Housemarque Acquires Former Bayonetta Origins Director

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 with the studio's direction, sparked initial worries, further fueled by the subsequent rumored departures of several other top developers.

Tinari's move to Housemarque, confirmed via his LinkedIn profile, sees him taking on a lead game designer role. His relocation to Helsinki, Finland, strongly suggests his involvement in Housemarque's currently unannounced new IP, a project the studio has been developing since the release of Returnal in 2021. While a reveal date remains undisclosed, speculation points towards a 2026 unveiling at the earliest.

The impact of these departures on PlatinumGames remains uncertain. While the studio recently announced a year-long celebration for Bayonetta's 15th anniversary, hinting at a potential new entry in the series, the future of Project GG, a new IP spearheaded by the now-departed Kamiya, is shrouded in doubt. The project's development timeline is likely to be affected by this significant leadership change. The cumulative effect of these high-profile exits raises serious questions about the studio's ongoing projects and overall trajectory.