KRAFTON, known for its popular battle royale game PUBG, has announced the acquisition of Tango Gameworks, a renowned Japanese game studio, with assistance from Xbox America and ZeniMax. This acquisition includes securing the intellectual property rights for Tango Gameworks’ highly acclaimed title, Hi-Fi RUSH. KRAFTON plans to incorporate Tango Gameworks into its operations and hire its development team to continue the studio’s legacy.
Founded in 2010, Tango Gameworks gained fame with titles like PsychoBreak (known internationally as The Evil Within) and Ghostwire: Tokyo. After being acquired by Microsoft in 2021, the studio announced its closure in May 2024, leading to KRAFTON’s timely intervention to sustain its creative output.
Hi-Fi RUSH, Tango Gameworks’ flagship title, has received numerous accolades, including “Best Audio Design” at The Game Awards 2023, “Best Audio” at the 24th Game Developers Choice Awards, and “Best Animation” at the 20th BAFTA Games Awards. The game’s success on the Steam platform, where it has been rated “overwhelmingly positive,” underscores its popularity and critical acclaim.
KRAFTON’s acquisition marks its first major investment in the Japanese gaming market, aligning with its global strategy to foster creative talent and develop innovative game experiences. The company plans to expand on the Hi-Fi RUSH IP and explore new projects under Tango Gameworks. Microsoft has expressed its commitment to supporting Tango Gameworks’ collaboration with KRAFTON, ensuring continued innovation without impacting existing titles like PsychoBreak and Ghostwire: Tokyo.
This move reflects KRAFTON’s philosophy of discovering and supporting creative gameplay and highlights its dedication to enhancing its presence in the global gaming market.
