Tango Gameworks

While developer Tango Gameworks has been shut down by Microsoft, the studio’s most recent title—Hi-Fi Rush—is getting one more update. Out today, the update is available on PS5 and PC, and brings with it a host of smaller bugs throughout the game. Check out the complete patch notes below for more details.

Arkane Austin will release one final update for Redfall which will add offline play.

Microsoft had announced in February that it would bring four of its exclusive Xbox titles to rival platforms from Sony and Nintendo. It seems the company is not stopping with its four first-party games coming to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. A new report claims that the Xbox parent intends to make a multi-platform push for more of its games. Under the plan, internally codenamed “Latitude,” more upcoming first-party Xbox titles are said to be in development for the PS5.

Soon to be closed Xbox studio Tango Gameworks has confirmed that a physical edition of Hi-Fi Rush is still being worked on.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has responded to some of the criticisms faced by the company in the wake of its recent decisions to shutter a bunch of development studios, laying off employees in the process. In an interview with Bloomberg, Bond referred to the decision as one made to ensure the health of Xbox as a business.

Since Microsoft’s shuttering of developer Tango Gameworks, angry fans of the studio’s work have taken to bombarding the Steam listings for Hi-Fi Rush, Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within and its sequel with reviews. Interestingly, while movements among fanbases like this typically opt to go with negative reviews, the Steam reviews for these games are incredibly positive.

Hi-Fi Rush fans are currently leaving tons of positive reviews on the game's Steam page, marking another community-driven instance of reverse-review bombing. The occurrence follows parent company Xbox's decision to shutter Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks.

This Week in Business is our weekly recap column, a collection of stats and quotes from recent stories presented with a dash of opinion (sometimes more than a dash) and intended to shed light on various trends. Check every Friday for a new entry.

Addressing Microsoft's recent call to close down four of its first-party studios, including Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, Xbox President Sarah Bond talked about the motive behind it. Other companies that Xbox recently dissolved are Redfall developer Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Studios.

A Tango Gameworks developer has reacted to an Xbox executive reportedly asking for more "smaller games that give us prestige and awards" with a picture of Hi-Fi Rush's awards.

Hi-Fi Rush has become the highest-rated Xbox game of all time on Steam thanks to fans positively review-bombing the game in response to Xbox controversially closing down Tango Gameworks.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has spoken more about the company’s decision to close four Bethesda studios earlier this week.

Ah, it feels like only yesterday that Microsoft shut down Tango Gameworks, creators of Hi-Fi Rush, and now here's Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, telling Microsoft staff at an internal townhall meeting that "we need smaller games that give us prestige and awards" - a sentence we might plausibly lengthen to "...like Hi-Fi Rush".

Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks were reportedly in the process of pitching sequels to Dishonored and Hi-Fi Rush before Xbox’s sudden closure of their studios on Tuesday. This news comes after learning more details surrounding the shutdown of three ZeniMax Media subsidiary studios, Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks prominently among them.

In one of the most double-think statements ever made outside of George Orwell’s 1984, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty has told employees that “We need smaller games that give us prestige and awards,” just one day after closing down the game studio that was responsible for the prestigious award-winning game, Hi-Fi Rush.

The sudden closure of several video-game studios at Microsoft's Xbox division was the result of a widespread cost-cutting initiative that still isn't finished.

One day after closing Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, Xbox studios boss Matt Booty reportedly told staff the company needs “smaller games that give us prestige and awards”.

In light of the recent closure of Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, the studios original founder, Shinji Mikami, has taken to social media platform X to share his thoughts.

Resident Evil creator and Tango Gameworks founder Shinji Mikami has shared his thoughts on the announced closure of the renowned game studio. On May 7, Microsoft revealed that it was shutting down four Bethesda studios: Redfall developer Arkane Austin, mobile studio Alpha Dog Games, Roundhouse Studios, and Tango Gameworks.

