Housemarque
- Open roles
- 3
- Founded
- 1995
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 1
About Housemarque
Housemarque is a Helsinki-based AAA game development studio and Finland’s longest-standing active game developer. Formed in June 1995 through the merger of Finnish demoscene teams Bloodhouse and Terramarque, the studio has built its identity around fast, demanding action design, responsive controls, dense projectile patterns and technically ambitious visual effects.
For much of its history, Housemarque created arcade-inspired games guided by its long-running maxim, “Game is King.” Its catalogue includes Supreme Snowboarding, Super Stardust HD, Dead Nation, Outland, Resogun, Alienation, Nex Machina and Matterfall. These projects established a distinctive approach often described as “Bullet Ballet”: high-intensity combat built around player mobility, readable but dense hazards, and satisfying gameplay loops.
After the commercial challenges faced by its 2017 arcade releases, the studio shifted toward larger-scale third-person action games while retaining those core design principles. That evolution led to Returnal, the roguelike science-fiction shooter released for PlayStation 5 in 2021 and later adapted for PC with Nixxes Software. The game combined Housemarque’s arcade sensibilities with third-person shooting, progression systems, atmospheric world-building and advanced real-time effects.
Housemarque joined PlayStation Studios following Sony Interactive Entertainment’s acquisition of the company in June 2021. It continues to operate as an active first-party studio, developing console-focused games with support for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro.
Development capabilities
The studio provides full-cycle AAA game development, from pre-production through release and live support. Its capabilities include:
- Creative direction, narrative and gameplay-systems design
- 3D art, character modelling, technical rigging, environment art, lighting and shading
- Gameplay, systems, graphics and engine programming
- Real-time particle simulation, VFX and volumetric rendering
- Console optimisation and performance engineering
- Motion capture, sound design, audio engineering, playtesting and quality assurance
Housemarque’s 2026 release, Saros, continues its work in dark science-fiction action roguelikes, combining the studio’s established combat expertise with its expanded AAA production capabilities.
More about Housemarque
Leadership
- Sami “Haxu” Hakala became Managing Director on July 1, 2026, following earlier roles as Development Director and Deputy Managing Director.
- Harri Tikkanen, a Housemarque co-founder, continues as Creative Director, while Mikael Haveri is Director of Brand.
- Co-founder and long-serving CEO/Managing Director Ilari Kuittinen concluded his tenure on August 31, 2026 after overseeing the completion and launch of Saros and the leadership transition.
Studio environment
Housemarque’s Helsinki headquarters was developed with Sponda and is described as LEED Platinum certified with Scope 2 carbon neutrality. The facility includes dedicated developer suites, floating acoustic audio studios, an internal 4K playtesting cinema, a gym and yoga space, a brainstorming sauna, a board-game lounge and the communal “Atropos” gathering space.
Notable credits
15 creditsOffices
Where Housemarque is based
- Korkeavuorenkatu 37, 00130 Helsinki, FinlandHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Helsinki Headquarters
HeadquartersDirect company-operated global headquarters; the studio relocated to this custom-designed facility in late 2024 / early 2025.
Open roles
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Head of Design
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