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PlatinumGames Searching for Western Publisher

Bayonetta 2 image

"Perhaps [SEGA] did not realize how good our games were," says CEO.

In an interview with EDGE Magazine, PlatinumGames CEO Tatsuya Minami revealed a bumpy relationship between the company and SEGA: "There were certainly good parts and bad parts to the relationship," he said. "Perhaps they did not realize how good our games were," added Minami. SEGA's reported 7.1 billion yen loss might have something to do with their reduced output of published games.

According to Minami, signing a four-game deal with SEGA was only a good idea "at the time," and although he admitted to SEGA playing an immense role in the growth of PlatinumGames, they're onto "new things." The aforementioned partnership with Nintendo is "new thing" number one.

The excitement following the announcement of a Wii-U exclusive sequel was immediately overshadowed by the very ugly side of the internet, however. Outraged for having to shell out money for an entirely different console, the angry masses decided to sling a barrage of threatening messages at the development staff via Twitter.

Meanwhile, the "hardcore" crowd vocalized their disapproval of PlatinumGames alienating their core audience: "NINTENDO DOES NOT NOW, NOR WILL IT EVER AGAIN, POSSESS A HARDCORE IMAGE," exclaimed a caps-lock happy Joystiq reader.

Platinum has made it clear they do not wish to disregard their fanbase, but Executive director Atsushi Inaba informed Polygon in a very matter-of-fact manner, "Bayonetta 2 would not exist without Nintendo."

"We are not viewing this as a change of platform. We were looking for a partner to create Bayonetta 2 and Nintendo was a strong, cooperative partner that was willing to create and grow Bayonetta 2 together [with us]. As a result the platform became the Wii U," said Inaba.

Platinum is currently searching for a Western publisher to work with; let's cite this as "new thing" number two. "I think they respect us and recognize what we can do. They always want to work on very action-oriented titles, because they think we're the best action game developers in the world," Inaba told EDGE.

Minami and his staff aspire to "never make a game that people don't like." Unfortunately, all the dislike aimed at Bayonetta 2 is premature thus far.


Mandy's avatar
Staff article by Mandy Safai (September 24, 2012)

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dementedhut posted September 25, 2012:

Yikes, I didn't think the backlash from the Internet was that bad. But that's the Internet for you, I guess. Hearing that Sega and PG had an awkward relationship doesn't sound surprising, though, especially notable concerning Anarchy Reigns' release.

I'm sure some publisher will pick up the game for a western release, since it's just one of those titles that's generating a lot of buzz and such.
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Roto13 posted September 25, 2012:

Which "the game" are you referring to, pickhut? I'd be surprised if Nintendo didn't publish Bayonetta 2 in the West and Sega has a western release window for Anarchy Reigns, though I wouldn't put it past them to let me down again.
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dementedhut posted September 25, 2012:

I was talking about Bayonetta 2. Though it would be nice if NoA did publish the game, it wouldn't be surprising if they would pass on it for being "odd" or not fitting of their family-friendly image. Wouldn't be the first time: Mother 3, Captain Rainbow, etc.
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SamildanachEmrys posted September 25, 2012:

'Hardcore image'? Ugh. I'm sick of internet children.
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Roto13 posted September 25, 2012:

I certainly can't blame anyone for being wary of Nintendo's intentions to release Japanese games in the west/North America after cases like Last Window, Another Code R, Xenoblade, Pandora's Tower, Fatal Frame, etc. this generation. Bayonetta's a pretty different case from Mother 3 and Captain Rainbow, though. Mother 3 never made it over because Earthbound bombed and it was released at the tail end of the GBA's life. Captain Rainbow never left Japan because it's just too weird to have ever been a success. Also Birdo's vibrator. Bayonetta is already more successful than Captain Rainbow would ever have had any hope of being.
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dementedhut posted September 25, 2012:

I understand what you're saying, but what I'm trying to convey is how NoA and the other branches around the world think their family-friendly and devoted fanbase might perceive the title and, as some might view it, its "raunchy" humor. I want the game to succeed (if it turns out a solid game), but as of now, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how NoA responds to it.
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zippdementia posted September 25, 2012:

Yeah, a lot of gamers don't recognize that there's a business behind this whole gaming thing and the words "Bayonetta 2 wouldn't exist without Nintendo" is a very sobering reminder of this. Games don't jump consoles just because the developer wants a change of venue. Developers go with who is willing to pay their development costs, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. While I am not extremely excited about a B2 game on the Wii, I'm not going to bash Nintendo for picking up the franchise. I think it looks very good on them, in fact, and I'm happy that Platinum found someone to help them keep doing what they do.

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