This month’s Edge magazine features a huge write-up on Kinect, starting with one hell of a headline: Move Over. It’s not, of course, but that’s how you write a snappy intro. There’s tons of soundbites in there dotted around from various developers and PR types, but the one doing the rounds this morning comes from Rare (picked up by CVG).
Everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news that Microsoft had bought Rare. One of Nintendo’s finest second parties that had created some of my favourite games on the N64 (and Gamecube) were moving to the hardcore console. Despite a reasonably impressive start with a few Xbox games like Grabbed… and the port of Conker, it took until Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo on the 360 for them to hit their stride.
And then Microsoft switched direction, wanting a piece of the casual pie, and Rare, it seems, were brought in to do just that.
“Obviously, Microsoft Game Studios, when they bought Rare out, our remit and part of our job as a first party was the try and broaden the demographic for the Xbox 360,” said creative director George Andreas. “They certainly didn’t need another developer to be creating another Halo. “As time’s gone on we’ve had Nuts & Bolts, Viva Pinata, the Avatars… all of them are ways to broaden the demographic and give the Xbox a slightly softer face.”
Andreas thinks that Kinect (for which Rare is developing Kinect Sports) is Microsoft’s best opportunity to broaden their reach and tap into the family markets. He said that making casual games on the old Xbox was like “trying to sell meat at a vegetarian convention”.
DrNate86
I haven’t really liked anything Rare have made since the big staff losses before MS bought them (though Nuts and Bolts was quite good). It is such a shame when a first-class developer disintegrates.
Shakugan
Kameo was my favourite Xbox 360 game… though i don’t own one, but played it at my friends.
Gaztee
Might go see if I can grab me a copy of edge then!! The move controllers seemed to work a lot better than the 2 kinect videos on YouTube! Should be an intersting read!!
cc_star
It was a great move by Microsoft to broaden their demographic, but I think its only had limited effect.
Rare seem to be working with the ‘shackles on’ and that’s not how a creative studio should be working, I’m sure if they were given a free reign they’d have been attracting youngsters to the brand in their droves.
teflon
Feel a bit sorry for Rare, they’ve been a bit in no mans land since being bought by MS. Sure, there’s been a few good releases, but under Nintendo, they had several major hits under their belts with Goldeneye their stand out moment…
Being pushed to broaden the demographic rather than pursue games and ideas they would more naturally come up with. It’s something of an indignity for what was once easily a top 5 developer.
monkeyspoon
Rare were amazing when they made games for Nintendo. The N64 was their glory days. They made one of the most recognised games of all time in Goldeneye. Their platform games where second only to Mario. Banjo Kazooie donkey kong 64 and conker were incredible. It pains me to see what they have become. They haven’t made any decent games in years. They are M$ puppets now. I wish nintendo or Sony would buy them off M$.
DrNate86
Bear in mind that they lost a lot of the people responsible for Goldeneye (who went off and formed teams like Free Radical) long before MS bought them.
Kitch
To make it fair. $ony and Nintendough.
DannyFantango
I bought Nuts ‘N’ Bolts for £8 off Amazon and it’s probably the best game I have for my 360.
I’m serious.
(I also still own RDR,Gears 1&2, Splinter Cell conviction and BFBC2)
illogicology
I think they were getting a bit past their prime when Nintendo sold them anyway, their biggest title for years had been a horrendous Star Fox reboot. I think Ninty were glad to be rid of them after that.
PriceKitty
…you mean the softcore console.