Introduction to Tango Gameworks
Tango Gameworks has been a true beacon of creativity in the video game industry. The studio was founded in March 2010 by Shinji Mikami, whom many gamers will know from the Resident Evil series. Established in Tokyo, Tango Gameworks marked Mikami’s return to game development under his own vision after a stint working on various projects across different studios. While the studio launched as an independent team, it faced financial difficulties that led to the acquisition by ZeniMax Media in October 2010. This acquisition provided the stability the studio needed and linked it to a broader network of development resources.
Founding and Early Challenges
Under this new ownership, Microsoft would eventually become the Parent company when ZeniMax was acquired in 2021. Still, during this time, Tango Gameworks flourished. The studio became Microsoft’s first Japanese developer, which created better relationships between Microsoft and Eastern developers.
Tango’s first major release post-acquisition of ZeniMax was The Evil Within, a survival horror adventure that echoed Mikami’s earlier work while introducing new mechanics and an insane narrative that confused and hypnotized me as a player. Released in 2014, a sequel would eventually be released as The Evil Within 2 in 2017, which continued to delve deeper into its dark and twisted world.
Major Releases and Contributions
While developing The Evil Within series, Tango Gameworks also worked on Ghostwire: Tokyo. The game was initially revealed at E3 2019 by Mikami and the game’s then-creative director, Ikumi Nakamura. It was here that we learned Ghostwire: Tokyo would be a departure from pure horror into an action-adventure blend that immersed players in Japanese yokai lore. Nakamura’s subsequent departure from Tango in September 2019 was a high-profile exit that brought significant attention to the studio. Despite these changes, Ghostwire: Tokyo launched in 2022 and was praised for its unique blend of folklore-inspired horror and urban exploration. I’ll be honest: the quality of this game convinced me that this was a studio that could deliver highly graphical experiences under the first-party publishing umbrella, unlike other Microsoft-owned teams that seemed to be stuck in development hell.
Then, in 2023, we got the surprise release of Hi-Fi Rush, a rhythm-based action game that immediately caught the attention of the gaming community for its vibrant style and innovative gameplay that perfectly synchronized combat with music. Furthermore, we loved the game on Xbox and PS5. Hi-Fi Rush brought this team out of the dark corners of the horror genre and showed how versatile they could be. Unfortunately, it would be one of the last games developed by Tango as Microsoft announced the studio’s closure in 2024.
The Closure of Tango Gameworks
The announcement of Tango Gameworks’ shutdown by Microsoft Gaming President of Game Content and Studios, Matt Booty, was unexpected and confused the gaming community. This closure marks the end of a studio that had become known for its bold and inventive approaches in a conservative market. The shuttering of Tango also raises questions about the sustainability and direction of creative game studios within larger corporate structures, especially those that are pioneers in their field.
Legacy and Impact on the Gaming Industry
Tango Gameworks leaves behind a legacy of pioneering survival horror and action games that have significantly influenced the gaming industry. What began as an independent team wanting to create a spooky series in The Evil Within to the supernatural adventure found in Ghostwire: Tokyo, Tango’s games have offered us a blend of thrilling narratives and innovative gameplay. As the studio closes its doors, the impact of its creative endeavors will continue to be felt, and its games will remain influential, standing as monuments to the creative spirit that defined Tango Gameworks.