It seems like five minutes ago that Xbox didn’t have the studios to maintain its first party offerings. Now they have the benefit of closing them down.

Redfall was set to get its long-promised offline mode this month before Microsoft decided to close its studio down, according to a new report.

Arkane Lyon director Dinga Bikaba has taken to Twitter to condemn the closure of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Roundhouse Studios and Alpha Dog Studios by Microsoft. Calling these events “absolutely terrible,” he implored gaming company executives to “make us proud when times are tough.”

Microsoft has shuttered several Bethesda-owned game studios, including Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks and Redfall maker Arkane Austin, in order to shift focus on to its “priority games”. The Xbox parent is also closing Alpha Dog Games, makers of the mobile game Mighty Doom, while Roundhouse Studios, which also contributed to Redfall development, will be absorbed by ZeniMax Online Studios. The development, initially reported by IGN, was confirmed by affected studios Tango Gameworks and Arkane in separate posts on X late Tuesday. The shutdowns come months after Microsoft announced layoffs at Xbox and Activision Blizzard earlier this year, which made 1,900 roles redundant.

It's a sad day today, given the closure of Tango Gameworks, producers of the perfectly 9/10 excellent Hi-Fi Rush. That being said, an opportunity exists for PC players to score it in a bundle (which most notably includes Yakuza: Like A Dragon) for posterity and a pittance. Of all the recent dev shedding that's been going on, this one feels especially senseless. Do not sleep on this surprise gem of a game, which is also going for 30% off on PS Store.

Former Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra has claimed that Xbox head Phil Spencer will be hurting “as much as anyone else” following the closure of four first-party studios.

The video game industry has reacted with shock and anger after Microsoft shut down several game studios today, May 7, 2024 including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, the developers of Redfall and Hi-Fi Rush respectively.

After layoffs earlier this year that impacted Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax and Xbox, Microsoft has shuttered four major studios under Bethesda. Arkane Austin (Redfall), Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi Rush), Alpha Dog Studios (Mighty Doom), and Roundhouse Games will be shuttered due to a “reprioritization of titles and resources.” The number of employees laid off has not been specified.

Xbox has reportedly shut down Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Studios, and Roundhouse Games, with members of the latter team being folded into ZeniMax Online Studios. Layoffs have been a harsh reality of the video game industry these past couple of years, with companies of all sizes laying off significant portions of their staff or shutting down studios entirely. Xbox itself has engaged in multiple waves of layoffs this past year.

Microsoft is shutting down four of the studios it picked up as part of the 2020 Bethesda acquisition, as reported by IGN.

Xbox is closing down four Bethesda studios, including Redfall developer Arkane Austin and Hi-Fi Rush studio Tango Gameworks.

Arkane Lyon boss Dinga Bakaba has publicly criticised Microsoft executives for their decision to close several studios, including its Austin studio, calling the news “a fucking gut stab”.

Bethesda Softworks will close Redfall developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi RUSH and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, as well as Alpha Dog Games and Roundhouse Studios, according to a companywide email sent out by Microsoft Gaming president of game content and studios Matt Booty this morning.

Earlier this year, multiple leaks and reports claimed that Hi-Fi Rush was headed to the Nintendo Switch, and though Tango Gameworks’ acclaimed rhythm action game has received a multiplatform launch, it’s only released for PS5, with there being no official word on it coming to Nintendo’s console.

Shinji Mikami, the esteemed director of iconic games like Resident Evil (1996) and The Evil Within, has finally opened up regarding his decision to leave Tango Gameworks, the company he founded. Given Tango Gameworks' recent rise to fame with the release of the critically-acclaimed game Hi-Fi Rush, Mikami's sudden departure from the studio was seen as surprising by many, but fans now have a proper explanation from the famed developer himself.

Tango Gameworks has seen some success over the past year thanks to the launch of Hi-Fi Rush (which recently arrived on PS5). While many awaited to see its next big project, perhaps the most surprising announcement to emerge was that Shinji Mikami would be leaving. As the founder, he would directThe Evil Within and serve as executive producer on The Evil Within 2, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Hi-Fi Rush.

