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[BennyBlanco]

Returnal director founds new game studio to develop new single-player IP | VGC

Returnal director forms new game studio, Cosmic Division, after leaving Housemarque in 2023.

www.videogameschronicle.com

Krueger previously worked on Outland and Resogun, directed Nex Machina, and "helped shape" the early stages of Saros. After almost 15 years at Hoursemarque, Krueger left in 2023 and has now founded Cosmic Division, intending to "establish [their] own identity while building on years of experience crafting award-winning action experiences."

In a press release, Cosmic Division shared its intention to start with creating a new single-player PC and console IP as the studio's first project. The project promises "an unapologetically gameplay-first experience" and "a story with strong emotional resonance."

Cosmic Division has already secured seed funding to get started, but is actively looking for "collaborators, investors and exceptional talent" to aid development.

"We have our feet on the ground and have solid foundations beneath us," Krueger shares in a press release. "Now our journey of cosmic wonder begins, as we venture towards the stars… and beyond."

COSMIC DIVISION

Cosmic Division is an independent Finnish game studio creating atmospheric, immersive experiences that blend artistic vision with emotional storytelling.

www.cosmicdivision.com

 

[iamvin22]

Ok

 

[xrnzaaas]

A story with strong emotional resonance is not what people expect from gameplay-first titles. But we'll see, I absolutely loved Resogun and Nex Machina and that's with both having zero story.

 

[Cert.in.Death]

A story with strong emotional resonance is not what people expect from gameplay-first titles. But we'll see, I absolutely loved Resogun and Nex Machina and that's with both having zero story.

*doublechecks notes*

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

A story with strong emotional resonance is not what people expect from gameplay-first titles.

I agree with you but they do exist.

 

[crackajack]

gameplay-first experience" and "a story with strong emotional resonance.

While I welcome the latter in almost all games, I definitely don't need it in anything that could be similar to previous Housemarque games. And I hope some studio steps up and fills the gap ...nation and Resogun left. Housemarque was kinda special and since Arrowhead also did now over shoulder cam, Sony really should have formed a new team themselves that provides this pure fun feeling on rather small and probably cheap scale.

If that is even what this new studio does. Maybe they also want to do AAA.

 

[Sticks]

I wonder why he left

 

[TommyCronin6969]

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

I agree with you but they do exist

That's an example how to do it right. And you dont need a hundred cinematics.

Successful indie games have good passionate writers who run circles around trash AAA producers.

I wonder why he left

This I would like to know too. I can make an educated guess.

 

[Lionel Richie]

A story with strong emotional resonance is not what people expect from gameplay-first titles. But we'll see, I absolutely loved Resogun and Nex Machina and that's with both having zero story.

Good point, it makes me wonder if it's worded like that due the public perception on Housemarque games.

Also, there's a lot of these "former dude at X studio creates a new studio" news, but we're yet to see something legit cool coming out of that situation since, what, Titanfall? Maybe Wanted Dead for schlocky awesomeness, but I can't think of many other recent examples.

 

[March Climber]

Also, there's a lot of these "former dude at X studio creates a new studio" news, but we're yet to see something legit cool coming out of that situation since, what, Titanfall?

Here are a few more recent ones:

Absolver
Expedition 33
Star Wars Galactic Racer
Astro Bot
Hades 2

The issue here isn't that people aren't 'seeing them'. They are. Instead the issue here is:

• Human memory
• Not every dev reveals this info
• News cycles moving too fast to retain information
• The fact that no one really bothers looking up which devs came from where.

 

[Sanepar]

Soon or later ALL housemarquee will be there.

 

[seb85]

Look like Sony is going to shut down the studio

 

[Thebonehead]

"a story with strong emotional resonance."

 

[Lionel Richie]

Here are a few more recent ones:

Absolver
Expedition 33
Star Wars Galactic Racer
Astro Bot
Hades 2

The issue here isn't that people aren't 'seeing them'. They are. Instead the issue here is:

• Human memory
• Not every dev reveals this info
• News cycles moving too fast to retain information
• The fact that no one really bothers looking up which devs came from where.

You're right, but those weren't AFAIK big names (ie: lead designers or game directors) at the studios like Steve Fukuda and Hiroaki Matsui were. An obvious example that of course I missed is Kojima. And my point isn't to knock the people involved, but just to say that studios kind of grow organically and these announcements to maybe get venture capitalists aboard are kind of iffy.

 

[bender]

Nex Machina is easily my favorite Housemarque game.

You're right, but those weren't AFAIK big names (ie: lead designers or game directors) at the studios like Steve Fukuda and Hiroaki Matsui were. An obvious example that of course I missed is Kojima. And my point isn't to knock the people involved, but just to say that studios kind of grow organically and these announcements to maybe get venture capitalists aboard are kind of iffy.

Formally of Housemarque, Kimmo Lahtinen recently released Sektori which has been received incredibly well so there is hope.

 

[Dr. Samuel Hayden]

He got out at the right time

 

[Jinzo Prime]

How... interesting. Looks like the founder sold, and is using the money to have creative independence with a new studio. I wonder what happened with Sony to cause him not to stay?

