Tango Gameworks Had Not 1, but 2 Projects In Development When Xbox Shut Down the HiFi Rush Studio

It’s been three weeks since Microsoft shut down both Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, and the community is still sour on their closing, especially with the reveal that Tango had two projects in development.

Tango and Arkane Austin were shut down on the 7th of May, with Microsoft citing that their games had not been as profitable or successful as they hoped to be, just a few months after stating that Hi-Fi Rush was extremely successful.

Tango Gameworks Had Two Projects in Development

Founded by Shinji Mikami, a legend in the gaming industry known for his work on the Resident Evil series. He who also directed Resident Evil 1 and 4 and produced Resident Evil 2 and 3, Tango Gameworks quickly established itself as a unique studio.

The studio’s portfolio includes the Evil Within series, known for its atmospheric horror and immersion, and more recently, Hi-Fi Rush, which gained praise for its innovative blend of rhythm-based combat and vibrant and colorful aesthetics.

The news of the studio’s closure is particularly disheartening considering the projects that were reportedly in development. According to a LinkedIn post of a former employee, the studio was working on at least two new titles when the decision to shut down was made.

It looks like Tango Gameworks was working on 2 titles before shutdown. pic.twitter.com/jso5kphP1p

— Timur222 (@bogorad222) May 28, 2024

While details about these projects are scarce, the studio’s previous comments stated that they were open to develop a Hi-Fi Rush sequel and a new installment in the Evil Within series, and these two were likely the games in pre-development. 

Shinji Mikami left the studio in 2023, citing personal reasons as well as a desire to distance himself from the survivor horror genre, for which he is most known for. Mikami has also directed non-horror games such as God Hand and Vanquish.

Tango Gameworks’ Closure Was Met With Anger and Frustration

The gaming community had not taken this news lightly. The closure of Tango Gameworks has been met with widespread criticism, with many fans and industry insiders expressing their disappointment and frustration. 

Hi-Fi Rush became Xbox’s highest-rated game in three years after receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and fans—something the company has been struggling with lately. In addition, the game went on to win multiple accolades, including a BAFTA for Animation and The Game Award for Best Audio Design.

Fans and industry analysts expressed their concerns on social media following Tango Softworks’ shocking and disappointing closure. Such a bold decision appears to have very poor optics. It’s evident that even with their enormous success, Hi-Fi Rush was not profitable enough.

Critics argue that Xbox’s decision undermines the value of creativity and innovation in the industry. Closing a studio with a proven track record of delivering high-quality experiences seems counterintuitive. Xbox has previously made comments about their lack of presence and first-party studios based in Japan, which made this decision sound even more dumbfounded.

What do you think of Xbox’s rather poor and sudden decision to close down Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin? Let us know in the comments below.