What Is the Future of Bayonetta? Atsushi Inaba Comments on Sequel Plans

Speaking in a joint interview with Famitsu, PlatinumGames CEO Atsushi Inaba dropped strong hints about the future of the Bayonetta franchise following a massive internal studio restructuring. While stopping short of an official game reveal, Inaba emphasized the studio’s deep commitment to evolving the iconic Umbra Witch. The news arrives alongside the announcement of a major Bayonetta crossover update for Shift Up’s action title Stellar Blade, scheduled to launch on November 5 for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC.

What Did Atsushi Inaba Say About the Next Bayonetta Game?

During the interview alongside Shift Up CEO Hyung-tae Kim, Inaba was directly asked if PlatinumGames has concrete plans for the next chapter in the Bayonetta series.

While he avoided declaring a specific sequel, Inaba made it clear that the character remains a central priority for the Osaka-based developer:

“At the moment, I really can’t answer that. We have a strong desire to further develop the Bayonetta character and expand her world. Please look forward to seeing what form that will take in the future.”

Inaba also touched on the newly unveiled Nintendo Switch 2, noting that while PlatinumGames has yet to release a title for Nintendo’s latest hardware, he views the platform as a system with “tremendous potential.”

Who Owns the Rights to the Bayonetta Franchise?

A common misconception among gamers is that PlatinumGames owns the rights to Bayonetta. In reality, the intellectual property is shared between Sega and Nintendo:

• Sega: Owns the core intellectual property rights from publishing the original 2009 title.
• Nintendo: Co-owns distribution rights and funded development for Bayonetta 2, Bayonetta 3, and the 2023 prequel spin-off Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, keeping modern entries exclusive to Nintendo consoles.

Which Key Developers Have Left PlatinumGames Recently?

Inaba’s comments are particularly significant given the massive talent exodus that has reshaped PlatinumGames since 2023. Saga creator and studio co-founder Hideki Kamiya departed to launch his new independent studio, Clovers, where he is currently leading development on Okami 2 alongside several original Bayonetta audio team members.

Key departures from PlatinumGames include:

• Hideki Kamiya: Creator of Bayonetta and Director of Bayonetta 1
• Yusuke Hashimoto: Director of Bayonetta 2 (Returned to Capcom for Onimusha)
• Yusuke Miyata: Director of Bayonetta 3
• Abebe Tinari: Director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
• Takahisa Taura: Director of Astral Chain
• Kenji Saito: Director of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
• Masaki Yamanaka: Lead Character Designer (Anarchy Reigns, Resident Evil)

What Projects Is PlatinumGames Currently Working On?

Following the departure of its senior creative directors, PlatinumGames has shifted heavily toward high-profile work-for-hire and co-development projects. The studio contributed development support to Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XVI, Konami’s Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and EA’s eFootball.

Currently, PlatinumGames is collaborating with Team Ninja on Ninja Gaiden 4 while simultaneously partnering with Paramount on an unannounced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action game. Before leaving, Kamiya expressed his hope that PlatinumGames would continue the Bayonetta legacy without him, and Inaba’s latest remarks suggest the studio intends to honor that wish.