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, attributed to creative differences, sparked initial worries, further fueled by the subsequent rumored departures of several top developers who removed all PlatinumGames mentions from their social media.

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 successful launch of Returnal in 2021, is currently developing a new, unannounced IP – the likely destination for Tinari's expertise. While Housemarque's next project remains shrouded in secrecy, a 2026 reveal is anticipated by many.

The impact of these key departures on PlatinumGames remains to be seen. 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 the now-departed Kamiya, is uncertain. The loss of experienced developers raises questions about the timeline and direction of future PlatinumGames projects.