Yusuke Hashimoto Who Directed Bayonetta 2 Announces Departure From PlatinumGames

This past week we got an update from the Bayonetta developer PlatinumGames that a new title is planned to release later in 2019 which doesn’t star the Umbra Witch. Debuting Astral Chain which hones similarities within the game’s core fighting mechanics, but makes it diverse itself from their other title with a take on the cyberpunk aesthetic.

Among the Japanese studio’s newest IP, it was also revealed recently that PlatinumGames own Yusuke Hasimoto is officially leaving the developer: since founding the studio back in 2007, Hashimoto ends his career at Platinum with 13 years.

Hashimoto most popularly known for directing Bayonetta 2 and assumed to have been taking on the role for the third installment in the series, but now we know that isn’t the case. Since the post of his tweet, all information directing to Platinum has been removed. Since Bayonetta 3’s reveal back in late-2017, not much has been detailed on where the title currently stands. Nintendo’s latest Direct did share that the studio is currently “hard at work” on the upcoming title.

For who might take up the role could be aimed at the one currently holding the same position for Astral Chain, Takahisa Taura. Previously, Taura worked on 2017’s Nier: Automata, so if true then Bayonetta 3 should be in good hands for when Platinum is ready ship the title sometime in the future.

Bayonetta 3 currently does not have a set release date, but will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch.