Evidence grows that Astral Chain director Takahisa Taura could have quit PlatinumGames

Astral Chain director and Nier Automata designer Takahisa Taura looks likely to have quit PlatinumGames.

Last month, fans speculated that the key creator could have made a career switch, after he removed reference to PlatinumGames from his X handle.

Now, fans have noticed that Taura has changed his place of work on his Facebook page, swapping Platinum for the mysterious ‘Eel Game Studio’.

According to Japanese company listings, this appears to be a new formation, suggesting Taura is either establishing a studio, or going freelance. It’s also potentially notable that the new company has been formed in Tokyo, and not Osaka, where Platinum’s main HQ is based.

VGC has asked Platinum for comment on this story.

Taura has indeed left Platinum, as his social media profie suggests, then it would come amid a period of perceived uncertainty for Platinum.

This week, the company broke silence by announcing it’s working on a new Ninja Gaiden game. However, last month, its influential former creative director, Hideki Kamiya, announced a new studio backed by Capcom.

There’s also speculation that many of its other lead creators could have followed Kamiya out of the company, after they removed references to Platinum from their social media profiles. Last month, the director of Bayonetta Origins confirmed their departure.

Speaking to VGC in a recent interview to discuss his new studio, Clovers, Hideki Kamiya explained the reason for his departure.

“If I was satisfied at Platinum, then I wouldn’t have left,” he said. “There’s a way I believe games should be made: a philosophy, a mindset of how games should be made. Koyama approached me, and we shared the same mindset and philosophy about game development.”