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Rareware Rumors at it again...

post #1 of 25
9/3/02 at 10:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Microsoft buying Rare rumours back again
[03/09/2002: 10:14]
After eight months of speculation on the future of the ace developers, it's now looking as if they could be snapped up by Microsoft. Maybe

Rumours continue to fly around regarding the future of uber-developers Rare, with news of a potential take-over by Microsoft resurfacing.

The company, of which Nintendo own a 49% share, has been valued at £350 million - which no doubt Microsoft would have little trouble in being able to afford. The price tag proved too steep when Activision previously looked into acquiring the UK coding house.

With Xbox still only really having one 'killer app' in the shape of Halo, the addition of Rare to the line-up of Xbox developers would be a massive step forward for the struggling console.

Microsoft are holding the European leg of their X02 press junket on 24-25 September where, aside from an announcement regarding Xbox Live, we are also expecting major software-related news to be revealed.

Whether this will relate to Rare or not remains to be seen, although industry gossip has suggested for some time that the next instalment of Perfect Dark will be on Xbox.

Meanwhile, it's still looking as if Donkey Kong Racing (Gamecube) and Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers (GBA) may have been canned by the developer.

After being removed from the new games section of the official Rare website a month ago, they have yet to re-appear on it, despite the company's claims that they are simply updating the site.

There's a whole web of intrigue at work here - we'll keep you posted just as soon as we uncover more on this.
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post #2 of 25
9/3/02 at 11:05pm
Cool.

but I wouldn't consider the xbox a "struggling" system.

If this is true, then we won't have a Perfect Dark sequel languish on the GameCube. Yayy!
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post #3 of 25
9/4/02 at 7:31am
Quote:
terror_mike:
Quote:
Microsoft buying Rare rumours back again
[03/09/2002: 10:14]

Whether this will relate to Rare or not remains to be seen, although industry gossip has suggested for some time that the next instalment of Perfect Dark will be on Xbox.
That's nice speculation and all, but the fact of the matter is, Nintendo owns the Perfect Dark property, not Rare. Perfect Dark Zero will be on the 'Cube, whether Rare makes it or not. Rare may be making a FPS for the X-Box, but it won't be called Perfect Dark or utilize Joanna Dark.

As for Rare selling out to Microsoft, it's possible. The Stamper brothers are the ones who have a good working relationship with the Big N, and they are looking to get out of the games business altogether. It's a ripe time for someone to pick them up. (Sega, please!?)
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post #4 of 25
9/4/02 at 7:48am
Quote:
terror_mike:
Microsoft are holding the European leg of their X02 press junket on 24-25 September where, aside from an announcement regarding Xbox Live, we are also expecting major software-related news to be revealed.
Consider me there.
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post #5 of 25
9/11/02 at 12:31pm
I don't know if this is from the same source as the other article...but dammit....

<a href="http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Games&action=page& type_id=&cat_id=270351&obj_id=36120" target="_blank">http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Games&action=page& type_id=&cat_id=270351&obj_id=36120</a>

Breaking News
UK Paper reports Microsoft to acquire Rareware
Nintendo second party to switch sides

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dateline: Wednesday, September 11, 2002

By: JAMES STEVENSON
By: Correspondent
Source: The Register

In a report published yesterday, a UK newspaper has revealed that sources inside Rareware, the legendary second-party Nintendo developer, has been purchased by Microsoft.

With no new GameCube titles on the horizon beyond STAR FOX ADVENTURES, the secrecy from Rare recently is starting to make sense. What does not make sense is that Nintendo owns 49% of Rare and with the high-sales of Rareware titles for Nintendo platforms, wouldn't seem to be too willing to give them up that easily.

Rare will continue to produce Game Boy Advance titles (as Microsoft is also developing for the Game Boy Advance).

Also of interest, Nintendo owns several of Rare's key franchises and could continue the series. For instance, Nintendo owns BANJO-KAZOOIE, also, the status of the character Conker is unknown, because technically, Conker is apart of the DONKEY KONG universe (owned by Nintendo) as he first appeared in DIDDY KONG RACING (Nintendo also owns the trademarks on all DIDDY/DONKEY KONG games).

