The OUTLAND Studio Is Done Making Arcade Games To Focus On Big-Budget Development

Since its inception in July 1995, Housemarque has launched countless critically acclaimed arcade games, including Dead Nation, Outland, Resogun, Alienation and last year's hit Matterfall. Back in 2017, the Finland-based game developer announced that they are done making smaller games after encountering financial troubles that forced the relatively small studio to rethink their business model.

One year later, Housemarque proudly announced that they are not only still alive, looking for new developers that will help the studio push the edge of the envelope. "Instead of shutting down we have made the jump to AAA development and are working on a new, unannounced IP," Housemarque revealed. "This is the biggest and most ambitious game that Housemarque has ever worked on. Our team is approaching 70 people now, and we are still staffing up for the new project."

At the time of this writing, Housemarque is working one two projects - Stormdivers, the studio's first battle royale title that will launch at some point in 2019 exclusively for PC, and the aforementioned, yet unannounced, completely fresh and new IP. While Housemarque's development strategy has drastically changed, it doesn't mean the studio is forgetting about its arcade roots.

"[...] we will always love arcade. So perhaps arcade is not completely dead — the spirit is still alive at Housemarque — but as everything must evolve, it is changing, and we dare say that you will still see elements of our love for arcade in future titles," Housemarque explained.

Some fans think that this announcement is a sign that Housemarque is going to be yet another game developer bought by Microsoft, as the company is reportedly in talks with a studio close to Sony and their PlayStation brand. Considering that Housemarque's Resogun was PlayStation 4's launch title with Alienation and Matterfall being PS4 exclusives, there might be some truth to that speculation.

Daring teams and solo operators who are brave enough to dive into the eye of the recurring nano storm are trying not only to survive the competition but also the island itself, with endless threats looming around every corner. Only the strongest will make it out alive, with riches and rewards the island has to offer. Stormdivers is a 3rd person multiplayer centric shooter game, featuring chaotic battles and volatile explosions amidst a recurring nano-storm that swallows the beautiful and lush island surroundings to explore.