In The Valley of Gods, the highly anticipated Firewatch sequel from developer Campo Santo, was put on hold after Valve acquired the company in 2018. Despite years passing, production remains at a standstill, but a Valve developer recently offered fans a glimpse of what could have been.
Exploring The Valley of Gods
In The Valley of Gods, first announced at the 2017 Game Awards, transports players to Egypt in the 1920s. The story follows Rashida and Zora, two documentary filmmakers who experienced early success with a popular film but faced career setbacks. Reuniting years later, they embark on a journey to uncover the lost Tomb of Nefertiti, aiming to revive their careers by documenting their adventures in Egypt.
Insight into Development
Matt Wilde, a visual effects creator at Valve, shared a brief clip showcasing a water test created by Campo Santo prior to their acquisition. The clip demonstrates the player character interacting with realistic water while inside a cave, offering a glimpse of the game’s potential. Wilde, known for his work on fluid simulations, highlighted this snippet as a testament to the game’s visual prowess.
Exploring Gameplay Footage
Valve’s Matt Wilde, renowned for his water shader work in Counter-Strike 2, released sporadic gameplay footage showcasing the water technology tested in In The Valley of Gods before Valve’s acquisition of Campo Santo. The game’s development was paused shortly after the acquisition, leaving fans eager for updates.
— ‎Gabe Follower (@gabefollower) November 11, 2024
Continued Innovation
Wilde’s involvement in Half-Life: Alyx, Valve’s 2020 VR title known for its realistic liquid physics, underscores his dedication to pushing visual boundaries. His recent contributions to water and effects in Counter-Strike 2 further highlight his expertise in creating immersive gaming experiences.
During lockdown, Wilde focused on refining liquid shaders, with his work featured in the latest Half-Life: Alyx update, showcasing his commitment to visual excellence.
— Matthew Wilde (@skilful) May 28, 2020
Potential Game Revival
The recently shared clip from In The Valley of Gods raises speculation about the game’s future under Campo Santo and Valve. With development on hold, co-founder Jake Rodkin acknowledged the uncertainties surrounding the project’s timeline, hinting at a possible revival in the future.
Rodkin emphasized that while the game’s progress is currently paused, it remains a project that could resurface. As former Campo Santo developers contribute to other Valve projects like Half-Life: Alyx, the potential for In The Valley of Gods to return remains a tantalizing prospect for fans.
Looking Ahead
While the In The Valley of Gods Steam page indicates a release window of December 2029, the game’s future remains uncertain. The dynamic nature of the page leaves room for speculation on whether the project will eventually come to fruition.
Image source: Matthew Wilde/Bluesky.
Wesley, the UK news editor at IGN, can be reached on Twitter at @wyp100 or via email at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com for any inquiries.
FAQs
Q: Is In The Valley of Gods still in development?
A: Development on the game is currently on hold, but there is a possibility of its revival in the future.
Q: What role did Matt Wilde play in the game’s development?
A: Matt Wilde, known for his work on visual effects and water shaders, contributed to the game’s immersive visual experience.
Credit: herosweb.com
