A prominent figure in the gaming industry has taken a significant step forward in his career journey. Former director of Astral Chain and designer of Nier Automata, Takahisa Taura, has officially announced his departure from PlatinumGames. In a recent Famitsu magazine interview, Taura revealed that he has established his own venture, Eel Game Studio, although details remain scarce for now. This move comes after months of conjecture, sparked by changes in his online profiles last year.
The speculation surrounding PlatinumGames' core team members intensified recently when Hideki Kamiya, the company's former creative lead, unveiled a new studio supported by Capcom. Kamiya's announcement included hints about other key figures leaving PlatinumGames, such as Yusuke Miyata, Kenji Saito, and Masaki Yamanaka. In a video message, Kamiya emphasized the unique talents of these creators and encouraged anticipation for their upcoming projects. Despite inquiries, PlatinumGames remained tight-lipped about these rumored departures, maintaining an enigmatic stance until Kamiya's exit announcement in late 2023.
Taking a fresh approach with its future endeavors, PlatinumGames recently disclosed plans for a new Ninja Gaiden game in collaboration with Koei Tecmo and Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios. This marks the company’s first major public statement since Kamiya's departure. In a candid December interview, Hideki Kamiya shared insights into his decision to leave PlatinumGames, highlighting personal and professional motivations. The evolving landscape of the gaming industry underscores the importance of adaptability and innovation, as talented individuals continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment through their vision and creativity.