Tango Gameworks, the team behind the critically acclaimed title Hi-Fi Rush has been resuscitated. Krafton just announced that it has acquired the studio Microsoft discarded earlier this year.
Along with the talented team, the PUBG developer now also owns the rights to the rhythm-based action game’s IP, reigniting hopes for a potential sequel in the future.
Tango Gameworks Gets a New Lease on Life
In a press release posted today, Krafton revealed it has come to an agreement with Xbox to acquire the Japanese game development studio, Tango Gameworks.
The PUBG developer has also secured the IP for Hi-Fi Rush, the critically acclaimed action game that took the world by storm after it was shadow-dropped in early 2023.
Tango Gameworks, also known for The Evil Within games and Ghostwire: Tokyo, was previously part of ZeniMax Media. It became the first Japanese studio under the Xbox umbrella when Microsoft acquired Bethesda’s parent company in 2021.
Despite having received critical acclaim and various industry accolades, including a reward for Best Audio Design at The Game Awards 2023, the rhythm game seemingly didn’t produce enough revenue for the console maker.
Thus, in June of this year, Microsoft closed the studio down as part of radical cost-cutting measures, a move that caused widespread anger in the gaming community. Now, thanks to Krafton’s efforts to expand globally, the Japanese studio has a new lease on life.
Hi-Fi Rush 2 May Yet See the Light of Day
In its press release, the company writes it will work with the console maker and ZeniMax to “ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks.” Most notably, the new owner intends to allow the team to “continue developing the Hi-Fi Rush IP.”
When Microsoft closed the studio, which reportedly had not one but two projects in the works at the time, it also crushed all hopes for a potential sequel.
These have now been revived, with the new owner all but confirming that there may be more of the rhythm game to look forward to. Stating that the team would be allowed to “explore future projects,” it remains to be seen what else the studio may deliver in the future.
However, the IPs for The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo will remain with Microsoft for now. While the PUBG developer may reach an agreement with the company to expand on these games in the future, this has not been confirmed as yet.
The company also reassured gamers that this acquisition would not affect the availability of the studio’s games. These will remain on Xbox Game Pass as well as the other platforms they have been released on.
Are you excited that there is still hope for a sequel to the popular rhythm-based action game? If so, what would you like to see in the next title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
