PlatinumGames Loses Key Director 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 earlier high-profile exit of Hideki Kamiya, creator of the Bayonetta franchise, who cited creative differences.
Tinari's move to Housemarque, the Returnal developer, was confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, where he announced his new role as Lead Game Designer. This suggests Tinari will contribute to Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the 2021 release of Returnal. While a reveal isn't expected before 2026, Tinari's expertise will undoubtedly shape this upcoming title.
The recent exodus of key developers from PlatinumGames, including those who quietly removed all mention of the studio from their social media, has sparked speculation about the studio's internal struggles. While PlatinumGames is celebrating Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, possibly hinting at a new installment, the future of Project GG, a new IP previously overseen by Kamiya, remains uncertain. The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames' ongoing projects is yet to be seen. The situation highlights a period of significant change and uncertainty for the once-dominant studio.
