Returnal Director Founds New Studio, First Project Will be “Unapologetically Gameplay First”

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Harry Krueger, who previously worked at Housemarque and directed the 2021 game Returnal, has started a new game development studio in Finland called Cosmic Division. Krueger, a long-time developer with experience programming games like Resogun and Nex Machina, plans to lead the studio with a focus on strong gameplay and a streamlined approach to design.

Although details are still limited, studio head Krueger has announced that Cosmic Division’s first game will be a completely new franchise. It will be a single-player experience for both PC and consoles, prioritizing engaging gameplay and a story designed to be emotionally impactful.

The studio’s founder and CEO expressed deep appreciation for Housemarque and the experiences that helped establish their new venture. They’re pleased with their past accomplishments but are focused on the future. Cosmic Division aims to leverage their existing skills while exploring new concepts and bringing in new talent. They’re committed to creating games with enduring qualities that respect players and leave a memorable impression.

Prioritizing gameplay is a common theme in Kreuger’s work. Although earlier Housemarque games like Resogun didn’t heavily feature a story, the studio successfully blended narrative with engaging gameplay in recent titles such as Returnal and Saros.

Even though Ilari Kreuger left Housemarque in 2023, he still played a role in determining the final form of this year’s Saros before he left.

We’re thrilled to continue making the kinds of games we’re passionate about – games with addictive gameplay, stunning visuals and sound, and memorable stories that stay with you. We’ve built a strong base and are now ready to embark on an ambitious new chapter, exploring exciting new worlds and possibilities beyond what we’ve done before.”

During his time at Housemarque, Krueger’s final project was Returnal. This game uniquely combined the studio’s signature fast-paced, bullet-hell action with the replayable structure of a 3D roguelike shooter. It also featured an intriguing story about the main character, Selene Vassos, who appeared to be trapped in a repeating time loop.

Given Kreuger’s background in games featuring intense projectile dodging and impressive visual effects, Cosmic Division’s debut project is likely to feel very similar to Returnal.

Just last month, Housemarque launched Saros as a PlayStation 5 exclusive. Featuring Rahul Kohli as the main character, Arjun Devraj, the game builds upon the gameplay of Returnal with several improvements. We awarded Saros a 9/10 in our review, praising its beautiful visuals, engaging gameplay, immersive world, and challenging boss battles. Our only criticisms were that the ending felt a bit abrupt, and the Carcosa Modifiers could have been more fleshed out.

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2026-05-20 16:12