Shinji Mikami, creator of The Evil Within series and founder of Tango Gameworks, recently revealed another new title is already in development - and it's led by previous Evil Within 2 director, John Johanas. While little is known about this future project, Tango Gameworks' is currently developing Ghostwire: Tokyo, which is set to release in 2022 and will feature supernatural, action-oriented gameplay along with the studio's well-recognized horror aesthetic.
Following his 2007 departure from Capcom where he directed Resident Evil and Resident Evil 4, Mikami experienced a brief stint at PlatinumGames before founding Tango Gameworks in 2010. Released roughly four years later, the Mikami-directed original The Evil Within was released to generally positive critical reception, inaugurating Tango Gameworks into the game industry. The title later received a sequel in 2017, The Evil Within 2, which - although supervised by Mikami - was directed by John Johanas. Johanas joined Tango Gameworks in 2010 as the visual effects designer for The Evil Within, and went on to become the director of its DLCs before helming its sequel.
In a segment with vice president of gaming at Microsoft, Phil Spencer, during Microsoft's Tokyo Game Show 2021 Livestream event, Mikami (via IGN) revealed Tango Gameworks is already developing its next game. Mikami stated that the head of the brand new project is Johanas. The veteran horror developer didn't give any more details or hints on what this new game could potentially be, but told Spencer that, "Right now, John is in the middle of working energetically on a new game." Mikami also mentioned that giving younger professionals - like Johanas - opportunities in the industry goes hand-in-hand with the creation of new titles, explaining, "As a studio that tries to give young people big opportunities, we're always taking on the challenge of creating new games."
Though it is unknown what Johanas is diligently working on, the trademark for The Evil Within IP was renewed last year for "continued use" by ZeniMax Media (the former Tango Gameworks parent company before its acquisition by Microsoft). Spencer previously expressed excitement at the thought of working with the horror-genre studio during the celebration of its buyout, which could hint that Microsoft possibly greenlit another installment of The Evil Within series.
Despite having little information around Tango Gameworks' upcoming game, its likely the project will include unsettling concepts and horror-related content. Until then, however, players can look forward to the studio's next release, Ghostwire: Tokyo - a slight departure from the Tango Gameworks' typical straight-horror themes in lieu of a unique, supernatural first-person action title.
Source: IGN, IGN/Youtube