Returnal support studio is working on a new console exclusive

Returnal
(Image credit: House Marque)

Returnal support developer Climax Studio is working on a "AAA project for a 1st party publisher."

The news comes from Climax Studio's own LinkedIn jobs page, where a job listing seeking a Senior Level Designer boasted the new opportunity. "This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a team of passionate and experienced game designers on a AAA project for a 1st party publisher," the job description reads.

While this admittedly doesn't give away a whole lot of information about the new project beyond the fact it's a console exclusive, it's worth taking into account Climax Studio's history. Previously, the UK-based developer has collaborated with Returnal studio Housemarque on the 2021 PS5 exclusive shooter, as well as PS4 launch title Resogun, and the PS3 port of Dead Nation.

Further back in Climax's history, things get even more intriguing. For those unfamiliar with the extensive history of Konami's Silent Hill series, Silent Hill: Origins was developed as a PSP-exclusive game by Climax Studios, released in late 2007 after Konami had disbanded its own internal Silent Hill team. A few years later, Climax would launch Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, a remake of the original Silent Hill game.

It's interesting then, that with both Returnal and Silent Hill in its extensive history, Climax Studio actually has a storied past of dabbling with horror games. There's nothing to suggest Climax's new venture will be horror-based at this point, but it's still an intriguing bullet point. It's also worth noting that there's actually no reason to suggest this is Climax's own game, and not a collaboration with another studio in a supporting role. Either way, we'll have to wait a little longer to find out for sure.

Head over to our upcoming PS5 games guide for a list of everything else coming to Sony's new-gen console in the near future.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.