From shifting away from arcade games due to lackluster success to shipping the acclaimed Returnal and now being acquired by Sony for PlayStation Studios, it’s been a long journey for Housemarque. Announced recently, the acquisition wasn’t entirely unexpected – after, numerous titles from the developer have been exclusive to PlayStation platforms. But according to co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen, the discussions actually began in 2020.
Speaking to Famitsu along with PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst, Kuittinen revealed that despite discussions beginning last year, “I decided to give priority to the completion of the game first and talk again later. So I restarted it a few months ago, and now it’s decided.” The game in question is Returnal, which released this past April for PS5.
Housemarque will be expanding in the coming days but what about it’s next title? Kuittinen said that Returnal should give “a hint as to what’s next. I’m sure we’ll go beyond that, and I want to create a great gaming experience and an unforgettable experience.” He does note that may be a “lot of explosions” but that tight gameplay with good controls should be expected since it’s been the studio’s reputation for the past 26 years.
Apparently, Housemarque isn’t the only developer joining the PlayStation Studios family. PlayStation Japan has seemingly leaked the acquisition of Bluepoint Games of Demon’s Souls and Shadow of the Colossus remakes as well. Stay tuned for official confirmation on the same in the meantime.