Sony has today announced the acquisition of Returnal developer Housemarque. Confirmed in a PlayStation Blog post, PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst explains how the studio is capable of making titles that resonate with the PlayStation community. "This addition enhances the creative force of PlayStation Studios, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Housemarque."
Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder and Managing Director at Housemarque, adds: "We are so excited to finally join the PlayStation Studios family! This gives our studio a clear future and a stable opportunity to continue delivering on gameplay centric approaches, while still experimenting with new methods of narrative delivery and pushing the boundaries of this modern artform. Locally here in Helsinki, this also means that we will officially expand the PlayStation family to a growing industry hub and secure the legacy of the oldest game studio in Finland."
Kuittinen then adds that Sony's purchase of the company allows Housemarque to grow further in stature and show what the team can do without any 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."
[source blog.playstation.com]
Comments (120)
Really pleased about this. Housemarque is an amazing studio, and a great addition to Sony's first party fleet
Super news for Housemarque! Congrats to all involved, it was looking rocky for the studio for a few years but this is a great outcome
Begun, the acquisition wars has...
Wonderful, I've been wanting this for a long time, Returnal provided a strong foundation for them to make something greater. Maybe Sony should have a word with Marvel about them making a Doctor Strange game
PlayStation JP tweeted an image which included Bluepoint as well. It’s just been deleted though.
Edit with link - https://twitter.com/mrpyo1/status/1409820432232968197?s=21
Great addition to Sony's set of studios.
Yeah well deserved, they really do make some good games, hopefully when they mean "freedom" it means they can go back to their arcade roots and still make the AAA games too
This is great news as it secures the future of Housemarque. Congrats and can't wait to see what's to come in the future.
Excellent news! Housemarque more than earned this by making some cracking games!
@BoldAndBrash absolutely I’d love them to also work on their own game but they have a catalogue of so many great games they could bring back to life.
knew that returnal would be the decider for them.
so good to see!
welcome to the family!
great news
next squarenix
if only fromsoft is possible
@B-I-G-DEVIL haha whoops! Want to let the housemarque news settle first.
Sensible acquisitions here. And once again studios built around Sony development, rather than taking options away from other platforms (yes HM put some titles elswhere but have always been primarily PS focussed).
Can't wait to see what they both put out next. Hope BP is given the opportunity to make something new
Still surprising it’s taken this long.
Great. Can I have Resogun 2 and please can it be a physical release? To this day it annoys me that a classic like Resogun is not available physically.
This is great news! Returnal is by far my favourite PS5 game so far.
Best news of the week.its about time sony.now get bluepoint.and kojima.maybe konami.word up son
Very good business move!
Amazing. Returnal blew my socks off, delighted to see more games of this quality exclusive to Playstation!
@playstation1995 Well get this. Playstation Japan put up a tweet just now that was quickly deleted saying Sony have bought Bluepoint.
This piece of news is f****ng exciting. Congrats to Housemarque, they deserve the best!!!
Awesome news, I really hope Sony manage to do the same with Bluepoint.
Great news. Liked Housemarque since Super Stardust HD on PS3. Congrats everyone involved. As mentioned about Bluepoint next please. 😀
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/housemarque-sony-playstation-acquisition this is a good read.
@AdamNovice. Yeah i see that.that was spot on.they should of announced bluepoint was aquire also.it took sony long enough.im glad it happen.but more aquisition will happen.word up son
@AdamNovice Just to be extra clear: the tweet said they acquired Housemarque but the attatched image had Bluepoint's logo on it (and a Demon's Souls tile in the background) - which means they did have it prepared for some reason
@playstation1995 you were the first thing that came to mind as soon as I read the title
Good move for Sony and Housemarque
Housemarque has been making games for Sony primarily for so long this makes total sense.
I've always felt though they where limiting themselves with just developing for Sony: awesome games like Super Stardust and RESOGUN should be experienced by as many gamers as possible
As I’m currently playing through and thoroughly enjoying Returnal, I’m really pleased to see this. It’s not Bethesda, but it’s a quality acquisition for sure.
Congratulations to them! Returnal isn't for me (I just can't get into rogue-likes) but I definitely see the talent they have as a studio. Excited to see what their next project is like.
