Ex-Bayonetta Origins Director Joins Housemarque at Sony

Overview of Recent Developments at PlatinumGames

The director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon has transitioned from PlatinumGames to a lead game designer position at Housemarque.
Concerns have arisen regarding PlatinumGames amidst the recent exit of several prominent developers.
Housemarque is currently focused on a new intellectual property following the successful launch of Returnal in May 2021.

In a significant shift within the gaming industry, the director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon has left PlatinumGames to join Housemarque, the developer behind the critically acclaimed game Returnal. This announcement is particularly noteworthy as it comes at a time when the future direction of PlatinumGames appears uncertain.

Recent developments include the departure of Hideki Kamiya, a leading figure at PlatinumGames, who announced his exit in September 2023. Kamiya attributed his departure to a growing disconnect between his vision as a developer and the studio’s strategic path. Shortly thereafter, he was revealed to be leading the development of a highly anticipated sequel to Capcom’s Okami during The Game Awards 2024. This resurgence of interest in his work has sparked apprehensions regarding what lies ahead for PlatinumGames.

Rumors of further departures from PlatinumGames have surfaced, particularly following the announcement of the Okami sequel. Some developers, including Abebe Tinari, director of Bayonetta Origins, have apparently removed affiliations with the studio from their social media accounts. Tinari has made a notable move, relocating to Helsinki, Finland, where he is embracing a new role as lead game designer at Housemarque, which can be confirmed through his LinkedIn profile.

Bayonetta Origins Director Joins Housemarque’s New Project

Following its acquisition by PlayStation, Housemarque has concentrated its efforts on developing a new IP since the success of Returnal. The addition of Tinari, who brings substantial experience from his role at PlatinumGames, is likely a strategic move to enhance the team’s capabilities for this new project. Although there is no official timeline for the announcement of Housemarque’s next title, industry expectations suggest a reveal could be several years away, potentially not before 2026.

As for PlatinumGames, the impact of recent high-profile departures, including that of Kamiya and now Tinari, remains to be fully understood. Nonetheless, the studio is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Bayonetta franchise, which may yield fresh announcements, including a new installment in the series. Also in development is Project GG, a new IP that was initially under Kamiya’s direction. His exit from the studio raises questions about the project’s momentum and potential redesign.

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