The cryptic teaser image, posted on Finnish game developer Housemarque’s official Twitter account, has attracted mixed reactions. The black-and-white image shows two female eyes peeking through cracked glass with the simple word ‘tomorrow’ above them.
pic.twitter.com/F4R6TYFyZ1
— Housemarque (@Housemarque) April 29, 2024
Possibilities and predictions
This riddle of a message has sparked fans’ imaginations, and many people are speculating what the studio has up its sleeve next. Housemarque’s most recent release, ‘ Returnal,’ was a PS5 exclusive released to widespread critical acclaim for blending exciting gameplay with innovative roguelike elements. However, the title, despite its critical success, was not a commercial hit, and after its unsuccessful release, studio co-founder Ilari Kuittinen confirmed that a sequel would not be the next project from the developer.
Although some diehard fans still hope that one day they will announce a ‘Returnal 2’, the circumstances seem to suggest otherwise. First and foremost, Returnal’s director, Harry Krueger, actually left the company in November, which hardly amounts to a signal of an immediate return.
Furthermore, it is known that Housemarque is aiming to create an entirely new intellectual property as its next project. In addition, the circumstances of the reveal are as follows: on April 30th – precisely the third anniversary of the original game’s release. It can likely be interpreted as a homage to the beloved title, which may suggest a spiritual successor or a project related to the same universe.
Housemarque strategy
On the other hand, the imagery within the teaser could very well be a deliberate misdirection, created to throw fans off the scent of a totally new IP. Housemarque has a known reputation for innovation and taking risks, which may manifest in an unexpected genre or gameplay experience. However, it is unclear whether such an approach in terms of the next project is of strategic direction.
Regardless of what the announcement will be about, it’s clear that Housemarque has experience with making sleek, innovative experiences, and because of that, whatever they announce will be something that is looked forward to by gamers everywhere. However, as the clock ticks, all the fans may anticipate certain kinds of announcements and excitement mounts for the unknown.