Housemarque co-founder Ilari Kuittinen leaves studio after 31 years

Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder and managing director of the Finnish game studio Housemarque, has announced his departure from the company after 31 years. His exit follows a 33-year career in the gaming industry, which began in 1993 with Terramarque.

Kuittinen co-founded Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen. Under his leadership, the studio developed several notable titles, including Resogun, Returnal, and most recently, Saros. After maintaining independence for 26 years, the studio joined PlayStation Studios in 2021.

A leadership transition has been in progress for several months. Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala, formerly the deputy managing director, officially assumed the role of managing director on July 1, with Kuittinen providing support through the end of August to ensure operational continuity.

Kuittinen plans to take a break from the industry starting in September, though he intends to remain connected through industry events, award shows, and potential future roles in mentoring or consulting.