80°

Housemarque Teases Cool Things Coming For Indie Devs On PS4

Housemarque is enjoying great success with Resogun, and the Community Manager teased that there are more "cool things" coming for indies on PS4.

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worldsfactory.net
Alexious3792d ago

I wonder what they're referring to. What could Sony possibly do to improve life for indies even more?

360ICE3792d ago

Make a programme that's even moresimilar too Steam's Early Access, where developers can patch their games for free? They've talked allowing developers to charge for Alpha build, but it doesn't seem they're quite there, yet. Which is why games like the sequel to Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars start out on PC, even if their entire crowd is on PlayStation.

himdeel3792d ago

I know we'd all appreciate new IPs but Dead Nation 2 would make me happy.

8BitSoul3792d ago

It warms my heart to read this! Indie games are something of a renaissance when it comes to unique and creative ideas, in my eyes. I'm currently enjoying the crap out of RESOGUN, and look forward to seeing what the future holds for indie titles on PS4 :)

Alexious3792d ago

Resogun is great, now I want to see an MMO-ish version of Dead Nation on PS4 though.

8BitSoul3792d ago

That would be totally tits! I'm glad Sony has realized that indie titles are becoming as important as the big triple A and exclusive titles for the system! Not to mention, it has opened the doors for many of the bigger studios to create smaller projects, like Dead Nation, Journey and Tokyo Jungle to name a few. It's a great time to be a gamer indeed!

360ICE3792d ago

Pretty sure Resogun is not an indie, at least in the sense that they're not an independent developer. Sony are publishing the game.

8BitSoul3792d ago

True, but the term "indie" has become somewhat blurred the last year. If you want to get technical about it, I guess you can't really call a game indie, unless the developer is 100% independent. That may very well be the case, and if so, we need to coin a new term for smaller PSN, XBLA and Steam releases that aren't developed by indie studios.

360ICE3792d ago

I agree the term has been blurred, but truth is that smaller size games have been around long before the term indie was coined. No one called Super Stardust HD an indie, for instance. It was just a small game, a AA game, a downloadable or something like that. If Resogun passes for indie, we need a new name for independently developed games. Would be really intuitive if that name was "indie".

I can't recall hearing Sony touting Resogun as part of their indie line-up either. Maybe they have, but it'd be weird.

Should also correct my last comment a little bit. Housemarque is an independent developer all right, in the sense that they're not owned by a publisher, but games like SSHD, Dead Nation and Resogun are not independently developed.

memots3792d ago

Indeed they are not a Indie dev. They have been around since 95 and created a lot of games. They are a full fledged dev and are not self-publishing.

The line are blurring since people seem to think that small budget = indie . Downloadable = indie
But that is far from being the case.

garos823792d ago

this is not Hyperbole but resogun for me easily in top5 games of the year.absolutely LOVE it

amodestoccasion3792d ago

The audio/visual elements really sell the "simple" gameplay. I thought Resogun was one of the more interesting launch titles!

garos823792d ago

the audio is great.I thought is get bored of the same tracks playing on the 5 stages however I'm humming the tunes whilst at work pumping myself up for tonights session! having said that I dread the sound of losing my multiplier!

odderz3792d ago

I've said it before, I'll say it again, indies are the ones that are pushing inventive gameplay, console manufacturers would be foolish to ignore them.

ltachiUchiha3792d ago

Yeah & I love the fact that sony is putting these indie devs as highlight of their marketing plans showing indie devs that they have a spotlight on the ps4. PS Plus aswell will be a big key factor for smaller indie devs trying to draw in more gamers to try out their games & hopefully lead to bigger sales of their next game. Its a great way for indie devs to make a name for themselves.

ltachiUchiha3792d ago

Glad to see that indie games are already seeing success with just the launch of the ps4, it will only get better as more gamers jump onboard.

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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
Brazz156d ago (Edited 156d ago )

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

Nyxus156d ago (Edited 156d 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."

Brazz156d ago (Edited 156d 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-156d 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.

fr0sty155d 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.

Charlieboy333155d 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.

Cacabunga155d ago

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

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sparky77156d 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.

Einhander1972156d ago

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

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fr0sty155d ago (Edited 155d 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.

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Lightning77156d ago

Hardly, he left on a good note at Sony.

RupeeHoarder156d ago (Edited 156d 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.

Godmars290156d ago

Support for GAAS seems to have left with Jim Ryan.

Coincidance? I think not!

CobraKai156d 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.

S2Killinit155d ago

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

jznrpg155d ago (Edited 155d ago )

Like Halo Forza and Redfall weren’t gaas

S2Killinit155d 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_Suzumiya155d ago

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

Charlieboy333155d 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 155d ago
Obscure_Observer156d 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.

Vengeance1138156d 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.

Nyxus156d ago

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

phoenixwing156d 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

tagzskie155d ago

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

BeHunted156d ago

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

Obscure_Observer156d 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_155d ago (Edited 155d 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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Barlos155d ago

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

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 155d ago
Gazondaily156d ago

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

RupeeHoarder156d 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.

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Barlos155d ago

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

156d 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
ABizzel1582d ago (Edited 582d 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)

140°

Housemarque interview: ‘With Sony, we have a runway to go even wilder’

Returnal’s narrative designer explains how development of PS5’s hardest blockbuster shaped the studio’s future.

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videogameschronicle.com
SullysCigar674d ago

These guys made some great shooters over many years, so it's well-deserved that Sony backed them the way they did.

Returnal is a great game and it's only got better since launch.

Knushwood Butt674d ago

One of my favourite games full stop. Just a shame it is over for me. Takes too long in the tower to get close to my best score, so want to invest that time elsewhere.

RedDevils673d ago

Best game this gen so far.

Eonjay673d ago

"[...] to go even wilder."

Wonder what could be wilder than Returnal? The premise, just by itself, is pretty damn wild.

darthv72674d ago

Super stardust is still my favorite. And a great reboot of the series in the process.

ClayRules2012674d ago

That’s wonderful to hear! I liked Returnal, my fiancé enjoys it more than I do, which is great, money well spent! And hearing this, that makes me happy and excited to know Sony (as they do with their devs, proven fact) are allowing their studios and those having worked with Sony to continue creating the games they want and evolve even further the visions and gameplay innovations they can only imagine and bring them to light.

All the best, Housemarque!🙏🏼

victorMaje674d ago

Go wild, fly!
I believe in you.

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MIDGETonSTILTS17673d ago

I cannot wait for them to make their next game. I’m so glad they got funding to push them to AAA.

Returnal rulez 🤙

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