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Exclusive Interview With Housemarque Studios

Housemarque Studios discusses RESOGUN, DLC, and other topics in this exclusive interview with Gamers Sphere.

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gamerssphere.com
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PlayStation Has Bend Studio in “Evolving, Multi-Genre” Category for In-Development Project

While Sony hasn’t revealed what some of its first-party studios like Housemarque is cooking currently, the company has revealed what focus they’re aiming for at the very least.

senorfartcushion3d ago

If it's live service it's a "no" from me. I'll take a Days Gone sequel though...

Cacabunga3d ago

It’s confirmed Bend Studio next game is gaas… what a shame!

And why Returnal thumbnail?

Crows903d ago

That's what I was thinking....

outsider16243d ago

Well this sucks. I just completed Days Gone last week and going through new game plus...and my God..i just love this game.

Days gone 2 would have improved a lot of features over it. God damn it Sony!!!

Tacoboto3d ago

@Caca

Because the real headline in the article is:

"PlayStation Lists Housemarque in “Single-Player, Narrative-Driven Focus”; Bend Studio in “Evolving, Multi-Genre” Categories for In-Development Projects"

Kind of an odd way to have posted the article here with that title and description.

cthulhucultist3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

According to this article
https://wccftech.com/playst...

QUOTE

"In today's Business Segment Meeting 2024 for its Game & Network Services Segment, Sony confirmed the names of the seven studios focusing on single-player games with a narrative focus - Asobi, Insomniac Games, Santa Monica Studio, Sucker Punch, Naughty Dog, Firesprite and Housemarque, and the nine working on pure live service games or hybrid titles - Bungie, San Diego Studio, Firewalk, Haven and Neon Koi for pure live service games and Guerrilla Games, Polyphony, Media Molecule and Bend Studio. "

UNQUOTE

it seems that Bend was placed in the live service game category

Psychonaut853d ago

Glad Housemarque isn’t doing live service. And Guerrilla is doing a hybrid title? Wonder what that’s gunna look like. Makes me nervous

-Foxtrot3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Seven for single player but nine for GaaS

Come on Sony…sigh

You don’t need 9 GaaS titles. It’s over saturation and competing for players time with your own studios

cthulhucultist3d ago

@Psychonaut85
I am also curious about that one. Guerrilla is a top tier developer, and I like their single player games.

I really hope they dont ruin this

RpgSama3d ago

Bend, Media Molecule, Polyphony and Guerrilla on "Hybrid" titles? I wonder what they call Hybrid, PvP? PvE? Single player AND multiplayer? Hopefully we will know soon.

The_Hooligan3d ago

@Psychonaut85 and cthulhucultist

I think the rumors said they were working on Horizon multiplayer game.

Cacabunga3d ago

I will boycott every single one of the gaas games.. i do not want that shit. If i want to replay them in a few years there is no way because the servers will be down. Forget it, even if it’s GT and Killzone

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
-Foxtrot3d ago

The funny thing is the cancelled sequel to Days Gone sounded like they were pitching this online co-op focused game which just didn’t sound appealing to me at all

I loved the first game despite its flaws but the sequel needed work yet they wanted to jump to online and co-op…that’s a massive red flag. Sort your main issues first before trying to do more complicated things.

MIDGETonSTILTS173d ago

If Helldivers 2 is anything to go by, and I think it is, then GaaS can clearly work if they aren’t designed to milk the community slowly with diminishing quality of follow up content.

Cacabunga3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Replayability zero! In a few years it is worth nothing you cant even play it.. you can boot it, thats it

S2Killinit3d ago

I’ll play anything they make that is a GOOD game. I play single player games mainly but I am not opposed to any genre as long as it is good.

shinoff21833d ago

Single player days gone sequel would be ideal.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
CrimsonWing693d ago

I’m not going to war with people who like GaaS. Lord knows everyone went apesh*t for Helldivers 2, but I will never buy a GaaS game and while PS5 is my system of choice I will not support Sony games that go in this direction.

I hate it, I don’t care how much Helldivers 2 was “GaaS done right,” and if the argument is these are the only way for the industry to make profit then all I have to say is something has gone terribly terribly wrong.

On the flip side I guess I’ll start saving more money if it’s mostly going to be GaaS games.

Crows903d ago

There's nothing inherently wrong with a multiplayer only game....but for fucks sake don't make me have to pay more. If they got those shitty mtx out then it would be fine. Release big dlcs every year or so...but instead these gaas oriented constipated individuals had to push monetization where it is easiest...online multiplayer games were the target.

CrimsonWing693d ago (Edited 3d ago )

MP only games are fine, GaaS is my issue.

