570°

Founder and studio head Shinji Mikami to leave Tango Gameworks

Tango Gameworks' founder and CEO, Shinji Mikami, is set to leave the studio after more than 12 years with the developer.

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trueachievements.com
Mr Pumblechook798d ago

That's disappointing that he's left as he is a genuine talent. When big companies buy out studios the staff are often offered golden handcuffs money to stay on for a set period of time so there isn't an immediate mass people drain (Sony did this when buying Bungie). He must've met the terms of his contract to leave of serving a minimum period of time and delivering a completed game.

Tango Gameworks was founded by Mikami, it was his baby, what could've made him leave it?

IRetrouk798d ago

I'm not sure, but maybe he wanted to go indie again?

DarXyde798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

It's sudden and I do wish him all the best. He's made some timeless classics. I think IRetrouk might be onto something. I don't want to feed speculation that he didn't like the work culture as a part of Microsoft Game Studios, but perhaps he just wants to do his own thing. It's really hard not to think the acquisition had something to do with it though: Tango was his baby....

I would really love to see him over at Bokeh, but doing his own thing is fine too.

Bathyj798d ago

Well in all honesty if I picked 10 games publishers I would like to work for, Microsoft would not make that list.

LOGICWINS798d ago

What happened is that he's 57 and likely wants to retire. I wish him the best as he accomplished everything he wanted to in the gaming space.

He left the studio in great hands with John Johanes (director of Hi-Fi Rush and Evil Within 2).

I remember when Toshihiro Nagoshi left RGG and there was a lot of "fake outrage". Meanwhile, Yakuza 7 was the most successful game in the franchise and Nagoshi didn't write or direct that game.

DarXyde798d ago

Bathyj,
The wild thing about that:

If you want creative freedom, definitely not Microsoft.

If you want job security... Also not Microsoft.

They certainly have the best ability to maintain talent, but as the richest, they're certainly more American and more cutthroat.

Sonic1881798d ago

"If you want creative freedom, definitely not Microsoft.

If you want job security... Also not Microsoft."

I have to agree with you on that

-Foxtrot798d ago

Kind of thought he’d have done Evil Within 3 as his final game

Godmars290798d ago

@DarXyde:
By all rights that, given recourses, they should be able to make games on a consistent basis.

There's certainly little evidence of that.

Obscure_Observer798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

@DarXyde

"If you want creative freedom, definitely not Microsoft."

I´ve been seen plenty of more creative freedom on Xbox since those new studios were acquired/created than I´ve been seen on Playstation 5.

Fable
Bleeding Edge
Grounded
Avowed
Redfall
Everwild
Pentiment

Also, those who wants to do sequels and upgrade their franchises from Indie and AA to full AAA, is getting their projects greenlit and granted with support and resources to do so as Ninja Theory with Hellblade 2 and Undead Labs with State of Decay 3. It´s also known that InXile is currently working on an ambitious new IP, AAA action RPG as Compulsion Games with Project Midnight.

So if you know for a FACT that Sony is allowing more freedom for it´s developers and doing better than Xbox is doing in this current generation, bring the facts as I did.

"If you want job security... Also not Microsoft."

Why?

"They certainly have the best ability to maintain talent, but as the richest, they're certainly more American and more cutthroat."

Is that right?

https://www.videogameschron...

https://www.theverge.com/20...

https://www.asianews.it/new...

Lifexline798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

He said in an interview a while ago that he wanted to retire soon that he had one more big game and two smaller games before he did so. Maybe he finally decided to retire just Google it for the interview.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 798d ago
Elda798d ago

Guessing he couldn't deal with working for the recent owners that are MS/XB.

Orchard798d ago

He sure waited a while, no? 3 years is the longest resignation window ever.

IRetrouk798d ago

Maybe he was paid a retainer fee? Like what sony did with bungies staff?

derek798d ago

@Orchard, he waited till his contract was up. Why would a talented creator like Shinji want to work for a bloated, creatively bankrupt company like Microsoft longterm. I suspect we will see more of this.

