Krafton Acquires Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush IP

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Krafton Acquires Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush IP

Highlights

  • Krafton acquires Tango Gameworks, saving it from Microsoft shutdown.
  • Hi-Fi Rush developer known for unique games like Ghostwire: Tokyo.
  • Krafton plans to continue developing Hi-Fi Rush IP and explore future projects.

As a longtime fan of the unique and innovative games that Tango Gameworks has produced, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief and excitement at Krafton’s acquisition of this talented studio. Having witnessed the heartbreaking closure announcements of studios like Tango Gameworks under Microsoft, it’s refreshing to see a positive outcome for once.

As a passionate gamer, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! The powerhouse behind my favorite battle royale game, PUBG, Krafton, has taken over Tango Gameworks, the genius minds behind Hi-Fi Rush. This acquisition comes on the heels of Microsoft’s announcement that they were planning to close down Tango Gameworks. I can’t wait to see what amazing games this collaboration will bring!

Previously established by renowned video game creator Shinji Mikami upon departing from Capcom, Tango Gameworks built a strong following for producing games centered around innovative ideas such as “Ghostwire: Tokyo” and “The Evil Within.” Their latest offering, “Hi-Fi Rush,” captivated audiences with its unconventional blend of rhythmic gameplay mechanics within action combat, all set against a vibrant cartoon backdrop. Regrettably, Microsoft declared that Tango Gameworks, along with three other studios under the Bethesda label, would be closed down.

In May 2024, the final update for “Hi-Fi Rush” was released, potentially marking the conclusion of Tango Gameworks’ narrative. However, a surprise occurred on August 12 when South Korean publisher Krafton announced it had acquired Tango Gameworks. Now, Tango Gameworks is part of Krafton’s extensive family of studios, which includes PUBG Studios (the creators of “PUBG”), Bluehole (developers of “TERA”), Striking Distance (responsible for “The Callisto Protocol”), and Unknown Worlds, the minds behind “Subnautica”.

Krafton Tango Gameworks Acqusition Includes Hi-Fi Rush IP Rights

In a recent announcement, Krafton declared that the acquisition of Tango Gameworks marks their first major investment in the Japanese gaming sector. Alongside Tango Gameworks, they also obtained the rights to the upcoming game “Hi-Fi Rush.” Krafton plans to collaborate with Microsoft to ensure a seamless transition for current Tango developers to continue working on the “Hi-Fi Rush” intellectual property and explore future projects. They assured that this acquisition will have no effect on Tango Gameworks’ existing catalog, meaning games like “The Evil Within,” “The Evil Within 2,” and “Ghostwire: Tokyo” will still be available for purchase wherever they are currently sold. Krafton did not mention acquiring any other titles from Tango Gameworks, suggesting that these will remain under Bethesda and Microsoft’s ownership. With control over the “Hi-Fi Rush” IP, there’s a possibility that Krafton may encourage Tango Gameworks to develop a sequel to the game they previously proposed before its initial shutdown.

Enthusiasts and experts generally responded favorably to the rumored resurgence of Tango Gameworks under Krafton. The move by Xbox to shut down the studios earlier was met with severe criticism, as Microsoft officials had recently boasted about the success of games like “Hi-Fi Rush.” In response, ardent supporters of “Hi-Fi Rush” voiced their displeasure by posting positive reviews for the game on Steam in a show of support for Tango Gameworks and dissatisfaction with Microsoft. This unusual action is known as reverse-review bombing.

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2024-08-12 07:13