Months after Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within studio Tango Gameworks was unceremoniously shut down by Microsoft, the developer has now been acquired by PUBG publisher Krafton and will remain open. The acquisition of Tango Gameworks includes the rights to Hi-Fi Rush, so there’s a chance a sequel could still move ahead.
Tango Gameworks was shut down by Microsoft back in May 2024 alongside Redfall developer Arkane Austin. The news sent waves across the gaming community, with many criticising Microsoft’s decision to close Tango Gameworks after giving Xbox its biggest hit of 2023 with Hi-Fi Rush. While the closure initially meant that employees at the studio would be out of a job, Krafton has now revealed that they’ve purchased Tango Gameworks and will allow the studio to remain open and operational with its employees.
Krafton released a statement about the acquisition, stating:
“Krafton Inc today welcomed the talented people of Tango Gameworks to their team, marking an exciting moment in the company’s global expansion and its first significant investment in the Japanese video game market,” the publisher said in a statement. This strategic move will include the rights to Tango Gameworks’ acclaimed IP, Hi-Fi Rush.”
The PUBG publisher hopes to work with ZeniMax and Xbox in order to “ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks.” Krafton plans to let employees at Tango Gameworks continue working on Hi-Fi Rush and other IP, though it doesn’t mention if the studio will retain the rights to The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo. “Krafton intends to support the Tango Gameworks team to continue its commitment to innovation and delivering fresh and exciting experiences for fans,” said the company.
Meanwhile, Xbox said it needs smaller, ambitious and award-winning games like Hi-Fi Rush shortly after dropping the axe on Tango Gameworks. It’s good to know that the studio can continue working on new projects for the foreseeable future and hopefully without threat of shutting down.
Source: Video Games Chronicle
