Former Bayonetta Origins Director Joins Sony\'s Housemarque

PlatinumGames Loses Key Developer to Housemarque

The departure of Abebe Tinari, director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, from PlatinumGames to Housemarque, adds to growing concerns about PlatinumGames' future. This follows the high-profile exit of Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Bayonetta, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, attributed to creative differences, sparked speculation about the studio's direction. His subsequent announcement as lead developer for Capcom's Okami sequel only amplified these concerns.

Rumors of further departures from PlatinumGames surfaced shortly after, with several key developers removing all references to the studio from their online profiles. Tinari's move to Helsinki, Finland, was confirmed when his LinkedIn profile revealed he's now a lead game designer at Housemarque, the studio behind the acclaimed Returnal.

Tinari's expertise is likely to be applied to Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the 2021 release of Returnal. While a reveal is anticipated, many expect it no sooner than 2026.

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. The studio recently announced a year-long celebration for Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, potentially hinting at a new installment in the series. Additionally, development continues on Project GG, a new IP spearheaded by Kamiya before his departure. However, the absence of Kamiya may significantly impact Project GG's progress. The future of PlatinumGames, once a powerhouse of action game development, now faces an uncertain horizon.