Bayonetta Origins Director Enlisted by Sony's Housemarque

PlatinumGames Loses Another 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 series, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, fueled by creative differences, sparked initial anxieties, further intensified by the subsequent rumored departures of several top developers who scrubbed their social media of PlatinumGames mentions.

Tinari's move to Housemarque, confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, sees him taking on a lead game designer role. This likely involves contributing to Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the 2021 release of Returnal. While Housemarque's next game is unlikely to be revealed before 2026, Tinari's expertise 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 previously led by Kamiya, is now shrouded in doubt. The loss of key creative talent raises questions about the studio's ability to deliver on its ambitious projects. The situation underscores a period of significant change and uncertainty for the once-dominant developer.