PlatinumGames // Strategic Bomba Command // non-stop climatic bloody minded self-publishing action. // P* Origins: Clover & the Lost Okami sequel.

[KR_EP]

Platinum maintains is luster forever

Dat Platinum Content
Post 1. Company Overview
Post 2. Sales Data
Post 3. Staff Information & Useful Links.
'To Do List' at bottom of barrel roll.

Bouncin' - ODD SEED Money (Origin-Story-Arc).​

Diplomacy has failed, CAPCOM shuttered Clover Studios. Undeterred, Inaba, Kamiya & Mikami multi-unite-morph their fledging start up with Tatsuya Minami's to bring their PLATINUM GAME!

True Game - Keep Ballen Minami (Platinum-Age-Arc)​

MadWorld marks a bloody debut for the dream-team, SEGA partnership, Kamiya & Mikami deliver the goods before the latter bails to form Tango Gameworks. Nintendo calls.

Realism - Sato presents Contract Work, It’s a Way of Livin’ (PMSC-Arc)​

Easy come, easy go, license work for Activision Blizzard of varying quality, Nintendo insists on utilising the WiiU Gamepad for Star Fox Zero. Nier Automata saves the day in the nick of time.

Hating Game (Interlude) - Inaba’s Tryina Survive (Enemies-Unite-Arc)​

Multiple high profile cancellations, no NieR Automata 2, extended development for Babylon's Fall, Bayonetta 3 & World of Demons. Successful crowdfund marred with delays. Taura rises.

Hard Way - Yamane’s Gambit. Can PlatinumGames recover its lustre? (Shocking Self Publishing-Arc)​

Ambitious plans to expand, Takao Yamane arrives to put the house in order. Bayonetta 3 finally released. Fruit of Tencent funding, next week June in games magazine expo. Discuss!

My Life - PlatinumGames Dramatic Resume (separate brackets indicate port)​

2009: [Wii] MadWorld (SEGA) (Spike) {2009.03.10} {2010.02.10} // [NDS] Infinite Space (SEGA) {2009.06.11} // [360] Bayonetta (SEGA) {2009.10.29} (WiiU)*1 (PC) (Switch) (PS4/Xbox One)
2010: [PS3/360] Vanquish (SEGA) {2010.10.19} (PC) (PS4/Xbox One)
2011: --
2012: [PS3/360] Max Anarchy aka Anarchy Reigns (SEGA) {2012.07.05}
2013: [PS3/360] Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Konami) {2013.02.19} (PC) // [WiU] The Wonderful 101 (Nintendo) {2013.08.23}
2014: [WiU] Bayonetta 2 (Nintendo) {2014.09.20}*1 (Switch) // [PC/PS3/PS4/360/XB1] The Legend of Korra (Activision Blizzard) {2014.10.21}*2
2015: [PC/PS4/PS4/360/XB1] Transformers: Devastation (Activision Blizzard) {2015.10.06}*3
2016: [WiU] Star Fox Zero & Star Fox Guard (Nintendo) {2016.04.21} // [PC/PS3/PS4/360/XB1] Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (Activision Blizzard) {2016.05.24}*4
2017: [PC/PS4] NieR: Automata (Square Enix) {2017.02.23} (Xbox One) (Switch)
2018: --
2019: [SWI] Astral Chain (Nintendo) {2019.08.30}
2020: [PC/PS4/SWI] The Wonderful 101: Remastered (PlatinumGames) {2020.05.19} (Amazon Luna)
2021: [Apple Arcade] World of Demons (PlatinumGames) [2021.04.02}
2022: [PC/PS4/SWI] Sol Cresta + Dramatic & Legendary Fighters DLC (PlatinumGames) {2022.02.22} // [PC/PS4/PS5] Babylon's Fall (Square Enix) {2022.03.03}*5 // [SWI] Bayonetta 3 (Nintendo) {2022.10.27}​

2023: [SWI] Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (Nintendo) {2023.03.17}

We create enduring,
original, high-quality original video games.​

*1 - Delisted 19th September 2019 / *2 - Delisted 21st-31st December 2017 / *3 - Delisted 21st-31st December 2017 / *4 - Delisted 4th January 2017 / *5 - Delisted 13th September 2022.​

Special Formation Attacks REVIVED! LEGENDARY FIGHTERS are Compatible with Score Rankings.
[PC/PS4/SWI] Sol Cresta + Dramatic & Legendary Fighters DLC <STG> (PlatinumGames) {2022.02.22}​

Multi-Verse Witch Time Displacement Extravaganza! 2023 Edition.
[SWI] Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon <ACT> (Nintendo) {2023.03.17}​

• A Message from Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Director Abebe Tinari.
• A Message from Bayonetta Origins: Cereza & the Lost Demon Supervising Director Hideki Kamiya.
• Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon featured in the latest Nintendo Direct! by Abebe Tinari (Director)
• Nintendo Direct Trailer - English & Japanese (08/02/23)
• Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Releases Story Trailer. Demo Available Now! by Abebe Tinari (Director)

The Hoobang Affiliates:

Apple - responsible for the devilish rituals that brought about the revival of World of Demons on Apple Arcade, a one-off or is there more to come?
HAMSTER - agreed to license 'Cresta' IP for the Neo-Classic Arcade debut Sol Cresta.
Limited Run Games // SUPERDELUXE GAMES - published Japanese retail version of Sol Cresta (standard & collector's edition have both sold out)
Nintendo - a long term partner over the past decade but will this relationship continue beyond the release of Bayonetta 3? You God Damn right they will - Bayonetta Origins Baby!
SEGA - 5 game publishing deal. Cancelled Bayonetta 2, licensed Bayonetta IP to Nintendo, enabling PlatinumGames to continue series while commissioning PC/PS4/Xbox One ports for Bayonetta & Vanquish.
SQUARE ENIX - NieR Automata plus consulted on NieR Replicant & Babylon's Fall post launch support.
TENCENT - major investor in the studio with two external board members & key to financing its plans to self-publish.

Trust No:

Activision Blizzard - delisting devastation in disguise.
CyGames - ghostin’ me, Matsuno takes leave.
DeNa - soft launch, hard crash
KONAMI - 2
Microsoft - cancelled Scalebound, Kamiya blames PlatinumGames, wants a second chance, Phil Spencer expressed regret at outcome. [UPDATE] - 'currently nothing to say', it's happening.gif.
NUDE MAKER - status unknown since Night Cry (PC, Vita) in 2016. Hifumi Kouno last directed Root Film, (PS4, Switch) in 2020 & [UPDATE] is now listed as Director at Rainmaker Productions (more details here).

Luka Supporting Cast:

Aiming inc. - World of Demons (Apple Arcade)
Armature - Bayonetta & Vanquish (PS4/XB1)
Alvion - Max Anarchy, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, The Wonderful 101 (WiiU), Bayonetta 2 (WiiU), The Legend of Korra, Transformers: Devastation, Star Fox Zero, NieR Automata.
Bee Tribe - Vanquish (360/PS3), The Wonderful 101 (WiiU), Bayonetta 2 (WiiU) & Star Fox Zero.
Hexadrive - The Wonderful 101 (WiiU)
Logical Beat - NieR:Automata BECOME AS GODS Edition (Xbox One) // Babylon’s Fall (PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5)
Virtuos - NieR Automata: The End of YoRHa Edition (Switch)
XAX Entertainment Inc. - Infinite Space, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, The Wonderful 101 (WiiU), Transformers: Devastation, Star Fox Zero, NieR Automata & Astral Chain. CG Studio.

Champagne Dreams:

[TBA] Neo-Classic Arcade Series - Volume 02-10 - TBC
[TBA] Project G.G. - TBC
[PC/PS4/SWI] The Wonderful 101 Remastered Luka Mission DLC - TBC

Imagine That:

[NDS] Ikumi Nakamura's 'Taboo Subjects'https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/09/29/the-life-and-career-of-ikumi-nakamura
[XB1] Scalebound (Microsoft)
[PS4] Granblue Fantasy: Relink (Cygames)
[TBA] Lost Order

All Out of GAAS:

Polaris Tone - PlatinumGames' record label - The Wonderful 101 Volumes 1 & 2 (15/09/2014 - 31/12/2016)
[PC/PS4/PS5] Babylon's Fall - March 3rd, 2022 - February 27th 2023.

