Bethesda firm buys Mikami studio

Zenimax Media has acquired Shinji Mikami’s new Tokyo-based studio, Tango.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though this month Zenimax raised $150m for what it deemed a ‘tactical buyout’.

Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil and numerous other hit titles, said it was “refreshing to find a publisher who understands, trusts, and supports the development of blockbuster games and works to make it a collaborative effort.”

The distinguished game designer previously worked for the now-defunct Capcom studio Clover, before joining independent studio Platinum Games as a gun-for-hire.

Mikami is now one of the few developers in the world with access to id Tech – the high-end game engine built by id Software which remains exclusive to Zenimax studios.

Mikami’s new outfit Tango is said to be “dedicated to triple-A multi-platform” game development.

“The library of AAA franchise titles ZeniMax owns speaks for itself,” Mikami said.

“We are very excited to be joining ZeniMax and working with a company that is dedicated to creating the best games ever made.”

As a testament to Mikami’s reputation, a number of talented and aspiring developers have already joined the Tango start-up, including Platinum Games’ Shigenori Nishikawa.

Tango joins the Zenimax unbrella of studios that includes Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, and French outfit Arkane Studios.