Interesting quotes from PlatinumGames CEO Atsushi Inaba are currently doing the rounds online. Speaking to Famitsu (as translated by VGC), Inaba comments on the Japanese studio's future output. As you may already know, Platinum has long been an action title powerhouse, primarily creating intense but relatively short single-player games.
Inaba's words suggest that the developer could be planning titles with live service elements. He says: "When it comes to future game production, we want to focus on creating games that are different from the past. I would like to focus on creating games that can be enjoyed and loved for a longer period of time."
Inaba goes on to say that a changing industry is a key driving force behind this decision: "The projects that we are trying to create for the future will be different in terms of their structure. Considering the changes in the market over the next five years or so, I think it is absolutely necessary for us to do this. I’m sorry for being so vague, but I think that’s all I can tell you right now."
Of course, this isn't Inaba outright confirming that PlatinumGames will soon be pushing live service design, but it's clearly being hinted at. Again, the studio has a very well respected history of creating largely great action-based properties, but it's never been a hugely profitable company. Branching out might just be a necessity if it's looking to remain a big player.
What do you make of Inaba's outlook? Prepare your Platinum seal of approval in the comments section below.
[source famitsu.com, via videogameschronicle.com, nintendolife.com]
Comments 30
I think this is a big shame, as the skill sets I think Platinum are so strong at make it ideal for the type of titles they have always successfully made, and I'd prefer to see more of them. Making a game based on a live service model is more difficult than you might assume, and I'm not sure that they have the knowledge....
I've always enjoyed their output, so I wish em a lot of luck, but I cant help help feeling unease at this. This could be a huge gamble for them, and its less likely I would be into it as a live service game.
They have always been known for interesting thinking and creative design choices though, so maybe they can make a live service game that really captures my imagination. I certainly hope so!
After seeing Babylon’s Fall, Platinum may be dying. They’ve always gone bad, good, bad, good with their output but the live-service model just doesn’t fit with their gameplay. You can’t fully design a never-ending stream of combat encounters. Whereas with a shorter experience you can properly balance each and every combat encounter which is exactly what makes Metal Gear Rising and Bayonetta so good.
I honestly can't blame them. As beloved as PlatinumGames games are, they have a history of not selling well. Nier Automata pretty much saved the company, and there was that weird phase where they were making licensed games for Activision
These decisions are made way in advance. Pre-production is probably done & the game is in active development.
That would explain Bayo3s delay.
Babylon’s Fall is going to bomb so hard it won’t even be funny. Following this supposed game(s), they’ll probably be acquired by someone.
Platinum Games are in a similar position to what Housemarque were in. A hugely talented team but make niche games that struggled to sell.
It sounds like what Haven Studio is doing.
Not sure why Platinum would actively be seeking to alienate its niche fanbase with a live service game. They’re simply two separate subsets of gamers, but what do I know? All I know is that I’d gladly take a sequel to Metal Gear Rising.
I have a very back and forth relationship with Platinum. Bayonetta 1 was alright. Bayonetta 2 was much improved. Couldn't stand Metal Gear Revengance. Nier Automata was excellent.
But from all I've seen of Babylon's Fall...if that's any indication of their future...they might be in for a rough ride.
Gaas is something people wanted for their sports games. Pay a one time fee, $30, then pay for yearly updates to a roster, stadiums, playbooks, etc($10-15). The sports devs didn't even consider it. While the games we didn't want as a service, are becoming services.
SONY be like:
"Oh boy!!!! Platinum is fire now! I'm about to acquire them"
@Tavis
"We making all Nier games from now on." - Platinum Games
Yeah. Babylon looks god awful.
I can't stand where the industry is headed. I wish I had the brain of these casual gamers that push this type if market, so It didn't bother me anymore.
@PhhhCough all Sports games SHOULD be GaaS.
Weird choice considering Platinum usually excels in single player experiences. I'm convinced they are a sinking ship that is trying to save themselves by jumping into live service games. I think they're the kind of developers that needs acquiring to ensure their future and I'd say Nintendo would be a suitable choice with how closely they've worked together, but Nintendo doesn't really do those so I'd half expect Microsoft to swoop in and secure a Japanese company to try get into that market. I don't see Sony trying to buy them but well... the last month has proven anything is possible.
