Ex-Bayonetta Director Joins Sony's Housemarque

Summary

• The director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon has left PlatinumGames to take on a lead game designer role at Returnal developer Housemarque.
• PlatinumGames has experienced the departure of several key developers recently, raising concerns about the studio's future direction.
• Housemarque has been developing a new IP since the release of Returnal in 2021.

The director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, Abebe Tinari, has departed from PlatinumGames to join Returnal developer Housemarque. This move comes at a challenging time for PlatinumGames, as the exit of such a key creative figure adds to the uncertainty surrounding the studio's current trajectory.

In September 2023, PlatinumGames faced a significant blow when Hideki Kamiya, the renowned creator of Bayonetta, announced his departure. Kamiya cited a misalignment with the studio's direction as his reason for leaving. A year later, at The Game Awards 2024, Kamiya surprised fans by revealing he would lead the development of a sequel to Capcom's Okami under the revived Clover Studio. This announcement, while exciting, sparked further concerns about PlatinumGames' future.

Following Kamiya's exit, rumors surfaced that other top developers had also left PlatinumGames, as evidenced by their social media profiles. Among them was Abebe Tinari, who moved to Helsinki, Finland, and subsequently joined Housemarque as a lead game designer. This move was confirmed through Tinari's LinkedIn profile, indicating his involvement in Housemarque's new IP.

Bayonetta Origins Director Now Working on Housemarque's New IP

Since the release of the critically acclaimed roguelike shooter Returnal in May 2021, and its subsequent acquisition by PlayStation, Housemarque has been focused on developing a new IP. With Tinari's expertise, it's highly likely he will contribute significantly to this project. While fans eagerly await more information, it's speculated that Housemarque won't unveil its next game until at least 2026.

For PlatinumGames, the impact of these high-profile departures on future projects remains uncertain. The studio is currently celebrating Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, which may lead to the announcement of a new entry in the series. Additionally, PlatinumGames has been working on a new IP, Project GG, since 2020. However, with Hideki Kamiya no longer at the helm, the progress of Project GG is now in question.