Ex-Bayonetta Origins Director Joins Sony's Housemarque

Summary

• The director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon has left PlatinumGames to join Housemarque as a lead game designer.
• PlatinumGames has experienced several key developer departures, raising concerns about its 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 recently departed from PlatinumGames to take on a lead game designer role at Returnal developer Housemarque. This move comes at a challenging time for PlatinumGames, as the studio has seen the exit of several key developers, fueling uncertainty about its current trajectory.

In September 2023, PlatinumGames' renowned developer, Hideki Kamiya, announced his departure, citing a misalignment with the studio's direction. Kamiya's subsequent reveal at The Game Awards 2024, where he was announced as the leader of Capcom's Okami sequel at the revived Clover Studio, only heightened concerns about PlatinumGames' future.

Following Kamiya's departure, rumors circulated about other top developers leaving PlatinumGames, with some erasing mentions of the studio from their social media. Abebe Tinari, having moved to Helsinki, Finland, confirmed his exit and new role at Housemarque via his LinkedIn profile.

Bayonetta Origins Director Now Working on Housemarque's New IP

Housemarque, known for the critically-acclaimed roguelike shooter Returnal released in May 2021, has been developing a new IP since being acquired by PlayStation. It's highly probable that Tinari will contribute to this new project. While fans eagerly await more information, an announcement is not expected until at least 2026.

As for PlatinumGames, the impact of these high-profile exits on future projects remains unclear. The studio recently announced a year-long celebration for Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, hinting at a possible new entry in the series. Additionally, PlatinumGames has been working on a new IP, Project GG, since 2020, which was under Hideki Kamiya's direction. With Kamiya's departure, the progress and future of Project GG are uncertain.