A lot of folks are (impatiently) waiting on Platinum Games to bring Bayonetta 3 to the Nintendo Switch. While that game is still in the works, the developer has other big plans for this year.
The Platinum Games team provided a number of notes, published earlier today by the Video Games Chronicle. In it, we not only get an update on what’s going on with the Bayonetta sequel, but also with what else is on the way.
First off, regarding Bayonetta 3, studio head Atsushi Inaba noted that it’s currently undergoing a change in design. That’s a good thing, as it’ll lean more towards the style of Bayonetta and its sequel. However, this probably means we won’t be getting the game later this year.
However, the studio also has a new game in development, one that has apparently never been done before. Inaba said, “I know a lot of people say that, but the game we’re working on truly is unlike anything else. Even for our varied history of veteran game developers, this is something that has never been designed before. So from a game design perspective, we’re very excited right now.”
The company also hopes to move towards self-publishing with some of its projects over the year, cherishing the “freedom” it comes with. That said, it’s still working closely with Nintendo on Astral Chain, which will release for the Switch this fall.
“2019 will be an incredibly important year for us,” Inaba stated. “Without speaking directly to the number of titles we may or may not announce, I can say it’s going to be a year of some major new approaches, new challenges and new methods for us. Basically, we’re building a new foundation that in later years will pay dividends. For us, new challenges are going to be very important.”
Inaba also noted that two intellectual properties are in the works for the company, owned entirely by the studio. These will play a part in its publishing plans, even though we don’t know what they are.
That said, Platinum would still continue to work with third parties like Nintendo and Square Enix. “There are still going to potentially be games in which we partner with publishers to do big things with big IPs,” he concluded. There might be some co-publishing options where we’re doing some of it and they’re doing some of it to make a larger game, and there might be situations where we’re going to be self-publishing larger games as well.”
We’re looking forward to seeing what they do next. But, um, do these plans include a Vanquish sequel? Or maybe a return of The Wonderful 101? Hmmm.
