A few months ago, a pivotal development in the gaming community occurred after Hideki Kamiya, the creative force behind the iconic Bayonetta series, parted ways with PlatinumGames. His departure led to speculation about the future trajectory of this beloved franchise – that is, until now.
In a recent YouTube video on his channel, Kamiya addressed fans’ queries, acknowledging that his grand vision of a nine-episode Bayonetta saga may sadly remain unrealized, a prospect he poignantly described as taking “to the grave” with him. Despite this, he expressed confidence that the series would continue without him, a sentiment that offers a glimmer of hope to fans of the acclaimed action franchise.
What does this mean for the future of Bayonetta? While the series is likely to continue, it now stands at a crossroads, poised to embark on a journey that will likely diverge from Kamiya’s original blueprint.
Taking an optimist’s perspective, this shift could lead to new creative possibilities, infusing the series with fresh ideas and concepts. That said, it also raises questions about how the franchise will retain the essence that made it a cult classic under Kamiya’s stewardship.
If you’re wondering whether Bayonetta can survive without Kamiya, the answer isn’t exactly straightforward, but there’s good reason to believe it still can. PlatinumGames still retains the ability to create more Bayonetta games, and while Kamiya only directed the first installment, his influence has been deeply ingrained in the series.
As of February this year, Bayonetta 3 had sold over 1 million copies, indicating a sustained interest in the franchise. As such, the future may see a significant transformation in the series’ approach to both writing and gameplay, with a noticeable narrative evolution that’s unburdened by Kamiya’s original vision.
Furthermore, the continuity of the talented team at PlatinumGames, especially key figures like Mari Shimazaki, the designer behind the titular character, offers some much-needed reassurance.
Unfortunately, the gaming industry has witnessed instances where franchises struggled or failed after losing their lead developers. A notable example is the Metal Gear Solid series, post-Hideo Kojima’s departure from Konami. The series, deeply rooted in Kojima’s personal style, suffered a significant setback with Metal Gear Survive, which failed to resonate with fans and critics alike.
Similarly, the Silent Hill series, initially developed by Team Silent, lost its essence after Konami disbanded the team and outsourced development to Western studios. This decision marked the beginning of the franchise’s decline, a decline that seems to have no end in sight considering the poor reception of Silent Hill: Ascension.
On the other hand, some franchises have thrived despite the departure of their lead developers. Capcom’s Mega Man is a prime example. Just a quick FYI: contrary to popular belief, Keiji Inafune, who left Capcom in 2010 amid controversy, was not the sole creator of Mega Man (that credit goes to Akira Kitamura). After Inafune’s departure, the franchise did not crater as many expected it to. In fact, the opposite happened as Inafune’s subsequent venture, Comcept, and its Kickstarter-funded game Mighty No. 9, turned into critical and commercial failures, casting doubt on his legacy.
Tomb Raider is another success story, having changed studios twice, moving from Core Design to Crystal Dynamics and then to Eidos-Montréal. The action-adventure series proved that a change in developers doesn’t necessarily spell doom for a franchise. Its continued success under different teams became a testament to the potential for franchises to evolve and flourish under new guidance.
Amidst all these transitions, there’s an air of curiosity about what Hideki Kamiya will do next. His departure from PlatinumGames not only leaves questions about the future of Bayonetta but also opens up possibilities for his future endeavors. Kamiya asserted his ongoing passion for game development, revealing that he has a complete story for a third installment of Viewtiful Joe, a project he has always wanted to pursue.
Given his larger-than-life reputation in the industry as a maestro of the action genre, it’s safe to assume that his next project, if it happens at all, will draw from this genre. Or maybe he will blossom into a YouTube sensation before then? Who knows?