On a side note — that collage image up there, I recognize all the pictures of the characters and their corresponding studios except the second from the left. Who’s that guy and what studio does he represent?
Also, minor shade thrown at Media Molecule for not including an image of them in the “Sony Family” photo… 😅. Perhaps that little sliver of purple on the right is supposed to represent Dreams.
I’m not one to feel every studio needs to be bought out, but with that said, great purchase on Sony’s end and congrats to House, it’s well deserved.
Bleh. Another one bites the dust.
@Th3solution - Blood & Truth on the PSVR from London Studios
@Th3solution That is for London Studio…an image from Blood and Truth.
@Th3solution ~It's the modern day sequel to The Order, that has been rumoured for the last 24 hours.~
No, it's just Blood and Truth.
@Th3solution
He's from Blood and Truth. It's a Playstation VR exclusive from London Studio.
Great decision!
Finally seeing their first AAA title in a while then.
It's nice but I'd rather they announce BluePoint so they can develop their original IPs
Good to see an acquisition that makes sense, rather than buying a studio because they can.
@playstation1995 @AdamNovice Yep, here's the captured Tweet:
https://twitter.com/Nibellion/status/1409823081191940100
Very nice. We were all hoping for it really. It's a perfect match.
@JustPlainLoco @FATPC @Kidfried @Korgon Ah, ok — thanks! Not being a VR adopter (yet), I don’t feel stupid anymore. I was wondering how I could be ignorant of one of their major characters/games, but now it makes sense.
I guess an image of Wonderbook or SingStar wouldn’t have been as impactful 😅
@playstation1995 Hi there friend.
You called it. Fantastic news man 👍
Another great aquisition by Sony and another win for great, action, arcade type games.
Congrats to everyone at Housemarque. They deserve all the support.
Now we just need Bluepoint to join the incredible first party roster of Playstation.
And maybe Kojima Productions??? Who knows 😉
Cheers, stay safe everyone and happy gaming to us all!
Word Up Son!
Can't wait for their next game, I hope it will be in the metroidvania genre with gameplay like returnal
Glad to see PlayStation recognizes the potential the Housemarque has, definitely a great acquisition. I still have yet to play Returnal but I plan to, it's just a matter of finding the time because of it lacking a save feature I have to play it to completion, but it's killing me that I haven't played it yet.
Now Sony / PlayStation just have to snag up Bluepoint & maybe Ember Lab and I think PlayStation is very well equipped for the future.
@RaZieLDaNtE See this accidental Tweet from Sony Japan, they welcomed Bluepoint instead of Housemarque. I can't be a simple mistake, so I expect they'll announce a Bluepoint acquisition today (or soon) as well:
https://twitter.com/Nibellion/status/1409823081191940100
Great news I love resogun and returnal
About time to put a ring on it.
Kudos.
@Octane Hi there friend.
This just keeps getting better and better.
If it is true, as it seems to be, than it´s two great studios with some very talented individuals making awesome games for PS5.
OMG..... Does this means we might get...... The most wanted Remake ever, Metal gear Solid Remake?
Oh please, make it so. I guy can dream.....
Cheers, stay safe and have a good one
Great news! Playing Returnal at the moment and have been loving it. Good to see them transition from smaller titles to something a bit more substantial.
Not a fan of Housemarque games myself, but I can recognize quality when I see it.
Nice to see Sony splashing some cash and great that the studio now has financial stability and hopefully bigger budgets for games going forward.
I also saw a post on Twitter about Bluepoint being acquired by the Japanese account, which would also make sense.
I know they just do remakes and remasters, but again, another talented studio that could revive older PlayStation IPs. Obviously we need official confirmation for that one though.
Been a big fan of Housemarque since the Super Stardust HD days. Concerned about an acquisition war, but Housemarque has felt like a great fit with PlayStation since the PS3 days so I guess this was inevitable.
@playstation1995 One thing I really want to see seeing as Sony are making these partnerships with all these new Studios is for them to make one with Ikumi Nakamura's new indy studio. Sony could form a strong relationship with an incredible talent and hopefully end up with a kick ass 1st party Japanese studio. I also think they should keep an eye on Kena dev Ember Lab they have potential
I've been following them and playing their games since the Amiga days. Good to see they will still be around in the future with Sony.
