Former Bayonetta Origins Director 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 franchise, in September 2023. Kamiya's departure, fueled by creative differences, sparked initial anxieties, further amplified by the subsequent rumored departures of several top developers, who scrubbed their social media profiles of any mention of PlatinumGames.

Tinari's move to Housemarque, confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, sees him taking on a lead game designer role. This likely positions him to contribute to Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the release of Returnal in 2021. While a Housemarque announcement isn't expected before 2026, Tinari's expertise will undoubtedly be a valuable asset.

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. 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 previously spearheaded by Kamiya, is now shrouded in doubt. The loss of key creative talent raises questions about the timelines and potential success of these upcoming projects. The situation underscores a period of significant change and uncertainty for the once-dominant studio.