Bayonetta Origins Director Takes Lead at 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, the creator of Bayonetta, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, attributed to creative differences, sparked initial worries, further fueled 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 release of Returnal in 2021. While Housemarque's next game is anticipated, an official announcement isn't expected before 2026.

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 highlights a period of significant change and uncertainty for the once-dominant action game developer.