Krafton acquires Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi Rush IP

Highlights

Krafton takes over Tango Gameworks and saves the company from closure by Microsoft.
Hi-Fi Rush developer, known for unique games like Ghostwire: Tokyo.
Krafton plans to continue developing Hi-Fi Rush IP and explore future projects.

Krafton, the publisher behind the PUBG Series and other titles, has acquired Tango GameworksDeveloper of Hi-Fi noiseThe acquisition of Tango Gameworks comes after it was recently announced that the studio’s former owners, Microsoft, are planning to close it.

Tango Gameworks was originally founded by legendary game developer Shinji Mikami after he left Capcom. The company has made a name for itself by developing games based on unique concepts such as Ghostwire: Tokyo And The evil within. The studio’s latest title, Hi-Fi noisedelighted audiences with its unusual combination of musical rhythm mechanics and action combat with a colorful cartoon aesthetic. Unfortunately, Microsoft announced that Tango Gameworks would be closing along with three other studios under the Bethesda umbrella.

Xbox manager gives reason for closing Tango Gameworks

Xbox manager gives reasons for closing Tango Gameworks

Following the disappointing closure of Tango Gameworks, the head of Xbox Game Studios provides further insight into Xbox’s decision to disband the studio.

With Hi-Fi noise would receive a final update in May 2024, that could have been the end of Tango Gameworks’ story until South Korean publisher Krafton announced on August 12 that it had acquired the studio. Tango Gameworks will join other studios under the Krafton umbrella, including PUBG Developer PUBG Studios, TERA Developer Bluehole, Striking Distance, the The Callisto Protocoland Unknown Worlds, developer of Subnautica.

Acquisition of Krafton Tango Gameworks includes IP rights for Hi-Fi Rush

In its announcement, Krafton touted the acquisition of Tango Gameworks as the company’s first significant investment in the Japanese gaming industry. It also mentioned that it had acquired the rights to Hi-Fi noise alongside Tango Gameworks itself. Krafton said it intends to work with Microsoft to ensure a “smooth” transition so that current Tango developers can “continue development” Hi-Fi noise IP and explore “future projects”. It was also promised that there would be “no impact” on the existing Tango Gameworks catalog and that titles such as The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2And Ghostwire: Tokyo will continue to be available wherever they are currently sold. Krafton did not mention acquiring the rights to other Tango Gameworks titles, so it is likely that they will remain in the stable of Bethesda and Microsoft. With control of the IP, it seems as though Krafton could push Tango Gameworks to release the Hi-Fi noise Continuation that it proposed before its first closure.

Fans and industry commentators reacted positively to the news of the apparent revival of Tango Gameworks under Krafton. Xbox was heavily criticized for the decision to close the studios, as Microsoft executives were keen to capitalize on the success of games such as Hi-Fi noise shortly before the announcement. Fans of Hi-Fi noise In particular, they vented their anger through reverse review bombing Hi-Fi noiseand gave positive reviews on Steam to express their support for Tango Gameworks and their disappointment with Microsoft.