Head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hurst announced today via the PlayStation Blog that Housemarque, makers of Returnal, Resogun, and Dead Nation, officially pair up with Sony and become part of PlayStation Studios.
The Finland-based studios’ journey with the PlayStation brand began over 26 years ago with the release of Super Stardust HD, which is actually an upgraded version of one of their first titles they ever released back in 1994 for the AMIGA. Since that time, they continued honing their craft and working closely with Sony on their handheld console, the PlayStation Vita, for titles such as Furmins and Super Stardust Delta. Not to mention the aforementioned Dead Nation and the PlayStation 4 launch title Resogun as well. Furthermore, they would also go on to create the criminally underrated Materfall for PlayStation 4 and Nex Machina, (which actually came to PC).
Hermen Hurst noted that the release of Housemarque’s most recent PlayStation 5 title, Returnal is what truly cemented PlayStation’s decision to integrate the studio into the fold.
“Housemarque’s recent release of Returnal proves the studio is one with incredible vision, capable of creating memorable new games that resonate with our community. This addition enhances the creative force of PlayStation Studios, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Housemarque.”
Housemarque Co-Founder and Managing Director Ilari Kuittinen also mentions how the studio has long been a purveyor of Bullet Hell and Arcade-like experiences. Taking all of their previous work and bringing that forward with them into the third-person action gaming space and creating something special for PlayStation 5 owners with Returnal.
However, what perhaps matters most is what comes next, and now that can be developed and produced with much more security and stability than ever before, as Kuittinen frankly states when answering what this news means for fans of the studio.
“With the backing of SIE and its family of studios supporting us, we can truly grow into our place in the industry and show what Housemarque can create with no limitations. We can’t wait to show everyone what will be in store in the upcoming years, and we hope to usher in more lasting memories and exhilarating titles for the next quarter-century and beyond.”
It is quite incredible to think that at one point, the studio said they were done with arcade games. In some ways, they are completely correct; in others, not so much. In fact, Housemarque always stuck to their guns and believed in the kinds of games they like to make. Now, that belief in what came before and fusing that with other genres has brought them to this point of joining PlayStation Studios.
The future is certainly bright for Housemarque now. Hopefully, it won’t be too long until we find out more about whatever this incredible team is making next.
