There have been quite a few layoffs and studio closures in 2024, however one of many most-surprising was Microsoft’s determination to close down Tango Gameworks, the studio behind Hi-Fi Rush, The Evil Inside, and extra. Now, Silent Hill creator and Bokeh Sport Studio founder Keiichiro Toyama has shared his ideas about why Tango Gameworks did not survive.
Tango Gameworks was based Shinji Mikami, who made his identify within the survival horror style with Resident Evil simply as Toyama established himself with Silent Hill. Mikami stayed true to his survival horror roots with Tango’s first two video games, The Evil Inside and The Evil Inside 2. In accordance with Toyama, the choice to department out from that style could have harmed Tango’s long-term prospects.
“I do not really feel it is my place to present them recommendation, however I believe going again to what I stated earlier concerning the stability of routine and preserving the model of your video games is related,” stated Toyama whereas talking with VGC. “You have a look at an instance like From Software program: They hold making completely different video games however sure kinds and facets of their video games keep the identical. That is an apparent instance of how a studio is profitable. Not altering every little thing each time may be the important thing to life and surviving.”
Mikami really defined Tango’s shift from survival horror in a 2022 interview the place he expressed his need to broaden past that acquainted style. “Of course, it is good to have followers consider us as a studio with a fame for creating survival-horror video games,” stated Mikami. “However we additionally wish to be considered as a studio that may create a greater variety of video games.”
Toyama’s feedback did not consider the best way that Xbox Sport Cross has additionally taken away the inducement for a lot of gamers to purchase after they can pattern as a substitute. Microsoft touted Hi-Fi Rush as a success when it netted 2 million gamers, and that also wasn’t sufficient save the studio. Mikami left Tango Gameworks in 2023, months earlier than the choice to close down the studio was made by Microsoft.
Whereas Tango Gameworks has been shuttered, followers of Hi-Fi Rush can nonetheless look ahead to Restricted Run’s upcoming bodily version of the sport.