Returnal Director Harry Krueger Launches New Studio Cosmic Division

Former Housemarque director Harry Krueger reveals Cosmic Division and confirms development of a new gameplay-focused single-player experience.

Harry Krueger, the famous director of Returnal, has officially confirmed that he is starting a new company, Cosmic Division, to make games. The former Housemarque employee said the team is already working on its first project, a single-player, gameplay-first experience with a powerful emotional story.

Krueger worked at Housemarque for 14 years, and the success of Returnal was a major factor in the studio becoming famous. Many people were shocked when he left the company in 2023, especially since Housemarque was becoming more well-known after Sony bought the studio.

Cosmic Division’s first project will be released for PC and consoles, the statement also says. There are no official systems yet, but many people think it will be released on PlayStation, maybe even PlayStation 5 or Sony’s next-generation hardware. While discussing the announcement, Krueger also said kind things about his former company.

He told Housemarque how thankful he was and that the company helped lay the artistic foundation for future plans for the Cosmic Division. Krueger talked about his time at Housemarque, saying, “I’m really thankful to Housemarque for the journey we shared that has set the stage for our new studio."

Fans are wondering whether Cosmic Division will bring back Returnal's difficult gameplay.

People in the gaming industry are discussing the timing of the announcement. Since Housemarque just released Saros, it has gotten good reviews from gamers. However, some people think the game might not be a big commercial hit yet. On the other hand, it seems like Housemarque is doing fine intellectually and financially.

As always, the company is known for its action-packed, arcade-inspired graphics, cinematic presentation, and fast-paced game systems, all of which helped make Returnal a standout PlayStation 5 release. Krueger’s work on Returnal is also building more excitement for whatever Cosmic Division will do next.

Returnal is still considered a great example of modern roguelike action games by many gamers, with commendations for its heavy combat, atmosphere, and challenging progression. Some fans have also started to compare the way Returnal was designed to the way Housemarque is going with Saros. Some players think Saros is easier to understand and play than Returnal's punishing gameplay.

This has sparked an online debate over whether Housemarque has changed its creative goals. Krueger was behind Returnal, so it’s no surprise that many fans are especially curious if Cosmic Division’s next game will return to the more difficult and sophisticated gameplay style that made Returnal so memorable among serious gamers.

At this point, not much is known about Cosmic Division's first project, other than that it will focus on "gameplay first" and tell a moving story. But now that Krueger is CEO of the studio, excitement is building around what could become one of the most-watched new development teams in the industry over the next few years.