Housemarque Hints Its Next PS5 Game Could Be Smaller Than Saros
Sony studio Housemarque says it fully feels like a PlayStation first-party now it’s shipped its first game since being acquired in 2021.
Fans will know the Finnish outfit has been a long-time PS Studios partner, but it wasn’t officially added to the Japanese giant’s roster until after the release of Returnal, having worked as a second-party for decades, dating all the way back to the PS3.
The studio, founded in 1993, has grown tremendously under the PlayStation umbrella, with The Game Business reporting it now stands at 120 employees strong.
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That’s still quite small for a modern AAA team – and it required support from Nixxes to get Saros out of the door – but it’s triple the number of staff the studio had just a decade ago, when it shipped Nex Machina on the PS4.
But does that mean its next game will be another mammoth endeavour, like Saros? Not necessarily, as co-founder Ilari Kuittinen has hinted the studio may explore a smaller project next.
He said:
“Right now, we are talking about how to proceed with Saros and discussing with the community. But then, of course, what we should do in the future? There are interesting opportunities we’d like to look at that might not be at the scale of Saros. There are so many things that we want to explore, and we will find whether it’s possible or not.”
“Right now, we are talking about how to proceed with Saros and discussing with the community. But then, of course, what we should do in the future? There are interesting opportunities we’d like to look at that might not be at the scale of Saros. There are so many things that we want to explore, and we will find whether it’s possible or not.”
I’m intrigued by what Kuittinen could be referring to here.
Obviously it sounds like nothing is decided and plans are up in the air, but I wonder if it’ll attempt a more traditional arcade game like Super Stardust HD or Resogun next.
In this era of indie abundance, it’s difficult to see how a project like that would fit PlayStation’s portfolio these days, but perhaps it fancies stretching its creative legs while it properly prepares for what’s next.
I’m not against the idea, assuming that is what Kuittinen is alluding to.
I think all of the latest gaming industry layoff news has understandably left many fans concerned about the future of their favourite studios, especially with Saros apparently struggling to sell large numbers right now.
But Housemarque seems relaxed about it all at least.
“We will keep our core [and] keep educating the market that these are the coolest games you can play,” he said. “That’s our goal.”
Damn right.
[source thegamebusiness.com]
If it has Housemarque's name on the box I'll be there day 1, they have earned my trust after Returnal and Saros
I would love a new Dead Nation, Alienation, Matterfall, Resogun, or Nex Machina.
It needs to be if they want to make money.
Resogun and Nex Machina are better than Returnal (which is still one of my favourites on PS5), and leagues ahead of Saros, so yes please to smaller scope games.
This is what a lot of people have been requesting but we all know the same people will complain when/if the so called "smaller game" is sold at a full price.
Please god no more roguelites
So... new, lighter algorithm that can make all their levels for them? Goody
Reso 2 please and a proper patch for Reso which is still unplayable co-op.
I haven’t played all their smaller games but Dead Nation and Super Stardust HD are great, but their high budget games are fantastic, they shouldn’t go back to having a smaller scope, or maybe only one small game after a couple of high budget games.
That's if Sony give them a chance to make another game.
They better stick to its current formular now. Its working. I dont want to have a compromised vision of Returnal or Saros. They should continue that very path and grow the community of AAA Bullethell Roguelike/lite games. Theyre fantastic.
Please make another true arcade game. Arcade is not dead! Glad the masses got to see this studio's talent with Returnal and Saros, but I much prefer Resogun, Super Stardust, Nex Machina, Dead Nation, Alienation. Essentially all their games minus Matterfall I love.
Honestly think they will be the next to be shut down by Sony after the saros sales
@nolifebr I won't.
Original idea with a smaller budget? Sounds like what I've been wanting PlayStation to make this whole time. Can Insomniac and Sucker Punch do the same...?
@RBMango came here to post exactly this. Not everyone likes that procedural randomness, it killed any interest I had in both Returnal or Saros.
