Ilari Kuittinen is stepping down as managing director at Housemarque after 33 years of helping the Finnish developer ship exceptional arcade-style shooters. Sami “Haxu” Hakala, a veteran of the studio who briefly left to help Remedy Entertainment with Alan Wake 2, will be the new boss.
“We have been planning this leadership transition carefully behind the scenes,” Kuittinen wrote in a statement. “On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially stepped into the managing director role, and I have been supporting him and the leadership team through the end of this month to ensure complete operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in exceptional hands.”
A final message from our co-founder, Ilari Kuittinen pic.twitter.com/ubf0yZJBWq
— Housemarque (@Housemarque) August 31, 2026
Kuittinen cofounded Terramarque back in 1994. A year later it would join with Bloodhouse to form Housemarque. Early releases included Supreme Snowboarding and The Reap. The studio’s fate became more closely intertwined with Sony following the launch of the PlayStation 3 exclusive Super Stardust HD. After perfecting the 2D arcade shooter, Housemarque branched out with 3D bullet hell roguelikes Returnal and Saros during the PS5 generation. Sony acquired the studio in 2021.
The timing of Kuittinen’s departure is notable, however. It comes a few months after Saros reportedly sold only 300,000 copies in its first few weeks and is the latest high-profile retirement at a PlayStation studios. Insomniac Games cofounder Ted Price stepped down in January 2025. Sucker Punch cofounder Brian Fleming stepped down in December 2025. The management changes come as Sony prepares for the launch of the PS6, which is currently expected sometime in late 2027 or early 2028, though nothing has been officially announced yet.
Here’s the full statement from Kuittinen:
End of an Era: 31 Years at Housemarque and 33 Years in Gaming
After 33 years in the games industry and 31 incredible years at Housemarque—the studio I co-founded with Harri Tikkanen—today marks my last day as a Housemarquean.
Starting out in 1993 with Terramarque, and then joining forces with Harri to establish Housemarque in 1995, we had a passion for games but no real blueprint for building a business. Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate. We had the luck of being in the right place at the right time during three decades of incredible industry growth, allowing us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before finding a home within the PlayStation Studios family.
My core purpose as a leader has always been simple: to facilitate an environment where extraordinary creators have the freedom and protection to do what they do best.
Together, we’ve achieved things I couldn’t have imagined when we started:
- Pioneering Finnish game development on the global stage.
- Creating studio defining titles-from Supreme Snowboarding, Super Stardust HD, and Resogun to our breakthrough AAA success with Returnal and our latest release, Saros.
- Evolving into a premier AAA developer while maintaining our unique creative identity.
A Heartfelt Thank You to My Industry Family
Beyond the walls of Housemarque and PlayStation, this journey would have been impossible without the broader games community. To the many friends, fellow founders, mentors, and industry peers across the world who have offered invaluable advice, a listening ear, or steady support over the last three decades: thank you.
This industry is defined not just by the games we create, but by the remarkable, generous people who make up its global community. The wisdom, camaraderie, and encouragement you’ve shared with me personally throughout the years mean more than I can express.
Leadership Transition & What’s Next
We have been planning this leadership transition carefully behind the scenes. On July 1, Sami “Haxu” Hakala officially stepped into the managing director role, and I have been supporting him and the leadership team through the end of this month to ensure complete operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in exceptional hands.
As for me? After 33 continuous years without a major break, I am taking a rare and well-deserved breather. Starting in September, I plan to embrace what writer David Deida calls the concept of the “Man of Zero”—learning to simply be without always striving for the next milestone. Let’s see how good I am at doing nothing!
However, you certainly haven’t seen the last of me. I look forward to staying connected with the industry, attending trade shows, cheering from the crowd at award shows, and down the road, doing some mentoring or consulting.
To Harri, our partners at [Sony Interactive Entertainment], our global industry friends, and every single team member who has ever walked through Housemarque’s doors: thank you for making the past 31 years the privilege of a lifetime.
Remember our guiding light: strive to be a better professional, and a better human being. Take care of each other, speak with courage, and keep pushing the boundaries of what games can be.
Here’s to the next decade!