Celebrating 10 Years of METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE! Special message from Director Saito.​

METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE
Cutting and slicing never felt so good!
I look forward to creating many more memories with METAL GEAR RISING: REVEANGENCE in the years to come!​

Demonic Collab:

2012: PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (SuperBot Entertainment/Sony Interactive Entertainment) - Raiden from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
2018: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Bandai Namco Studios/sora ltd/Nintendo) - Bayonetta 1 & 2 // Soul Calibur VI (Bandai Namco Studios/Bandai Namco) - 2B from NieR: Automata.
2022: Punishing: Gray Raven (iOS/Android) | PGR x NieR: Automata Resurrected Collab (Kuro Game) 2B, 92 & A2 from NieR Automata (trailer). Gran Ravens Wiki NieR Collab Overview.
Untold Naraka (NieR Patch) ALREADY COMPLETED IN GLOBAL: 05/07/2022 → August 15/08/2022 Evernight Beat (NieR Re-run): 22/12/2022 → January 18/01/2023
2023: Naraka: Bladepoint (Hangzhou 24 Entertainment Network Technology Co., Ltd./NetEase Games Montréal) - 2B from NieR: Automata.

Witch Time Extension:

Last Cloudia (Aidis) 26th Jan - 15th Feb 2023
Last Cloudia x Bayonetta Collab Official Trailer // Introducing Bayonetta (Voice: Atsuko Tanaka), Bayonetta Collab Unit // Introducing Jeanne (Voice: Mie Sonozaki), Bayonetta Collab Unit

Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent (Square Enix) 22nd Mar - 5th April 2023
NieR:Automata Crossover is LIVE NOW in OCTOPATH TRAVELER: Champions of the Continent! // OCTOPATH TRAVELER: CotC X NieR:Automata Crossover Official Trailer

Old Picture Book Guide:

Future Press - 2009 - MADWORLD The Official ULTRA Violence Game Guide (scroll down) // 2010 - BAYONETTA Collector’s Edition Guide // Vanquish The Official Guide
UDON Entertainment - The Eyes Of Bayonetta 2 Hardcover (in stock)

Interactive Music:

2009: Masafumi Takada, Masamicz Amano - Infinite Space (無限航路) | Original Soundtrack (Wave Master Entertainment) 2xCD // Various - Madworld Official Soundtrack (Sumthing Else Music Works) CD // Hiroshi Yamaguchi - Bayonetta Original Soundtrack (Wave Master Entertainment) 5xCD // Erina Niwa, Masafumi Takada, Masakazu Sugimori - Vanquish Original Soundtrack (Wave Master Entertainment) 3xCD
2010: --
2011: --
2012: Various - Max Anarchy Original Soundtrack (Wave Master Entertainment) 2xCD
2013: Jamie Christopherson - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Vocal Tracks (Sumthing Else Music Works) CD
2014: Hiroshi Yamaguchi - Bayonetta 2 Original Soundtrack (Wave Master Entertainment) 5xCD
2015: --
2016: --
2017: Various - NieR: Automata Original Soundtrack (Square Enix Music) 3xCD // NieR Series (SQUARE ENIX MUSIC Channel) Youtube
2018: --
2019: --
2020: --
2021: --
2022: Hiroshi Yamaguchi (Lead Music Composer) - Babylon’s Fall Original Soundtrack (Square Enix Music) 5xCD // Various - The Wonderful 101 Remixed (PlatinumGames Inc.) Kickstarter Backer Download
2023: Various - Sol Cresta (Original Soundtrack + Bonus Tunes) [01] (PlatinumGames Inc.) Digital Download // Various - Bayonetta 3 Original Soundtrack (Wave Master Entertainment) {2023.03.29} 8xCD

“PlatinumGames should get all the credit,” James Christopherson explains. “PlatinumGames made sure the lyrics would kick in at the height of the boss battles.”​

 

[KR_EP]

Media Create / Famitsu database
version 1.0.1 (2016 update) <-download it here.
Source: Media Create Archives.
Many thanks to @Chris1964 as ever.

Media Create Sales: 2009 CY (2008 Dec 29 - 2010 Jan 03)
059./000. [PS3] Bayonetta <ACT> (Sega) {2009.10.29} (¥7.980) 199.902 / NEW (135.242 <66.33%>)
131./000. [360] Bayonetta <ACT> (Sega) {2009.10.29} (¥7.980) 88.686 / NEW (64.325 <86.74%>)
163./000. [NDS] Infinite Space <RPG> (Sega) {2009.06.11} (¥5.500) 71.407 / NEW (38.394 <92.14%>)

Media Create Sales: 2010 CY (2009 Jan 4 - 2011 Jan 2)
143./000. [PS3] Vanquish <ACT> (Sega) {2010.10.21} (¥7.980) 77.686 / NEW
505./000. [360] Vanquish <ACT> (Sega) {2010.10.21} (¥7.980) 14.990 / NEW
567./059. [PS3] Bayonetta <ACT> (Sega) {2009.10.29} (¥7.980) 12.726 / 212.628 (135.242 <66.33%>)
657./000. [PS3] Bayonetta [1/1][PlayStation 3 the Best] <ACT> (Sega) {2010.09.02} (¥3.990) 10.204 / NEW
815./000. [WII] Madworld <ACT> (Spike) {2010.02.10} (¥7.140) 7.078 / NEW

Media Create Sales: 2011 CY (2011 Jan 3 - 2012 Jan 1)
599./143. [PS3] Vanquish <ACT> (Sega) {2010.10.21} (¥7.980) 11.858 / 89.544
708./657. [PS3] Bayonetta [1/1] [PlayStation 3 the Best] <ACT> (Sega) {2010.09.02} (¥3.990) 8.732 / 18.935

Media Create Sales: 2012 CY (2012 Jan 2 - 2012 Dec 30)
265./000. [PS3] Anarchy Reigns <ACT> (Sega) {2012.07.05} (¥7.980) 34.821 / NEW
754./000. [360] Anarchy Reigns <ACT> (Sega) {2012.07.05} (¥7.980) 6.156 / NEW
1000./708. [PS3] Bayonetta [1/1] [PlayStation 3 the Best] <ACT> (Sega) {2010.09.02} (¥3.990) 3.529 / 22.464

Media Create Sales: 2013 CY (2012 Dec 31 - 2013 Dec 29)
012./000. [PS3] Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance # <ACT> (Konami) {2013.02.21} (¥6.980) - 424.743 / NEW
400./000. [WIU] The Wonderful 101 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2013.08.24} (¥6.930) - 14.134 / NEW
584./000. [PS3] Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance [Special Edition] <ACT> (Konami) {2013.12.05} (¥2.480) - 7.315 / NEW

Media Create Sales: 2014 CY (2013 Dec 30 - 2014 Dec 28)
133./000 [WIU] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2014.09.20} (¥8.316) - 59.921 / NEW (38.828 <67,29%>)
354./584. [PS3] Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance [Special Edition] <ACT> (Konami) {2013.12.05} (¥2.480) - 14.138 / 21.452 (3.612 <62,32%>)
662./012. [PS3] Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance # <ACT> (Konami) {2013.02.21} (¥6.980) - 4.116 / 428.858 (308.681 <64,02%>)
682./400. [WIU] The Wonderful 101 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2013.08.24} (¥6.930) - 3.885 / 18.019 (5.258 <17,64%>)

Media Create Sales: CY 2015 (2014 Dec 29 - 2016 Jan 03)
350./133. [WIU] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2014.09.20} (¥7.700) - 14.240 / 74.161 (-76%) (38.828 <67,29%>)
944./682. [WIU] The Wonderful 101 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2013.08.24} (¥6.600) - 1.630 / 19.648 (-58%) (5.258 <17,64%>)

Media Create Sales: CY 2016 (2016 Jan 04 - 2017 Jan 01)
140./000. [WIU] Star Fox Zero + Star Fox Guard Double Pack <Star Fox Zero \ Star Fox Guard> <STG> (Nintendo) {2016.04.21} (¥6.500) - 49.952 / NEW (17.114 <29,68%>)
226./000. [WIU] Star Fox Zero <STG> (Nintendo) {2016.04.21} (¥5.700) - 22.098 / NEW (8.135 <31,44%>)
557./350. [WIU] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2014.09.20} (¥7.700) - 4.408 / 78.569 (-69%) (38.828 <67,29%>)

Media Create Sales: CY 2017 (2017 Jan 02 - 2017 Dec 31)
010./000. [PS4] NieR: Automata <RPG> (Square Enix) {2017.02.23} (¥7.800) - 381.753 / NEW (198.542 <92,35%>)
604./140. [WIU] Star Fox Zero + Star Fox Guard Double Pack <Star Fox Zero \ Star Fox Guard> <STG> (Nintendo) {2016.04.21} (¥6.500) - 3.206 / 53.157 (-94%) (17.114 <29,68%>)
856./226. [WIU] Star Fox Zero <STG> (Nintendo) {2016.04.21} (¥5.700) - 1.348 / 23.446 (-94%) (8.135 <31,44%>)

