Hi-Fi Rush 2 was in development for six months before Krafton acquired Tango Gameworks

by Danny Craig  · 
Hi-Fi Rush 2 was in development for six months before Krafton acquired Tango Gameworks
Tango Gameworks

Krafton has revealed that a sequel to Hi-Fi Rush was already in development six months before it acquired Tango Gameworks from Microsoft, and has shared some of the studio's plans for the game.

The details:

  • Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Krafton head of corporate development Maria Park confirmed that Tango had been working on the game for half a year when the companies first met. However, the development of the sequel has been put on hold while Microsoft legally transfers all Hi-Fi Rush assets to Krafton.

  • Park also stated that the team considered player feedback from the original, particularly in terms of linear-level design, which led Tango to opt for a more open structure in the sequel. “They want to make sure [it] surpasses the expectations of the existing fans,” Park explained. “For instance, some of the feedback about Hi-Fi Rush was that some people felt it was [just] going through factories, so now they want to give a more open world type of experience. I don't think it's going to be completely open world, but a more dynamic environment [that] you play in. Also, having more advanced technology applied to the rhythm action so that it feels more synchronized.”

  • According to the executive, the original Hi-Fi Rush may still be ported to other platforms, such as the Nintendo Switch, and receive additional DLC content. “That's what the team really wants,” Park said. “I think [they] want to work on Hi-Fi Rush DLC [too] because they are dedicated to ensuring that Hi-Fi Rush 2 upholds high standards of quality. They don't want to rush the sequel but take the necessary time to refine the game and come up with a different experience.”

  • Park confirmed that the success of Hi-Fi Rush influenced Krafton's decision to purchase the studio after Microsoft closed its doors earlier this year. According to Park, Krafton believed Tango was "capable of creating the full spectrum of different experiences" after examining the projects it was working on, with younger developers playing a significant role in their development.

  • Although the publisher acquired the Hi-Fi Rush IP and a portion of its original workforce, Park confirmed that Microsoft still owns the rights to its previous franchises, Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within. However, the executive added that it was "very unusual" for Microsoft to sell the Hi-Fi Rush IP in the first place, "even in case of a studio shutdown."

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