Bayonetta Origins' Former Director Teams with Housemarque

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 high-profile exit of Hideki Kamiya, creator of the Bayonetta franchise, in September 2023. Kamiya's move to lead development on Capcom's Okami sequel sparked anxieties about PlatinumGames' trajectory.

Further fueling these concerns, several top PlatinumGames developers, including Tinari, reportedly deleted all references to the studio from their social media accounts. Tinari's recent LinkedIn update confirms his relocation to Helsinki, Finland, and his new role as Lead Game Designer at Housemarque, the studio behind the acclaimed Returnal.

Tinari's Contribution to Housemarque's Unannounced Project

Housemarque, acquired by PlayStation in 2021, has been developing a new IP since the release of Returnal. It's highly probable that Tinari will contribute his expertise to this project. However, an official announcement regarding Housemarque's next game isn't expected until at least 2026.

Uncertainty at PlatinumGames

The impact of these significant developer departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. While the studio recently announced a year-long celebration for Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, hinting at a potential new installment, the future of Project GG, a new IP helmed by Kamiya, is now shrouded in doubt. The project's development timeline is likely to be affected by Kamiya's departure. The series of high-profile exits raises questions about the studio's current creative direction and its upcoming projects.