Media Create Sales: CY 2018 (2018 Jan 01 - 2018 Dec 30)
125./000. [NSW] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.02.17} (¥5.980) - 35.105 / NEW (9.532 <24,38%>)
131./010. [PS4] NieR: Automata <RPG> (Square Enix) {2017.02.23} (¥7.800) - 32.831 / 414.584 (-91%) (198.542 <92,35%>)
266./000. [NSW] Bayonetta Non-Stop Climax Edition <Bayonetta \ Bayonetta 2> <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.02.17} (¥9.980) - 12.903 / NEW (11.694 <87,36%>)
1000./604. [WIU] Star Fox Zero + Star Fox Guard Double Pack <Star Fox Zero \ Star Fox Guard> <STG> (Nintendo) {2016.04.21} (¥6.500) - 807 / 53.964 (-75%) (17.114 <29,68%>)

Media Create Sales: CY 2019 (2018 Dec 31 - 2019 Dec 29)
056./000. [PS4] NieR: Automata - Game of the YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2019.02.21} (¥4.800) - 79.750 / NEW (21.326 <72,01%>)
076./000. [NSW] Astral Chain # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2019.08.30} (¥7.980) - 61.854 / NEW (38.021 <80,31%>)
462./125. [NSW] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.02.17} (¥5.980) - 3.825 / 38.930 (-89%) (9.532 <24,38%>)
683./131. [PS4] NieR: Automata <RPG> (Square Enix) {2017.02.23} (¥7.800) - 1.807 / 416.391 (-94%) (198.542 <92,35%>)

Media Create Sales: CY 2020 (2019 Dec 30 - 2021 Jan 03)
106./056. [PS4] NieR: Automata - Game of the YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2019.02.21} (¥4.800) - 38.693 / 118.443 (-51%) (21.326 <72,01%>)
180./000. [PS4] Bayonetta & Vanquish <Bayonetta \ Vanquish> <ACT> (Sega) {2020.05.28} (¥3.990) - 19.165 / NEW (9.988 <72,71%>)
338./076. [NSW] Astral Chain # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2019.08.30} (¥7.980) - 6.416 / 68.270 (-90%) (38.021 <80,31%>)
507./000. [NSW] The Wonderful 101: Remastered <ACT> (Platinum Games) {2020.06.11} (¥4.980) - 2.889 / NEW (1.198 <29,28%>)
785./000. [PS4] The Wonderful 101: Remastered <ACT> (Platinum Games) {2020.06.11} (¥4.980) - 1.224 / NEW (613 <28,37%>)
000./462. [NSW] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.02.17} (¥5.980) - 515 / 39,445 (9.532 <24,38%>)

Media Create Sales: CY 2021 (2021 Jan 04 - 2022 Jan 02)
119./106. [PS4] NieR: Automata - Game of the YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2019.02.21} (¥4.800) - 29.992 / 148.435 (-22%) (21.326 <72,01%>)
501./000. [NSW] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.02.17} (¥5.980) - 3.069 / 42.514 (9.532 <24,38%>)
765./180. [PS4] Bayonetta & Vanquish <Bayonetta \ Vanquish> <ACT> (Sega) {2020.05.28} (¥3.990) - 1.346 / 20.511 (-93%) (9.988 <72,71%>)
956./507. [NSW] The Wonderful 101: Remastered <ACT> (Platinum Games) {2020.06.11} (¥4.980) - 870 / 3.759 (-70%) (1.198 <29,28%>)

Media Create Sales: Oct 2022 (Oct 03 - Oct 30)*
04./00. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 52.176 / NEW
05./00. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 40.386 / NEW

Media Create Sales: Nov 2022 (Oct 31 - Dec 04)*
22./05. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 16.746 / 57.132 (-59%)

Media Create Sales: Jan 2023 (Jan 02 - Feb 05)*
27./00. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 11.164 / 76.232

76,232 - 11,164 = 65,068. 65,068 - 52,176 = 12,892 retail copies sold Oct 31 - Jan 01.

Media Create Sales: Feb 2023 (Feb 06 - Mar 05)*
30./27. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 7.464 / 83.696 (-33%)

*Top 30 Software - Nintendo Switch

Astral Chain​

CESA 2022: (domestic & international)

• Astral Chain: 1,280,000​

Astral Chain LTD:

• 2019 - 1.030.000 / 1.030.000 (NEW!)
• 2020 - 180.000 / 1.210.000 (-83%)
• 2021 - 70.000 / 1.280.000 (-61%)

Shipments (Japan): CY 2019 (2019 Jan 1 - 2019 Dec 31)
[NSW] Astral Chain # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2019.08.30} (¥7.980) - 160.000 / NEW

Bayonetta​

Bayonetta (PS3 + 360 only)

• 1.1 million units as of December 31, 2009 (almost certain these were shipped early overseas to avoid New Year holiday issues otherwise this figure wouldn't make any sense)
• 1.35 million units as of March 31, 2010
• >2 million units by 2014 (under the Double Climax section)

Bayonetta 2​

CESA 2022: (domestic & international)

• Bayonetta 2: 1,040,000 (rank 55)

Bayonetta 2 WiiU vs Switch sales comparison 9 weeks after launch

Bayonetta 3​

+−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−+
| Bayonetta 3 |
+−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−+
| Nintendo Switch | Rank 17 |
+−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−+
| Area | Japan | Overseas |
+−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−+
| 3rd Quarter | 0.15M | 0.88M |
+====================================+
| FY3/2023 Cml. | 0.15M | 0.88M |
| Area/WW FY % | 14.42% | 84.62% |
+−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−+
| Global | Global FY|Global LTD|
+−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−+
| 3rd Quarter | 1.04M | 1.04M |
+====================================+
| FY3/2023 Cml. | 1.04M | 1.04M |
| WW FY/LTD % | 100.00% | 0.00% |

[Note] Software sales units include the quantity bundled with hardware and other products. Software sales units include their downloadable versions.
Source: Nintendo FY23 Q3 Financial Report, page 18

Now where have I seen that sales figure before. Thanks @ggx2ac for the code & compiling sales data (Oct 28th - Dec 31st) as per the Nintendo FY3/2023 Q3 Earnings Release thread.

NieR Automata​

NieR: Automata (PS4 only, source Square Enix via CESA White Paper as reported by Marth)
1.5 million units as of December 2017
2.2 million units as of December 2018
2.6 million units as of December 2019

NieR: Automata (all platforms)
>1 million units by 5th April 2017
>1.5 million units by 30th May 2017
>2 million units by 21st September 2017
>3.5 million units by 5th December 2018 (of which >1 million in Japan and Asia)
>4 million units by 14th May 2019
>4.5 million units by 30th March 2020
>4.85 million units by September 2020
>5 million units by 24th December 2020
>5.5 million units by 22nd February 2021
>6 million units by 23rd June 2021
>6.5 million units by 28th June 2022
>7 million units by 25th November 2022

PS Store Sales (Japan): CY 2021 (2021 Jan 1 - 2021 Dec 31)
06./00. [PS4] NieR: Automata - Game of the YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> (ε) _PS Store Download Version_ |DL| <RPG> (Square Enix) {2019.02.21} (¥4.800)

Famitsu Weekly Sales 2022 will be compared with Media Create Sales: CY 2022 Sales Data once the top 1000 report is published mid-2023.​

Famitsu Sales: Week 10, 2022 (Feb 28 - Mar 06)
24./00. [PS4] Babylon's Fall <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.03.03} (¥7.800) - 2.885 / NEW <20-40%>
27./00. [PS5] Babylon's Fall <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.03.03} (¥7.800) - 2.224 / NEW <20-40%>

Famitsu Sales: Week 40, 2022 (Sep 26 - Oct 02)
18./00. [NSW] Bayonetta <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.09.30} (¥3.480) - 5.128 / 14.538 <40-60%>
Physical: 5.128 / Retail DL Code: 9.410
(If as @PillFencer points out here the above sales include retail DL code sales prior to the physical version being released).

