PlatinumGames Loses Key Director 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, creator of the Bayonetta series, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, fueled by creative differences, sparked initial worries, further intensified by the subsequent rumored departures of several other key developers, who removed all PlatinumGames mentions 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 involves Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the 2021 release of Returnal. While an official announcement from Housemarque is unlikely before 2026, Tinari's expertise will undoubtedly contribute significantly.
The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. While the studio recently announced a year-long celebration for Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, hinting at a potential new installment, the future of Project GG, a new IP previously led by Kamiya, is now shrouded in doubt. The project's development timeline is likely to be affected by his absence. The series of high-profile exits raises significant questions about PlatinumGames' current trajectory and its upcoming projects.
