[regawdless]

Calling it more than just a "shiny new office", brand director Mikael Haveri describes the studio's vision for a modern, and expensive-sounding, workspace. "With features like cutting-edge meeting rooms, proper audio studios, testing areas, and wellness spaces, we are creating an environment that merges Nordic sensibilities with creativity, aiming to attract the world's best game developers," the post reads.

As well as all that, Housemarque wants the new studio to be eco-friendly too. "Our revamped hub will champion green initiatives, ensuring a balance between technology and planetary care," it says. "As we embark on this transformative journey, we're committed to further solidifying our position in the world of gameplay innovation."

It all sounds fantastic, but we'll have to wait until 2024 before we get to actually see it.

It's not the only PS Studios team to get a work environment glow-up. Media Molecule's Guildford office has just received a total refurbishment, and Firesprite moved into a super-modern studio, much like the one described in Housemarque's blog. Going back slightly further, Guerrilla Games moved to a similarly swanky studio in 2021. It appears Sony is investing a lot into the work environments of its teams to ensure they're in the best possible conditions.

Housemarque to Establish 'the Nordics' Most Advanced Gaming Headquarters' in 2024

Home sweet home

www.pushsquare.com

Curious, good guy Sony investing a lot in their studios. Even in Housemarque with their troubling game sales, for years.

Based Jim Ryan.

 

[Grinchy]

Nice, good for them. They were really struggling before they launched Returnal and got bought by Sony.

It was a small, creative team making twin-stick arcade shooters who didn't wanna stray too far from what made them great, but were making games in such a niche genre that they weren't getting that big smash hit.

Returnal was a game that sold for up to 4 times their usual game price and it sold at least a couple million. That's a huge success for a team like this. It probably brought in more money than all of their games combined up to that point.

 

[p_banned]

Open floorplan offices are the worst. We have probably the best looking office in the province and people work from home cause they can't stand it. Noise, lack of privacy etc. it just sucks.

 

[regawdless]

it sold at least a couple million. That's a huge success for a team like this.

Most likely didn't sell close to that, sadly. Sales inside of the first three months I think were 560k units. Then, sales dropped off significantly and there are no new reports. PC sold around 100k inside of the first month, afterwards never charted again and didn't seem popular. Second worst selling Sony game on PC.

We can assume it sold under a million copies so far.

 

[Bernd Lauert]

Open floorplan offices are the worst.

Agree. Everyone has headphones on all the time just to be able to concentrate.

 

[Grinchy]

Most likely didn't sell close to that, sadly. Sales inside of the first three months I think were 560k units. Then, sales dropped off significantly and there are no new reports. PC sold around 100k inside of the first month, afterwards never charted again and didn't seem popular. Second worst selling Sony game on PC.

We can assume it sold under a million copies so far.

I hope it did better than we think and that the initial first report of 560K isn't the bulk of the total sales.

But even if it only sold 500K total, that's huge for this team. It was a $70 game when it came out compared to their usual $15 range for small digital releases. So that's more units than usual at a way higher price. They probably were thrilled with making what they made.

 

[regawdless]

I hope it did better than we think and that the initial first report of 560K isn't the bulk of the total sales.

But even if it only sold 500K total, that's huge for this team. It was a $70 game when it came out compared to their usual $15 range for small digital releases. So that's more units than usual at a way higher price. They probably were thrilled with making what they made.

First report was definitely the bulk of the sales because they're always very front loaded for these kinds of games. And the game wasn't a regular charter at all afterwards, combined with no further sales news, we can assume it only did sell a fraction of those initial sales afterwards.

And they already struggled with their three previous game selling badly, forcing them to abandon their favorite genre.
Returnal released in 2021. Taking into account that previous games sold badly, we can assume the studio already struggled financially. Now Returnal with the low sales numbers also had to pay for all expenses since then. I'm pretty sure Sony has to help them out financially.
Housemarque now has 120 employees in a high income country. Combined with all the indirect costs like licences, equipment, office space, contractors etc.... shit is expensive.

Either way, I love their games and hope their next one will be a big commercial success.

 

[Kadayi]

Given how pricy the cost of living is in the Nordic States I'm constantly astounded that there are development Studios operating out of them tbh.

 

[Mal]

Good to see sony's bucks are financing ridiculous shit just like in the new firesprite studios.

Just reading their description and it gives me nausea

 

[Kadayi]

Good to see sony's bucks are financing ridiculous shit just like in the new firesprite studios.

Just reading their description and it gives me nausea

VR Games. Wonder if they'll still be going in 5 years.

 

[Calverz]

This is good to hear. I just finished returnal for the second time (this time on pc) and I think overall it's my favourite ps5 game Iv played. It's excellent. They really should have pushed more marketing for steam release or something.

 

[Mal]

VR Games. Wonder if they'll still be going in 5 years.

But hey they got neutral gender restrooms and wellness areas in their offices, it's all worth it

 

[regawdless]

This is good to hear. I just finished returnal for the second time (this time on pc) and I think overall it's my favourite ps5 game Iv played. It's excellent. They really should have pushed more marketing for steam release or something.

It really felt like a stealth release, no marketing push at all. They didn't even release new screenshots or gameplay vids leading up. Like, other games increase their content output leading up to the release, but here there was barely anything. I followed the devs Twitter and it was basically dead.

 

[Erdrick]

Housemarque makes fun and quality stuff. From Stardust on the Amiga to Returnal on the PS5... Even if their games aren't perfect, I always find myself returning to them time after time.