Famitsu Sales: Week 41, 2022 (Oct 03 - Oct 09)
02./00. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 30.218 / NEW <40-60%>

Famitsu Sales: Week 42, 2022 (Oct 10 - Oct 16)
03./02. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 9.672 / 39.890 <60-80%> (-68%)

Famitsu Sales: Week 43, 2022 (Oct 17 - Oct 23)
08./03. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 5.107 / 44.997 <60-80%> (-47%)

Famitsu Sales: Week 44, 2022 (Oct 24 - Oct 30)
02./00. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 41.285 / NEW <40-60%>
19./08. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 3.170 / 48.167 <80-100%> (-38%)

• First Shipment Estimates: 68,808 - 103,213 (Bayonetta 3)

Famitsu Sales: Week 45, 2022 (Oct 31 - Nov 06)
04./02. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 10.103 / 51.388 <40-60%> (-76%)
23./19. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 2.224 / 50.391 <80-100%> (-30%)

• First Shipment Estimates: 85,647 - 103,213 (Bayonetta 3)

Famitsu Sales: Week 46, 2022 (Nov 07 - Nov 13)
21./04. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 3.349 / 54.737 <40-60%> (-67%)

• First Shipment Estimates: 91,228 - 103,213

Famitsu Sales: CY 2022 (2021 Dec 27 - 2022 Dec 25)
56./00. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6,980) - 61,683 / NEW
62./00. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4,800) - 57,655 / NEW

Bayonetta 3: 61,683 - 54,737 = 6,946 retail copies sold from Week 46 until Dec 25th, 2022.
NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition: 57,655 - 50,391 = 7,264 retail copies sold from Week 45 until Dec 25th, 2022.

150,000 is the total retail & digital for Japan as of December 31st, so bearing in mind the missing Famitsu days (26/12 - 31/12) here's a preliminary look at the possible sales breakdown.

Retail: 91,228 - 61,683 = 29,545. 103,213 - 61,683 = 41,530. If there were no further retail shipments that would mean somewhere between 29,545 - 41,530 unsold copies as of 25th Dec.
Digital: 150,000 - 91,228 = 58,772. 150,000 - 103,213 = 46,787. Digital copies estimated sold 46,787 - 58,772 as of 31st Dec. Digital represents anywhere between 31% - 39% (maths! help?) of total sales.

Famitsu Weekly Sales 2023 will be compared with Media Create Sales: CY 2023 Sales Data once the top 1000 report is published mid-2024.​

Famitsu Sales: Week 4, 2023 (Jan 16 - Jan 22)
24./00. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 1.644 / 64.820 <80-100%>

64.820 - 50.391 = 14.429 retail copies sold from Week 45, 2022 - Week 4, 2023.
64,820 - 57,655 = 7,165 retail copies sold from Dec 25th, 2022 - Week 4, 2023.

Famitsu Sales: Week 5, 2023 (Jan 23 - Jan 29)
30./24. [NSW] NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition <NieR: Automata \ NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2022.10.06} (¥4.800) - 1.639 / 66.459 <80-100%> (+0%)

Famitsu Sales: Week 6, 2023 (Jan 30 - Feb 05)
29./00. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 1.613 / 68.498 <60-80%>

• First Shipment Estimates: 91,228 - 103,213

Famitsu Sales: Week 7, 2023 (Feb 06 - Feb 12)
00./29. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 1.362 / 69.860 <60-80%>

• First Shipment Estimates: 91,228 - 103,213

Famitsu Sales: Week 8, 2023 (Feb 13 - Feb 19)
30./00. [NSW] Bayonetta 3 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2022.10.28} (¥6.980) - 1.582 / 71.442 <60-80%> (+16%)

• First Shipment Estimates: 91,228 - 103,213

91,228 - 71.442 = 19,786. 103,213 - 71,442 = 31,771. Based on these figures (again, provided there weren't any additional retail orders) there are currently 19.786 - 31,771 unsold copies as of 19th Feb.

Maybe if it hangs around the Famitsu top 30 it'll be possible to narrow down the first shipment estimates, perhaps the launch of Bayonetta Origins in March will lead to renewed interest.

PlatinumGames Retail Sales Olympics 2023:
[NSW] Bayonetta 3 (Nintendo) - 9.759
[NSW] NieR: Automata (Square Enix) - 8.804
Thanks @Nocturnal for the Famitsu Top 45 2023 (Unofficial Ranking).

 

[KR_EP]

Austin PlatinumGames 3:16 just said that I just hired your ass CCCXVII: May the blessed Angels of Paradiso smile upon Lumen Sages in The Year of the Consulship of Gallicanus & Bassus.
As of February 1st 2023, there are 317 people working at three studios, its main office in the Umeda Sky Building, Osaka, PlatinumGames Tokyo on GAAS duty & now PlatinumGames FUKUOKA.

PlatinumGames Inc. (Osaka)​

Board of Directors:

Atsushi Inaba - CEO/President/Studio Head
Shin Joon Oh - Director (Outside) - General Manager of Tencent Japan Co., Ltd. (Jan 2013 - present), resume (scroll down).
Bo Wang - Director (Outside) - Corporate Vice President, Tencent Games (2006 - present), interview, Venture Beat (2014)

Key Staff:

Takao Yamane - Vice President & Chief Business Officer
Hideki Kamiya - Vice President & Chief Game Designer.

Yuji Nakao - Producer (Bayonetta 3), Manager of Development Division 1 (PlatinumGames Official Blog), former director at Tamsoft Corporation, P* Redemption Arc begins.
Koji Tanaka - Producer (Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon/World of Demons), background designer (Vanquish), lead visual effects artist (Bayonetta 2).

Yusuke Miyata - Director (Bayonetta 3) & Senior Game Designer ('In his current role as Senior Game Designer, he is also responsible for driving the quality of all PlatinumGames titles.')

Takahisa Taura - Director (NieR Automata & Astral Chain)
Kenji Saito - Director (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance & Transformers: Devastation)
Abebe Tinari - Director (Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon), previously worked on planning (Star Fox Guard) & localisation (Bayonetta 2/The Legend of Korra). Credits here.

Tomoko Nishii - Art Director (Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon), Environment Design (Bayonetta 2) & Cut Scene Illustrator (NieR Automata), Concept Artist (Babylon's Fall).

Hisayoshi Kijima - Lead UI Artist (Transformers Devastation), Lead UI Artist / Mechanic Concept Artist (NieR:Automata) & Interface Design (Bayonetta 2/Astral Chain)

Andrew Brasher - Localisation Support (NieR Automata), Head of Localisation 2018 - present

Chiyasu Mathieson - Personal Assistant to CEO (05/06 - 08/13), Creative Production Group Liaison Officer (09/13 - 05/16), Contract Liaison (05/16 - 07/17) & Production Group Liaison Officer (07/17 - present)

PlatinumGames Tokyo
​

Studio Overview & Key Staff Profiles

Motoi Fujita - Development Division, Divisional Vice President, Tokyo Studio, Director
David Scripps - Software Engineer, PlatinumGames Tokyo, Game Creative Division
Miki Sato - Project Manager, PlatinumGames Tokyo, Game Creative Division
Takahisa Sugiyama - Game Development Division, Tokyo Studio, Game Designer

PlatinumGames FUKUOKA​

Opened new office in the city of Fukuoka, 1st November 2022. Logo, studio details & key staff to be confirmed.

Stylish Freelancer:

Mari Shimazaki - (Freelance) Bayonetta 1 conceptual character designs, Bayonetta 2 & Bayonetta 3 (more designs here). Working alongside BeeTribe as Art Director on Armed Fantasia.
Kenichi Iwao - (President and Representative Director, WODAN.inc), Scenario Writer, Babylon's Fall, currently working on Shinonome in early access (Automaton Media).
Keiichi Okabe - (MONACA) Music Director & Composer (NieR Automata), Square Enix Music Channel interview series, #1～6【Keiichi Okabe】【岡部啓一】【SEM TALK】(includes English Subtitles)
Tatsuya Yoshikawa - (Director, WODAN.inc), Concept artist (Star Fox Zero), currently working on Shinonome in early access & as character designer for Bokeh Game Studio on Slitterhead.

Ex-Platinum Alumni:

Ryuta Takahashi - joins SEEDS INC. in August 2006, then PlatinumGames October 2007 before leaving to set up Bee Tribe in April 2009.
Tetsuya Minami - former CEO/President, founder of M-Two Inc (Resident Evil 3 remake). Fabulous head of hair.
Shinji Mikami - external member of Platinum Games, set up Tango Gameworks (01/03/10) before release of Vanquish (19/10/10). Formerly part of Xbox Game Studios via Bethesda, left February 2023.
Shigenori Nishikawa - Madworld (Director) & Vanquish (Game Designer) before leaving to join Tango Gameworks.
Mai Ohkura - (April 2005 - October 2015) Interface Design (Bayonetta), Interface Design Lead & Conceptual Design (The Wonderful 101/Bayonetta 2). Concept Artist at CAPCOM.
Yusuke Hashimoto - Director & Character Design (Bayonetta 2), co-directed Star Fox Zero, tweeted concept art, now at CAPCOM as one of the Game Designers on Street Fighter 6.
Kenichi Sato - former CEO/President (April 2016 - December 2021), current Advisor to PlatinumGames.
Ikumi Nakamura - conceptual design (Bayonetta), Lead Artist at Tango Gameworks & initial Director of Ghostwire: Tokyo, currently CEO / Creative Director / Generalist - Unseen.
Nick Des Barres - scriptwriter (The Wonderful 101), localisation for Anarchy Reigns, plus worked on Bayonetta 2 & Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Current position unknown.
Jean-Pierre Kellams - localisation plus working for nearly 10 years across multiple games (left March 2017), producer ScaleBound. Currently Senior Producer at Harmonix (Epic Games).
Shingo Saito - background artist (Metal Gear Rising Revengeance) & Environment Design, (Bayonetta 2), after working at CAPCOM, joined Nagoshi Studio as an Artist (VGC).

