Housemarque Co-Founder Ilari Kuittinen Steps Down After 31 Years

Housemarque co-founder Ilari Kuittinen has stepped down from the studio after more than three decades in the games industry, bringing an end to his 31-year run with the Finnish developer.

Kuittinen confirmed that August 31 marked his final day at Housemarque. He has spent 33 years working in the games industry, having played a central role in the growth of one of Finland’s most recognizable game studios.

Housemarque was founded by Kuittinen and Harri Tikkanen in 1995, following the pair’s establishment of Terramarque two years earlier. Over the decades, the studio built a reputation around fast-paced arcade-inspired experiences before expanding its ambitions with projects such as Returnal.

During Kuittinen’s time at the company, Housemarque produced a number of notable titles, including Supreme Snowboarding, Super Stardust HD, Resogun, and Returnal.

Kuittinen’s departure comes as the studio enters its next chapter under new leadership.

Sami “Haxu” Hakala, who previously served as Housemarque’s deputy managing director, officially assumed the role of managing director on July 1. Kuittinen remained with the company throughout the summer to help Hakala and the wider leadership team complete the transition.

The handover was completed at the end of August, allowing Kuittinen to officially step away from the studio.

Here is the full message 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!

Despite leaving Housemarque, Kuittinen isn’t disappearing from the games industry entirely. He plans to take a break beginning in September, but says he intends to remain connected to the industry through trade shows and award events. He has also left the door open to eventually returning in a mentoring or consulting capacity.

For Housemarque, the leadership change marks the end of a significant era. Kuittinen was there from the studio’s earliest days and remained at the helm through its evolution from a small Finnish developer into a PlayStation-owned studio responsible for critically acclaimed projects such as Returnal.

For Kuittinen, however, after 31 years at Housemarque, a break from the industry appears to be well deserved.