You literally have to ask yourself why choose the GaaS model over a traditional game model, even if the game is MP only? There’s literally only one reason GaaS exists and the same reason it’s being chosen over traditionally made games.

MP only games are fine and in the past they existed without being GaaS. Again, my only issue is with the GaaS model and no matter how “good” it is, it still only exists to generate recurring revenue through battle passes, microtransactions, and hoping to string you along for an eventual “finished” product at some point before they shut the servers down and make it completely unplayable.

-Foxtrot3d ago

Yeah it's sad that one GaaS game comes out that isn't built as bad as the others and suddenly everyone is fine and dandy with them.

Helldivers 2 is still a GaaS game, there's no beating around the bush.

There's still a ton of people playing but from my friend circle and people at work, they've all went back to other games like Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege or Apex for example. The sparkle it had wore off pretty quickly.

Sony will bring all these GaaS titles out and all it will do is split the audience of their other released GaaS titles. Sooner or later they'll be competing against one another. It's insane thinking.

shinoff21833d ago

Yea I'm not with the gaas games either. Don't want any part of that stuff. The way people went for helldivers 2 I didn't understand myself but that's probably cause I'm strictly single player.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3d ago
jznrpg3d ago

Bend has said they are making a multiplayer game for a while now. What that entails we have no idea yet

Demetrius3d ago

Online only title already been confirmed, sad to say but I'm not keeping in tune with this, idk why most devs hype up live service games after seeing the amount of failures past online titles caused for others smh DOA

ZwVw3d ago

Stop hosing Bend around and have them make a new Syphon Filter (or Days Gone 2) entry already.

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340°

Harry Krueger to Depart from Housemarque After Almost 15 Remarkable Years

Today marks a significant moment for the Housemarque community, as Game Director Harry Krueger announced his decision to move forward after a dedicated 14-year tenure.

"Departing from Housemarque was a very difficult decision for me, but I’m leaving the company with nothing but deep gratitude for the past, and a glowing optimism for the future - with an exciting new project in the works, a fantastic team that’s stronger than ever, and the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios, I know that Housemarque’s brightest chapter has yet to be written", shared Krueger.

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housemarque.com
Brazz195d ago (Edited 195d ago )

More talent leaving Playstation studios. Is the recent GAAS focus related? Problems in the House of Playstation?

Nyxus195d ago (Edited 195d ago )

Whishful thinking?

"I’m leaving the company with nothing but deep gratitude for the past, and a glowing optimism for the future - with an exciting new project in the works, a fantastic team that’s stronger than ever, and the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios, I know that Housemarque’s brightest chapter has yet to be written."

Brazz195d ago (Edited 195d ago )

nah, just speculation based on the fact that many key figures have left Sony in recent times.
Without a doubt, it could be that everything is under control and the Playstation studios are working at maximum efficiency... or maybe not. Care to give me some approval? I fixed the description.
Edit: thank you.

-Mika-195d ago

This comment is silly. Of course, he not going to say nothing negative on his way out. Employees on the upper level rarely do but it odd for him to leave now. Especially when he was acquired by Sony and his new title they are working on would be the highest budget game he ever worked on. It clear there is artistic clashes going on. Sony probably is forcing Housemarque to make a GAAS or some typical Cinematic game.

fr0sty195d ago

Gotta love how the fanboys rush in to try to give their hot take before anything is even known about why he's leaving... He could just be moving on from gaming in general, focusing on his family, could be any number of reasons why he's leaving, but of course, "It's GaaS"! (even though Sony just sacked their former PS boss over that). Nothing short of ridiculous.

Charlieboy333194d ago

@ Mika, no YOUR comment is silly. You reckon of course he's not going to say anything negative on the way out. That doesn't mean he has compliment and praise Sony either. He could have made that whole statement without saying "the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios" and it wouldn't have been negative. The fact that he did feel the need to say that blows holes in your cute little theory.

Cacabunga194d ago

They make great games!!! Resogun Alienation Dead Nation Matterfall Returnal.. hit after another!!

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 194d ago
sparky77195d ago

Could be.

There are rumours on Reddit that Housemarque were being forced to be a support studio to that Haven studio GaaS game to get it up and running faster. Whatever they were working likely got put on hold or cancelled so he left.

Einhander1972195d ago

Don't make crap up.. No one cares what xboxmegafanboy1243 said on Reddit.

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fr0sty195d ago (Edited 195d ago )

"Likely got put on hold or canceled" yet he specifies that they're working on their biggest project ever as he departs the company... blowing a hole in your baseless speculation.

I know y'all are desperate for a W, but this is getting sad.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 195d ago
Lightning77195d ago

Hardly, he left on a good note at Sony.