Industry Veteran Takao Yamane Joins PlatinumGames as a new Vice President. | Exclusive Interview with Famitsu (07/22)
The Platinum Collection: Composers (2014) - Part 1 (Akira Takizawa) // Part 2 (Masami Ueda) // Part 3 (Hiroshi Yamaguchi)
PlatinumGames Employee Art Showcase (2014)

The Kamiya Times - Next Week Edition:

The “Kamiya Chronicles”, a seven-part long-form interview, has been released!
Growing Up with Games: A Talk with the Kamiya Brothers By Keigo Toyoda (Part 1) // Growing Up with Games: A Talk with the Kamiya Brothers By Keigo Toyoda (Part 2) Famitsu interview.

Re(vengance)living the PlatinumGames Development Blog Highlights:

• Bayonetta 2: Character Design Pt. 1: Bayonetta and Jeanne // Giving Effects an Edge (Koji Tanaka) // Scenario Writing in Bayonetta 2 (Hideki Kamiya) // The Climax Situation Process.
• The Wonderful 101: The Wonderful 101 Original Soundtrack Digital Release! // The Wonderful 101 Original Soundtrack leaving stores // Director Hideki Kamiya’s Favorite Picks
• NieR Automata: Meet PlatinumGames’ team! Part 1 //Part 2 // Story Time with Director YOKO TARO // Happy Hacking: Music implementation in NieR:Automata // UI Design // The Hands-On Sound Design of NieR:Automata // Designing NieR:Automata’s Machine Lifeforms // A Wwise approach to acoustics in NieR:Automata- Part 1 // Part 2
• Astral Chain: Director Takahisa Taura & Character Designer Masakazu Katsura // Scenic Spots with Lead Environment Artist Naoya Yokoyama // An Introduction to UV Animation
• Sol Cresta: The Inner Workings of Sol Cresta with Director Takanori Sato // The Origins of Sol Cresta with Creative Director Hideki Kamiya // SOL CRESTA soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro.
• Bayonetta 3: A Message from Bayonetta 3 Director Yusuke Miyata // Umbran Studies (U S) – Character Design 1: Bayonetta and Viola // U S – Cheshire Character Modelling // U S – Character Design Vol. 4 Demon Masquerade // U S — Bayonetta 3 Music Vol. 1 Music Concept by Naofumi Harada (composer) // U S — Bayonetta 3 Music Vol. 2 We Are As One by Hiroshi Yamaguchi (composer)

PG(youtube)Tips - PlatinumGames 公式チャンネル // PlatinumGames Official:

Infinite Space Animated Short Film (4 parts) // Bayonetta Developer Commentary (all 69 parts!) // Bayonetta 3 Umbran Studies // Backstage Season Pass (Japanese only)

Demonic Summons:

Bo Wang interview - Venture Beat (2014)
Takahisa Taura reveals his journey through Astral Chain’s development, inspirations including Atlus, Psycho-Pass and more in this interview - Final Weapon (08/19)
How World of Demons was summoned from an unreleased mobile game, interview with Ryoya Sakabe (Director) & Koji Tanaka (Producer) - Pocket Gamer (09/21)
PLATINUMGAMES INTERVIEW: ‘ONLY ONE PROJECT IN MY CAREER WENT ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE’ - interview with Hideki Kamiya & Atsushi Inaba - VGC (09/21)
How PlatinumGames is betting on Nintendo expertise to shape its future - VGC (10/22)
Hideki Kamiya & Nintendo producer Makoto Okazaki - Famitsu interview (10/22)
PlatinumGames' Hideki Kamiya on Bayonetta, Project G.G., and Elon Musk’s Twitter - IGN (12/22)
Nintendo producer says Origins is likely not the end of the Bayonetta series - VGC (03/22)

Useful Links:

[Company Preview] PlatinumGames inc. LinkedIn
[Office Tour] Game Company's Office is Too Unique! Platinum Games Osaka Headquarters Unveiled
Digital Foundry article & video analysis - Nier Automata's Switch port is very impressive - but not quite perfect // Bayonetta 3 - A Great Game With Polish & Performance Issues
Automaton Media (11/22) - A fatal text error in Bayonetta 2 is fixed after going unnoticed for eight years.
8-4 Play (12/22) - HERE COMES JESUS CLAUS (timestamp 58:20 - podcast discussion about Bayonetta Origins director Abebe Tinari once being an intern at 8-4 Play).
Inside PlatinumGames - EDGE Magazine feature (2012).
PlatinumGames beta & early concepts - Unseen64 includes Mad World, Bayonetta, Vanquish, Max Anarchy / Anarchy Reigns & The Wonderful 101.

Install Base (PlatinumGames) Threads:
Atsushi Inaba CEO // New PlatinumGames CEO plans // Takao Yamane joins company // Babylon's Fall Famitsu sales debut (& exit) // Babylon's Fall from Grace // NieR Automata shipments & digital sales top 7 million

Install Base (Nintendo) Threads:
Nintendo software and hardware sales data from 1983 to present
Updated sales numbers for Switch titles: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (20.61M), Splatoon 3 (10.13M), Bayonetta 3 (1.04M), and more
Nintendo FY3/2023 Q3 Earnings Release, Switch Hardware Q3 - 8.23M units (-22.87% YoY), 122.55M units LTD

She’s a F***ing celebrity in this town, too:
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate:

• Director: Fuminori Kizaki
• Screenplay: Mitsutaka Hirota
• Original Character Design & Character Designer: Mari Shimazaki & Ai Yokoyama
• Music: Masato Kazune & Jun Abe
• Animation Studio: Gonzo (film credits)
• Feature (Theatrical Release - 23rd November 2013)

Manga artist Mizuki Sakakibara - author of a two part manga based on the Bayonetta Bloody Fate animated film - AnimeNewsNetwork (11/13)

Bayonetta 3 Cospa Merchandise Includes Violas T-Shirts - Siliconera (03/23)

Nier Automata Ver1.1a: (English Language Official Website)

• Director: Ryouji Masuyama
• Series Organization: Yoko Taro, Ryouji Masuyama
• Character Design & Supervising Animation Director: Jun Nagai
• Music: MONACA
• Animation Studio:A-1 Pictures (Aniplex)
• TV series (Japan Television Broadcast - 7th January 2023) // International Streaming : CrunchyRoll - 『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』Episode 9 & beyond delayed until further notice. (19/03/23)

Promotion File 001 - 009, Make Theatre & Worldview Explanatory Video (JPN)
Podcast Anime『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』by Pod. (JPN)

NieR Animate Cafe with your 1/1 scale Life-size figure by Design COCO!
『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a』より、ミニアクリルスタンドコレクションが登場！全10種。ブラインド仕様で set of 10 acrylic stands on SQE JPN store.
NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Reveals New A2, 2B & 9S Suit Artwork via POP-UP SHOP - 3 separate locations between March 25, 2023 - May 7, 2023. - Noisy Pixel (03/23)

More detail, in lighter & fluffier news, to fully enjoy your「relax ti[M]e」please take a virtual trip to the 【 『NieR:Automata Ver1.1a POP UP STORE in ロフト』開催決定 】for NieR merch.

amazarashi (NieR Automata x Antinomy CD/Blu-Ray, Artbook & Poster)

amazarashi 『Antinomy』Animated Short YOKO TARO Edition | NieR:Automata 1.1a (02/2023)
amazarashi 『Antinomy』Music Video YOKO TARO Edition | NieR:Automata 1.1a ED (02/2023)
amazarashi 『Antinomy』Music Video YOKO TARO Edition | Trailer (01/2023)
NieR: Automata meets amazarashi 『命にふさわしい』Music Video (02/2017)

Edit: To Do List: (any help with the below is greatly appreciated).