Elda798d ago

May have been that his contract is now up & didn't want any longer to work for the company that it's now owned by MS/XB. I wouldn't be surprised if more of this will be happening within Bethesda.

ziggyzinfirion798d ago

Orchard, 3 years isn't long to be honest, he probably wanted to finish both Hi-Fi Rush until release and his contract. He does not seem interested in continuing his career under Microsoft.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 798d ago
blackblades798d ago

People said the same thing on gematsu

porkChop798d ago

I mean if you look at his resume he moves around. 16 years at Capcom on different teams, 3 years at Platinum, and now 12 years at Tango Gameworks. Maybe he just wants to do something else? It's better than Ken Levine firing over 80% of Irrational and rebranding just because he wanted to work on smaller projects.

Yui_Suzumiya798d ago

Plus Ken hasn't produced anything since BioShock Infinite

Class_Viceroy798d ago

3 companies in 30 years. Yeah he’s really on the move there whooooooa

porkChop798d ago

@Sierra

Do you have any knowledge showing otherwise? I mean back in 2020 he was already thinking about retiring, but he wanted to direct one more game before doing so.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 798d ago
Sonic1881798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

That confirms Evil Within franchise won't be the same without him

porkChop798d ago

There's no guarantee TEW 3 would have ever been the same. Ghostwire started development as TEW 3 and changed direction so much they had to turn it into a different game. That's an indication that they aren't interested in making a sequel like the first two.

Obscure_Observer798d ago

I´m assuming that you don´t even know what you´re talking about.

The original was the first and the last The Evil Within game direct by him.

The Evil Within 2 was directed by Hi-Fi Rush´s director, John Johanas.

It´s sad to see him leave, but Evil Within franchise will be on good/competent hands.

Sonic1881798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

Evil Within 2 actually did worse in sales old man 😂
I doubt we'll hear anything about a third entry anytime soon. The first game sold 4+ million copies. The second one sold almost four times less.

The first game was aimed at a niche audience. I think a lot of the casual players got burned by the somewhat rocky launch of the original. Also, both Kidman dlcs were essential to understand the story and not many players bought them, I can see why the sequel received less attention. I think that's why Tango decided to make it more "mainstream" both in gameplay, story and presentation. Shame it didn't meet the expectations. Without Shinji Mikami the franchise will get worse and won't be the same rather you like it or not.

Obscure_Observer798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

@Sonic1881

"Evil Within 2 actually did worse in sales and reviews old man"

Lol. And I say you´re full of sh!t. XD

https://www.metacritic.com/...
https://www.metacritic.com/...

"I doubt we'll hear anything about a third entry anytime soon."

We already hear it, genius.

https://n4g.com/news/253574...

"The first game sold 4+ million copies. The second one sold almost four times less."

Bring the source

"Without Shinji Mikami the franchise will get worse"

I doubt that. With all of Microsoft´s resources at their disposal, John Johanas and Tango Team will have everything they need to deliver a high quality AAA horror game.

Sonic1881798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

Lol, the games were in the 70 😂😂 it was mediocre at best and the sales were awful for the second game. If there is a third game the sales will be even worse since it will be on game pass 😂 Look up the source yourself for the sales. The second game did way worse😂

https://steamcommunity.com/...

https://www.vgchartz.com/ga...

shinoff2183798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

Obscure

I found this

https://www.vgchartz.com/ga...

Says about 1.05 million sold for evil within 2

I enjoyed it and would love a 3rd one myself.

Obscure_Observer798d ago

@Sonic1881

"The first game sold 4+ million copies. The second one sold almost four times less."

I knew you were lying. It´s not even 2x.

The Evil Within - 1.86 Million
The Evil Within 2 - 1.05 Million

https://www.vgchartz.com/ga...
https://www.vgchartz.com/ga...

Keep your FUD BS to yourself, you can´t fool me. We´re done here.

@shinoff2183

"I found this"

Thanks!

"I enjoyed it and would love a 3rd one myself."

Chances are we might get it, all easter eggs related to EW in Hi-Fi Rush points to a new Evil Within game.

