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Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Beat Every Other Game In The US Last Month
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was the best-selling game in the US for April 2026, generating over $41 million in sales and becoming the ninth best-selling game of the year. Overall consumer spending in the US reached $4.3 billion for the month, a 3% increase year-over-year, with Nintendo's Switch 2 console leading hardware sales.
'We're Not Standing Still': Returnal Director Forms New Studio to Make Games That Trust You
Harry Krueger, director of Returnal and a 14-year Housemarque veteran, has founded a new studio called Cosmic Division. The company is already working on its first project, a single-player, gameplay-first experience with a strong emotional story, planned for PC and consoles. Cosmic Division has secured initial funding and is seeking further investment and talent.
Former Housemarque game director launches new studio Cosmic Division
Former Housemarque game director Harry Krueger has launched a new independent studio named Cosmic Division. The Finnish studio aims to develop a new single-player intellectual property for PC and consoles, emphasizing a gameplay-first experience and emotional storytelling. Cosmic Division has secured seed financing and is actively hiring to build a compact team.
Returnal director and Housemarque veteran Harry Krueger launches Finland-based game studio Cosmic Division
Returnal game director Harry Krueger has launched a new independent game studio in Finland called Cosmic Division. The studio, founded by veterans from Housemarque, will focus on creating ambitious, gameplay-first single-player experiences with a strong sense of mystery and immersion. Their first project, a new intellectual property targeting consoles and PC, is expected to celebrate the studio's heritage and deliver impactful stories.
Former Housemarque director Harry Krueger establishes game studio Cosmic Division
Former Housemarque director Harry Krueger, known for his work on Returnal and Nex Machina, has established a new game studio named Cosmic Division. Krueger departed Housemarque in 2023 after a 14-year tenure.
Former Housemarque Game Director Harry Krueger launches new game studio
Former Housemarque Game Director Harry Krueger has launched a new game studio named Cosmic Division in Finland. Krueger, known for his work on titles like Returnal, aims to build on his experience with a focus on gameplay-first experiences and strong emotional resonance for their first project, a single-player PC and console title.
Returnal Director Founds New Studio, First Project Will be “Unapologetically Gameplay First”
Harry Krueger, the director of Returnal, has founded a new studio called Cosmic Division in Finland. The studio's first project will be a single-player, gameplay-first new intellectual property for PC and consoles, aiming for strong emotional resonance. Krueger previously worked on games like Resogun and Nex Machina at Housemarque, and his latest project there, Saros, received a 9 out of 10 review.
Saros Patch 1.004.003 notes fix progression blocking & area skipping bugs
Housemarque has released patch 1.004.003 for Saros, addressing critical bugs that prevented player progression and allowed players to skip areas. The update specifically fixes issues related to being blocked out of the Ancient Depths and the Blighted Marsh.
Sektori's solo developer can finally pay themselves a salary after Nintendo Switch 2 success
The solo developer behind the twin-stick shooter Sektori, Kimmo Lahtinen, has announced that the game's successful launch on Nintendo Switch has allowed him to finally pay himself a living wage after years of development. The game has sold approximately 30,000 units across all platforms, with the Switch version being particularly well-received.
Saros Protagonist’s Actor Says He Found His Voice by Getting Mad While Stuck in Traffic
Actor Rahul Kohli revealed that a frustrating traffic jam in Los Angeles helped him discover the intense voice for Saros protagonist Arjun Devraj. Director Paul J. Vogel commented on the unpredictable nature of creative storytelling, while Kohli also shared his initial discomfort with performance capture suits and advice received from Troy Baker.
"Sometimes all it really takes is one very bad commute" - the Saros team reveal the surprising origins of Arjun's angry delivery
Actor Rahul Kohli revealed that the distinctive angry voice for Saros protagonist Arjun Devraj was born out of a frustrating commute to a recording session. This anecdote is part of Housemarque's behind-the-scenes documentary series about the game's development. Despite critical acclaim, Saros' launch sales reportedly did not match that of Returnal.
