Tango Gameworks Finds New Home: A Lifeline for the Studio
The gaming world was taken by surprise when renowned game director Shinji Mikami, the father of the Resident Evil series, expressed his relief on social media regarding the future of his former studio, Tango Gameworks. The studio, founded by Mikami himself, had been through a rollercoaster of ownership changes before finding a new home with South Korean gaming giant Krafton.
Tango Gameworks: A Rollercoaster Journey
Established in 2010 by Mikami, Tango Gameworks initially operated under the umbrella of ZeniMax Media. However, the acquisition of ZeniMax by Microsoft in 2021 brought the studio under the Xbox Game Studios banner, making it the first Japanese development team within the Microsoft gaming ecosystem.
Unfortunately, the studio’s tenure under Microsoft proved to be short-lived. In a corporate restructuring move, Microsoft announced the closure of Tango Gameworks in June 2024. This news sent shockwaves through the gaming community, as the studio had garnered critical acclaim for its titles, including The Evil Within series, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the critically acclaimed rhythm-action game, Hi-Fi Rush.
A New Chapter for Tango Gameworks
Just when it seemed like the end of the road for Tango Gameworks, a lifeline was extended by South Korean publisher Krafton. In a surprising announcement in August 2024, Krafton acquired the studio, along with the intellectual property rights to the hit game Hi-Fi Rush. This acquisition not only saved the studio from closure but also secured the future of one of its most successful titles.
It’s important to note that while Krafton acquired Tango Gameworks and the rights to Hi-Fi Rush, the rights to the studio’s other games, such as The Evil Within series and Ghostwire: Tokyo, remain with Microsoft.
Mikami’s Sentiments
Shinji Mikami’s public statement expressing his happiness about Tango Gameworks finding a new home is a testament to his deep emotional connection to the studio he founded. While the brief message lacked specifics, it resonated with fans and industry insiders alike, highlighting the significance of the acquisition for the studio and its employees.
The Future of Tango Gameworks
With Krafton at the helm, Tango Gameworks enters a new chapter in its history. The acquisition brings both challenges and opportunities for the studio. On one hand, the studio will need to adapt to a new corporate culture and potentially explore new genres or platforms. On the other hand, Krafton’s resources and global reach could provide Tango Gameworks with the support it needs to create even more ambitious and innovative games.
The future of Tango Gameworks is uncertain, but the studio’s talented team and the support of its new parent company offer hope for exciting projects to come.
