Fact check: Did gearbox buy hopoo games?

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

Gearbox did NOT purchase Hopoo Games as a company. Instead, Gearbox acquired specifically the Risk of Rain intellectual property (IP) from Hopoo Games in November 2023. Hopoo Games continues to operate as an independent game development studio.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

• Gearbox was already involved with the franchise as the publisher of Risk of Rain 2
• The transition appears to be amicable, with Hopoo Games' community manager Jonathan Cheetham stating Gearbox is "the best fit for taking the franchise into the future"
• Gearbox has concrete plans for the franchise, including:

A new mobile game "Risk of Rain: Hostile Worlds"

New DLC called "Seekers of the Storm"

• Continued support for Risk of Rain 2
• Hopoo Games will maintain some creative input on future Risk of Rain projects, despite not being the owner
• Hopoo Games is releasing "Risk of Rain Returns" as their final entry in the series

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

The question "Did Gearbox buy Hopoo Games?" implies a complete acquisition of the studio, which could lead to misunderstanding the actual transaction. This distinction is important because:

• Hopoo Games maintains its independence to develop new games and IPs
• Gearbox only acquired the rights to one specific franchise (Risk of Rain)
• The transaction represents an IP sale, not a corporate merger or acquisition