Veteran game developer Takahisa Taura has confirmed his departure from PlatinumGames, ending months of speculation surrounding his status at the acclaimed Japanese studio. This marks another major exit in a concerning trend of key talent leaving the company.
Taura, best known as the co-director of the Nintendo Switch-exclusive Astral Chain, officially revealed his exit in a recent Famitsu interview, as cited by industry watcher Genki on Twitter. His confirmation comes after eagle-eyed fans noticed changes to his social media profiles earlier this year, including the removal of PlatinumGames affiliations from his Twitter and Facebook.
Founded in 2007 by industry legends including Shinji Mikami and Hideki Kamiya, PlatinumGames rose to prominence with stylish, action-driven hits such as Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and NieR: Automata — the latter being one of the notable projects Taura worked on as a designer.
Taura’s impact at the studio is undeniable. Beyond Astral Chain, his work on high-profile projects like MadWorld and NieR: Automata contributed to Platinum’s reputation for genre-defining, fast-paced action gameplay. His departure is being seen by fans and insiders alike as part of a larger exodus affecting the company.
Adding to the intrigue, Taura revealed that he is now focusing on a new venture — a company called Eel Game Studio, which he co-founded. While details remain sparse, the announcement suggests a desire for greater creative control or a shift in direction after more than a decade at PlatinumGames.
The timing of Taura’s exit is particularly notable, as it comes amid rumors of additional high-ranking staff departures, further fueling speculation about internal restructuring or dissatisfaction within the studio.
As PlatinumGames works to redefine its future with projects like Project G.G. and other yet-unannounced titles, the loss of a core creative figure like Taura could have significant ripple effects. Fans now wonder whether the studio can maintain the momentum and innovation that once made it a standout in the Japanese game development scene.