Hi-Fi Rush studio Tango Gameworks acquired by PUBG publisher Krafton
South Korean publisher Krafton has announced that it has acquired Tango Gameworks and the IP rights to Hi-Fi Rush following the developer's closure under Microsoft in June.
The details:
In May, Microsoft announced the closure of four ZeniMax studios, including Arkane Austin, the developer of Redfall, as well as Alpha Dog, Roundhouse Games, and Tango Gameworks. The decision was met with community outrage, particularly Tango's closure due to the critical acclaim that Hi-Fi Rush received following its surprise launch in 2023. Despite fan support, the studio appeared to have shut down in June, with former developer Takeo Kido sharing images from the studio's final day of operation.
However, the Tokyo-based studio will seemingly live on as Krafton, best known as the owner of PUBG Corporation and Striking Distance, has announced that it will fully acquire Tango from Microsoft, along with its workforce and Hi-Fi Rush. “Krafton Inc. today welcomed the talented people of Tango Gameworks to their team, marking an exciting moment in the company’s global expansion and its first significant investment in the Japanese video game market,” the publisher said in a press release. “This strategic move will include the rights to Tango Gameworks’ acclaimed IP, Hi-Fi Rush.”
The Korean publisher is currently working with Xbox and ZeniMax to "ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks" in order to continue working on the Hi-Fi Rush IP and future projects. Krafton also stated that the acquisition will have "no impact on the existing game catalog of The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the original Hi-Fi Rush game."
John Johanas, the studio's creative director, took to X shortly after the announcement to celebrate, writing, “…and this is how it continues. We’re back, baby!”
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