Hi-Fi Rush 2 Was in Development When Krafton Saved Tango Gameworks

As a gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the gaming industry is like a rollercoaster ride – full of unexpected twists and turns. The news about Tango Gameworks being acquired by Krafton was a shock to many, but it’s heartening to see creative teams and studios being salvaged.

The stunning revelation came when Microsoft unexpectedly chose to shut down Tango Gameworks, creators of the rapidly rising hit game Hi-Fi Rush. Yet, a surprising benefactor emerged during this announcement. Krafton, renowned for publishing PUBG and The Callisto Protocol, made a trip to Japan to acquire Tango Gameworks, thus gaining control over Hi-Fi Rush. As per Maria Park, head of corporate development at Krafton, the studio had already been putting in considerable effort on a new project before their closure and acquisition. It seems that during its closure and subsequent purchase by Krafton, work on Hi-Fi Rush 2 was underway at Tango Gameworks.

In an exclusive chat with GamesIndistry.biz, I passionately shared my perspective on the importance of preserving creative teams and studios. Here’s the gist of what I said:

In examining Tango’s portfolio, each game they’ve produced has stood out distinctly. Their approach and artistry resonate with our values. We were avid supporters of Hi-Fi Rush and other productions, and upon initiating discussions, I was aware they were developing Hi-Fi Rush 2. Our aim was to build upon this foundation and provide innovative means to continually enhance the gameplay experience.
Additionally, we’ve been granted the chance to assume ownership of the Intellectual Property (IP) that was previously held by Microsoft. This is rather uncommon for them to relinquish even during a studio closure. We’ve had direct communication with Phil Spencer, who has been exceptionally helpful in meeting the Tango team’s requirements. With this newfound ownership, we aim to keep the successful series alive while also venturing into unexplored avenues and innovative creative paths.

Hi-Fi Rush 2 Was in Development When Krafton Saved Tango Gameworks

Based on the interview, it seems that Krafton plans to keep growing and injecting funds into the Japanese video game industry. At present, they already have 13 studios within their portfolio, among which are:

PUBG Studios
Bluehole Studio
RisingWings
Striking Distance Studios
Dreamotion
Unknown Worlds
5minlab
Neon Giant
Krafton Montreal Studio
Vector North
Relu Games
Flyway Games
Tango Gameworks

It’s wonderful to witness Krafton stepping up to aid the gaming industry by reviving a studio on the verge of closure. However, it leaves us intrigued to learn about their business strategies. Unlike numerous publishers and developers who focus on following trends or replicating successful games, Krafton is aiming for distinctive titles from creative minds, which is more than enticing!

Recently, TopMob shared insights about Krafton’s CEO explaining the difficulties faced by The Callisto Protocol. It’s refreshing to notice that the company is now investing more in innovative ideas rather than following fleeting trends.

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