Summary
- Krafton acquired Tango Gameworks because of the studio's dedication to making innovative games.
- Krafton had been looking to expand into Japan for a while and Tango's shuttering was a fantastic opportunity for the publisher.
- Tango intends to continue working on Hi-Fi Rush 2.
Krafton stepped in and acqui☂red the shuttered Tango Gameworks because of the studio's strong identity, and because each 🗹of Tango's games has unique core elements. Krafton isn't interested in acquiring studios that create derivative games.
In a lengthy interview with , Krafton's head ▨o🐓f corporate development Maria Park explained why the publisher was so eager to acquire Tango following the announcement that Microsoft was shutting down the studio.
"When we heard Tango Gameworks was facing shutdown, our t🐈eam immediately flew over to Tokyo," she began. "We recognised that Tango has this rich history of innovation and creativity, and the rarity of being a relatively small studio with a strong fandom. Initially, we weren't sure about whether their legacy of craftsmanship and creativity could continue - especially after the departure of founder Shinji Mikami. But our visit dispelled these worries..."
Tango Only Makes Unique Games
Park went on to speak about how 𒁏Krafton's criteria for acquisition include innovation and creativity, stressing that unique innovative gameplay is the publisher's "number one priority." While looking at Tango, Krafton was able to identify each of the studio's games was "unique in their own way."
She added thꩵat Krafton has been looking into expanding into the Japanese market for some tim🎃e, but the challenge was that a lot of the small-to-medium-sized studios operated under a for-hire model, and Krafton wanted a studio that had more of a core identity.
Park add🌼s to this later in the interview, saying innovation "...doesn't necessarily mean the game has to be a new genre, but it has to have core elements that are unique from existing gameplay experiences. We don't want to just replicate successful games."
Tango Gameworks is the latest in Krafton's rapidly expanding portfolio, which includes Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds E🍷ntertainment and Neon Giant. According to Park, between 70-80 of the 100 employees working for Tango before Microsoft shuttered the studio have been rehired by Krafton.
As the intellectual property rights for Hi-Fi Rush were included in the acquisition, Kraft♏on is happy to allow Tango to continue working on Hi-Fi Rush 2 when all 🅰of the legalities have been ironed out with Microsoft.
Hi-Fi Rush, from Ghostwire: Tokyo developers Tango Gameworks, is a 2023 action game that focuses on rhythm as a core gameplay mechanic. As Chai, you must take on the nefarious megac💜orp that created your cybernetic arm.
