Bayonetta Origins Director Unites with 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 in September 2023, further fueling uncertainty about the studio's direction.

Kamiya's departure, announced amidst creative differences, was followed by rumors of other key developers leaving PlatinumGames, erasing all traces of their association from social media. Tinari's move to Helsinki, Finland, and subsequent LinkedIn update confirming his new role as a lead game designer at Housemarque, confirms these suspicions.

Tinari's transition to Housemarque is particularly noteworthy given the studio's current focus on a new, unannounced IP since the release of Returnal in 2021. While a release date remains undisclosed, speculation points towards a potential unveiling no sooner than 2026.

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains to be seen. While the studio is celebrating Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, potentially hinting at a new installment, the future of Project GG, previously led by Kamiya, is now uncertain. The studio's upcoming projects face an unknown level of disruption due to the loss of these experienced developers.