• Confirm dates & credits of current / former staff at Platinum Games & wish to understand Shinji Mikami comments about difficulties at studio during Vanquish development.
• Nick Des Barres (NickRox) twitter feed links for more detail on his credited & uncredited roles & time working at PlatinumGames.
• Infinite Space 200,000 copies worldwide mentioned in the EDGE Magazine feature on PlatinumGames lacks primary source, requires confirmation.

World Record Breaking Climax!!!​

Guinness World Record for Arcade Archives Ninja-Kid (PS4/SWI) Caravan mode, 158,680 points (21/05/18)​

 

[cw_sasuke]

This might be a Top 3 Install base OP, kudos.

PG might be one of the most interesting devs to follow in the industry, their past,present and future offer much to discuss.

Bayonetta 3 is dropping soon, after that release playtime is over for PG.

 

[Lelouch0612]

Lots of things happening for PG. They didn't manage to ride the Nier Automata wave properly, with only one notable success since 2017 (AC) and several setbacks (Granblue, BF...).

Bayonetta 3 should however turn out great and provide the publisher (!) more confidence for the coming years. Still, their self-published plans are not a success so far.

 

[Tungsten]

Bayonetta is a bit frustrating to me. It has a very strong, very unique identity, and I wish more games were like that, but it doesn't resonate with me at all. I've tried both Bayonetta 1 and 2 and neither really hooked me so I have no intention of giving 3 a shot and I have much more reserved expectations than many here.

Also, I don't believe Platinum is actually involved with the Switch port of Nier, are they? Virtuos is developing the port and Square is publishing as usual.

 

[DCSales]

So far, their self-publishing efforts have been a bust, but it's what they have wanted to do since breaking away from Capcom originally; so they'll keep pushing with it come hell or high water, even if it results in their demise.

I can't imagine that Project GG will be the success they're hoping for, but hopefully they'll be smart enough to keep working with Nintendo to keep the lights on. And then hopefully their next major project will be the hit they desperately need.

 

[PillFencer]

Edit 2: Information that I'm looking for, would like help finding -

• Media Create CY 2009 - 2012 (otherwise I'll go through the old weekly threads to find what I can).

Chris has those compiled here:

Media Create / Famitsu database
version 1.0.1 (2016 update) <-download it here

__

• Global Sales Press Releases (Bayonetta 1 & NieR Automata).

Bayonetta (PS3 + 360 only)
1.1 million units as of December 31, 2009 (almost certain these were shipped early overseas to avoid New Year holiday issues otherwise this figure wouldn't make any sense)
1.35 million units as of March 31, 2010
>2 million units by 2014 (under the Double Climax section)

NieR: Automata (PS4 only, source Square Enix via CESA White Paper as reported by Marth)
1.5 million units as of December 2017
2.2 million units as of December 2018
2.6 million units as of December 2019

NieR: Automata (all platforms)
>1 million units by April 2017
>1.5 million units by May 2017
>2 million units by September 2017
>3.5 million units by December 2018 (of which >1 million in Japan and Asia)
>4 million units by May 2019
>4.5 million units by March 2020
>4.85 million units by September 2020
>5 million units by December 2020
>5.5 million units by February 2021
>6 million units by June 2021
>6.5 million units by June 2022


__

I just want Project G.G. to release

 

[KR_EP]

Incredible stuff @PillFencer - added threadmark, included in OPs & going over the archives document by @Chris1964 to add early PlatinumGames sales data. I want Project G.G. too!

This might be a Top 3 Install base OP, kudos.

PG might be one of the most interesting devs to follow in the industry, their past,present and future offer much to discuss.

Bayonetta 3 is dropping soon, after that release playtime is over for PG.

Appreciate the kinds words @cw_sasuke - agree there is plenty to discuss post Bayonetta 3 & NieR Switch port, its why I wanted to get the PG Output Strategy thread ready now beforehand.

Lots of things happening for PG. They didn't manage to ride the Nier Automata wave properly, with only one notable success since 2017 (AC) and several setbacks (Granblue, BF...).

Bayonetta 3 should however turn out great and provide the publisher (!) more confidence for the coming years. Still, their self-published plans are not a success so far.

Very up & down these past few years to be sure, arguably since Bayonetta 2, didn't get to make Metal Gear Rising 2 due to the Konami/Kojima fallout. Helps explain the move to self-publishing.

Bayonetta is a bit frustrating to me. It has a very strong, very unique identity, and I wish more games were like that, but it doesn't resonate with me at all. I've tried both Bayonetta 1 and 2 and neither really hooked me so I have no intention of giving 3 a shot and I have much more reserved expectations than many here.

Also, I don't believe Platinum is actually involved with the Switch port of Nier, are they? Virtuos is developing the port and Square is publishing as usual.

Fair enough, not for everyone, I think its a strength to make a game that doesn't appeal to everyone but for those that do, its very memorable character & world setting leave their mark. Hopefully they have something more your speed on the way. Will keep an eye out for NieR Automata Switch credits to see who is responsible, want to look into various ports & support teams.

So far, their self-publishing efforts have been a bust, but it's what they have wanted to do since breaking away from Capcom originally; so they'll keep pushing with it come hell or high water, even if it results in their demise.

I can't imagine that Project GG will be the success they're hoping for, but hopefully they'll be smart enough to keep working with Nintendo to keep the lights on. And then hopefully their next major project will be the hit they desperately need.

Have shared my scepticism about its ambitious expansion plans as well but let's wait until next year when they're expected to formally unveil Project G.G. before writing it off. Agree that maintaining a working relationship with Nintendo is crucial after Bayonetta 3. Astral Chain 2? Also they could team up with Soleil via Tencent which is publishing an original IP, Project Edo. Hopefully this will complement Media Create threads when discussing current & historical sales / strategy of PlatinumGames with releases of NieR Automata (Switch) & Bayonetta 3 (Switch).

 

[Tungsten]

Wish I had better news to post, but it seems Babylon's Fall is shutting down.

 

[Lord Azrael]

Babylon fell

Man, Platinum has been in quite the rut lately. What a bummer. Hopefully Bayonetta 3 can turn the tides

 

[KR_EP]

Wish I had better news to post, but it seems Babylon's Fall is shutting down.

Babylon fell

Man, Platinum has been in quite the rut lately. What a bummer. Hopefully Bayonetta 3 can turn the tides

Painful for those who have spent years working on it & anyone who spent good money on Babylon's Fall. Look on the bright side, it means Kenji Saito can get back to directing stylish action games once more! NieR Automata: The End of YoRHa (Switch) & Bayonetta 3 are key to reminding everyone - even within the studio, what PlatinumGames really has to offer that makes it stand out.

Updated the OPs, putting my To Do List there (anyone played Babylon's Fall that can write a post-mortem after its shut down in early 2023?). Wanna see more votes in the poll IB people!

 

[ktpoison]

Since Various Daylife and Clap Hanz Golf, both Apple Arcade ex-exclusives, were announced today, I wonder when we will see World of Demons on consoles. Even in a worst case scenario, it should at least sell more than Sol Cresta.

 

[KR_EP]

Since Various Daylife and Clap Hanz Golf, both Apple Arcade ex-exclusives, were announced today, I wonder when we will see World of Demons on consoles. Even in a worst case scenario, it should at least sell more than Sol Cresta.

Good point. I'd also mention Shinsekai Into the Depths by Capcom that was ported from Apple Arcade after a year to Nintendo Switch in 2020 with additional content. Could see the same for World of Demons from PlatinumGames, any opportunity to revisit the game, take onboard constructive feedback & make a variety of changes or add new features for a console/PC version.
-----
Poll results are in, a close run thing but the PlatinumGames twofers won the day, as a prize to all those who voted, NieR Automata & Bayonetta 3 are coming your way...once you pay to play.

Couple updates, added new staff details to the OPs, including Tencent external directors Shin Joon Oh*, Bo Wang & freelancer Mari Shimazaki. Physical edition of Bayonetta 1 is out now in Japan & North America, due mid-October in the UK via the My Nintendo Store, keeping my eyes peeled for its listing (EU too). Shall add new Famitsu sales data for NieR Automata / Bayonetta 1 & 3.

Last but no means least the first NieR Automata Ver1.1a PVs have dropped ahead of its broadcast in January. We'll see if its effect on wider interest in the series is more Cyberpunk: Edgerunners or sinks without a trace like Bayonetta: Bloody Fate. Betting on the former but want to give the latter another chance to see how the film holds up as it nears its 10th anniversary. Have added details for both anime to the OPs as well. Feedback on the OPs, any discussion on topics raised & ideas for a new poll are more than welcome.

