Platinum Games ansetter til et nytt online actionspill

Platinum Games Is Cooking Up a New Online Action Game—Here’s Why That Matters

Platinum Games—the studio behind Bayonetta, Nier: Automata (in collaboration with Square Enix), and Astral Chain—has put out a new job listing for an online action game. If that sounds risky considering their Babylon’s Fall fiasco, you’re not wrong.

Spotted by Tech4Gamers, the listing is for a game designer with experience in online action and level design for open field or online games. It’s Platinum’s second stab at online gaming, following Babylon’s Fall, which… well, cratered. Hard.

“The company listed a game designer role on its official website, stating that an online action game is in the works at the studio.”

It’s also worth noting that this comes after a wave of senior developer departures, including co-founder Hideki Kamiya—the outspoken creator of Bayonetta, Viewtiful Joe, and The Wonderful 101. So yeah, the dev team looks a lot different these days.

Bayonetta’s Origin

Before we talk about the studio’s new direction, let’s back up for a sec. Bayonetta is more than just a cult hit—it’s a genre-defining character action game that built on the style of Devil May Cry but went completely bonkers with its combat, style, and character design. It turned the “witch with guns on her feet” into an icon.

Released in 2009, Bayonetta was a commercial underdog that exploded in popularity thanks to its slick combat, over-the-top visuals, and a heroine who oozed confidence. By Bayonetta 2 and 3, she’d become a symbol of stylish action done right—and a staple of Nintendo’s Switch lineup, weirdly enough.

Even now, Bayonetta’s presence in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate keeps her in the gaming spotlight. She’s one of the few characters who can go toe-to-toe with Mario, Link, and Cloud in terms of gameplay hype.

But Platinum’s Been Wobbly Since

Post-Bayonetta 3, the studio has been navigating rockier terrain. While Astral Chain was critically acclaimed, Babylon’s Fall (their first real online/live service attempt) flopped so badly it was pulled offline just a year after launch.

“Babylon's Fall was an astronomical failure.”

Add to that the fact that Hideki Kamiya and other senior figures have left, and you’re looking at a company in the middle of an identity shift. Right now, Platinum is juggling multiple projects, including co-developing Ninja Gaiden 4 with Team Ninja, and now this mystery online action game.

“Given that Platinum is only hiring right now for this online action game, it's safe to say we probably won't see it any time soon.”

Why Go Online Again?

Financially? It makes sense. Even if Platinum’s single-player action games have cult followings (Astral Chain, Vanquish, The Wonderful 101), they’ve never been blockbuster sellers. The online/live service space, while extremely competitive, can be lucrative if you get it right.

Unfortunately, Platinum didn’t get it right the first time. Babylon’s Fall had poor reviews, a confusing art style, and a lack of endgame content. Players bounced hard.

So why try again? It’s probably a mix of lessons learned, financial necessity, and the hope that they can crack the formula with a better idea and a fresh team. It’s a gamble, but one that might pay off—especially if they lean into what Platinum does best: tight combat mechanics and absurd spectacle.

Image: Capcom

Best Female Game Characters by User Popularity

Bayonetta isn’t just important because she stars in great games—she represents a rare type of character in gaming: powerful, unapologetic, and stylish as hell. Here’s how she stacks up among other iconic women in games:

As you can see, Bayonetta consistently ranks near the top, especially among action game fans. She’s not just a mascot—she’s a blueprint.

The Takeaway: A New Era (Again) for Platinum

This new online action game is still in the very early stages. They’re only just hiring for it, so don’t expect a trailer or title reveal anytime soon. But it tells us a lot about where Platinum’s priorities are going forward.

Will it alienate their old-school fans who loved the single-player, stylish chaos of Bayonetta and Vanquish? Probably. But for the studio to survive (and not just coast on nostalgia), they’ve got to try something new—and maybe make it work this time.

Let’s just hope they don’t forget what made them great in the first place: fast, creative combat and unforgettable characters. If they can bring that magic into the online space, it might just work.

But if it’s another Babylon’s Fall? It could be their last shot.

What do you think: can Platinum Games pull off a good online action title, or is this a risky rerun of a bad idea?