Fingers crossed!

Sonic1881798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

@Obscure_Observer

You're making yourself look bad. The game didn't sell well anyway 😂😂😂 BTW I don't think that's the official sales from the first game. Interesting you call me a liar when you don't even know me OLD MAN that acts like a kid 😂😂

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 798d ago
798d ago
Lightning77798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

Because when someone leaves it's always MS fault some how. despite the fact they have creative freedom and operate semi independent. Even had say on Hi FI rush handling and shadow drop. They even had a Evil Within Easter Egg in the game. Pointing out the game is in the works right now.

Maybe, I don't know... He wants to retire? Let's be mature about it.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 798d ago
XiNatsuDragnel798d ago

I guess he didn't want to deal with Microsoft imo because retirement these days varies from age to age I know Kojima is quite old as well and still makes games but I could be wrong.

DarXyde798d ago

Old?

Kojima is 59.

Hayao Miyazaki is old. Shigeru Miyamoto is old.

Koji has a way to go yet. Retirement is like 75 in Japan, and all of these gentlemen are workhorses who probably wouldn't retire then anyways.

Health willing, we've probably got at least another 20 years of Kojima in the tank, whether it's making games or movies, or writing books.

LOGICWINS798d ago

59?! Kojima certainly doesn't look 59 👀

DarXyde798d ago

LOGICWINS,

Yeah, he can totally pass for a 35 year old with salt and pepper. He's aging quite graciously.

Humble brag moment for me: I was 26 or 27 years ago when I got pulled over for speeding and they expected me to have a junior license.... With a full beard.

I think I'm on track to pull a Kojima. 🙂

Not so much now. I don't have hair anymore.

798d ago
798d ago Replies(3)
Orchard798d ago

Well that’s a shame - but he leaves behind a great studio after ~13 years, and a set of great IPs with Evil Within, Ghostwire and Hi-Fi Rush.

Flakegriffin798d ago (Edited 798d ago )

Sadly, with Microsofts track record, he left a great studio in the hands of a company that has no idea what to do with their other studios.

798d ago
northpaws798d ago

@Stonehottruth

When you releases one good game every 12 months, of course there would be more concurrent players lol, Horizon is a old game for PS gamers, I finished in last April.

798d ago
Show all comments (88)
110°

Marathon is doomed — ARC Raiders is already a much better extraction shooter

Windows Central: “Embark Studios' ARC Raiders is the extraction shooter I've been waiting for. Here's why it's better than Bungie's upcoming Marathon.”

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windowscentral.com
_SilverHawk_2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

This is silly. I think both games are amazing. Both games can be very successful at the same time and I hope they are.

z2g2h ago

I hate articles like this. “My opinion is all that matters. Click my stuff”. Both games will have their audiences. Some ppl like rock. Some ppl like rap. Not everyone is the same.

z2g2h ago

So we can we can see into the future now? I’m sure ARC is fine, me personally? Far more interested in Marathon. Between known Bungie’s solid gameplay and world building to the aesthetics and concept, I’m all in on Marathon.

jjb19811h ago

I played the Technical Test 2 earlier today and had a blast. I got thrown in an instance, saw a guy walking up some stairs, started shooting at him and watched him run for his life. It was funny until I got killed by some random drones. They're both different games and will have their space. Only the gameplay loop will tell.

pwnmaster30001h ago

Why do gamers/gamejournalist do this? We need to stop with all this doom article game shit.

lodossrage1h ago

windowscentral wouldn't have wrote this "piece" if Bungie was still owned by Microsoft.

And yes, I'm implying exactly what anyone reading this comment thinks.

Show all comments (8)
240°

Microsoft CEO Boasts Gaming Success Across Xbox, PlayStation, PC Game Pass, and More

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella shared a bullish report on the performance of the Xbox gaming business also on PlayStation.

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simulationdaily.com
1d ago
Christopher23h ago

I'm kind of hoping they drop most hardware support here with a 'good enough console' next generation and focus more on being a publisher. Obviously that is doing well for them and they can still push cloud gaming since it's going to tons of smart TVS and devices. They're now the largest video game publisher in the world, if they aren't doing the most sales and pre-orders, then they would be in trouble. They aren't.

