PlayStation Studios Acquires Housemarque

There is a new member of the PlayStation Studios family after Sony PlayStation acquired Housemarque Studios, the developer of the recent PS5 game, Returnal. In addition to Returnal, Housemarque has worked on Nex Machina, Matterfall, Alienation, Resogun, and more.

Why did PlayStation Acquire Housemarque Studios?

I can only speculate, but seeing the track record Housemarque Studios has, it seems right along what Sony PlayStation likes. Housemarque has made some high quality games, if you look at Returnal, it looks great on PS5 and it has a great atmospheric soundtrack. Not only that, but Returnal gameplay is extremely challenging and rewarding. Resogun was one of the first games I played on PS4, and that game was unique and action packed. Matterfall reminds me of Metroid with its side-scrolling shooter mechanics. Nex Machina is a game I’d really love to play, I’ll have to add that to my list, but it does look fantastic. However, in my opinion, PlayStation acquired Housemarque because of the quality of their games!

Managing Direct at Housemarque Said the Following:

Today is a big day for Housemarque and it has been over 26 years in the making. Our strong partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment started with Super Stardust HD on PS3 and since then we have made arcade inspired games for all of the PlayStation platforms. With Returnal for PS5, our most recent release, our biggest foray into third-person action gaming solidified our voice and brand in the industry as delivering unique and quality player experiences.
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.
Finally, what this means for our fans? We at Housemarque are gamers, and we have grown from the need to perfect and tinker with facets of games that we have found most fascinating. We are also not known for shying away from running our own course and trying out new combinations. 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.
Developers of classic PlayStation hits including Returnal, Super Stardust HD, and Dead Nation join PlayStation Studios

PlayStation is Focusing on Single Player Games

I believe that PlayStation will continue to focus on single player games. Sony has been known for publishing some of the best single player games, just look at: God of War, The Last of Us, Ratchet and Clank, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Uncharted, and more! With Housemarque joining PlayStation Studios, Sony has more talent added to their repertoire. Games will only get better from here on out and Sony’s single player narratives are at the forefront.