While Xbox Series X|S technically did already welcome a slew of unique releases, many of them have only been exclusive for a set amount of time – The Faloneer, The Medium, for example. Elsewhere, Xbox Game Studios so far has only issued a small list of releases with titles like Halo Infinite and Gears Tactics until 2023. Starting off with a surprise launch, Hi-Fi Rush is considered one of the highlights for this year as we’re weeks from entering fall.
Not only did a surprisingly good and stylish game arrive to Xbox, but also Tango Gameworks – most known for The Evil Within & GhostWire: Tokyo – worked on the game. Instantly, the game was a hit, Microsoft framed it as. Even more, despite the immediate arrival to Xbox Game Pass, the title already faced more than two million players within the first month.
Recently when speaking to Vandal, and pushed through an auto-translator, the interview with Bethesda vice president Pete Hines elaborated on the impact Hi-Fi Rush left on how Bethesda manages its projects; allowing teams to explore different avenues following the success.
“The relationship with our studios is always evolving. One of the things I hope people will draw conclusions from a game like Hi-Fi Rush is that, as a company, we’re willing to work with developers and take risks with things that you would never believe could come from that studio. When you think of Tango, you think they make horror games, and suddenly a really bright, colorful and fun musical action game comes along.
Part of the reason we released it by surprise is that we didn’t want to spend three months explaining to people why we made this game, why these people [specializing in] horror games were doing something different. It seemed much easier to announce it, let them play it and not have to ask us. It didn’t make much sense when you can just make it available to a huge audience.”
“In addition, Tango learned that this kind of thing works, that there is a large audience for this kind of games. We did very well in Game Pass with the number of players and how many copies we sold. That reinforces for us that taking risks and supporting developers who want to do something new or different is always a good thing,” Hines adds.
Noted, Xbox Game Pass remains a focal point for many releases from Xbox & Bethesda. And whilst the game was not considered for the service ahead of the Bethesda acquisition, it still applies to Hi-Fi Rush nonetheless. In a previous statement from Bethesda game director Todd Howard, he explained Xbox Game Pass does enable teams to be more ambitious thanks to the net audience right out the door. You can read the full report by heading here.
Do you agree with Hines’ statement?
Source: Vandal
