PlatinumGames boss Atsushi Inaba has urged that the studio plans to proceed making video games within the Bayonetta sequence, with out lots of its authentic creators.
The Osaka, Japan studio hasn’t launched a recreation within the Bayonetta sequence for the reason that vital departure of lead builders in recent times, together with sequence creator and co-founder Hideki Kamiya, who shaped a brand new studio to make Okami 2. The final recreation within the sequence was the 2023 spin-off Origins.
The Bayonetta IP can be not owned by Platinum, however break up between Sega and Nintendo, in an settlement that noticed its sequels launched as Wii U and Nintendo Change exclusives.
Talking to Famitsu in certainly one of his first interviews for the reason that massive restructuring, Inaba was requested about the way forward for the Bayonetta sequence – and strongly indicated that it’ll have one.
“I can’t actually reply that proper now,” he mentioned, when requested about future Bayonetta video games. “We’ve got a powerful want to additional develop the character of Bayonetta and develop 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 recreation for the platform, however Inaba mentioned he believes “it’s a console with large potential”.
Platinum breaks silence after massive departures
Since Kamiya and different lead builders left Platinum round 2023, the studio has solely launched work-for-hire initiatives like Crew Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden 4, and extra work on Closing Fantasy XVI, eFootball, and Metallic Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater. It’s at the moment engaged on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles recreation with Paramount.
Along with Kamiya, latest Platinum departures embrace Bayonetta Origins director Abebe Tinari, Bayonetta 3 director Yusuke Miyata, Astral Chain director Takahisa Taura, Metallic 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 latest Onimusha revival. Bayonetta 1 was directed by Kamiya, who not too long ago introduced the hiring of most of the sequence’ authentic sound crew. Clovers lists almost 20 Bayonetta 3 builders on its web site.
The massive churn of senior employees carefully adopted the appointment of former Nintendo licensing boss Takao Yamane in 2022. Talking to VGC the identical yr, Inaba mentioned the previous Nintendo supervisor’s appointment would “considerably change” the corporate.
“So far, we’ve solely been a developer and principally, we simply had a perform as being a improvement studio,” he mentioned. “However I feel transferring ahead, what we wish to take 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 mentioned he expects the Bayonetta franchise to proceed with out him.
