Leadership Change and Studio Closure

Xbox’s Matt Booty has shed light on the closure of Tango Gameworks earlier this year. While Booty did not specify names, it appears that a shift in leadership at the Hi-Fi Rush studio influenced Microsoft’s decision.

Insights from the Variety Podcast

During an interview on Variety’s Strictly Business podcast, Booty addressed the closure of Tango Gameworks and whether Microsoft had considered finding another buyer for the studio. “I won’t delve into the intricate details of the decision, out of respect for the people involved, because a lot of effort went into delivering Hi-Fi Rush, which was a great game and performed well for us,” Booty explained.

Factors Influencing the Decision

Booty emphasized the importance of looking forward as well as backward when evaluating a studio’s success. “There are many factors that contribute to a game’s success, including leadership and the creative team. We must consider if the team that previously delivered success is still in place and if we are set up for future success,” he stated.

Departure of Shinji Mikami

Booty’s comments seemed to reference the departure of Tango Gameworks founder Shinji Mikami last year. Mikami, who founded Tango Gameworks in 2010, led the development of The Evil Within series.