PlatinumGames loses more Game Directors

The future of PlatinumGames seems increasingly uncertain, with a new wave of directors leaving the studio. The information gained strength after the appearance of former team members in the latest video of former vice president Hideki Kamiya, where a "directors meeting" may have revealed more departures.

In recent months, several key developers have left PlatinumGames, raising doubts about what is happening behind the scenes. The most recent case involves Abebe Tinari, director of Bayonetta Origins, who is now at Housemarque, and Takahisa Taura, director of Astral Chain, who has removed all mentions of the studio from his social media profiles.

Now, both have appeared in Kamiya's video, alongside other heavyweights:

• Yusuke Miyata (director of Bayonetta 3)
• Kenji Saito (director of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance)
• Masaki Yamanaka (character designer for Resident Evil and Anarchy Reigns)
   

This unexpected appearance suggests that they have also left PlatinumGames, although only Tinari has officially confirmed his departure.

Hideki Kamiya left PlatinumGames in 2023 and has since been creating content on YouTube and revealing details about his new venture. At the end of last year, he founded Clovers, alongside Kaneto Koyama, another former Platinum employee.

Kamiya has stated that staying at Platinum would "kill his artistic spirit." The Clovers studio is currently working on a Okami sequel, announced at The Game Awards 2023.

At the end of the video, Kamiya even taunts:

“Please look forward to their work eagerly.”

Despite the losses, PlatinumGames continues to operate and has announced that its next major project is Ninja Gaiden 4, in partnership with Team Ninja. The game is directed by Yuji Nakao, who has ensured that the team is committed to respecting the series' legacy.

In addition, the studio will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Bayonetta this year, although concrete plans for the franchise have not been revealed.

However, uncertainty about the studio's future is growing, especially after so many departures. The big question now is: Will Platinum continue to be an independent creation studio or will it become a support for other developers?