The creators of Returnal set the record straight: they don’t want to be part of PlayStation’s grand GaaS strategy. As long as there are players who value premium experiences, Housemarque isn’t going anywhere.

PlayStation hasn’t exactly found its groove with live-service titles. Despite the Concord fiasco, Sony kicked off 2025 by insisting it’s still committed to both single-player adventures and Games as a Service (GaaS) releases. That stance, however, has some fans worried: could this shift affect internal studios better known for their narrative-driven experiences? Housemarque has stepped forward with a clear message—its future remains firmly planted in the premium single-player space.

The studio behind Returnal—now hard at work on Saros—celebrated its 30th anniversary in Finland earlier this year. Eurogamer UK attended the event and spoke with studio head Ilari Kuittinen and creative director Gregory Louden about what comes next. And if there’s one thing they made crystal clear, it’s this: Housemarque will keep releasing traditional titles “as long as people keep buying premium games.”

“Our philosophy is that our games are something you experience at a particular moment in your life—you play them for a few days, a few weeks, or however long,” Kuittinen explained. “And I think that’s cool—you don’t need to dedicate the rest of your free time to our games.” He sees Housemarque’s creations as “a unique experience, something you might return to later, but not something you have to play for the rest of your life.” The studio’s current stance is clear: it’s “completely focused on single-player and premium [games].”

Housemarque’s future is about making better games—nothing more, nothing less

The team is optimistic about its place in the industry and hopes to be around for another 30 years. “You just have to keep creating special games,” Louden said. Mikael Haveri, brand director, added: “We’re only as strong as our last game.” Yet they know this is a turbulent industry, and even a single misstep can be dangerous: “It’s almost like a responsibility. We’re very lucky to be where we are, and we have to keep pushing the medium forward—showing what we’re capable of, improving our gameplay, storytelling, and tech—just keep evolving,” Louden said. “That’s the next 30 years: just creating something better.”

Source: 3djuegos