Housemarque’s Harry Krueger: AAA Game Cuts All “Unnecessary Fat,” Remasters a Possibility

Housemarque director Harry Krueger talks Nex Machina, what we can expect from the studio's AAA title, whether Arcade truly is dead, and more.

[Chris_Wray]

If I were a betting man, and I am, I would say that Stormdivers won't be successful. There's too much competition, from the mammoths like Fortnite, Apex and PUBG, to further competition from AAA games with a battle royale mode like CoD.

There's too much competition and unless Stormdivers brings something unique to the mode, it just isn't going to work. "Simple yet deep" already exists.

[Jackhass]

Yeah, they came to the battle royale genre too late to make an impact. I'm not sure what they can do with the game -- you don't want to release the game if you're just going to have to shut it down immediately.

[Alexious]

Stormdivers has pretty much already failed, yeah.

[Palitera]

They have even admitted it already. No turning back from the stupid move of turning into a generic studio.

[himdeel]

Yep I am afraid for them with Stormdivers.

[TGG_overlord]

It's a very high gamble imo...

[sprinterboy]

Great devs, one of favs, but I have to say they've been alittle off point with there last 2 entry's.
Think they need to go bk to basics imo.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Nex Machina was the best game they have ever made and Matterfall was excellent, but lacked content.

[DigitalRaptor]

I think Stormdivers has been put on hold or canceled at this stage.

They have 70 people in their studio currently working on a AAA new IP.

Sony is working with them on their next project, so that's probably it. Sony also knows it can't compete with third-party multiplayer / battle royale games which are on its consoles anyway so it doesn't bother. I reckon Housemarque's new game is going to be something different.

[Sevir]

Storm Divers isn't their AAA game tho. They've got two projects going, StormDivers and the unannounced assumed to be PS5 Exclusive AAA title

[Blank]

Finally a beautiful article/interview. This was a really great read since I miss the Housemarque arcade games but this interview made me respect their decision a little more. Either way I will continue to support this dev team through thick and thin.

[Jackhass]

Yeah, it's unfortunate they're leaving the arcade stuff behind, but you can't blame them.

[darthv72]

Resogun and Super Stardust were awesome. I'd love more of those games.

[rainslacker]

A battle royale side scroller like Resogun would be pretty cool. Don't think we need more shooter .

Love Housemarque, but I don't like they're chasing the current fad. It's going to be a hard market to break into without serious marketing backing.

[ApocalypseShadow]

I still want a 3D version of Dead Nation. Love the game and the overhead gameplay but wish there was a camera option to make it more straight ahead or closer. The initial videos made the game look closer than it actually was.

We need more Dead Nation.

[darthv72]

I concur... dead nation is hella fun to play.

[Fluke_Skywalker]

Yeah I absolutely loved Dead Nation, and to be fair I didn't mind the camera angles at all. Just Dead Nation 2 is all I need.

[Knushwood Butt]

Hope it works out for them.

Great studio.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Nex Machina was great, but Housemarque screwed themselves because they wanted to self publish and they just didn't advertise at all.

They should've allowed Sony to publish and push the game.

I don't agree that arcade is a fruitless venture.

They blew it by self publishing Nex Machina and they put all their passion into Nex while basically giving up on Matterfall. Sadly Matterfall wasn't popular, but it was a great concept that was essentially given up on. It could've been incredible. I still enjoyed it, but it could've be so much more.

Resogun was a massive hit that demands sequels. Super Stardust was very successful, Dead Nation, and even Alienation we're all good games that sold.

So they had two games in a row that underperformed. They should've signed with Sony and pushed their name franchises. I don't understand how IPs like Resogun, Dead Nation, and Alienation haven't gotten sequels?

Look at Helldivers. It's a Sony published twin-stick that did exceptionally well. And Housemarque could do it better.

Next to Evo and Lionhead this is among the most disappointing revelations this gen. When Housemarque proclaimed "arcade is dead" it was a real gut punch.

[Jackhass]

Yeah, I've always kind of wondered why their relationship with Sony kind of petered out.