In 2016,Platinum Gamespresident Tatsuya Minami stepped down and executive director Kenichi Sato stepped into the role. The over five years since have been eventful, to say the least, for the game developer and publisher. Games includingNier: Automata,Astral Chain,The Wonderful 101: Remastered, andWorld of Demonshave been released since, with several more arriving in 2022. Sato, it seems, is content with the state ofPlatinum, and has himself now announced he will be stepping down.
Akin to Minami’s departure from Platinum, Sato stepped down from his position as president and CEO over a month ago, only confirming the leadership shift publically now. Sato is stepping down from his role at the company with aplomb, releasing a public statement detailing several of the major decisions he oversaw at the company. These accomplishments include the formation of a capital alliance with Tencent, the launch of the newPlatinum Games Tokyostudio, and the initial development and publication of Platinum’s own IP.
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Sato confirmed that he isn’t departing the company wholly, for the time being, but plans to remain part of Platinum in an advisory role. This type of transition is common for major roles at companies, thoughSatois unlikely to have any serious role at Platinum going forward. He’ll simply be available as necessary for questions or transitionary work.
Replacing Sato as president of Platinum Games is founder and head producer Atsushi Inaba. Inaba has worked as a producer on projects including the originalPhoenix Wrighttrilogy at Capcom,OkamiandGod Handat Clover, and some of Platinum’s biggest projects, including the upcomingBayonetta 3. Inaba will carry forward Sato’s message of focusing on expanded and accelerated game development, with his “skills in the creative side of games” being the key factor in his ascendency to Platinum Games' presidency.
In a statement,Inabadescribes how playing video games “connects us, sets us free,” regardless of our backgrounds, languages, or experiences. He doesn’t lay out any specific direction or goals for the future, but does say that Platinum will continue self-publishing going forward.
What this means for Platinum going forward remains to be seen. The transition comes as a significant surprise, particularly with three games planned to launch in 2022. Perhaps the development ofSol Cresta,Babylon’s Fall, andBayonetta 3revealed issues within Platinum that new leadership will better handle going forward. All fans can do is look forward to these games and continuedPlatinumdevelopment going forward.
