Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami left Tango Gameworks to break free from survival horror

Shinji Mikami, the renowned game developer and founder of Tango Gameworks, disclosed in a conversation on the Japanese talk show Byking details about his departure from the studio he established in 2010. Tango Gameworks, which faced financial issues soon after its inception, was quickly assimilated by ZeniMax Media. Mikami clarified that Tango Gameworks was not a standalone company but a division within ZeniMax Asia K.K., essentially a brand under the corporate umbrella.

Mikami had actually considered leaving the studio eight years prior to his actual departure, driven by a sense of responsibility toward ongoing projects. However, his eventual exit was motivated by a desire to encourage the growth and development of younger game creators. He envisioned a workspace where upcoming talents could engage in more frequent projects and work on innovative, smaller-scale games.

Additionally, Mikami sought to diverge from the survival horror genre that had largely defined his career. This led to the establishment of his new company, Kamuy, aimed at broadening his creative horizons and producing a variety of game types. His departure from Tango Gameworks aligns with his expressed wish in a 2022 Famitsu interview to be known for a broader range of gaming projects.

Under the Tango Gameworks label, Mikami contributed to successful titles like The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Hi-Fi Rush. Following ZeniMax's acquisition by Microsoft, Tango became the first Japanese studio in Microsoft’s portfolio.

Mikami, who had previously been instrumental in creating the Resident Evil series and other popular games like Dino Crisis and God Hand at Capcom, continues to influence the gaming industry through his new endeavors. Speculations have arisen about potential collaborations with Hideki Kamiya, another Capcom veteran, and creator of Bayonetta, who left PlatinumGames the previous year. This has led fans to anticipate possible new projects involving both iconic game developers.