Last week, developer Tango Gameworks distributed a relatively minor Hi-Fi Rush update to celebrate the first anniversary of the acclaimed rhythm-brawler’s release; however, dataminers poking around the update’s innards are now claiming to have found further evidence – in the form of unique t-shift designs – that a PlayStation and Switch launch is on the way.
Reports that the previously PC and Xbox exclusive Hi-Fi Rush could be making its way to PlayStation and Switch first began circulating in January, after a number of reliable leakers started expanding on claims by insider Nate the Hate that Microsoft was set to “one of [its] more acclaimed first party releases to a competitor system” this year.
And while there’s been no sign of an official announcement to back up those reports in the weeks since, datamined discoveries in Hi-Fi Rush’s latest update (thanks Wario64) have lent further credence to the rumours. Patch 7, as last week’s update is officially known, includes an Anniversary T-Shirt Bundle containing new clothing for Chai to wear. Four of these designs are available to everyone, while three are exclusive to the platform – Xbox, Steam, or the Epic Games Store – players own the game on. However, a number of dataminers are now claiming to have unearthed two additional, unused T-shirts in the update, both looking suspiciously like exclusive designs for Switch and PlayStation.
One of these, in Nintendo’s signature red and white, reads, “Rock out! Anywhere” – a slogan perfectly befitting Switch’s portable play – while the second design, in PlayStation blue, features Chai’s silhouette and the words, “I’m here baby!”.
Assuming their authenticity, it’s impossible to draw any definitivee conclusions from their discovery; perhaps they’re pointing to a Switch and PlayStation release for Hi-Fi Rush, perhaps they’re pointing to a once-planned but now-abandoned launch. It could even be Tango Gameworks having a bit of cheeky fun at the expense of everyone on the back of January’s rumours – only an official announcement from Microsoft will settle the matter once and for all.
All being as it seems, though, their discovery is interesting not just because of Hi-Fi Rush, but because of subsequent rumours that other previously Xbox-exclusive first-party games are also preparing to jump to PlayStation and Switch – Sea of Thieves having been called out by name on more than one occassion. It could certainly be an interesting year for Xbox.
www.eurogamer.net