Bayonetta Origins Director Lands at 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 growing concerns about PlatinumGames' future. This follows the high-profile exit of Hideki Kamiya, creator of the Bayonetta series, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, attributed to creative differences, sparked initial worries, later amplified by the seemingly simultaneous departure of several other key developers who scrubbed their social media profiles of any PlatinumGames association.

Tinari's move to Housemarque, confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, sees him taking on a lead game designer role. This likely involves Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the release of Returnal in 2021. While a reveal date remains undisclosed, speculation points to a potential announcement no sooner than 2026.

The exodus of talent raises questions about the impact on PlatinumGames' upcoming projects. While the studio recently announced a year-long celebration for Bayonetta's 15th anniversary – potentially hinting at a new installment – the future of Project GG, a new IP spearheaded by the now-departed Kamiya, remains uncertain. The departure of its lead developer could significantly impact its development timeline. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding PlatinumGames' direction is further fueled by these recent high-profile departures.