Industry is going to *****. Gamers today grew up with micro transactions being the norm and a focus on just hanging out with friends in whatever repetitive sandbox they were provided. They don’t see anything wrong with it. They’ll stay hooked in one game drip feeding money on loot boxes and pointless cosmetics instead of experiencing new virtual worlds and gameplay. So glad I started gaming when I did.
Oof, not a fan of seeing Platinum take this route.
Jade Raymond has given details of her studio's game
Oh boy. ppl will loooove this
You got to adapt, so I understand.... Not all, but most Platinum games usually sell like crap compare to other games. And that's not good for a small-middle size company like Platinum, and anyone that thinks overwise, is delusional.
Here is the thing, I'm ok with multiplayer/live service games as long as a company keep producing single player games too. Not sure of that's possible for a company like Platinum though.
The key here is balance between both, single player games and multiplayer/live service games. Both can/should be able to coexist, if manage right... that's all.
@RevGaming That's coming to PC and PS5 and it is a live service? We already new about the live service part, and coming to PC makes sense for a game like that.... Honestly, some of you guys here act like children sometimes, which is sad. Just stop the nonsense and drama because there isn't any...
@rpg2000 I don't get how the pc makes sense. I won't play vs people that have an advantage over me and hackers, but financially yeah, sure. It will sell better on PS5.
UUUM. EXCUSE ME SIR BUT IT WAS A JOKE AND I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT PEOPLE HERE COMPLAINING ABOUT GAAS AND THAT I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING.
I will take an apology now siiiiir
Next up: Firewalk studios, Guerrilla, Factions, Firesprite and London Studio making a GaaS for PS5
looks like platinum is taking cues from sony and various other misguided publishers by going the service route. R.I.P. platinum games. you had a good run there for a while but once you started getting involved with activision and put out that trio of budget titles, the quality went downhill (outside of a few exceptions). then you tried to work with microsoft on scalebound and we all know how that turned out. what a disaster! bayonetta 3 has been in development hell for over 5 years now. then there was the controversy with regards to granblue fantasy re-link and how they apprently pulled out of the project (or were dismissed) for unknown reasons? babylon's fall looks like absolute trash... is this the project that got them excited about service games??? The problem with platinum games is simple: they are poorly managed and clearly do not bring in enough revenue to stay afloat without giving in to desperate 3rd party contracts. clearly it is not working out for them and they would be better off purchased by sega, nintendo or sony. and no, i am not merely saying that as a response of the recent microsoft and sony acquisitions — i have been concerned about platinum games for years now. hope they figure it out because at their best, they create a product that is pretty well lost in the gaming industry outside of the devil may cry series.
Platinum has been overhyped for ages. They have an all star team that misfires more than not, and the praised games while unique and interesting are generally a display of glaring flaws we're willing to look past.
Over the past 15 years what have they really done that stood out in a good way? Bayonetta 2 (maybe 3?), Astral Chain, Nier Automata which was good in spite of them, not because of them, Taro gets the credit there, Revengence........that's pretty much it, Vanquish from a lifetime or two ago. Mad World which was weird but is what made them famous.
On the other hand they have the cancelled Scalebound that was a mess, W101 that was a lovable mess, Granblue (moved to a different dev entirely), Starfox 0 (....), Babylon's Fall, a Transformers game.... And a preorder scandal.
Most of their good stuff was from the first few years of their existence. It's been mostly failures with a smattering of successes since then.
That studio has been in trouble for ages. The only reason they're still in business was Tencent "partnering" with them....which is probably why they're making services now.
Did they have to mention Live Service.
Hard pass on any live service games they decide to make.
@RevGaming I think they are better suited to Nintendo. If all of these unthought out acquisitions go through, there are going to be a lot of ruined and/or closures of many beloved studios.
@Apfelschteiner Who? Capcom?
That would be worse. I wouldn't be interested in their games if they were on a way more inferior console. I look at MH rise like... yeah it's MH, but I have one that looks better on PS.
That's why I say only if both benefit from the acquisitions.
Bungie acquisition of Platinum games confirmed.
@RevGaming I was referring to Platinum being a better fit for Nintendo.
@Apfelschteiner Oh. Then yes.
Looks like Platinum is asking to be acquired. ☠️
Well I certainly wouldn't mind spending more time in the world of NieR!
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