*Shin Joon Oh

• Jan. 2013, Assistant General Manager of Tencent Games (to present）
• Jan. 2013, General Manager of Tencent Japan Co., Ltd. (to present）
• Mar. 2016, Director of Aiming Inc. (to present）
• Jan. 2020, Director of PlatinumGames Inc. (to present）
• Jun. 2020, Director of Marvelous Inc. (to present)
• Oct. 2020, Director of Bokeh Game Studio Inc. (to present)
• Nov. 2021, Director of Wake Up Interactive Limited (to present)
• Feb. 2022, Director of HEADLOCK INC. (to present)

 

[Vikadozs]

New interview, platinum still want to do a live service game.

 

[Nokia]

New interview, platinum still want to do a live service game.

I doubt any third-party will Collab with them for one after this failure, nor do I think a Kickstarter campaign would succeed here. Maybe Tencent will give them some more help?

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

I understand that the money is heavily concentrated in the GaaS model, but sometimes you have to acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of your team. They’re good at making single player action games, making multiplayer games is just forcing a square peg through a round hole.

 

[Oregano]

Thinking Square Enix's involvement held Babylon's Fall back is like thinking The Wonderful 101 bombed because Nintendo didn't market it properly... oh wait.

There's good people are Platinum but I can't say I'm entirely convinced by their business plans.

 

[fiendcode]

Baby's Fall and W101 deserved to bomb. Most Platinum games that deserve success (Bayo series, Vanquish, MG Rising, Nier Auto, Astral Chain) tend to get it to some degree.

I'd say the only ones that didn't were when they tried doing something too far outside their character action wheelhouse (Infinite Space, Sol Cresta).

 

[cw_sasuke]

Limited budget and relying on many outside stakeholder arent the best foundation to enter the GaaS space.

 

[PillFencer]

W101 deserved to bomb.

Platinum and Kamiya's best game doesn't deserve to bomb no

 

[Vikadozs]

Original voice of bayonetta ask fans to boycott the game and donate to charity, she was only offer $4000 dolars for the game.

"Bayonetta franchise made aprox $450M. That's not including merch. As an actor, I have trained for seven and a half years. Three years in the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and four and a half years in Los Angeles"

"What did Nintendo think this was worth? The offered to pay me the final offer to do the whole game as a buyout for 4000 thousand US dollars. This is an insult to me and everything I've given to this game and to the fans"

"I'm asking the fans to boycott this game and instead use the money you were going to spend on this game donating it to charity"

"I auditioned for the role and passed with flying colours. They then sent me an insulting offer so I thought and did write to Hideki Kamiya, and I went and ask him for what I'm worth. A friend wrote in Japanese to him and I got a reply where he said he values me greatly, my contributions to the game and that the fans really want me to voice it over. Then I received a better offer: $4000."

"Platinum said that I was very, that I had a tough schedule... I actually had nothing but time. I wish the new actress all the best luck in the World, but she's not the voice of Bayonetta. I created that voice. She has no right to sign merchandise as Bayonetta, anymore than I have the right to sign as Eva Green even though I was her parrott in the video game The Golden Campus."

UPDATE:



Kamiya comment

 

[cw_sasuke]

This is quite spicy and really a bad look for Nintendo/PG.

Don't know how I feel about pushing people to boycott a game that so many people worked for years because of it though, just a really bad situation overall.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

You can always buy used or rent if you really want to play a game but are upset with a developer/publisher.

 

[Tungsten]

As an aside, would Nintendo actually be responsible for picking / paying voice actors as the publisher? I'd assume PG would handle all of that. Weird situation all around, honestly. I'm a bit skeptical of the $4k offer as that seems incredibly low when they turned around and got Hale. Her work is most likely more expensive and carries the risk of upsetting fans of the Bayonetta character. Kamiya's tweet seems a bit more unprofessional than usual too.

Edit: It has been brought to my attention that Hellena herself has said it only takes 4 days (4 hrs sessions each) to record the lines for a Bayo game. So that seems in line with union rates?

 

[Tokuiten]

As recommended by @ktpoison, the discussion about Bayo 3-voice acting pay should better go here.

However, I just want to say that I'm getting seriously angry when reading the thread for this on a certain other forum and people say stuff like "she deserves more". If doing a couple hours of voice-acting deserve 4000 Dollars, I'd like to hear from the same people what a baker deserves to be paid for one month of hard physical work, 8h every day, at night, basically losing any chance at a normal social life. You could pick any other "normal" job from outside the entertainment-industry, too.

Sometimes it really feels like gamersTM live in their very own special bubble. Most people would love to earn as much as she was offered. I have significant doubt that the people fighting for her are fighting equally as hard every day for all the other underpaid jobs in the world. I know that this will get me some opposing replies, but the permanent worries and care for video game industry-workers has been leaving a really bad taste in my mouth for years now, when most non-entertainment jobs are so much worse, tedious shit that makes people depressed and burnt out, and worse paid, too. Bringing to light sexual abuse in the industry? Perfectly fine. Bringing to light someone being offered 4000 Dollars for a couple hours of work? How about no ...

 

[Dakota Joestar]

As an aside, would Nintendo actually be responsible for picking / paying voice actors as the publisher? I'd assume PG would handle all of that. Weird situation all around, honestly. I'm a bit skeptical of the $4k offer as that seems incredibly low when they turned around and got Hale. Her work is most likely more expensive and carries the risk of upsetting fans of the Bayonetta character. Kamiya's tweet seems a bit more unprofessional than usual too.

Edit: It has been brought to my attention that Hellena herself has said it only takes 4 days (4 hrs sessions each) to record the lines for a Bayo game. So that seems in line with union rates?

Hard to say, Taylor is putting the blame mostly at Platinum/Kamiya. This isn't even a union issue since Taylor and Hale are both part of a voice actor's union that Nintendo has worked with in the past and I imagine some of Xenoblade 3's English cast like Harry Lloyd and Jenna Colemen were bigger names then Taylor which likely saw them getting paid better. But this is Nintendo's own game and they could have stepped in at some point.

 

[BoktaiFan]

But this is Nintendo's own game and they could have stepped in at some point.

Why would they do that? I doubt they care who voices Bayo and left it to platinum. More to the point I think they are looking at this and probably reinforcing their thinking that VAs aren't worth all this headache.

 

[Nokia]

Why would they do that? I doubt they care who voices Bayo and left it to platinum. More to the point I think they are looking at this and probably reinforcing their thinking that VAs aren't worth all this headache.

They're not going to get rid of Union VAs or anything of the like, they just won't ever work with Helena Taylor on anything again. Really this feels like David Hayter and MGSV part 2.

 

[RDragon]

The biggest issue is how she demonize her replacement and anyone who buys the game. That and lowballing a VA and them refusing and walking away isn’t really an issue imo. At least not enough to justify this scorch earth approach.

 

[Dakota Joestar]

The biggest issue is how she demonize her replacement and anyone who buys the game. That and lowballing a VA and them refusing and walking away isn’t really an issue imo. At least not enough to justify this scorch earth approach.

Yeah, her attacking Jennifer Hale did not sit right with me in the slightest and I am honestly surprised more people aren't calling her out for that. Like usually when it comes recasting, usual at least the old VA will show some form respect to the new VA and some times even wish them the best of luck. But this part really made me question Taylor's story.

 

[awng782]

I'll just say this regarding boycotting: if I didn't buy games because an employee or worker was angered by the decisions by the publisher/developer, then I'd probably own 5 games total.

 

[RDragon]

Yeah, her attacking Jennifer Hale did not sit right with me in the slightest and I am honestly surprised more people aren't calling her out for that. Like usually when it comes recasting, usual at least the old VA will show some form respect to the new VA and some times even wish them the best of luck. But this part really made me question Taylor's story.

Because most people aren’t in this for any rights. Just an excuse not to buy the game, which they weren’t going to do anyway, or to be on the moral high ground and then buy regardless.

It’s what I call ‘lazy activism’.

 

[BTB123]

She is acting EXTREMELY petty and immature. Shitting on all the devs who worked hard on this game for 5 years because she didn't get offered as much money as she felt entitled to is what she wants. And then her attacking Jennifer Hale... Inacceptable. This makes me want to buy this game even more.

I don't see any noticable boycott happening. Not for something as ridiculous as this.

 

[tentacle-tropes]

Hard to say, Taylor is putting the blame mostly at Platinum/Kamiya. This isn't even a union issue since Taylor and Hale are both part of a voice actor's union that Nintendo has worked with in the past and I imagine some of Xenoblade 3's English cast like Harry Lloyd and Jenna Colemen were bigger names then Taylor which likely saw them getting paid better. But this is Nintendo's own game and they could have stepped in at some point.

How would you like Nintendo to step in? Because from where I sit that changes the job contract immensely.