Saros PS5 Making Of Video Reveals the Relatable Reason Behind Arjun's Rage
Sony and Housemarque have released the first episode of a behind-the-scenes documentary detailing the making of their PlayStation 5 exclusive game, Saros. The video focuses on lead actor Rahul Kohli and his process of bringing the character Arjun Devraj to life, revealing that a frustrating commute inspired the character's intense voice performance.
Attention Geometry Wars fans! Sektori is one of last year's best arcade shooters, and it's out on Switch 2 today
Sektori, an arcade twin-stick shooter praised for its resemblance to Geometry Wars, has been released on Nintendo Switch. Developed by Kimmo Lahtinen, the game features an upgrade system and dynamic arenas. It was previously released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X in November.
Creating Saros: how performance tech and a bad commute brought Arjun Devraj to life
The development of Saros, a new game from Housemarque, is highlighted through the performance capture process for its protagonist, Arjun Devraj, voiced by Rahul Kohli. Actor Rahul Kohli and director Paul J. Vogel discuss the technical and human aspects of bringing the character to life, with Kohli sharing an anecdote about how a traffic jam helped him discover Arjun's authentic voice. The game is available on PlayStation 5.
Brain-scrambling twin-stick shooter Sektori blazes onto Switch 2 eShop today
The twin-stick shooter Sektori, developed by Kimmo Lahtinen, has launched on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop for $14.99. Previously acclaimed on PC and PlayStation 5, the game features hyperkinetic gameplay, transforming battlefields, and multiple game modes. Lahtinen, formerly of Housemarque, aimed to create a modern arcade experience with Sektori.
Review: Sektori (Switch 2) - The New King Of Twin-Stick Shooters
Sektori is a new twin-stick shooter for the Nintendo Switch 2 that surpasses Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 in its genre. Developed by Kimmo Lahtinen, formerly of Housemarque, the game features unique mechanics like the 'strike' move and strategic upgrade systems. Despite a slightly steep learning curve for its mechanics, Sektori offers stellar presentation with a techno soundtrack and smooth 60fps performance, making it a standout release.
Saros Squashes Trophy Bugs and Other Nasty Issues in Latest PS5 Patch, Available Now
Housemarque has released a new patch for Saros on PlayStation 5, addressing various bugs and issues. The update fixes trophy unlock problems, enemies healing outside of combat areas, clipping through elevators, and the Ancient Depths not appearing. HDR output has also been adjusted to reach maximum luminance levels.
Saros is selling worse than Returnal, analyst estimates, as it competes with hits like Crimson Desert and Resident Evil…
Analyst Rhys Elliott estimates that Housemarque's new roguelike, Saros, has sold over 300,000 copies in its first two weeks, generating over $22 million. This performance is considered weaker than its predecessor, Returnal, due to a crowded market of recent blockbuster releases. Elliott suggests Saros may struggle to break even against its reported budget exceeding $76 million.
Saros is off to a slower start than Returnal, with some analysts concerned Housemarque "will struggle to break even"
Despite generally favorable reviews and a smoother difficulty curve than Returnal, Housemarque's new game Saros is experiencing a slower launch. Analysts note that while Saros has sold 300,000 copies and generated over $22 million, its sales pace trails behind Returnal, even with a significantly larger PlayStation 5 install base. Concerns have been raised about the game's ability to break even given its reported $76 million development budget.
Saros PS5 Sales Estimates at 300k, Selling Slower Than Returnal on a Bigger Install Base
Sales estimates from Alinea Analytics suggest that Saros has sold approximately 300,000 copies on PlayStation 5 since its launch two weeks ago. Analyst Rhys Elliot notes that this sales figure may be slower than Returnal's performance, despite the PlayStation 5's significantly larger install base compared to when Returnal was released.