Former Bayonetta Origins Director Joins Sony\'s Housemarque

$Former Bayonetta Origins Director Joins Sony\$

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 the growing concerns surrounding PlatinumGames' future. This follows the high-profile exit of Hideki Kamiya, creator of the Bayonetta franchise, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, attributed to creative differences, sparked initial worries, further fueled by the subsequent rumored exits of several top developers who removed all PlatinumGames references from their online profiles.

Tinari's move to Housemarque, confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, sees him taking on a lead game designer role. This likely contributes to Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the Helsinki-based studio has been developing since the release of Returnal in 2021. While a reveal isn't expected before 2026, Tinari's experience will undoubtedly be a valuable asset.

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. While the studio is celebrating Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, potentially hinting at a new installment, the future of Project GG, a new IP helmed by the now-departed Kamiya, is shrouded in uncertainty. The loss of key creative talent raises questions about the studio's ongoing projects and their potential timelines. The situation underscores a period of significant change and potential challenges for PlatinumGames.