Krafton Acquires Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi Rush IP: A Strategic Move into the Japanese Market

In a surprising turn of events, Tango Gameworks, the studio behind the beloved Hi-Fi Rush, has been acquired by South Korean gaming giant Krafton, the owners of PUBG Studios and Striking Distance, among others. This acquisition marks Krafton's first major investment in the Japanese video game market and includes the rights to the Hi-Fi Rush IP for future game development.

Krafton announced the news with a statement that emphasized the "strategic" nature of the move—a choice of words that feels particularly fitting given the circumstances. This is undoubtedly great news for fans of the rhythm-action series, who were left in limbo after Tango's former parent company, Microsoft, decided to shut down the studio earlier this year.

Back in May, Microsoft revealed plans to close Tango Gameworks, along with Arkane Austin (Redfall) and Alpha Dog Games (Mighty Doom), as part of what Xbox boss Matt Booty described as a “consolidation of our Bethesda studio teams.” The decision was met with disappointment, especially considering the critical and commercial success of Hi-Fi Rush, which won multiple awards, including a BAFTA.

Despite Booty's assertion that Xbox needed “smaller games that give us prestige and awards,” the choice to shutter Tango Gameworks seemed baffling, especially given the overwhelming positive reception of Hi-Fi Rush. The game's project manager, Kazuaki Egashira, even took to social media to express frustration, posting a shelf full of accolades with the caption “not enough?”

Now, with Krafton stepping in, there's renewed hope for the future of Tango Gameworks. Krafton has assured fans that they are working closely with Xbox and Zenimax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at the studio. This includes allowing Tango's talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi Rush IP while exploring new projects.

For now, it appears that the acquisition will have no impact on Tango's existing game catalog, which includes titles like The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the original Hi-Fi Rush. While the fate of these other IPs remains unchanged, it's clear that Krafton's focus is squarely on the future of Hi-Fi Rush and the potential it holds.

Whether Krafton is the right company to guide Tango Gameworks into the next chapter remains to be seen, but for fans of the studio and its games, this acquisition is a promising start to the week. Let's hope this new partnership brings more of the creative, award-winning content that Tango Gameworks is known for.