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Developer thought the studio he helped form "would be safe as long as they continued to make Hi-Fi Rush games," but Microsoft shut it down anyway

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Resident Evil creator and Tango Gameworks founder Shinji Mikami has spoken further about the closure and resurrection of the studio he created, which he thought "would be safe" following his departure as long as it continued making Hi-Fi Rush games.

"I had thought the studio would be safe as long as they continued to make Hi-Fi Rush games. That's one of the reasons I left Tango Gameworks," he explains. "So I was surprised when the studio was closed down."

However, good news came last month when it was announced that PUBG publisher Krafton had struck a "strategic deal" to acquire both Tango Gameworks and the Hi-Fi Rush IP, resurrecting the studio and re-hiring around 50 members of staff. With that in mind, Mikami feels "it worked out well in the end."

He adds: "I was reminded that if you make a good game, someone will pick it up. The hard work of the Hi-Fi Rush development team led to a new chapter for the company. I think that for a development studio, making a good game is more directly related to survival than making a popular game."


Beat GIF by Xbox
 

Sorcerer

Member
I wonder if Microsoft sold Hi-Fi it to get some good PR back for themselves in an odd way? As in we are not 100% evil. It can't be about the money. Shame they didn't let the Evil Within go also, but maybe Kraton or Tango themselves had no interest in it anyway.
 
I wonder if Microsoft sold Hi-Fi it to get some good PR back for themselves in an odd way? As in we are not 100% evil. It can't be about the money. Shame they didn't let the Evil Within go also, but maybe Kraton or Tango themselves had no interest in it anyway.

They lose nothing by selling it and they think they get good will, but it doesn't really work like that.

They were never going to make another hi-fi rush game. They probably sold the IP for a dollar.
 

Sorcerer

Member
They lose nothing by selling it and they think they get good will, but it doesn't really work like that.

They were never going to make another hi-fi rush game. They probably sold the IP for a dollar.
Crazy to think about. Nuts if Microsoft touts Hi-Fi 2 as day one on Xbox Gamepass. LOL!!!
 
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Folks think their game of the year has any importance in an industry where all the big players have a mobile or gaas titles that print money. Also Phil and co (A. Wilson EA) have both stated trimming down in preparation for a downturn. This is expected from large companies, they will acquire and remove dead parts.
 

ricares81

Neo Member
Folks think their game of the year has any importance in an industry where all the big players have a mobile or gaas titles that print money. Also Phil and co (A. Wilson EA) have both stated trimming down in preparation for a downturn. This is expected from large companies, they will acquire and remove dead parts.
Looks at username …:pie_thinking:

Is this an explanation of your username origin story?
 

nowhat

Member
This is expected from large companies, they will acquire and remove dead parts.
This would seem more reasonable if not for MS execs first praising Hi-Fi Rush for all the accolades, then axing the studio, then having that Greenfuck whining in public that MS needs more AA games that win awards.
 

akira__

Banned
The reason they got the boot, is because Mat Booty and ms management style. Booty has been the genuis behind the sudden expense and then cutting of a company called Midway.

Currently this is the same strategy that xbox is following, buy other studio's, don't know what to do with them, start cutting cost and then it explodes.

After acquiring Activision they had 3 or 4 rounds of cuts, and there will be new rule for contractor's. Anyone working in the software industry knows that retaining high skilled people throughout the lifecycle of the project is really important.

So grow a bunch, start cutting cost.
Let's explore that thinking style, in the eyes of xbox management they need something right now. And anyone who can give them the silver bullit right now is championed and visa versa.

Thus when a team comes with a proposal: I'll need x extra budget and 3/4 years of development.

Then in the eyes of management they see: how dare you ask for more budget, when your project is unproven and it will take 4 years.

That is why they got cut, they had to build something but since xbox is cutting mode. Waiting 4 years and more budget wont do.

This is why consolidation is dangerous, because instead of a company making games, and living of the success of them. The company becomes part of another narrative, which probably is not aligned with realities of gaming
 
The studio without Mikami isn't as prestigious.

Microsoft knows this. I'm sure some staff followed him to his new studio.

Japanese studio heads are always looking for the next big payday.
 
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