@Lup
It needs to be if they want to make money
It needs to be if they want to make money
According to Housemarque, they actually didn't make money with their smaller games. From their "arcade is dead" statement, they made the jump from smaller games to AAA was because their small arcadey games didn't sold well and doesn't pay for development.
https://housemarque.com/news/arcade-is-dead
And contrary to some people believes, Returnal, Housemarque 1st AAA game actually made money and also profitable which was one of the reason why Sony bought them.
@UltimateOtaku91 I think they will. While we don't know what Sony target sales for Saros or the official sales numbers, at least the game got very positive reviews which already fill one of Sony requirements to greenlight a new game.
Hopefully it's something akin to Resogun, still play it occasionally to this day, such a perfect game!
I'll play anything Housemarque makes. I would be really happy to see them make something along the lines of their previous work. With that said, Returnal is still my top PS5 game, so they can work at that level too.
They're a great team and deserve so mucho more love from the community, so i'll play whatever they make.
Ah yes, the fabled "small games" that everyone demands yet no one buys.
Would love a return to dead nation/alienation. Would also be a perfect smaller title to bring day 1 to ps+ extra if it was small scale enough. Not sure Sony will entertain the idea of housemarque doing smaller, experimental stuff, they'll want the next money spinner.
@8th_Observer ...I'll buy it. I mean, it has to actually catch my eye and I have to have money for it.
But I already have Rhythm Heaven pre-ordered. I bought Astro Bot at launch. The last game I bought was Mina the Hollower. I buy a lot of small games, as I think many do.
@PuppetMaster have you played Sektori? Crazy good.
i would love them to get the resistance ip , and they remake the fall of man
@Jayslow if you don't mind me asking, how come you didn't like Matterfall so much? I never got around to picking that one up so just curious as to what makes it the exception for you. Thanks.
Honestly while Housemarque is still one of Sony's most unique studios right now with either big or small games, but I would be down to see something like another Resogun or Nex Machina from them, just a classic arcade-y style of title that is smaller in scope, but still adds another title to Sony's first party catalog
Smaller selling or...
Would love Resogun 2!
If Housemarque shuts down I'm probably will be down with gaming are just console gaming because it seems like people only wants to buy is ur typical AAA games like GTA games u do the same thing in every installment
Nothing say’s my game didn’t sell better than we are pivoting. PS player base don’t ask for these kind of games. I could have been into them if not for the rouge element. Dying and starting over is just stupid to me. Cool for those that like it. But I want to see them do something else. I still like the studio on past games but the last two releases are starting to draw me away.
Time to make a bullet-hell metroidvania game 😄
Resogun was my first platinum. I would absolutely love a sequel.
@Oram77
If you haven't yet play Nex Machina, a Housemarque game that is criminally underrated in my opinion. Very old school twin stick arcade feel in the best way.
@For-Kier What makes you boldly believes that Sony will close them?
They’ll probably still charge £70 for it.
@Yor-sama I’m not a fan much of Roguelikes but Saros was barely one honestly. Returnal yes but Saros was far more of a linear action game. It has settings that make it easy enough so your not suck repeating anything and can just enjoy the sublime gameplay.
Nex machina and alienation remakes or remasters. Alienation was my fave housmarque game followed by nex machina so I'd be there day one. Why does everybody think housemarque will be closed by Sony? This generation has been the most negative one I've encountered in over 40 years of gaming.
@Nyne11Tyme I played Resogun last year with my son in couch co-op. It worked perfectly fine for us.
No doubt this is because of the huge success Saros turned out to be. The email from the bean counters at Sony must have been quite scaving for Housemarque to say this.
I will be there for them day one, no matter the scope of the game. Saros and Returnal are some of the most addictive, unique and fun experiences I‘ve had this generation.
I always struggle to understand the resistance to roguelike and roguelite: they’re basically arcade games where you are stronger each time you retry. Or you could say every run is a bit of a NG+ of a game that reveals new stuff with each playthrough. Saros really nails this and is so much more gripping than your standard one and done adventure game imho. But different strokes for different folks.
@Northern_munkey
Why does everybody think housemarque will be closed by Sony?
Why does everybody think housemarque will be closed by Sony?
My guess is people put too much stock on Alinea random estimates about Saros cost $70 million and only sold 300K copies on 2-3 days sales as the sign that Housemarque will be closed down.