 

[TerribleAtThisGame]

This dude is my Miyazaki after what he pulled off with Returnal. And the story comment makes complete sense. Returnal had insane lore and story but chose to make it available IF you were interested. That's the deciding and beautiful thing about it. The two can coexist when it's not crammed down your throat via hours of controller-down cutscenes and slow-walk bullshit.

I'm really, really rooting for this guy. Returnal is in my favorite games of all time list.

 

[BbMajor7th]

Kreuger is a real talent. I'll be keeping an eye on anything he does.

 

[AJUMP23]

Kreuger is a real talent. I'll be keeping an eye on anything he does.

Does his best work in dreams.

 

[JoeBlack2027]

Strong emotional resonance, the kind that causes your butt to hurt very very much

 

[BennyBlanco]

How... interesting. Looks like the founder sold, and is using the money to have creative independence with a new studio. I wonder what happened with Sony to cause him not to stay?

He left 2 years after Sony acquired Housemarque. Probably collected a nice juicy retention bonus and wanted to do his own thing. Doubt Housemarque ever makes something like Nex Machina again.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Formally of Housemarque, Kimmo Lahtinen recently released Sektori which has been received incredibly well so there is hope.

Wow I completely missed this game and had no idea about it. It looks awesome! Thank you friend, into the wishlist it goes!

 

[Clear]

He left 2 years after Sony acquired Housemarque. Probably collected a nice juicy retention bonus and wanted to do his own thing. Doubt Housemarque ever makes something like Nex Machina again.

Nex sadly flopped hard.

The reality that people don't seem to want to face is that you might be able to make that sort of product with a tiny team, because expenses are low and therefore the modest returns from a niche market will suffice. But its a meagre, hand-to-mouth existence, with no option to grow or much in the way of long-term security.

Housemarque had grown to a decent size, so they had to make the hard decision to pivot to something that would allow them the ability to grow and maintain that sort of headcount.

A persistent annoyance to me with internet discourse around games is the lack of appreciation of the sheer time commitment involved in making games. We're talking about years per project, which is a big deal when none of us have infinite time in our working lives. Every shot counts, and having an actual "next thing" after the current project reaches its end is a constant worry - particularly as more and more people become reliant on the outcome of your choices.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Nex sadly flopped hard.

The reality that people don't seem to want to face is that you might be able to make that sort of product with a tiny team, because expenses are low and therefore the modest returns from a niche market will suffice. But its a meagre, hand-to-mouth existence, with no option to grow or much in the way of long-term security.

Housemarque had grown to a decent size, so they had to make the hard decision to pivot to something that would allow them the ability to grow and maintain that sort of headcount.

A persistent annoyance to me with internet discourse around games is the lack of appreciation of the sheer time commitment involved in making games. We're talking about years per project, which is a big deal when none of us have infinite time in our working lives. Every shot counts, and having an actual "next thing" after the current project reaches its end is a constant worry - particularly as more and more people become reliant on the outcome of your choices.

They have said as much themselves

For more than 20 years we've been carrying the torch for arcade, bringing arcade coin-op inspired games to the market with a Housemarque twist, and I think it's fair to say we've gotten pretty good at it by now! Our games have received great critical reception over the years, perhaps the best example being Nex Machina, which we published in June to great critical acclaim, garnering a Metacritic score of 88. Nex Machina was a dream project, as we got to work with our hero and arcade gaming legend Eugene Jarvis, who is responsible for some of the most revered arcade games of all time such as Defender, Robotron 2084 and Smash TV. He has had a tremendous impact on our games, including Resogun and Dead Nation.

However despite critical success and numerous awards, our games just haven't sold in significant numbers. While some of them have reached a massive audience due to free game offerings across various digital sales channels, this unfortunately doesn't help pay for development, which gets costly for high production quality. We are extremely grateful to our fans and partners, who have enabled us to work on awesome games like Super Stardust HD and Outland. For your unfailing love and support we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

But I think Harry didn't want to make big budget games with Hollywood actors. I bet his studios game is an arcade style game, and I bet it will be great.

And the indie scene is different now than it was when Nex Machina came out. Mewgenics, StS2, Megabonk, etc did huge numbers.

But if Tencent or someone is funding his studio who knows what they will do.

 

[Arsic]

Lmao. Home boy waited for Saros to flop to showcase he is the reason Returnal is a forever certified banger.

Day one for his new game.

 

[dgrdsv]

Cool, will avoid like a plague.

 

[Tobimacoss]

A story with strong emotional resonance is not what people expect from gameplay-first titles. But we'll see, I absolutely loved Resogun and Nex Machina and that's with both having zero story.

Games with strong emotional resonance....exactly what Asha was looking for.

 

[John Bilbo]

I encourage people who like Housemarque games or their adjacent companies' games play some actual arcade games to see the comparison.

Housemarque games are more arcade lite or a bit influenced by arcade games but they do not compare to the real thing in quality or depth.

You can play arcade games through several channels: mame, retroarch or Arcade Archives releases on consoles.

 

[Steve Holt]

Excited for whatever they start!

 

[Jinzo Prime]

That's a Miyamoto or Reggie level quote.

Gameplay comes first in a video game. You shouldn't be trying to 'find the fun' 5 years into development.