Former Bayonetta Origins Lead Joins Sony's 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 series, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, attributed to creative differences, sparked initial worries, further fueled by the subsequent rumored departures of several other key developers.

Tinari's move to Housemarque, confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, sees him taking on a lead game designer role. The Helsinki-based studio, acquired by PlayStation after the success of Returnal (2021), is currently developing a new, unannounced IP, which Tinari is likely contributing to. An official reveal of this project isn't expected before 2026.

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. While the studio is celebrating Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, potentially hinting at a new installment, the future of Project GG, a new IP spearheaded by Kamiya, is now questionable. The project's development timeline is likely affected by Kamiya's departure and the overall shift in the studio's leadership. The recent exodus of talent raises significant questions about PlatinumGames' current trajectory and the fate of its upcoming projects.