What you need to know
- A few months ago, Microsoft announced plans to close its Xbox studio Tango Gameworks, the only team based in Japan, as part of a round of cost-cutting measures.
- Tango Gameworks is known for games like Ghostwire Tokyo and The Evil Within, as well as the recent hit Hi-Fi Rush.
- Krafton Inc. published the massive battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and has been expanding into other regions and exploring new game franchises recently.
- Krafton Inc. today announced that it has acquired Tango Gameworks as well as the Hi-Fi Rush IP, saving the team from closure.
- Krafton Inc says it intends to support Tango in the “further development” of the Hi-Fi Rush IP.
Tango Gameworks will continue to operate, as Microsoft has reached an agreement with publisher Krafton to keep the studio. Krafton Inc., known for games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, has acquired Tango Gameworks entirely from Xbox, along with the rights to the hit action game Hi-Fi Rush.
Microsoft announced it was closing Tango Gameworks earlier this year, as part of a round of layoffs that saw a number of other Xbox game studios shutter. Tango was best known for games like the aforementioned high-octane rhythm fighting game Hi-Fi Rush, as well as the survival horror franchise The Evil Within. Tango was originally founded in 2010 by Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil fame, with the studio moving to Microsoft as part of the ZeniMax acquisition.
Krafton Inc. has shared a press release detailing its plans for Tango Gameworks, as well as the future of the Hi-Fi Rush franchise.
“Krafton Inc. today welcomed the talented individuals from Tango Gameworks to its team, marking an exciting moment in the company’s global expansion and its first major investment in the Japanese video game market.” As stated in the press release:This strategic move will include Tango Gameworks’ popular intellectual property, Hi-Fi RUSH.
Crafton continued: “As part of this strategic agreement, KRAFTON intends to partner with Xbox and ZeniMax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks, allowing the talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi RUSH IP and explore future projects. KRAFTON intends to support the Tango Gameworks team as they continue their commitment to innovation and deliver new and exciting experiences to fans.”
The fact that Hi-Fi Rush is also trending strongly suggests that a sequel is likely to emerge from the partnership. However, franchises like Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within will remain with Microsoft, at least for now. Both Krafton and Microsoft have confirmed that there will be no impact on the current catalog of games, which will still be available on Xbox Game Pass and other stores they currently operate.
In a statement to Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson shared the following: “We are working with Krafton to enable the Tango Gameworks team to continue building games together and look forward to playing their next great game. There will be no impact to Tango’s existing game catalog.”
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A new beginning for Tango Gameworks
It’s a potential fresh start for Tango Gameworks, as well as fans of Hi-Fi Rush. Tango Gameworks surprised Xbox fans early last year with the release of Hi-Fi Rush, which suddenly appeared on Xbox Game Pass. At the time, Microsoft called it a success, but a wide range of cost-cutting measures earlier in 2024 led to Tango’s untimely shutdown.
Krafton stepping in and giving the studio new life is very exciting and dare I say exhilarating. It will be interesting to see where things go from here. It’s nice to have at least one happy ending in a year dominated by layoffs across the entertainment and tech industries.
Maybe if we get it truly Fortunately, Microsoft will allow Tango Gameworks to try to deliver a new entry in The Evil Within series as well one day, if Tango wants to of course. For now, I’m just happy that the studio will get another chance to thrive in this increasingly competitive and difficult industry.
I hope that tango will survive and flourish for a long time.
