Returnal
News, coverage and analysis tracking Returnal across the outlets.
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Attendees will be able to check out a demo of The Witcher 3 DLC Songs of the Past behind closed doors at PAX Australia
Attendees at PAX Australia will have the opportunity to experience a behind-closed-doors demo of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's upcoming DLC, Songs of the Past. The expansion, developed by Fool's Theory in collaboration with CD Projekt, will feature a new region and focus on the character Dandelion. The event also includes panels and demos for other games and tabletop experiences.
Saros’s Zenith Update Adds Boss Rush and New Game Plus Later This Year
Housemarque announced the upcoming Zenith update for Saros, which will add a free Boss Rush mode called Overlord Rush and a New Game Plus mode named Eclipse Layers. The update also includes new accessibility options like gyro aiming and game speed adjustments. Saros is available on PlayStation 5 and is a spiritual successor to Returnal.
Beloved PlayStation Studio Housemarque’s Co-Founder Leaves, Issues Statement
Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder and managing director of Housemarque, has departed the PlayStation Studios-owned developer after 31 years. Sami Hakala has taken over as the new managing director, with Kuittinen expressing confidence in the studio's future leadership and creative vision. Kuittinen plans to remain involved in the industry as a mentor or consultant.
Housemarque co-founder Ilari Kuittinen exits from studio
Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder and CEO of PlayStation-owned studio Housemarque, has announced his departure after 31 years in game development. The company has been preparing for this transition, appointing Sami Hakala as managing director to ensure operational continuity. Kuittinen's exit follows a long tenure that saw Housemarque develop relationships with major publishers, culminating in its acquisition by Sony in 2021.
Housemarque Co-founder Ilari Kuittinen leaving after 31 years
Housemarque co-founder Ilari Kuittinen is leaving the company after 31 years, marking his last day on August 31, 2026. Kuittinen plans to take a break from the industry before eventually returning in a consulting and mentorship capacity. He expressed pride in Housemarque's accomplishments, including the success of Returnal and Saros.
Saros Studio’s Co-Founder Ilari Kuittinen Announces Departure From Housemarque
Housemarque co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen has announced his departure from the company after 31 years. He reflected on the studio's journey from an independent developer to a AAA studio within PlayStation Studios, highlighting achievements like Returnal and Saros. Sami Hakala has taken over as managing director, while Kuittinen plans to take a break before potentially returning to the industry in a mentoring or consulting role.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 21: The Humble Store Summer Sale continues
This article rounds up various PC game deals available from multiple digital storefronts, including Humble Store, Battle.net, GamesPlanet, Ubisoft Store, Green Man Gaming, Epic Games Store, Amazon Luna, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GOG.com, and Steam. Notable sales include Humble Store's Summer Sale, Battle.net's August Game Deals, and Ubisoft's Gamescom sale, featuring discounts on a wide range of titles.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 7: Steam Cyberpunk Fest
This weekend's PC gaming deals include a Steam Cyberpunk Fest featuring discounts on titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Deus Ex games. Several storefronts like Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and Humble Bundle are also offering significant sales on various games, with some titles available for free. Additionally, Ubisoft is celebrating 25 years of Ghost Recon with deep discounts and a free trial for Ghost Recon Wildlands.
Games Inbox: When will Spider-Man 3 be released on PS5?
Readers speculate on the release date of Spider-Man 3 for PlayStation 5, with some suggesting it might be a PlayStation 6 launch title. Other topics discussed include the pricing of a potential The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, the possibility of an Assassin's Creed set in Ancient Rome, and comparisons between the gameplay mechanics of Returnal and Saros.
What are we all playing this weekend?
Several staff members shared their weekend gaming plans, with Edwin playing Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children and Darkwood, while Mark might revisit Skyrim. Others are playing Helldivers 2, Hunt: Showdown, or an unannounced embargoed game. James is trying the train-based bullet hell shooter Song of Morus: Limbo Express.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 31: Bethesda celebrates 40 years
Bethesda Softworks is celebrating its 40th anniversary with significant sales across its game catalog, including popular franchises like Doom, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Quake. Numerous PC storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.com are participating, offering discounts on individual titles and bundles. Additionally, several free games are available for a limited time on platforms such as Amazon Luna.
Guillermo del Toro says "please, I beg you," make a less roguelike-y version of Dead Cells so "elderly players" can actually get through it
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has expressed a desire for a version of the roguelike game Dead Cells that removes the respawning mechanic, suggesting it would appeal to "elderly players." Del Toro, who enjoys games like Hades and BioShock, finds the repetition inherent in roguelikes to be a barrier to entry, despite appreciating the world and design of Dead Cells.
Trying to find a good deal on Saros has made me angrier about PlayStation killing discs – it's anti-consumer and will price gamers out of our hobby
The author expresses frustration over the increasing cost of games and the perceived anti-consumer trend of PlayStation ending physical disc production. This shift, coupled with the decline of physical game deals and the pre-owned market, is seen as pricing gamers out of the hobby and reducing consumer choice.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 24: Steam Train Fest
This weekend's PC gaming deals include the Steam Train Fest featuring train-themed games, alongside significant discounts on titles like Resident Evil Requiem, Hades 2, and Red Dead Redemption 2 across various digital storefronts. Several games are also available for free weekends or trials, including Killing Floor 3 and Metal Gear Solid.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 17: Epic Games Summer Sale
The Epic Games Store is hosting its annual Summer Sale, featuring discounts on titles like Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and Resident Evil Requiem. Other storefronts like Steam, Humble Store, and Ubisoft are also offering various deals on PC games, including new releases and popular titles. Additionally, Amazon Luna is providing free games for subscribers.
The PlayStation physical games debacle is taking over everything Sony does — it’s the biggest tech PR disaster since Sonos’ app update, so will Sony learn the lessons that turned Sonos around?
Sony's move towards digital-only game sales is causing significant backlash from PlayStation owners concerned about cost, resale value, and true ownership, drawing parallels to Sonos' past app update disaster. The article suggests Sony could learn from Sonos' approach to rebuilding customer trust through humility and improved execution, but questions whether the company will prioritize this over its business interests, given its large customer base.
Acclaimed PS5 roguelike shooter Saros gets a substantial free trial, but there's a catch
Housemarque has released a two-and-a-half-hour free trial for its PlayStation 5 roguelike shooter Saros. However, the trial is exclusively available to PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers, the highest tier of Sony's subscription service. Despite critical acclaim, Saros' sales have reportedly been slower than its predecessor, Returnal, leading to concerns about its commercial performance.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continues
The Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
"The goal isn't to build something that burns brightly for a few years and disappears" – Cosmic Division CEO on launching a "responsibly ambitious" studio
Harry Krueger, former game director at Housemarque, has launched Cosmic Division, a new studio focused on sustainable growth and long-term endurance. He emphasizes a 'responsibly ambitious' approach, prioritizing talent, scope management, and a healthy runway over aggressive expansion. Krueger aims to build a studio that lasts, drawing lessons from AAA development to avoid common pitfalls of over-ambition and compromise.
Top 10 best video games of 2026 – from 007 First Light to Resident Evil Requiem
This article ranks the top 10 video games released in the first half of 2026, highlighting titles like 007 First Light, Pokémon Pokopia, and Resident Evil Requiem. The list excludes remasters, remakes, yearly sequels, expansions, and early access titles, focusing on original new releases across various platforms including Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC.
