Key Departures at PlatinumGames and Housemarque's New Project

PlatinumGames, known for its stylish action titles, has experienced a significant exodus of key developers recently, raising concerns about the studio's future trajectory. The latest departure is Abebe Tinari, director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, who has joined Housemarque, the developer behind the acclaimed Returnal, as a lead game designer.

This follows the high-profile exit of Hideki Kamiya, creator of the Bayonetta series, in September 2023. Kamiya cited creative differences as the reason for his departure, sparking speculation about internal shifts at PlatinumGames. His subsequent announcement as the lead developer for a Okami sequel at Capcom only amplified these concerns.

Rumors of further departures from PlatinumGames surfaced shortly after the Okami sequel reveal, with several developers removing all mentions of the studio from their online profiles. Tinari's move to Housemarque in Helsinki, Finland, confirms at least one of these departures. His LinkedIn profile officially details his new role.

Tinari's Contribution to Housemarque's Unannounced Title

Housemarque, acquired by PlayStation in 2021, has been developing a new intellectual property since the release of Returnal. It's highly probable that Tinari will contribute his expertise to this unannounced project. While a reveal is unlikely before 2026, the addition of Tinari suggests a significant undertaking.

PlatinumGames' Future Uncertain

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames' upcoming projects remains to be seen. The studio is currently celebrating Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, potentially hinting at a new installment in the series. Furthermore, Project GG, a new IP in development since 2020, was previously under Kamiya's direction. His departure raises questions about the project's progress and future. The overall situation paints a picture of significant change and uncertainty within PlatinumGames.