RupeeHoarder195d ago (Edited 195d ago )

15 years at a company is a long time. Do you know anything about the corporate world? People leave companies for MANY reasons beyond hating their employers, I see it weekly.

Godmars290195d ago

Support for GAAS seems to have left with Jim Ryan.

Coincidance? I think not!

CobraKai195d ago

Anytime anyone wants to expand their horizons or go to a different company people think there’s trouble. These things are works in progress. This guy didn’t just randomly up and leave.

S2Killinit195d ago

“Gass focuse” why does that only apply to PlayStation? Are we that daft?

jznrpg194d ago (Edited 194d ago )

Like Halo Forza and Redfall weren’t gaas

S2Killinit194d ago

Yup, They keep saying Playstation “gaas focus” when Playstation very distinctly said they were going to do what they have always done and make gaas games on top of it. Meanwhile MS has been all gaas.

Yui_Suzumiya194d ago

People further their careers and move on from time to time. That's just life.

Charlieboy333194d ago

"the continuous support of Sony and Playstation Studios". If I was a disgruntled employee forced to leave due to pressure from Playstation's direction, I sure as hell wouldn't feel the need to put that in my statement. Don't you think?

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 194d ago
Obscure_Observer195d ago

For several weeks, every week we got news regarding people either leaving or getting fired from Playstation Studios.

Since Ryan got fired, things only got worse.

There´s definitely something going on at SIE and this Totoki guy apparently is not helping and steering the ship.

Playstation needs a good replacement for Ryan as soon as possible.

Vengeance1138195d ago

Adorable how you attempt and struggle so greatly to speak on things you know nothing about.
So many high profile employees running away from Xbox lately, maybe stick to that. Seems more your speed.

Nyxus195d ago

10 days ago:
A veteran of the company, Samwise Didier, left Blizzard after 30 years of work
https://www.aroged.com/2023...

phoenixwing195d ago

Nexus you make a good point. Ppl at all three console companies are like a revolving door. It's best to just wish well the ppl leaving and worry about doom and gloom when there's actually proof of it

tagzskie195d ago

@nyxus also pete hines from bethesda also leaving after 24 years. Whats the problem here?

BeHunted195d ago

Did Jim Ryan get Fired? I thought he Retired from PlayStation.

Obscure_Observer195d ago

He *will* retire in March 2024, and still got demoted from his position as CEO of Playstation last month. He no longer calls any shots as Hiroki Totoki took over his role.

So yeah, he got fired.

Extermin8or3_194d ago (Edited 194d ago )

@Obscure_observer no he announced his retirement and ceded decision making to the man that will be succeeding him for a year or so whilst they determine who will takeover permanently. This makes sense because why have someone who is tying up loose ends and leaves in 4 months time be making big decisions about stuff 6,12, 24 months away? It's not evidence he got fired.

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Barlos194d ago

You actually don't know the difference between retiring and being fired?

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 194d ago
Gazondaily195d ago

Damn...PlayStation seems to have a major issue with staff retention. 😔

RupeeHoarder195d ago

They don't. Peoples journeys in life aren't all work at the same company for 30 years. That's not a thing for most people.

195d ago
Barlos194d ago

They're a company like any other. People come and go.

195d ago Replies(2)
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70°

Top Ten PlayStation Studios

While personal preference can undoubtedly play a part, allowing studios like Santa Monica, Insomniac and Sucker Punch to take any given fan’s top spot, the numbers supporting Naughty Dog do anything but lie. They’re the best, and you have to deal with it.

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ghettogamer.net
ABizzel1621d ago (Edited 621d ago )

The top 5 are correct but in the wrong order IMO.

1. Naughty Dog (Top-tier dev in the industry for story, technology, acting, graphics, and gameplay)
2. Santa Monica (They're in their Naughty Dog top-tier era)
3. Insomniac (unrivaled AAA / blockbuster quantity and quality)
4. Guerilla (4 & 5 can swap places, both are equals IMO, great studios with new hit IPs)
5. Sucker Punch (4 & 5 can swap places, both are equals IMO, great studios with new hit IPs)
6. BluePoint (best remakes and remasters in the industry, just need to make their own "new game")
7. Polyphony (Hasn't evolved as much as the other 5, but still a good overall dev)
8. Sony Bend (they need a few more AAA games under their belt to rival GG / SP)
9. Hosmarque (indie dev turned AA, on the path to becoming AAA)
10. Media Molecule / San Diego Studio / Team Asobi (I wouldn't put any of these 3 above the other. MM has pushed creativity for a PS game to the limits with LBP and Dreams. San Diego mainly does MLB, but also has some good ports under their belt. Team Asobi and AStro are hits)