Veteran video game developer Shinji Mikami has opened up about his departure from Tango Gameworks in a new interview.

The Steam version of Ghostwire: Tokyo has removed Denuvo Anti-Tamper. The change rolled out as part of a recent update that spelled the end of Ghostwire: Tokyo's unusual approach to the controversial digital rights management (DRM) tool.

Bethesda has removed Denuvo anti-tamper technology from the PC version of Ghostwire: Tokyo.

Hi-Fi Rush was recently released on PlayStation 5, where an analysis identified the game to be running slightly better than on Xbox. Despite being a first-party Xbox title, Hi-Fi Rush continues a trend of such releases either performing worse or lacking features on Xbox Series X when compared to the PS5 launch.

One of the best games in the Xbox Series X/S’ library, Hi-Fi Rush, recently made its way over to PS5, as part of Microsoft’s initiative to bring more of its first-party titles to rival platforms, and though the rhythm action title’s PS5 and Xbox Series X versions are virtually identical where their visual and technical aspects are concerned, interestingly enough, it turns out it actually has a slight edge on Sony’s console.

Fans of the supernatural first-person action-adventure Ghostwire: Tokyo can pick up a new gift in-game for free. Developer Tango Gameworks and publisher Bethesda promoted the freebie to commemorate the Ghostwire: Tokyo second anniversary.

Shinji Mikami, the legendary developer behind Resident Evil and a string of other classics, has founded a new company.

Tango Gameworks founder Shinji Mikami has reportedly started a new studio.

Shinji Mikami has seemingly started his own studio called Kamuy Inc. Mikami left Tango Gameworks back in February 2023, a studio he founded in 2010.

The critically-acclaimed once-Xbox console exclusive game Hi-Fi Rush is now available on PS5. Hi-Fi Rush was one of 2023's surprise hits, shadow-dropped to rave reviews last year. Developed by Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush is a stylish action game with a unique rhythm-based combat and movement system. It earned a great deal of praise for its originality and sense of humor, with it ultimately becoming one of the highest-rated games in a year full of landmark releases.

After a surprise launch last year for Xbox Series X/S and PC, Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush is out on PlayStation 5. The Standard Edition retails for $29.99, while the Deluxe Edition is $39.99 and features bonus outfits, t-shirts, guitar skins and more. Check out the launch trailer below.

Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush is out in the coming days for PS5. However, in the meantime, those who purchased the title can preload it now and play as soon as it goes live. Check out everything you should know about the PS5 version here.

Hi-Fi Rush's trophies have been revealed ahead of its March 19 release for the PlayStation 5. Unlocking the 62 trophies needed for Hi-Fi Rush's Platinum won't be a walk in the park.

Microsoft has announced multiplatform releases for Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment, with the former coming to PS5 next month and the latter out today for PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. Alongside their multiplatform announcements, physical releases for both games have also been confirmed (at long last), courtesy of Limited Run Games.

For over a month, leaks were claiming that among other first-party Microsoft titles, Hi-Fi Rush was set to be announced for Nintendo Switch and PS5, and though a multiplatform release was recently officially confirmed for the acclaimed rhythm action title, it was only confirmed for PS5.

Hi-Fi Rush will skip the current Nintendo Switch and instead arrive on the console's currently-unannounced successor. That's according to a report from Insider Gaming, which states that the absence of a Switch version of the game in yesterday's Xbox multi-platform announcement was due to it launching on Nintendo Switch 2 instead.

Former Xbox console exclusives Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves are both confirmed to be coming to PS5 in the coming months. Hi-Fi Rush is slated to make the jump to PS5 on March 19 with Sea of Thieves joining later on April 30.

Publisher Bethesda Softworks and developer Tango Gameworks will release rhythm action game Hi-Fi RUSH for PlayStation 5 on March 19, the companies announced.

