Nex Machina dev Housemarque is done with arcade titles

After 20 years carrying the torch for arcade enthusiasts, Nex Machina developer Housemarque is leaving the genre behind due to lackluster sales.

Despite making a name for itself creating critically acclaimed arcade titles like Super Stardust HD, Outland, and Resogun, the studio's impressive roster has struggled to rack up meaningful sales. 

While some releases have reached a huge audience thanks to offers and digital deals, that doesn't help pay the bills, so with a heavy heart Housemarque is bidding farewell to the genre it knows and loves. 

"For more than 20 years we’ve been bringing arcade coin-op inspired games to the market with a Housemarque twist, and I think it’s fair to say we’ve gotten pretty good at it by now," explained company CEO Ilari Kuittinen.

"However despite critical success and numerous awards, our games just haven’t sold in significant numbers. Now, Lackluster sales of Nex Machina have led us to the thinking that it is time to bring our longstanding commitment to the arcade genre to an end. 

"While this genre will always hold a special place in our hearts, the industry is moving more toward multiplayer experiences with strong, robust communities, and it’s time for Housemarque to move forward with the industry."

It's a bittersweet moment, but this isn't the end of Housemarque. The studio intends to "explore something totally different" with future projects, and says it's core values will remain the same.