Hi-Fi Rush Rescued; Studio Picked Up By PUBG Publisher

9 Comments | Hi-Fi Rush, microsoft, tango gameworks | By Peter Paltridge | August 12, 2024 | 2 minutes of reading

Last May, Microsoft announced that it was going to reward the success of Tango Gameworks’ new game Hi-Fi Rush by…closing down the whole studio. It’s still a mystery exactly why — Hi-Fi Rush was exactly the kind of thing Microsoft was hoping for: a hit game created by a Japanese studio they had a stake in. The news sparked a discussion about the state of the game industry as a whole and if anything was good enough anymore to avoid being “punished.”

But we have good news: it lives! Seems behind the scenes, Microsoft was willing to let Tango Gameworks be sold to another company instead of shut down outright. That company, Krafton, also publishes Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds (aka PUBG) and The Calisto Protocol, among other things. They do not plan to be as careless as Microsoft was regarding Hi-Fi Rush.

“KRAFTON intends to collaborate with Xbox and ZeniMax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks, allowing the talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi RUSH IP and explore future projects,” they said in a press release from their website. That sure sounds like a sequel to us! Tango was also responsible for The Evil Within games and Ghostwire: Tokyo, all of which fall under Krafton now.

Note that two other studios were closed by Microsoft on the same day: Alpha Dog Studios, developers of Mighty Doom, and Arkane Austin as punishment for their flop Redfall. We have yet to hear of a similar rescue for either outfit.

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Rosemary

I got this

24 messages 0 likes

#1 Aug 13, 2024

I was totally into Hi-Fi Rush when it came out. The mix of music and gameplay was so fresh. It's a bummer that they shut down the studio, especially since the game seemed to be a hit with both players and critics. I thought it did pretty well, honestly. It's a shame to lose a team that can come up with something so creative. Glad the game find a new home, I hope there is a chance for sequel now.

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|Dexter|

Member

770 messages 32 likes

#2 Aug 13, 2024

This is kinda wild, dude. I'm stoked that Hi-Fi Rush is safe and Tango's still around. That game was awesome! But it sucks that they lost the rights to their other stuff like The Evil Within and Ghostwire. Those games were so cool, I was really hoping for sequels. It's weird that Microsoft kept those games but not the people who made them. Like, what's the point? Oh well, at least we still have Hi-Fi Rush, I guess.

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Kyo

Member

298 messages 9 likes

#3 Aug 13, 2024

It's fantastic news that Tango Gameworks is getting another shot. They've consistently delivered unique and engaging gaming experiences. From the atmospheric horror of The Evil Within series to the unexpected, high-energy fun of Hi-Fi Rush, it's clear they're a studio that isn't afraid to take risks. I'm really curious to see what direction they'll go in next. Will they stick with what they know, or will they explore entirely new genres? Either way, I'm excited to see what they come up with. Krafton seems like a good fit, and I hope they'll give Tango the freedom to experiment and push boundaries.

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Barukyu

It's Molin time!

374 messages 7 likes

#4 Aug 13, 2024

Krafton, you guys are absolute legends for saving Hi-Fi Rush! I can't even express how happy I am that Tango Gameworks is back in action. That game was a breath of fresh air in the gaming world, and I've been replaying it nonstop since it came out. The music, the characters, the combat – everything was just perfect. Please, please, please make a sequel! I need more Chai, more rhythm-based action, and more of that incredible soundtrack in my life. I'm begging you! Let's keep the party going with Hi-Fi Rush 2!

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zuddles

Potato sitting on a couch

2,330 messages 20 likes

#5 Aug 13, 2024

I'm glad Tango is getting another chance to shine. It's great to see a studio with such talent and potential get a second wind. I hope this new partnership will be beneficial for everyone involved. It's crucial that Krafton understands the importance of giving the developers creative freedom. We've seen countless examples of studios being acquired and then losing their unique identity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this won't be the case. Here's hoping for more amazing games from Tango!

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KennethCozme

New Member

21 messages 0 likes

#6 Aug 13, 2024

This is huge for the industry. It shows that there's still hope for original games even if big companies don't always get it. Krafton made a smart move here. I'm curious to see what Tango does next.

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Geraldric

New Member

39 messages 2 likes

#7 Aug 13, 2024

It's crazy how quickly things can change in the gaming industry. Microsoft really dropped the ball on this one. I'm glad Krafton saw the potential in Hi-Fi Rush. It's great to see a company that actually values creativity and innovation. Here's hoping for more awesome games from Tango.

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Callisto

Member

102 messages 2 likes

#8 Aug 13, 2024

I can't believe Microsoft was gonna just kill it off like that. Krafton is a total lifesaver. I really hope they make a sequel and add even more crazy characters and music. This is awesome!

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Bunnyboy2000

Bunny Bunny Bun Bun

102 messages 5 likes

#9 Aug 13, 2024

This is insane! I can't believe Microsoft was dumb enough to shut down a studio that made a game as awesome as Hi-Fi Rush. It's like they're trying to ruin gaming for everyone. But hey, at least Krafton stepped in to save the day. I'm really hoping for a Hi-Fi Rush sequel now. Maybe they can add more characters and levels. This is great news for the under dogs in a world invaded by Battle Royales

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