It was a stunning little bit of feel-good information when Krafton, which publishes the hit battle royale PUBG, swooped in to purchase Hello-Fi Rush maker Tango Gameworks after it was instantly shut down by Microsoft amid finances cuts earlier this yr. Whereas that deal nonetheless isn’t absolutely finalized, Krafton’s CEO says serving to the studio make Hello-Fi Rush 2 is about legacy reasonably than getting cash.
The primary sport within the colourful rhythm hack-and-slash collection was a 2023 GOTY favourite, and appeared to be precisely the kind of first-party unique Microsoft was making an attempt to construct with its current investments in Xbox studios and Recreation Go. Representatives for the corporate even recommended it had carried out effectively and it appeared like a sequel may do even higher. So it was stunning when Microsoft revealed as a substitute that Tango could be one among 4 groups shuttered final spring. Why, precisely, did Krafton determine to attempt to save the studio months later?
“We needed to take care of their legacy,” CEO Changhan ‘CH’ Kim informed Recreation Developer in a brand new interview. “Though they didn’t have a giant success of their video games, we noticed many creatives price pursuing. That’s why we needed to work with that group.”
He continued:
We are able to’t purchase Tango Gameworks primarily based on their financials or their numbers, proper? We don’t assume Hello-Fi Rush 2 goes to make us cash, to be frank. Nevertheless it’s a part of our try. Now we have to maintain making an attempt [to develop games] within the spirit of challenge-taking. Tango Gameworks are inventive. They wish to attempt one thing new, and we wish to do extra of that. [Making] video video games is known as a hit and miss business, and that’s threat taking. However having extra mission lineups is definitely a technique to mitigate threat, as a result of one among them may work out.
Whereas about 50 of Tango Gameworks’ former staff, together with Hello-Fi Rush director John Johanas, have been introduced over to Krafton as a part of the deal, Kim mentioned he hopes to get the quantity again as much as 100, which is roughly what he believes could be wanted for making the sequel. The CEO additionally obtained a bit philosophical about sport making, and argued that making hits shouldn’t be the purpose. “I don’t belief individuals who say ‘oh, that is going to be a success,’” he informed Recreation Developer. “I need somebody who can attempt one thing new.”
That appeared to be precisely what Microsoft, which has struggled with establishing new franchises and delivering breakout first-party video games, wanted. GamesIndustry.biz head Christopher Dring juxtaposed the corporate’s therapy of Hello-Fi Rush with Sony’s nurturing of Astro Bot, which was constructed up over years from PSVR sideshow into 2024 GOTY contender. “Hello-Fi Rush is a superb sport,” he tweeted final month. “The precise form of distinctive franchise with Japanese attraction that Xbox all the time needed…however as a substitute of growing and nurturing it, they’ve given it away. Present a bit extra endurance!”
Hopefully, Krafton does precisely that.