Without a doubt, 2024 has been a rollercoaster for Tango Gameworks. After releasing the PlayStation 5 port of the acclaimed 2023 title Hi-Fi RUSH, the studio abruptly closed its doors in May alongside 3 other Bethesda and Microsoft studios.

When Microsoft shut down The Evil Within studio Tango Gameworks in June, fans mourned the loss of potential. It turns out, they had good reason to. At the time of its closure, Tango was six months into production on Hi-Fi Rush 2.

New owner Krafton has confirmed that Tango Gameworks had a 6-month old build of Hi-Fi Rush 2 in development before it was shut down by Bethesda and Xbox.

In a new interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, Krafton’s head of corporate development Maria Park shared with the world what they found out when they approached Microsoft about the acquisition.

Krafton has revealed that Tango Gameworks is hoping to make Hi-Fi Rush 2 a more open world experience, while confirming The Evil Within IP remains at Microsoft.

South Korean publisher Krafton is re-forming Tango Gameworks' core team so there's no acquisition costs with the studio, but IP rights must be purchased.

Tango Gameworks had a six-month old build of a Hi-Fi Rush sequel when the studio was acquired by Krafton back in August. The studio would also like to bring the game to more platforms and plans for the sequel to have a more open and dynamic environment.