Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks was part of a set of sweeping layoffs that earlier this year, least of all because the studio's last game, Hi-Fi Rush, was pretty much a success by most metrics, , a "breakout hit by all key measurements and expectations", according to . Cue a parade of anything other than a straight answer.
Luckily Krafton, PUBG's publisher, came in at the last minute to snatch Tango from going the way of the dodo, months after its closure had been announced—not before , given [[link]] they'd assumed the curtains had already been called.
"Tango Gameworks' goal is still IP creation. While the ability and thinking required to create something from nothing cannot be acquired overnight, we have the members with the know-how to do this and we want to expand," and expanding they are—with several positions on the still open for future projects.
As to whether or not the acquisition will impact how that goes, Johanas is confident they can hit the ground running: "A lot has happened this year, but Tango Gameworks itself hasn’t changed. Rest assured that the acquisition will have no effect on our future games."
Listen—I am rooting for Tango Gameworks to get back on its feet. , and I wanna see more of this studio's passion make it to my monitor intact. I'm just not entirely sure "no effect" is accurate. Thinking your studio's been shut down for three months, losing half of your number, and then adjusting to a new acquisition is a lot to go through. The studio that made one of my favourite games of 2023 has been bisected, and I wouldn't hold it against anyone involved if the other half it stitches back on causes it to look a little different.
Still, that the optimism's there is a good sign. Tango is obliged, of course, to speak nicely of its new owners, but at the same time, Krafton's been saying the right words. Namely, that it didn't snag the studio to make a tidy sum, but to . Talk, though, is cheap—we'll see if Krafton walks the walk. I'll be looking forward to Tango's next game, anyway.