Bayonetta Origins Ex-Director Now at Housemarque

PlatinumGames Loses 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, who cited creative differences with the studio's direction. Kamiya's subsequent announcement as the lead developer for Capcom's Okami sequel further fueled speculation about PlatinumGames' internal struggles.

Rumors of additional departures from PlatinumGames, confirmed by the removal of company affiliations from several developers' social media, intensified these concerns. Tinari's move to Helsinki, Finland, and his new role as lead game designer at Housemarque, as revealed on his LinkedIn profile, solidifies these reports.

Tinari's expertise will likely contribute to Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP. Housemarque, acquired by PlayStation after the success of Returnal in 2021, has been developing this project since then, with a potential reveal not expected before 2026.

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. While the studio is celebrating Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, possibly hinting at a new installment, the future of Project GG, a new IP helmed by the now-departed Kamiya, is unclear. The project's development timeline may be significantly affected by this change. The recent events raise questions about the studio's overall trajectory and the potential challenges ahead for its upcoming projects.