Housemarque co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen has left the studio, the developer announced.
In a message posted to social media, Kuittinen stated that after 33 years within the video games trade and 31 years at Housemarque, right now marks his last day on the studio.
Kuittinen co-founded Housemarque with Harri Tikkanen in 1995, following the founding of Terramarque in 1993. Beneath his management, the studio developed titles resembling Supreme Snowboarding, Tremendous Stardust HD, Resogun, Returnal, and Saros.
Kuittinen plans to take a break from the video games trade starting in September, however will stay linked via commerce exhibits, award exhibits, and ultimately mentoring or consulting.
Former deputy managing director Sami “Haxu” Hakala took over as Housemarque managing director on July 1, with Kuittinen supporting Hakala and the management staff via the top of August to make sure a easy transition.
Right here is the complete message from Kuittinen:
Finish of an Period: 31 Years at Housemarque and 33 Years in Gaming
After 33 years within the video games trade and 31 unbelievable years at Housemarque—the studio I co-founded with Harri Tikkanen—right now marks my final day as a Housemarquean.
Beginning out in 1993 with Terramarque, after which becoming a member of forces with Harri to determine Housemarque in 1995, we had a ardour for video games however no actual blueprint for constructing a enterprise. Wanting again, I really feel immensely lucky. We had the luck of being in the best place on the proper time throughout three many years of unbelievable trade development, permitting us to remain fiercely impartial for 26 years earlier than discovering a house inside the PlayStation Studios household.
My core objective as a pacesetter has at all times been easy: to facilitate an setting the place extraordinary creators have the liberty and safety to do what they do finest.
Collectively, we’ve achieved issues I couldn’t have imagined after we began:
- Pioneering Finnish sport growth on the worldwide stage.
- Creating studio defining titles-from Supreme Snowboarding, Tremendous Stardust HD, and Resogun to our breakthrough AAA success with Returnal and our newest launch, Saros.
- Evolving right into a premier AAA developer whereas sustaining our distinctive artistic id.
A Heartfelt Thank You to My Business Household
Past the partitions of Housemarque and PlayStation, this journey would have been unimaginable with out the broader video games group. To the numerous pals, fellow founders, mentors, and trade friends internationally who’ve provided invaluable recommendation, a listening ear, or regular help over the past three many years: thanks.
This trade is outlined not simply by the video games we create, however by the exceptional, beneficiant individuals who make up its international group. The knowledge, camaraderie, and encouragement you’ve shared with me personally all through the years imply greater than I can specific.
Management Transition & What’s Subsequent
We now have been planning this management transition rigorously behind the scenes. On July 1, Sami “Haxu” Hakala formally stepped into the managing director position, and I’ve been supporting him and the management staff via the top of this month to make sure full operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s technique and inventive imaginative and prescient are in distinctive palms.
As for me? After 33 steady years and not using a main break, I’m taking a uncommon and well-deserved breather. Beginning in September, I plan to embrace what author David Deida calls the idea of the “Man of Zero”—studying to easily be with out at all times striving for the subsequent milestone. Let’s see how good I’m at doing nothing!
Nonetheless, you definitely haven’t seen the final of me. I sit up for staying linked with the trade, attending commerce exhibits, cheering from the gang at award exhibits, and down the street, doing a little mentoring or consulting.
To Harri, our companions at [Sony Interactive Entertainment], our international trade pals, and each single staff member who has ever walked via Housemarque’s doorways: thanks for making the previous 31 years the privilege of a lifetime.
Bear in mind our guiding gentle: attempt to be a greater skilled, and a greater human being. Care for one another, communicate with braveness, and preserve pushing the boundaries of what video games will be.
Right here’s to the subsequent decade!