Astral Chain Co-Director Leaves PlatinumGames: What’s Next?

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Summary

  • Takahisa Taura, the Astral Chain co-director, has left PlatinumGames after over a decade, joining the list of high-profile exits.
  • Hideki Kamiya, a co-founder, also previously left the company, opening his firm, Clovers.
  • PlatinumGames is still working on Ninja Gaiden 4, with reports hinting at a new NieR entry and a live-service title in the works.

Longtime video game creator Takahisa Taura has officially announced his departure from Platinum Games, fueling ongoing discussions about his current position. This move adds to a series of significant departures that Platinum Games has experienced over the past few years as several key team members have chosen to leave the company.

Ever since its establishment in 2007 by seasoned developers like Shinji Mikami and Hideki Kamiya, the Japan-based studio PlatinumGames has earned a notable standing in the gaming world. This recognition stems from the triumph of third-party ventures, such as “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance,” and original intellectual properties like “Bayonetta” and the recently mentioned “Astral Chain.” Notably, “Astral Chain” is significant here, given that its director, Taura, who led the 2019 Switch title, has recently announced his departure from the studio. Taura’s contributions extend beyond just “Astral Chain,” as he has also played a crucial role in several well-received titles like “NieR: Automata” and “MadWorld.” Given PlatinumGames’ impressive history under Taura’s leadership, his exit is causing concern among the studio’s fans.

In an interview with Famitsu (as reported by Genki, an industry observer), Takahisa Taura clarified the speculations about his job status by disclosing that he has parted ways with PlatinumGames after more than a decade. This announcement follows several months since whispers emerged about him removing PlatinumGames’ initials from his Twitter handle and updating his workplace on Facebook. Concerningly, this information surfaces at the same time as rumors of other top-tier PlatinumGames developers leaving, hinting at a potential massive departure within the organization. Taura additionally mentioned that he is now focusing on Eel Game Studio, a company he co-founded.

Astral Chain Game Director Joins the List of PlatinumGames High-Profile Departures

Since his departure, Taura joins the ranks of other seasoned professionals who have recently chosen to part ways with PlatinumGames. This trend follows in the footsteps of some prominent figures, including Hideki Kamiya, a co-founder of the studio behind Bayonetta, who also bid farewell to the team after more than 15 years due to creative differences regarding the company’s direction. Akin to Taura, the lead of Resident Evil 2 is now focusing on duties at his own company named Clovers.

Even with numerous team members leaving, PlatinumGames remains dedicated to their upcoming releases. Specifically, they’re focusing on “Ninja Gaiden 4,” slated for release in late 2025. Moreover, rumors suggest that a new installment of the popular “NieR” series and a live-service game are also being developed at the Japanese studio.

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2025-05-02 16:46