PlatinumGames starts the year with a new strongman at the helm! The Japanese studio announced a leadership change in December 2021 after Kenichi Sato left his position as CEO. The feature has since remained vacant, but we learn it is Atsushi Inaba, who now succeeds him.
Busy with the developments of Babylon’s fall, Bayonetta 3 or even mysterious gg project, PlatinumGames will have a lot to do in the years to come. Therefore, the successor of Kenichi Sato logically went to a well-known personality in the house. Before taking over the studio Atsushi Inaba was in fact the vice president and producer responsible for part of the teams. For his part, Kenichi Sato will retain an advisory role by joining the board of the talented Japanese company.
This assumption of office is therefore characterized by continuity, especially since the man already knows the presidency of a studio well. Before you land in PlatinumGames, Atsushi Inaba was in fact the head of Clover Studio at Capcom. He had managed the staff there and in particular made the production of titles like possible possible Viewtiful Joe Where Okami. Experiences that PlatinumGames would not deny, since a certain philosophy of fun and experimentation binds their work together.
Atsushi Inaba’s letter
The new CEO of PlatinumGames specifically addressed his teams when he took office. An open letter shared on the developer’s official website, in which Atsushi Inaba recalls the idea of the video game that drives the studio every day. An idea that he wants to keep alive for a long time to “put a smile on the players’ faces”.
Here it is Letter translated into French. :
Create and deliver.
Create innovative forms of play.
PlatinumGames was founded on this belief.
That will never change.
Games come in all styles, for all types of people. By nature, they are a true expression of freedom: thoughts come together freely to create an idea, develop it, and then play it out. The real fun of games comes from the freedom given to both the creator and the user – which is why I think they are such an amazing form of entertainment.
It has always been important to me to approach the subject of “enjoyment” with absolute sincerity. I believe that each of our employees takes pride in being entertainers, always looking for the perfect balance between playfulness and professionalism.
Developing a fun new game starts with the creator’s ability to enjoy the game itself. The creator then has to keep evolving their idea until they have something that brings that sense of fun to all who experience it – that consideration for the user makes all the difference.
The overarching goal that drove us to start self-publishing hasn’t changed since its inception: to invent something new and share it with the rest of the world – keeping our sincerity to creation at every step of the way to show. .
People of different languages and backgrounds all gathered around one controller. A new kind of game makes them smile.
It brings us together, sets us free.
It’s a job I’m very proud of.
As we approach the new challenges of the future, I hope to bring even more experiences to all our users.
Managing Director/Studio Head
Atsushi Inaba
