Hi-Fi Rush could get a sequel

Good news in the gaming world! Japanese developer Tango Gameworks, known for the hit Hi-Fi Rush, has been spared imminent closure, just three months after Microsoft announced plans to shut down the studio.

It turns out that Krafton, the South Korean giant responsible for titles such as PUBG: Battlegrounds and The Callisto Protocol, revealed this week that it has acquired Tango Gameworks and its acclaimed game Hi-Fi Rush, ensuring a promising future for the creative team and its projects.

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An unexpected salvation for Hi-Fi Rush

In May 2024, Microsoft surprised the gaming community by announcing the closure of three studios it had inherited with the acquisition of ZeniMax in 2021: Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin (known for Redfall) and Alpha Dog Studios (from Mighty Doom).

This decision sparked a heated debate in the industry, especially since Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush had just won several awards in the 2023-2024 season and was receiving high praise. Many fans and critics considered Microsoft’s decision an unfair blow to a studio that had demonstrated extraordinary talent.

However, Krafton, known for its aggressive expansion and talent acquisition strategy, has stepped in to save Tango Gameworks. According to the South Korean company, it is working with Xbox to ensure a “smooth transition,” allowing the development team to continue working on the Hi-Fi Rush IP and future innovative projects.

The fate of Tango Gameworks’ other titles

While Hi-Fi Rush was the focus of Krafton’s announcement, there’s still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the future of other Tango Gameworks franchises like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo.

Microsoft has not revealed whether it will relinquish the rights to these intellectual properties, and Krafton has not provided any additional details. This lack of clarity has fueled speculation about what will happen to these beloved franchises.

Tango Gameworks isn’t the only developer to escape Microsoft’s recent wave of cuts. Earlier this year, Toys For Bob, known for the Skylanders franchise, also split from Microsoft/Activision to become an independent studio. This trend of rescuing or becoming independent studios raises questions about the future of the gaming industry and the role of large corporations in it.

The future with Krafton

What can fans expect from Tango Gameworks under Krafton’s new ownership? The South Korean company has already stated that it is committed to supporting the Tango team to deliver “new and exciting experiences for fans.”

This suggests that, in addition to possible sequels to Hi-Fi Rush, we could finally see the release of the long-awaited Nintendo Switch port, which was rumored but never came to fruition.

Krafton has a history of successfully transforming acquired studios into creative powerhouses, and anticipation is high as to how Tango Gameworks evolves in this new phase. Whether it’s expanding the Hi-Fi Rush universe or exploring new ideas, fans will certainly expect the studio to continue to surprise in this regard and revive the game.