Less than a 12 months after being shuttered by Microsoft, Hi-Fi Rush studio Tango Gameworks is formally again from the lifeless. The resurrected developer, now owned by Krafton and working below a very-slightly-changed identify, introduced “a brand new begin” in its first put up on X since revealing its shock closure in May 2024.
“Tango Gameworks studio has been reborn as Tango Gameworks Inc, proudly becoming a member of Krafton Inc,” the studio wrote. “We’re excited to proceed crafting video games that carry pleasure to gamers world wide. Thank you in your continued assist as we embark on this new journey.”
Krafton’s takeover of Tango was introduced in August 2024, only a few months after Microsoft’s stunning closure of the studio—”stunning” as a result of it got here only a 12 months after Microsoft VP Aaron Greenberg mentioned Hi-Fi Rush “was a breakout hit for us and our gamers in all key measurements and expectations. We couldn’t be happier with what the workforce at Tango Gameworks delivered with this shock launch.”
Microsoft has by no means actually clarified why it selected to drag the plug on Tango—which, together with Hi-Fi Rush, had additionally discovered success with The Evil Within video games and Ghostwire: Tokyo. As PC Gamer’s Rich Stanton wrote on the time, Xbox management has by no means given us a straight reply about the way it went from “could not be happier” to “cannot be bothered” within the house of only a 12 months. Money (as in, not making sufficient of it) was presumably an enormous issue, however unceremoniously lopping off considered one of your status studios so quickly after singing its praises doesn’t do nice issues in your credibility. Then once more, the axe that claimed Tango Gameworks additionally fell on Arkane Austin, so it is in all probability truthful to say that “status” is not too excessive on Microsoft’s record of priorities.Â
It does seem like a consideration of some significance for Krafton, although. CEO Changhan ‘CH’ Kim mentioned in September 2024 that “we do not suppose Hi-Fi Rush 2 goes to make us cash,” however Krafton needed the studio anyway “to keep up their legacy.”
