PlatinumGames, the studio behind hit games like “Bayonetta” and “NieR: Automata,” is losing more of its top talent. Former vice president Hideki Kamiya revealed in a recent video that five more game directors have left the company. The video shows Kamiya at a gathering with former PlatinumGames directors, including Abebe Tinari, Yusuke Miyata, Takahisa Taura, Kenji Saito, and Masaki Yamanaka.
Tinari, who directed “Bayonetta Origins,” has already confirmed his move to Housemarque studio. Taura, the director of “Astral Chain,” quietly removed mentions of PlatinumGames from his social media. While the other directors have not publicly announced their departures, the video fuels speculation that they have all left PlatinumGames.
It is unclear where they will go next, but some may join Kamiya at his new studio, Clovers, which he started last year with former Platinum employee Kaneto Koyama.
Kamiya hints at future collaborations
Kamiya hinted at future collaborations with the departed directors, saying, “Please look forward to their work.
PlatinumGames recently partnered with Team Ninja on a new game to celebrate a series’ 15th anniversary.
However, the loss of key staff raises questions about the studio’s future and ability to innovate in a competitive market. The gaming community is reacting to the news with a mix of concern and curiosity. Some worry about the fate of beloved franchises like Bayonetta and Astral Chain, while others speculate about the reasons behind the departures.
One commenter noted Nintendo’s reliance on PlatinumGames for mature Switch exclusives and wondered about their plans moving forward. Another expressed hope that Nintendo will keep Astral Chain active, possibly by taking the IP to another studio. As the industry watches closely, the future of PlatinumGames and its iconic titles remains uncertain.
The studio’s landscape is shifting dramatically, and fans eagerly await further developments in this unfolding story.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
