Microsoft Closed Tango Gameworks Linked to Shinji Mikami's Departure

By:Emma Published 2024-06-22T04:32:37Z

TapTechNews June 22nd news, the head of Microsoft Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty, was interviewed by the media Variety, suggesting that the main reason why Microsoft closed Tango Gameworks is mainly related to Shinji Mikami's departure in 2023.

Microsoft Closed Tango Gameworks Linked to Shinji Mikamis Departure_0

Although he didn't specifically name it, Booty hinted that changes in the Tango leadership and staff might be one of the reasons for the closure, and he also said that although the game Hi-Fi Rush was successful, it doesn't guarantee that the restructured organization will achieve similar success in the future.

TapTechNews translates Booty's interview content as follows:

Out of respect for the members of the Tango Gameworks studio, I won't publicly discuss the true details of closing the studio.

We did a lot of work to release Hi-Fi Rush, which is a very great game and performed very well for us.

I think what needs to be considered is that, for us, it's a matter of looking forward.

There are many factors that determine the success of a game, but a large part lies in the team's leadership and innovative ability. Can the new team continue the achievements of the previous team and write a new glorious chapter?

We have to look at all these things together and then ask ourselves if we are ready for future success? Although there may have been some factors or situations that led to success before, when you look at future work, these factors or situations are already absent.

Although Booty didn't explicitly say it, his answer implies the departure of Tango founder Shinji Mikami, who left the studio in 2023 and founded a new company.

Shinji Mikami left the Tango Gameworks studio under B社 in February 2023 and announced in October 2023 that his non-compete clause had been lifted and he founded a new company.

Microsoft Closed Tango Gameworks Linked to Shinji Mikamis Departure_1

Shinji Mikami once served as the head of the 4th Development Department of Capcom, and his most famous status is that of the \"father of Resident Evil\", and the classic \"Resident Evil 4\" decapitation meme (Shinji Mikami claimed when Resident Evil 4 was released that if this game was launched on platforms other than NGC, he would cut off his head. As of now, Resident Evil 4 has landed on 13 platforms including NGC).

Judging from Booty's interview content, after Shinji Mikami left Tango Company, it affected Microsoft's valuation of the studio.

Booty also said that completely closing Tango Gameworks is not the only consideration, and cited the previous examples of Xbox's studio becoming independent.