Curious as to how much this Housemarque (And POTENTIAL Bluepoint) Acquisition cost them, just curious because they were able to pick up Insomniac Games for such a bargain.
Congrats to Housemarque. Curious to see what their next release will be after Returnal.
Sweet, ps5 exclusive Angry Birds with ray tracing coming soon...
Can't wait to play returnal but not at current ps5 game prices.
Excellent news. I've played and enjoyed most of their previous output. May tackle a few rounds on Nex Machina to celebrate
I have no interest in Returnal without a save system, but it's still a good acquisition for Sony.
Now maybe Sony can force them to finally implement one like they said they likely would...
All the XDEV studios!! Bluepoint, Quantic Dream, and Sumo Digital next!
Housemarque makes some incredible games. Good news for Sony fans!
Fantastic news and well overdue. Now hopefully no more years wasted working on Fortnite clones. Having financial security should be huge for them.
Capcom or Konami would be the biggest acquisition yet... just wishing and hoping. 🤩😏
Great news! I just picked up Returnal in the recent sale and it is fantastic.
@TheCollector316 Quantic Dream got a chinese investment so I feel like they won't be getting acquired soon.
@Th3solution Agreed. It's a step in the right direction for Sony, but if they think for a minute that this is a response to Xbox acquiring Bethesda, they are sorely mistaken.
@naruball. Haha. Thanks i been saying this for a long time.and next up bluepoint games.word up son
@Keyblade-Dan. I believe kena is going to be a really good game.and sony should and would aquire them also.word up son
@RaZieLDaNtE. A metal gear remake .or parasites eve remake.but bluepoint is definitely next.word up son
I feel the same way about this as I do Insomniac. Honestly thought they were already basically kind of like second party developers but it's nice to see them officially get funding on that level now
Nice, that’s a good acquisition for PS considering Sony and Housemarque had close ties anyway.
Great to see Housemarque join the Sony family. It was inevitable! Also that slip up on JP's social media means Bluepoint ain't far behind! Exciting times ahead! Returnal was fantastic and I would love to see Bluepoint tackle something that they will build from the ground up. Fingers crossed this is leading to a State of Play show.
@RaZieLDaNtE I'd love to see a full on Metal Gear Solid Trilogy remake 1,2 and 3. Can you imagine ?
Today I learned: Housemarque's Super Stardust HD on PS3 was apparently the first game ever to feature trophies.
Epic news now onto Bluepoint Sony! I platinumed Returnal, it was an incredible one off experience and gave me faith in AA development moving forwards!
Good move by Sony. Returnal is one of the best games I've played for a long time. It's up there with the soulsborne games and coming from me that's a huge compliment.
@playstation1995 as amazing as it would be to see Konami IP directed by Sony, Konami are too big. They're primarily a publisher themselves, and don't forget their other business interests (pachinko machines).
Hopefully if the Bluepoint thing is true, we may at least get an MGS remake. 🤞
Late to this news but OMG yessssss
This is great. I know they're not the biggest name but they make superb games. And Returnal is I think a perfect first draft for a pretty amazing potential series.
@Tarod1 Returnal and demons souls were on sale for $50 this past weekend on PSN.
Tbh I saw this coming but I thought bluepoint would joined the playstation house party first
@TeapotBuddha. Definitely bluepoint is definitely a must.its coming and its happening.word up son
Great acquisition from Sony. Housemarque are a excellent studio & this gives them more freedom to make bigger & better games.
@jdv95 thanks my friend it was a good read!
Man that's good news. It felt inevitable but I'm glad it happened sooner rather than later ! and if that Bluepoint news is also true, that's even better !
Let's goooo babyyyy!!
great news congratulations Housemarque 🙂
frankly ive never liked any game housemarque have made
Not a big fan of console makers taking over more studios in general but given Housemarque's long history of association with the platform as well as MicroSoft's aggressive acquisitions I'm calling it good move on Sony's part.
BEST FAMILY TO JOIN!!! Nice one SONY!
Wonderful news. I've always enjoyed their games so I look forward to see what they have in store for us.
yesssss awesome news!!!
