodians of the franchise. This transition highlights the challenges faced by indie studios in maintaining creative control over their projects in an industry dominated by larger corporations.
As the former Hopoo Games team embarks on a new chapter at Valve, the gaming community eagerly anticipates what they will create next. The fusion of indie creativity with the resources of a powerhouse like Valve has the potential to lead to innovative and groundbreaking game development. While the specifics of their upcoming projects remain a mystery, one thing is certain – the legacy of Hopoo Games will live on in the games they create in collaboration with Valve.
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