Hi-Fi Rush devs share hope after escaping near-closure: “We’re building a place where the work feels like your own creation, not just a task.”

Tango Gameworks, the studio behind Hi-Fi Rush, faced a shocking industry shakeup earlier this year. Despite the game being labeled a “breakout hit” and receiving awards, Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg described the game’s performance as surpassing “all key measurements and expectations.” Yet, the studio still found itself facing closure.

Enter Krafton, the publisher behind PUBG, who stepped in three months after the shutdown announcement to acquire Tango Gameworks. Unfortunately, by then, many developers had already sought other opportunities, assuming the end was inevitable.

Despite this, Tango’s leadership remains optimistic. Speaking to 4Gamer (via a translation by Automaton), Colin Mack, the general manager, creative director John Johanas, and development director Kazuaki Egashira expressed confidence in the studio’s future. Egashira emphasized their continued focus on creating groundbreaking IPs, regardless of success levels, whether they’re hits like Hi-Fi Rush or quieter entries like Ghostwire: Tokyo.

“Tango Gameworks’ mission remains IP creation,” Egashira explained. “The skills and mindset to create something from scratch take time to develop, but we have a team equipped for this, and we aim to grow further.” Indeed, the studio is actively hiring for new roles, signaling their plans to expand.

Johanas added his aspirations for the studio: “We want Tango to be a place where people feel like their work is their baby, not just a task to complete.” Mack echoed this sentiment: “Our goal is to craft unique, engaging games for everyone who has supported Tango Gameworks so far. Please stay tuned.”

When asked about the impact of the acquisition, Johanas assured fans that the core studio remains unchanged: “A lot has happened this year, but Tango Gameworks itself hasn’t changed. Rest assured, the acquisition won’t affect our upcoming projects.”

While the team paints a hopeful picture, it’s clear that their path hasn’t been without hurdles. A sudden closure announcement, a period of uncertainty, and transitioning to new ownership are not insignificant challenges. Tango Gameworks might emerge from this process transformed, but their commitment to innovation remains intact.

We are all rooting for Tango’s creative spark to continue to shine. However, it’s only natural to expect changes after such a tumultuous year, and whether these adjustments alter the studio’s creative DNA remains to be seen.

Source: PC Gamer