Bayonetta Origins Dev Now at Housemarque

PlatinumGames Loses Another Key Developer 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 other top developers who scrubbed their social media of any PlatinumGames affiliation.

Tinari's move to Housemarque, confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, sees him taking on a lead game designer role. Housemarque, the studio behind the acclaimed Returnal, has been developing a new, unannounced IP since its 2021 release and PlayStation acquisition. Tinari's expertise is likely to contribute significantly to this project, though a release date isn't expected before 2026.

The impact of these 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 previously overseen by Kamiya, is uncertain. The ongoing exodus of key personnel casts a shadow over the studio's upcoming projects and overall trajectory. The situation underscores a period of significant change and uncertainty for the once-dominant action game developer.