A PlayStation 5 release date for the currently-Xbox console exclusive Hi-Fi Rush has found its way onto the internet.

As the rumors claimed, Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush is coming to PS5 on March 18th. Interestingly, the announcement trailer came from Bethesda’s Latin America YouTube channel and has since gone private. You can check out images confirming the PS5 version’s announcement below, courtesy of Idle Sloth on Twitter.

Bethesda’s Hi-Fi Rush will be released for PlayStation 5 next month.

Microsoft's Xbox and PC exclusive Pentiment will make its way to PS5 and Nintendo Switch, alongside the previously-leaked Hi-Fi Rush.

Hi-Fi Rush just received PlayStation DualSense support.

Hi-Fi Rush, one of Xbox Game Pass' biggest hits during 2023, received a new update on Thursday, January 25. Hi-Fi Rush's recent update gives users new cosmetics, fixes various bugs, and improves controller support for PC players.

The previously Xbox/PC-exclusive video game has been rated for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch — as well as the previous generation Xbox console, the Xbox One — in Australia.

A report which stated that Microsoft was set to launch an «acclaimed» first-party title on a rival console platform has sparked further suggestion that a Nintendo Switch release for rhythm brawler Hi-Fi Rush is in the works.

With the likes of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Microsoft has on occasion shown a willingness to bring some of its relatively smaller but most widely acclaimed titles to the Nintendo Switch, and recent rumours have claimed that the company has something similar in store for 2024.

Of the three first party companies in the industry, Microsoft has been the most willing to see its first party titles releasing on PlayStation and Nintendo rather than simply as Xbox exclusives, and though it’s not something that’s happened too often (or with any of its particularly major games), we could be seeing more of it this year.

Tango Gameworks’ Ghostwire: Tokyo is free on PC via the Epic Games Store as part of the platform’s Christmas promotion. Those with an Epic Games account can claim it until December 25th, 8 AM PST, but will need the Epic Games Launcher to install and play it.

An avalanche of new game announcements hit at The Game Awards 2023, ranging from the return of classic franchises to the reveals of all-new worlds. For those of you looking for a rundown of everything announced, we’ve got you covered.

Former Tango Gameworks designer Ikumi Nakamura stepped on the stage of The Game Awards to reveal the first game from her studio, Unseen, called Kemuri.

Ikumi Nakamura, creative and art director on Ghostwire: Tokyo, left Tango Gameworks back in 2019 to start her own company, Unseen. At The Game Awards' this evening, Nakamura appeared onstage to introduce the studio's first project. It's called Kemuri and the cinematic trailer suggests it's a combat parkour game with a colourful urban fantasy setting.

By Ash Parrish, a reporter who has covered the business, culture, and communities of video games for seven years. Previously, she worked at Kotaku.

Phil Spencer has stated that Xbox players can see more AAA releases by Japanese studios come to the platform in the future. Speaking to Game Watch, Spencer said that Xbox will get more games described by the interviewer as “uniquely Japanese AAA titles” down the line.

Despite launching to a middling response in 2022 on PS5 and PC, Tango Gameworks’ Ghostwire: Tokyo is reaching new heights. The developer revealed that six million players have experienced the supernatural action-adventure. Its last major player milestone was in June 2023 at five million.

Microsoft’s sizeable first party portfolio has had its fair share of ups and downs of late, but there’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that Hi-Fi Rush has been one of its best and biggest victories. Recently, developer Tango Gameworks announced that the gorgeous rhythm action game had surpassed 3 million players since it launched earlier this year, and apparently, Microsoft is ecstatic with Tango as a group on the back of that success.

It’s a day of good news for Xbox, with Starfield having gone gold and Forza Motorsport shaping up well. On top of this, Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush has achieved a new milestone, crossing three million players since launching last January for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Devcom has announced measures to guarantee a safe environment at its conference this August, with the organisers detailing plans to bolster its inclusivity and create a “safer space.”