Krafton Inc. Rescues Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi Rush from Closure

Just months after Microsoft announced the closure of Tango Gameworks, the acclaimed studio behind Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within series, Krafton Inc., the publisher of PUBG, has acquired the studio and its award-winning IP. This unexpected acquisition saves Tango Gameworks from closure and secures the future of Hi-Fi Rush.

Tango Gameworks to Continue Hi-Fi Rush and Explore New Projects

Krafton's acquisition includes the rights to Hi-Fi Rush, ensuring its continued development. The company plans to collaborate with Xbox and ZeniMax for a smooth transition, maintaining continuity for the team and ongoing projects. Krafton explicitly stated its intention to support Tango Gameworks in developing the Hi-Fi Rush IP further and exploring new ventures.

Krafton's press release highlighted this acquisition as a significant step in its global expansion, marking its first major investment in the Japanese video game market. The statement emphasized their commitment to supporting Tango Gameworks' innovation and delivering exciting experiences to fans. Importantly, Krafton confirmed that existing titles like The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2, and Ghostwire: Tokyo will remain unaffected by the acquisition and continue to be available on their respective platforms.

Microsoft's decision to close Tango Gameworks in May, despite the critical success of Hi-Fi Rush, was part of a broader restructuring effort focusing on "high-impact titles." This move surprised many, given Hi-Fi Rush's numerous awards, including "Best Animation" at the BAFTA Games Awards and "Best Audio Design" at The Game Awards and Game Developers' Choice Awards.

The developers of Hi-Fi Rush, even after being laid off, demonstrated their dedication by collaborating with Limited Run Games on a physical edition and releasing a final patch for the game.

Hi-Fi Rush 2 Remains Unconfirmed

While speculation surrounds a potential Hi-Fi Rush sequel following this acquisition, no official announcement has been made. It's worth noting that Tango Gameworks had reportedly pitched a sequel to Xbox before the studio's closure, but the proposal was ultimately rejected.

Krafton's acquisition of Tango Gameworks marks a significant turn of events, rescuing a talented studio and a beloved game from an uncertain future. The future of Hi-Fi Rush and Tango Gameworks now rests in the hands of Krafton, promising exciting possibilities for fans.