Lightning7718h ago

They're gonna try again with a new gen console. If they want to compete they need to actually be competive. Say games like Halo, Blade Elder Scrolls or whatever big game it is. Needs to only be on Xbox and PC. If those games go multiplat it needs to be after a few years or at least a year later definitely not 6 months as a good portion of ppl will wait. Knowing MS they'll probably try and compete, then when things don't go there way they pivot and change the metrics again.

crazyCoconuts13h ago

I don't think you're reading the tea leaves here. Leadership hasn't used the word "exclusive" in quite a while, and they're now boasting about PS sales. They're probably done with consoles and exclusive at this point.

DodoDojo13h ago

I don't think they'll try. They have been beating a dead horse for so long now and they have finally realized it isn't going nowhere.

Fearmonkey10h ago

MS is going to drop being hardware exclusive, they are going publisher and subscription. You will be able to buy a Xbox, but you will be able to play on any platform, that's their new goal. After the hit with Oblivion remastered and major sales on PS5, no more Xbox/PC exclusives long term..

rlow110h ago

I think with the latest price hike on their console, they’re well on their way to axing hardware.

Christopher9h ago

Hardware axing entirely is bad news. They've sold most of their hardware on the Series S this generation. I think if they capture a lower hardware market that can still buy games (especially on sale), they'll actually hit a good market considering how the economy is going. Especially in the U.S. People are going to want to keep gaming and streaming isn't that good for online gaming at all.

Lightning779h ago

@crazy they've stated multiple times they're going another gen. The next gen Controller even got leaked.

Tired of repeating myself whenever it comes to this subject of Xbox having another gen.

IRetrouk7h ago

Xbox consoles are done, all we gonna get is some branded 3rd party shite at best, ms aint interested in being a console manufacturer no more, this much is obvious.

hiawa236h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Microsoft has too much money for that. They are rumored to release a PC/console hybrid in 2026. They will push all you hope as a publisher while having new hardware next year, so the games will appear on their platform and every other platform which is good to me if the goal is to sell software. If that is where the money is why would anyone fault MS for that? The prices are going to be insane for the next PlayStation and console from Microsoft, though, but it is what they voted for, so this is what we got.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 6h ago
Obscure_Observer14h ago

“We continue to transform the business and focus on margin expansion as we bring our games to over 500 million monthly active users across devices. We ended the quarter as the top publisher by pre-orders and pre-installs on both Xbox and PlayStation Store.”

Amazing news!

Xbox reigning within rival territory.

Big slap in the face of haters who used to crap on Xbox´s games and its quality.

IAMRealHooman13h ago

........you must be part owl, you keep 180ing, your position.

-Foxtrot6h ago

One minute he says that they will NEVER go third party

Now he's all for it like this was Microsofts grand master plan all along.

Obscure_Observer4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

@-Foxtrot

"One minute he says that they will NEVER go third party"

Fact.

"Now he's all for it like this was Microsofts grand master plan all along."

False.

Never said it was Microsoft´s master plan all along. But it is REALLY working for us, as the fact that you´ll be able to enjoy Xbox gamers isn´t killing us. Rather the contrary, we are happy that everybody is funding our games on Gamepass.

Specially now with the imminent new $80 price tag for Xbox first party games.

It is what it is.

IAMRealHooman11h ago

how about that massive price hike?

Relientk778h ago

He loves it. Now he gets to support the trillion dollar company even more by giving them more of his money.

Reaper22_9h ago

I agree.. great news for Microsoft and tbe xbox brand. Your Playstation is now a xbox. Microsoft wasn't kidding around when they said xbox will be everywhere. Now they are laughing all the way to the bank. Imo sony needs to do similar things. They're putting their biggest titles on PC. Might as well bring them over to other consoles too. They aren't making much on console sales.

