Developers of
Such Worldwide Hits as Donkey Kong 64, Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye
007 And Perfect Dark Bring Their Talents to Xbox
REDMOND, Wash.
Sept. 24, 2002 Microsoft Corp. today announced it has
purchased U.K.-based Rare Ltd., one of the worlds leading video game
developers, further demonstrating Microsofts commitment to providing
the most innovative interactive experiences available on its Xbox video
game system. Rare has been the mastermind behind some of the most
popular video games in history, including such global multimillion
sellers as GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey
Kong 64. Under terms of the $375 million cash transaction, Rare will
today begin creating exclusive console gaming blockbusters for Xbox.
In a statement made from Seville, Spain, where the announcement was made
to both a live and worldwide webcast audience during the companys
annual X02 event, Chris Stamper, chairman and technical director of
Rare, said, Our mission at Rare has always been to make the industrys
best games for the widest possible audience. Teaming with Microsoft
gives us the best opportunity to accomplish this goal. Microsofts
dedication and commitment to game creators, research and development,
and to gaming innovation made them the obvious partner to take Rare into
the future.
Weve always insisted on pushing the envelope when it comes to
creativity, added Tim Stamper, co-founder and creative director of
Rare. And now we get the chance to create for Xbox.
Rare co-founders Chris and Tim Stamper and their talented team of game
developers and designers will continue to work out of Rare in
Warwickshire, England. Rare was founded in 1985 as a partnership between
the Stamper brothers and Joel Hochberg, now Rare president.
This partnership significantly broadens our already outstanding
portfolio of games that will be available for Xbox. And it also broadens
our reach internationally as gamers around the world have demonstrated
their fanaticism for what Rare consistently produces, said Robbie Bach,
Chief Xbox Officer at Microsoft.
The last time I was this excited was the first time I picked up a
controller and played a game from Rare, said Ed Fries, vice president
of Xbox Game Content at Microsoft. As a gamer, you could hardly wait
until Rares next title was announced. You didnt know what genre it
would be, but it didnt matter because you knew you were going to love
it.
Rare grabbed the attention of the video game world in 1994 with its
creation of Donkey Kong Country. Selling more than 8 million copies,
DKC went on to become the biggest- selling 16-bit title in history.
Rare became one of the premiere developers in the world, with sales
averaging 1.4 million units per title and nearly 90 million games sold
since the company was founded. Five of the top 20 all-time-best-selling
N64 titles were developed by Rare, including GoldenEye 007, the
second-best-selling game in North America, with worldwide sales topping
8 million.
With todays announcement, Rare becomes the latest member of a
star-studded lineup at Microsoft Game Studios, joining such prestigious
worldwide developers as Bungie Studios, the masterminds behind the smash
hit Halo, named Game of the Year by Electronic Gaming Monthly. Rares
first creation for Xbox, Kameo, is expected to reach store shelves
next spring. Also under development is the highly anticipated sequel to
Perfect Dark. The company is expecting to develop at least five games
over the next two years in a variety of genres, including racing,
shooters and platformers.
Press Release |