 

[Hero of Legend]

Yeah I agree this was... not the wisest of moves, or the most delicately handled.

Should she been offered more? Well it depends on how much she was going to do. Folks are traditionally paid an hourly rate (supposedly $250/h so take that amount as you will), but we don't know how much she was going to be doing if it was just for one of these seemingly numerous variants of Bayonetta, or them all. We also don't know what she was paid for her prior roles, for some reason this is something she still hasn't divulged (and would certainly add context).

Throwing shit at Jennifer Hale for taking over which is her job is REALLY uncalled for and predictably folks have been dumping on Jennifer as a result. I was part (as a fan) of the Sonic voice cast change of 2005 and while that pissed me off then, at no instance did Ryan Drummond or any other VA throw shit at their successors, same goes for the 4Kids (ironic heh) cast for Pokémon when they were recast a year later IIRC.

And the scorched Earth approach just literally killed her entire career with seemingly absolutely nothing to gain. Breaking an NDA is a huge offence to companies, as it shows you cannot be trusted with private information. She's also in theater apparently, what's stopping them from catching this and thinking the same?

I'm all for voice-actors being paid what they are rightly owed and what their effort warrants, but this to me just felt like one of the worst ways to go about it. Like what solution was she seeking? The game is done so Nintendo or Platinum (her language very much points to this being PG's doing) can't simply redub the game since it's way too late and even then that's not fair to Jennifer. Of course this has happened before when Disney and Robin Williams patched things up and outright replaced Dan Castellaneta's entirely finished role as Genie in Aladdin and the King of Thieves, so it HAS been done before... it's just VERY unlikely.

And even then, this ruined any chance of her voicing Bayonetta ever again.

I'd love it if Nintendo/PG made amends and would still hire her for a hopeful Bayonetta 4, but obviously, that's like next to impossible to happen unfortunately.

I wish her luck, she'll need it, to say the least.

 

[skulkidcachi90]

Well Bayonetta end here I guess.
To much trouble to keep this IP alive for Nintendo and it barely make any money.
They should focus in Astral Chain 2 or make another IP with Platinum, Bayonetta fanbase are a bunch of petty people than dont deserve money.
So many people saying pirate the game instead of buy it made me realize they don't deserve nothing.

 

[Sorbete]

This doesn't feel like a reason to boycott. I mean if people decided to boycott anything based on a person getting a low offer then they would probably need to boycott every company and buy nothing at all, this might be an exaggeration and I know is not that simple but you get the point.

 

[Dakota Joestar]

This doesn't feel like a reason to boycott. I mean if people decided to boycott anything based on a person getting a low offer then they would probably need to boycott every company and buy nothing at all, this might be an exaggeration and I know is not that simple but you get the point.

This whole situation is kinda tricky. Like video game boycotts have pretty much always failed just look at Pokemon SW&SH and Modern Warfare 2 as the biggest examples. Then you have situations like MGSV which recast the series' iconic voice, yet the VA change wasn't even MGSV's biggest controversy and the game ended up getting a ton of acclaim and ended as the best-selling game in the series.

However, Bayonetta has been always been the kind of series that was lucky to get sequels and always had a sort of foot in the grave. But then you have things like the Switch effect and it being fairly marketed well. But its also releasing during a busy period, same day as the new call of duty in fact. So Bayonetta 3 is gonna be very interesting to see where its sales are when Nintendo reports on its Q4 earnings in January.

 

[tentacle-tropes]

Well Bayonetta end here I guess.
To much trouble to keep this IP alive for Nintendo and it barely make any money.
They should focus in Astral Chain 2 or make another IP with Platinum, Bayonetta fanbase are a bunch of petty people than dont deserve money.
So many people saying pirate the game instead of buy it made me realize they don't deserve nothing.

If Nintendo was focused on the money making aspect of Bayonetta then the franchise would have never seen a second game. Which trouble are we talking about since by all accounts it is something they want to keep doing. Now this could change depending on how extreme fans wanna be in this situation.

 

[skulkidcachi90]

We are getting the point when even reviewers are asking to boycott the game and not make any publicity or review the game.
Did anyone think Nintendo would want to deal with this stuff in a sequel?.

 

[MegaXZero]

Several weeks, if not a month or more in the case of a game like Bayonetta, where you're looking at a fairly sizeable amount of in-game and cutscene dialogue. Also, these actors are meant to be paid by the hour, and that's hours spent in the studio, not hours worth of dialogue in the game.

This would include setting up and calibration of equipment, multiple takes, re-records etc.

Hellena is also a SAG/AFTRA member, which provides her certain rights/rates as a performer, so if she was indeed meant to voice Bayonetta throughout the entire game, $4000 is an extremely low figure.

(I wanted to point this out because that post was made in this thread, and I don't think it should go by without someone clarifying, in the event that people don't happen to visit the dedicated thread. Carry on with sales stuff now.)

Putting this in the correct thread. This isn't necessarily true. Hellena specifically said Bayo 1 was done over 4 days, with 4 hour sessions each for her. Coincidently, by current rates, that would come out to about $4000. However given that was apparently a later offer, that points to it taking less time.

We are getting the point when even reviewers are asking to boycott the game and not make any publicity or review the game.
Did anyone think Nintendo would want to deal with this stuff in a sequel?.

Which reviewers are calling for that? Because that is a way to get blacklisted by Nintendo.

 

[skulkidcachi90]

Putting this in the correct thread. This isn't necessarily true. Hellena specifically said Bayo 1 was done over 4 days, with 4 hour sessions each for her. Coincidently, by current rates, that would come out to about $4000. However given that was apparently a later offer, that points to it taking less time.


Which reviewers are calling for that? Because that is a way to get blacklisted by Nintendo.

For now LATAM and Spanish reviewers even some loved ones.
Read some independent reviewers in Era say is the morally right thing to do.
Some even asking ban the discussion of the game.
If this get worse more reviewers are gonna have the pressure of follow what others do.

 

[RDragon]

Putting this in the correct thread. This isn't necessarily true. Hellena specifically said Bayo 1 was done over 4 days, with 4 hour sessions each for her. Coincidently, by current rates, that would come out to about $4000. However given that was apparently a later offer, that points to it taking less time.


Which reviewers are calling for that? Because that is a way to get blacklisted by Nintendo.

I also find it hollow to boycott a review of a game over a payment debut in which the VA turned down the role and not anything from Activsion or Blizzard last year, or Ubisoft the year before who offensives were way worst, especially with Activsion being sued even as we speak. Honestly reads like console war crap.

For now LATAM and Spanish reviewers even some loved ones.
Read some independent reviewers in Era say is the morally right thing to do.
Some even asking ban the discussion of the game.
If this get worse more reviewers are gonna have the pressure of follow what others do.

Era is the same place that tried to make the lack of Black people in Smash an issue, which is a way bigger issue and point of discussion that no one outside of their bubble gave two craps about even now.

 

[Tokuiten]

For now LATAM and Spanish reviewers even some loved ones.
Read some independent reviewers in Era say is the morally right thing to do.
Some even asking ban the discussion of the game.
If this get worse more reviewers are gonna have the pressure of follow what others do.

Shaking my head so hard I fear it might come off. -_-

 

[MegaXZero]

For now LATAM and Spanish reviewers even some loved ones.
Read some independent reviewers in Era say is the morally right thing to do.
Some even asking ban the discussion of the game.
If this get worse more reviewers are gonna have the pressure of follow what others do.

So I'm not seeing actual proof here. Reviewers will probably have the game already, and any of them calling for a boycott over this would risk a legit blacklist from Nintendo.

 

[Sorbete]

Honestly, this is ridiculous. Can't believe I'm witnessing this stuff.

 

[Vergus]

For now LATAM and Spanish reviewers even some loved ones.
Read some independent reviewers in Era say is the morally right thing to do.
Some even asking ban the discussion of the game.
If this get worse more reviewers are gonna have the pressure of follow what others do.

Era has a very black and white view on social justice, so it's not a surprise some wants to ban the game's discussion outright.

 

[Fularu]

This debacle makes me think of the guy on the bicycle putting a rod into one of his wheels and then crying that he fell afterwards.

As @Sorbete said, if we were to boycott any product where someone, somewhere felt they were given s lowball offer, we wouldn't be buying or consuming anything.

 

[Nokia]

I don't see a point in this idea of review/discussion refusal when Helena is already guaranteed to never VA in anything now. She will never be Bayonetta again. Jennifer Hale seems to be doing a good job from what I've heard in videos and she's super pro-union. Along with having most of the other cast being union VAs, protesting for the sake of VA rights feels counterintuitive here.