IAMRealHooman7h ago

Of course MS wants PlayStation owners, their is literally twice as many of them.

andy857h ago

Theres been one game in the last few years that's been good. Indy. Long way to go before you start talking about their games and their quality

Bathyj6h ago

Xbox gamers really are the strangest demographic. Not so long ago you are all saying PlayStation isn't the competition Amazon is because Phil said so. You love to parrot what your corporate talking say. That wasn't actually true Xbox and PlayStation were in direct competition but because Xbox was losing so badly Phil had to act like they weren't.

Cut to present day and Xbox and PlayStation aren't competition because Xbox has no hardware presence it's zero. In fact Microsoft is now a third party publisher and they need PlayStation they don't need Xbox or Xbox gamers they need PlayStation gamers and PC gamers and mobile phone gamers and switch gamers.

You're here cheering for the fact you've become irrelevant because you think it's important that your uncle Phil is making money. You think PlayStation gamers are upset if Microsoft releases more good games in a year than sony does. when Microsoft makes a good game you shout take that playstation!

PlayStation gamers simply say thank you I will third party publisher that makes me games

Reaper22_5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

I think you're confused. Microsoft never saw Sony as their biggest competitor. They've reiterated it for years. Sony is doing the same thing by putting their biggest franchises on PC, which is OK with Microsoft. Their will be more playstaion games coming to Microsoft ecosystems. Maybe not to xbox consoles but playstation won't be the only place you can play their games. Kind of how it is now. I would bet that they are making plans to do just that but they probably fear the backlash from their fanbase which is silly because noone is gonna stop playing games just because it's on on another platform.

Obscure_Observer3h ago

"Cut to present day and Xbox and PlayStation aren't competition because Xbox has no hardware presence it's zero."

If that was remotely true you wouldn´t be so mad about Xbox gamers getting day one games on Gamepass that you have to pay full price for.

"PlayStation gamers simply say thank you I will third party publisher that makes me games"

And we´re thankful for Playstation gamers supporting Xbox games funding our day one games on Gamepass.

Like I said: Everybody wins.

gold_drake1m ago

i agree
my friend is also xbox everything, hes the same weird guy ha

gold_drake3m ago

propaganda again?

arent u tired of it yet?

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 1m ago
MrDead14h ago

We brought two of the biggest publishers in the world, cost thousands of people their livelihoods and consolidated a huge part of the industry, look how successful we are at gaming!

crazyCoconuts13h ago

Top Secret Strategy for How to Become the Biggest Publisher in the World:
1. Buy everybody

The3faces12h ago

And this has been standard business practice in every industry. Don't hate the player hate the game! lol

Reaper22_8h ago

Buy everybody....if you can.

Obscure_Observer10h ago

I have no doubt that the vast majority of developers and studios will be looking at Microsoft as far job security is a concern.

Microsoft will allow its studios to release their games to every single platform, which means more investment on new games, more money, more jobs positions, better payment, benefits and recognition among gamers worldwide.

You though MS would crash and burn

You want MS to leave gaming forever but GAMERS clearly wants otherwise.

You said MS doesn´t know how to make great games but Xbox games dominating sales on Playstation clearly says otherwise.

Now you also have Playstation gamers to blame for helping the rich to get richer.

I warned you. You were on a fool´s errand all the time.

Now all you can do is watch as MS and Xbox gaming grows bigger and better than ever and release games for everyone!

crazyCoconuts6h ago

At the end of this road, Bethesda, Activision, etc, will still be releasing games for everyone and Xbox consoles will be no more.

If that's what you claim to have foreseen, then congratulations, you win.

MrDead2h ago

You think three major publishers no longer competing and thousands fired to feed the piggies at MS is a good thing, I don't.

More and more owned by fewer and fewer is what you're cheering for, all that leads to is $80 first party games kid.

Luc2013h ago

When you have to say that something was a success, it means it wasn't

Show all comments (46)
50°

From Arcade to Digital Distribution: PM Studios' CEO Reflects on 20 Years in the Industry

In a Game Rant interview, PM Studios CEO Michael Yum talks about his long career, his involvement in LvL Up Expo, and more.

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gamerant.com