This generation has been the most negative one I've encountered in over 40 years of gaming.
This generation has been the most negative one I've encountered in over 40 years of gaming.
I agreed with you.
@HonestHick
Nothing say’s my game didn’t sell better than we are pivoting. PS player base don’t ask for these kind of games.
Nothing say’s my game didn’t sell better than we are pivoting. PS player base don’t ask for these kind of games.
And yet, their previous games, the smaller games that Push Square commenters like to claim are the holy grail that everyone is waiting for, sold worse. Nex Machina is one of the best twin stick shooters I've ever played, yet it sold so poorly it prompted Housemarque to officially state they were done with arcade games.
People always claim they want these games yet barely anyone ever shows up when the time comes to spend their money on them. If Housemarque would pivot back to smaller games, I seen no reason to assume it would be any different.
We are still in a point of industry contraction, studio sizes need to come down, game budgets and scope need to come down, there just isn’t enough to sustain most of these studios as they are right now. Too many games are failing, too many studios are closing.
Honestly, I think they would be perfect for a third person-Metroid game. It’s like a perfect match that will never happen.
I love Returanal and Saros but I’d love for them to do another small arcade/twin stick shooter. Twin sticks shooters are one of the most over looked genres in my opinion.
@Bob_Tempura From what I remember it was a combination of unintuitive controls and the simple fact they launched it right around the same time as Nex Machina which was a far superior game. So to be fair to Matterfall, I didn't give it much of a chance. But it bombing led to Housemarque stating that arcade games are dead and moved on to make Returnal.
I hope this game matures and sells well in the long run.
@Ainu20 you could be right, I would love a twin stick shooter from them. That I would for sure buy and play. I just don’t buy Rouge style games. So they lost my money on the last two releases. I hope Sony keeps them around and it sounds like they will, but with a smaller budget.
I really enjoyed Saros. It was an improvement over Returnal in every way.
Please can we have a sequel to Golf: Tee It Up
More save the last human size games.
Smaller game would be great, just
1) drop the roguelike. Oversaturation is through the roof
2) drop the story. Writing isn't your strongest suit, putting it mildly.
Would love another Resogun. It's one of the most addicting games I have ever played.
Cool.whathever they make it will be interesting. Word up son
A smaller arcade game from them in between the bigger releases would be dope. I'm not a big roguelike/roguelite fan so I never bothered with Returnal, still considering getting Saros since it's meant to be more approachable, but I had so much fun with their earlier games.
Smaller game because they want to, or because after Saros Sony cut their budgets?
@PuppetMaster Matterfall was hard but I loved it.
@Leinad7 Why does every game need too cost 100 million plus? I hope we see more small studio's arise with more variety in games with more of a risk.
@playstation1995 I miss the 1995 Playstation more smaller weird games .
@Flaming_Kaiser true the smaller games is cool also.i agree with that and the games comes faster. Word up son
I'd love something for Saros similar to the tower in Returnal, and I would be insanely psyched for a Resogun 2.
I prob have more hours playing Resogun then any other PS4/5 game. It just scratches that itch, out on your own Spotify music, zone out and just enjoy. It's what I need as an adult!
@playstation1995 I loved the insane little games as much as I love as the big blockbusters I think gaming becoming more mainstream made it worse.
I absolutely LOVED Alienation, and before that Dead Nation was good fun in co-op! I’d be down for another game similar to those!
@Stevemalkpus sorry, not couch, online 2p is busted on ps5
@Flaming_Kaiser Yeah i love Matterfall too. I wish there's a sequel...
@Flaming_Kaiser original games with original ideas and some revolutionary gameplay mechanics..? You will see many of these. From third party developers. Not from first party ones. They won’t get a green light. Returnal sold decently, so Sony approved “sequel”. Saros sold incredibly bad, so they basically took away budget from them. That’s why they will make a smaller game.
I think they would be able to do a really good reboot of Hunter the Reckoning in the style of Dead Nation or Alienation. Thats something I would be 100% behind as the original game was great fun.
@Leinad7 Well we will see i somehow enjoy smaller games a lot. A 100 million budget doesn't make a certain winner.
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