Returnal director Harry Krueger looking relaxed in a green jacket and black shirt

Returnal Director Harry Krueger Will Leave Housemarque After 14 Years

Written by

Published: November 20, 2023 9:43 AM

Housemarque has announced that Returnal director Harry Krueger is to leave the company after a 14-year tenure.

In an announcement post on Housemarque's website, Krueger says he's been "incredibly fortunate" to work with the studio, and that leaving the team was "a very difficult decision".

He doesn't give a specific reason for his departure, but he does say he's leaving behind a developer that has an "exciting new project in the works" and a "fantastic team that's stronger than ever".

Selene dodging a boss' orange and blue attacks in Returnal, a game worked on by Housemarque's Harry Krueger
Harry Krueger is perhaps best known for his work on Returnal.

Housemarque general manager Ilari Kuittinen says Krueger's "passion and direction" have been essential for shaping the studio, and that his time presiding over what Kuittinen calls "the rebirth of Arcade" will provide a great point for future Housemarque leaders to build on.

The announcement post concludes by looking ahead to the studio's "new big project", which it promises will be "the next best thing from Finland".

As well as Returnal, Krueger's other credits at Housemarque include programming work on ResogunOutland, and Angry Birds Trilogy, the latter being a co-development effort with Rovio, Exient, and Fun Labs.

Krueger also served as director on Nex Machina, a colorful arcade shooter which our very own Samuel Guglielmo rather enjoyed when he reviewed it back in 2017.

A player battling enemies in an arena surrounded by lightning in Nex Machina, a Housemarque game directed by Harry Krueger
Colorful arcade shooter Nex Machina was also directed by Harry Krueger.

Housemarque was purchased by Sony in mid-2021, just a couple of months after the studio released Returnal, arguably its biggest and most elaborate project yet.

Neither Krueger nor Housemarque's next moves are entirely clear at the moment. Krueger does say he has a "glowing optimism for the future", but he doesn't say what he's moving onto after Housemarque.

Similarly, Housemarque hasn't revealed anything about its next game just yet, so we'll have to wait and see what the Finnish developer has planned for the future.

Stay tuned for more info about Housemarque and whatever it might be up to next.


Joe Allen's profile picture
| Senior Writer

Joe has been writing for TechRaptor for several years, and in those years has learned a lot about the gaming industry and its foibles. He’s originally an… More about Joseph

More Info About This Game
Learn More About Returnal
Game Page Returnal
Developer
Housemarque
Platforms
PlayStation 5
Release Date
April 30, 2021 (Calendar)
Purchase (Some links may be affiliated)