Another PlatinumGames director has confirmed they’ve left
Bayonetta Origins’ director has joined Sony studio Housemarque
A new high-profile departure from PlatinumGames has been confirmed, after Bayonetta Origins director Abebe Tinari announced his exit from the studio.
Tinari, who also worked as a designer on Star Fox Guard and the canceled Scalebound, has joined Returnal developer Housemarque, according to his online CV. The game designer is also known in online circles for helping save the world’s largest CRT television.
Released in March 2023, Bayonetta Origins is a spin-off that has players exploring storybook-inspired words. The game aimed to introduce new fans to the action series with adventure-style gameplay.
Tinari’s departure comes amid a period of perceived uncertainty for Platinum. Last month, its influential former creative director, Hideki Kamiya, announced a new studio backed by Capcom.
There’s also speculation that many of its other lead creators could have followed Kamiya out of the company, after they removed references to Platinum from their social media profiles.
Earlier this week, Platinum published a statement regarding its future, alongside news that it will be marking the Bayonetta series’ 15th anniversary in various ways.
“Moving forward, we will continue to take on new challenges to create games that surprise and delight our fans,” it said. “We look forward to your continued support of Bayonetta and PlatinumGames!”
Speaking to VGC in a recent interview to discuss his new studio, Clovers, Hideki Kamiya explained the reason for his departure.
“If I was satisfied at Platinum, then I wouldn’t have left,” he said. “There’s a way I believe games should be made: a philosophy, a mindset of how games should be made. Koyama approached me, and we shared the same mindset and philosophy about game development.”
