Shocking Departure: PlatinumGames' Top Developer Bids Farewell

Highlights

Hideki Kamiya, one of the co-founders and well-known developers at PlatinumGames, will be leaving the company on October 12 after nearly 20 years at the helm.

Kamiya's departure appears to be amicable, with him expressing his desire to continue creating games in his own distinctive style. The future of the Bayonetta series, which was both created and directed by Kamiya, is now uncertain in the wake of his departure.

PlatinumGames recently announced that Hideki Kamiya, one of its most renowned developers, will be departing from the company on October 12. Kamiya, who co-founded PlatinumGames in 2006, previously worked at Capcom where he directed popular titles such as Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry.

Throughout his tenure at PlatinumGames, Kamiya oversaw the development of numerous beloved games, most notably as the creator and director of the Bayonetta series. Known for his bold and outspoken nature, Kamiya frequently garnered attention for his provocative statements, like when he suggested that the latest Bayonetta game could help resolve Japan's marriage crisis. Although some of his remarks have sparked controversy and scandal, they have only added to his celebrity status and notoriety.

After almost two decades at the helm of PlatinumGames, Hideki Kamiya is scheduled to depart the company on October 12, 2023. The news was disclosed on Twitter by the studio's official account and later confirmed by a tweet from Kamiya himself. While both posts do not provide any explicit reason for Kamiya's departure, the latter tweet offers slightly more insight. Kamiya mentioned that his decision to leave was based on his own beliefs and thoughtful consideration, suggesting that it was a voluntary choice rather than a forced departure. Additionally, considering the great success of Bayonetta 3, it is unlikely that Kamiya's performance as a game director played a role in this decision.

Although Kamiya's confirmation of his departure did not reveal his future career plans, he made it clear that he still intends to create games, stating, "I will continue to create in my Hideki Kamiya way. I hope you'll keep your eyes peeled." It remains uncertain whether Kamiya will establish a new company, similar to his previous founding of PlatinumGames in 2006, or join another established studio. However, fans can expect to receive further information in the near future. Additionally, the future of the Bayonetta series is currently uncertain, given the departure of its creator.

Hideki Kamiya's departure from the company he co-founded has not been explained, but the available evidence suggests a friendly split. Given the decline of the Metal Gear series after Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, fans of Bayonetta may be apprehensive about the franchise's future. It remains to be seen what Kamiya's next steps will be in his successful career and how the projects he contributed to will fare in the interim.