PlatinumGames boss Atsushi Inaba has urged that the studio plans to proceed making video games within the Bayonetta sequence, with out lots of its unique creators.
The Osaka, Japan studio hasn’t launched a sport within the Bayonetta sequence for the reason that vital departure of lead builders lately, together with sequence creator and co-founder Hideki Kamiya, who fashioned a brand new studio to make Okami 2. The final sport within the sequence was the 2023 spin-off Origins.
The Bayonetta IP can be not owned by Platinum, however cut up between Sega and Nintendo, in an settlement that noticed its sequels launched as Wii U and Nintendo Change exclusives.
Talking to Famitsu in considered one of his first interviews for the reason that huge restructuring, Inaba was requested about the way forward for the Bayonetta sequence – and strongly indicated that it’s going to have one.
“I can’t actually reply that proper now,” he stated, when requested about future Bayonetta video games. “Now we have a powerful need to additional develop the character of Bayonetta and increase her world. Please look ahead to seeing what kind that takes sooner or later.”
Inaba was talking alongside Shift Up’s Hyung-tae Kim as a part of an interview selling its upcoming Bayonetta collaboration for Stellar Blade on Nintendo Change 2. Platinum has but to launch a sport for the platform, however Inaba stated he believes “it’s a console with great potential”.
Platinum breaks silence after huge departures
Since Kamiya and different lead builders left Platinum round 2023, the studio has solely launched work-for-hire tasks like Workforce Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden 4, and extra work on Remaining Fantasy XVI, eFootball, and Steel Gear Stable Delta: Snake Eater. It’s presently engaged on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sport with Paramount.
Along with Kamiya, current Platinum departures embrace Bayonetta Origins director Abebe Tinari, Bayonetta 3 director Yusuke Miyata, Astral Chain director Takahisa Taura, Steel Gear Rising director Kenji Saito, and Anarchy Reigns and Resident Evil character designer Masaki Yamanaka.
Bayonetta 2 director Yusuke Hashimoto additionally left Platinum to rejoin Capcom, and labored on the current Onimusha revival. Bayonetta 1 was directed by Kamiya, who not too long ago introduced the hiring of most of the sequence’ unique sound group. Clovers lists almost 20 Bayonetta 3 builders on its web site.
The massive churn of senior employees intently adopted the appointment of former Nintendo licensing boss Takao Yamane in 2022. Talking to VGC the identical yr, Inaba stated the previous Nintendo supervisor’s appointment would “considerably change” the corporate.
“Thus far, we’ve solely been a developer and principally, we simply had a perform as being a improvement studio,” he stated. “However I feel shifting ahead, what we need to have a look at is to how we are able to create video games, talk, promote, and publish these video games to our person base. Moderately than simply being a developer that solely creates video games for purchasers.”
Hideki Kamiya has beforehand stated he expects the Bayonetta franchise to proceed with out him.
