PlatinumGames Loses 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 recent wave of high-profile exits from the Osaka-based studio. This follows the September 2023 departure of Hideki Kamiya, the renowned creator of Bayonetta, who cited creative differences with the studio's direction. Kamiya's subsequent announcement as lead developer on Capcom's Okami sequel further fueled concerns about PlatinumGames' future.
Tinari's move to Housemarque in Helsinki, Finland, was confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, where he's listed as a Lead Game Designer. This follows rumors of several top PlatinumGames developers removing all studio mentions from their social media, suggesting a potential exodus of talent.
Tinari's expertise is likely to be applied to Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the release of Returnal in 2021. While Housemarque's next game is unlikely to be revealed before 2026, Tinari's contribution is anticipated to be significant.
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 helmed by Kamiya, is now uncertain. The ongoing departures raise questions about the studio's current trajectory and its ability to deliver future projects on schedule.
