The study of Bayonetta anime style becomes a second-party Sony endeavor

The anime-style Bayonetta studio becomes a second party for Sony, promising us a global launch from the Japanese company

Even though Sony is one of the major companies in the video game industry, it can’t keep up with the gigantic multinational corporations that have joined the industry recently. The constant, billion-dollar acquisitions based on very long-term plans are something that the Japanese can hardly afford or justify. But that doesn’t mean they’re not on the hunt for their own studios. It’s just that their acquisitions aren’t as flashy as those of other companies.

This has been demonstrated with their latest acquisition. Sony has announced that from now on, Shift Up will become the company’s first second-party studio in South Korea. And if Shift Up doesn’t ring a bell, creators of the upcoming Stellar Blade, previously known as Project EVE, we don’t blame you. It’s not a game that stands out by its name. Although we’re sure you’ll recognize it as soon as you see its trailer.

Stellar Blade is an action game with hack’n’slash elements reminiscent of classic titles in the genre like Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, or Nier Automata. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, players will confront robots and demonic entities in challenging and brutal combat, all within a visually stunning game. Developed exclusively for PlayStation 5, the game was originally announced in 2019 as Project Eve before later being renamed Stellar Blade, with a tentative release date of 2023.

As the year draws to a close, it’s clear that we’ll have to wait a bit longer to dive into this game on our consoles. However, with the signing of this agreement, it’s confirmed that Stellar Blade will be published and distributed worldwide by Sony, who will also handle its marketing and promotion. Therefore, it’s expected that regardless of its current status, Sony will aim to launch it to bolster their current lineup of first and second-party games for the upcoming year.

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The creator of ‘Bayonetta’ wants the saga to continue… but without him in charge

“It’s not that I own ‘Bayonetta’, but I suppose those who do will probably continue to release games"

The world of video games cannot be said to be in constant renewal. On the contrary, there’s a tendency to consistently fall back on the same sagas, almost agonizingly so. And, of course, as a terrible consequence, to ignore other sagas that might be more worthwhile than the same title repeated over and over again. For example, ‘Bayonetta,’ which since its debut in 2009 has only had three parts and a spin-off… at least, for now.

They took him in Kamiya

And it’s that Hideki Kamiya, the legendary co-founder of PlatinumGames and director of ‘Resident Evil 2,’ ‘Devil May Cry,’ and ‘Okami,’ has decided to leave the studio, where he had been since 2006 and held the position of vice president. Fans have grown nervous fearing the end of the acrobatic witch franchise, given that ‘Bayonetta Origins’ didn’t sell too well and, without its creator at the helm, it might mean the definitive end.

Personally, I’ll never understand why ‘Bayonetta’ didn’t make the necessary impact to continue and become one of the most important video game franchises in history. It’s fun, violent, with a unique sense of spectacle. Fortunately, Kamiya still believes in it, even after his departure.

“It’s not that I own ‘Bayonetta,’ but I suppose those who do probably will continue releasing games.” Originally, before leaving the studio, the developer intended to continue the saga for nine episodes, proposing to make the fourth and fifth parts right after the release of the third. But, of course, his vision will likely end up buried by PlatinumGames’ commercial interests.

Fans are keeping their fingers crossed after the fantastic experience that was the third installment, hoping that it doesn’t just stop at a trilogy of games. They’re hoping someone with enough strength takes the helm so that the series doesn’t lose its edge. Let the most glamorous fury continue!

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