Games industry: Krafton rescues Tango Gameworks

The Japanese development studio Tango Gameworks is surprisingly moving on after all: after being closed by Microsoft in the spring, the studio is now being bought by the games company Krafton. Among other things, Krafton is the publisher of the successful online shooter "PUBG".

Krafton has not disclosed any financial details. In its announcement, the South Korean company speaks of its first significant investment in the Japanese games market. It explicitly mentions the rights to the "Hi-Fi Rush" brand, which will now also be transferred to Krafton.

Former Tango Gameworks game brands are only mentioned in the announcement when Krafton recounts the history of the studio - it is not known whether the company has taken over the rights to "The Evil Within" or "Ghostwire: Tokyo".

Tango Gameworks was part of the Bethesda package

"Hi-Fi Rush" is a 2023 rhythm game from Tango Gameworks that was well received by critics and became a crowd favorite. Microsoft's strategy to close Tango Gameworks had caused a particular stir in the industry due to the popularity of "Hi-Fi Rush".

Tango Gameworks came to Microsoft via the Zenimax acquisition in 2021, which also saw the Bethesda team and portfolio move to Microsoft. Krafton now wants to work with Microsoft "to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks so that the team can continue development of the Hi-Fi Rush IP and envision future projects."

In addition to Tango Gameworks, Microsoft also closed the studios Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games and Roundhouse Games in the spring. Microsoft justified the move with a renewed focus on blockbuster games. Microsoft intends to invest the resources saved in the portfolio of Bethesda's triple-A productions.

(dahe)