Housemarque CEO Ilari Kuittinen Steps Down After 33 Years
Ilari Kuittinen, one of the founders of Housemarque and its longtime CEO, announced his departure after a 33-year career in the gaming industry. He will be replaced by Sami “Haxu” Hakala, a longtime employee of the studio who previously worked on Alan Wake 2 at Remedy Entertainment. The management change actually took place on July 1st, with Kuittinen supporting the transition until the end of August.
A New Era Begins at Housemarque
In his statement, Kuittinen said that this change had been planned behind the scenes for a long time. He stated that Hakala officially took over the CEO role on July 1st and that he worked with the leadership team until the end of the month to ensure operational continuity. According to Kuittinen, Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in reliable hands.
Kuittinen’s journey with Housemarque dates back to the early 1990s. He entered the industry in 1993 with Terramarque, later joining forces with Harri Tikkanen to found Housemarque in 1995. Over the years, the studio gained recognition with titles like Supreme Snowboarding, Super Stardust HD, and Resogun, and then moved on to larger-scale projects with Returnal and Saros during the PS5 era. Sony acquired Housemarque in 2021.
The timing of his departure is also noteworthy. Kuittinen’s decision comes after controversies surrounding Saros’s initial sales performance. Furthermore, there have been other significant management changes within PlayStation Studios in recent years. Insomniac Games co-founder Ted Price and Sucker Punch co-founder Brian Fleming are among those who recently left their positions.
Kuittinen, however, specifically emphasizes that he will not completely sever his ties with the industry. The executive stated that he will be taking a serious break for the first time in many years starting in September, adding that he is open to participating in events, following the industry, and providing mentorship or consultancy when needed. On the Housemarque front, the next steps will show how the studio, under the leadership of Sami Hakala, will continue its current creative direction.
Read More: Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Receives Age Rating