Extremely talented studio who has been held back by lack of funds,this won't be an issue now ,plus they will have the help from sonys world class studios, just need to confirm bluepoint and everything is once again right with the world,fu*k bethesda 😂
@trev666 not even resogun ? Its one of those games you pick for years to just have a quick blast in my opinion
@AdamNovice a Doctor Strange game by Housemarque does sound exciting. Actually, even a game for a brand new franchise based on the superhero theme sounds equally, or even more exciting. Practically all gameplay mechanics created for Returnal could be used in a superhero game. Combine that with SIE expertise in creating great narratives for games and you have all the ingredients for another blockbuster for PlayStation.
Whatever they choose to go for, the next game by Housemarque+PlayStation looks very promising.
Very happy news! Congrats to Housemarque, it is well deserved by them. They really never put out a bad game, and Returnal is their best yet. Game of the year!
They… didn’t already own them? Well, now they can keep making awesome games for Sony!
Returnal is the only title that really has me itching for a PS5, as would any future exclusive Housemarque games. Smart move by Sony.
Yes! Housemarque deserves this security, they're an outstanding studio that makes great games. Returnal was absolutely fun and nerve racking(which added to the fun even more lol). Now Nex Machina 2 is a possibility in the future......somewhere down the line lol. I know Sony didn't buy them for arcade games but this being done the the side shouldn't hurt😊
@locoism25 I'd love to see Square I think it would be a great fit and make sense Sony and Square have been close for so long and let's be real PlayStation makes up like at least 75% of Square's game sales anyway 😂
Bluepoint and from software next
100% great news, 0% surprising!
As others have said Bluepoint would be good next…
Normally I am not happy with these sort of purchases from big corporation studios as we need as much mid tier devs but I always felt housemarque never found its audience despite their excellent games Nex machina being the perfect example of an incredible that sold ver poorly.
Housemarque deserves this security and I much prefer them getting financial stability than not existing at all.
Hopefully this doesn’t become how the game is played because if it is then Sony cannot possibly beat MS.
So, you’re saying that a new Golf: Tee it Up game will be on a Sony platform? Clap Handz will need to step up with their next Everybody’s Golf release! 😋
GREAT news! Excellent studio and now that they dove into the AAA sea I can't wait to see what comes out next!
Also, there are rumours of From Software acquisition but that's gotta be BS right? 😅
They're having a slight meltdown over on PureXbox right now. It's pretty much a Microsoft Good Sony Bad scenario.
Microsoft good because they buy a major third party publisher and all games go to GamePass. Sony bad because they buy one teeny tiny studio that hasn't made a game for any other platform in a decade and make them exclusive to PlayStation.
If only these people knew what irony meant.
well done Sony, good move.!! Now you need to get Blue Point 100%!
Finally one might add. Great acquisition. Been a huge fan since the ps3 era... Might have bought every game by them since then (except for Resogun which was a Plus title I think).
@GADG3Tx87
Tbh the buyout of bethesda didn't hurt me so much. Ninja Theory and Obsidian were great losses for Playstation fans imho.
Acquisitions like this make sense. Smaller studio with close ties to the company who purchased it. Returnal is a great game, will be cool to see what Housemarque can do with even more money and resources to work with.
Late to replying, but big congrats on Sony adding Housemarque as a 1st party studio!
I still need to play their games but especially looking forward to Returnal and their future games.
@AhmadSumadi Don't worry. This has nothing to do with what MS have been doing. This follows the same pattern as Sony's past acquisitions - Work with a studio for years on exclusive after exclusive, then buy the studio.
This is business as usual for PlayStation.
congrats on this. long time coming by the sounds of it.
@KingPev I´ll give you one better.
Imagine if they remake Metal Gear one and two....
Imagine seeing Snake still green on the first game and the Epic fight against Grey Fox on a mine field in the second.....
Mind Blown!
If they only do MGS I´ll be a happy camper no less.
But if they decide to do the others..... I will not say no to that 😉
Cheers, stay safe and have a good one
@AgentGuapo That would be about £36.20 in the UK where I'm from. Demons Souls in currently £69.99, or about 96 dollars.
@Tarod1 I paid $88 after tax for the deluxe edition. Well worth it. Oddly enough, after platinum-ing it, I looked at my play count. 88 hours. (About that many deaths). So I got 1 hour of play through (and a death!) for each dollar I spent. Well worth it. I’d recommend you look for the next sale if regular price is too much for you, though.
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