More as it breaks.
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post #6 of 25
9/11/02 at 11:08pm
More news (from IGN):

Quote:
Rare: The Full Story
No more rumors.

September 11, 2002 - In past months, UK development studio Rare has been the subject of a seemingly endless stream of rumors, all of them suggesting the company would break from Nintendo's wings and possibly join with a new publisher. Now we have the full story, anonymously confirmed by numerous credible, high-level insiders. The reports are true. We stake our reputation on it.
Nintendo, formerly a 49% shareholder in Rare, had the chance to purchase the company outright nearly a year ago, but refused, according to high-ranking sources. With Rare software contributions amounting to only 9.5% of total revenues in Nintendo's fiscal 2001 year, and a miniscule 1.5% in fiscal 2002, the publisher weighed the benefits and drawbacks of making additional investments in Rare and decided against it.

Rare went on the market. Publishers bid on the company. Activision and Microsoft were both interested in acquiring Rare, but it was Microsoft who won out and delivered the asking prices for the developer and Nintendo's 49% stake in it. Nintendo sold all of its shares in Rare, according to insiders, and the studio's second-party status was terminated.

The obvious questions then: why all of the secrecy and why haven't Rare, Nintendo or Microsoft made any announcements? The truth is that the details have not been finalized. Insiders allege that Nintendo and Rare are still haggling over licenses, and specifically whether or not Rare will be able to purchase the properties it worked on under the Nintendo brand, including Perfect Dark and other trademarks Nintendo holds. Franchises and characters created and owned by Nintendo, of course, including Donkey Kong, will remain in Nintendo's control. An official announcement, though, is not far off. The latest word is that the news will be made public at Microsoft's X02 Europe event which begins September 24 in Seville, Spain.

Meanwhile, sources indicate that Nintendo plans to utilize some of the money it made in the selling of its Rare shares to entice other development studios to make GameCube software, fund new games, and more. The company's de-emphasized focus on a second-party model and its new partnerships with Namco, Sega, Capcom and others exemplifies its change in development philosophy, and leaves no room for an expensive investment in Rare.

Look for much more on this major news as it develops.
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post #7 of 25
9/11/02 at 11:14pm
Cool with me, but only if games like Perfect Dark are part of the package.
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post #8 of 25
9/11/02 at 11:38pm
I am pretty much the only one that doesn't like Xbox, I think they should stay with Nintendo.
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post #9 of 25
9/12/02 at 1:59pm
If the new Perfect Dark comes out on the XBOX, I will shit.
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post #10 of 25
9/12/02 at 2:34pm
What does it matter what platform it's on?

If Perfect Dark is such a great game, play games from that series on whatever platform they appear on.

How can you not like a console? It just sits there and boots games up? If I don't "like"
Gamecube, that means I don't like the Gamecube library at present. That doesn't mean I don't want my favorite games to appear on the platform.

That doesn't seem to make any sense.
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post #11 of 25
9/12/02 at 3:10pm
I couldn't disagree more Micah. With the (true) advent of online console gaming and the differences inherent to the consoles I can see myself getting upset if my favorite or most anticipated game goes to the wrong console.

Let's say (huge hypothetical) that Bungie gets sold and Halo 2 makes it's way to the PS2. That wouldn't bother you at all?
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post #12 of 25
9/12/02 at 3:33pm
Quote:
Dennis:
I couldn't disagree more Micah. With the (true) advent of online console gaming and the differences inherent to the consoles I can see myself getting upset if my favorite or most anticipated game goes to the wrong console.

Let's say (huge hypothetical) that Bungie gets sold and Halo 2 makes it's way to the PS2. That wouldn't bother you at all?
No...I'd buy a PS2 and love it.

The thing is that the developers and publishers behind these games don't jump platforms for the fun of it.

They either:

1) WANT to develop on that platform

or

2) Need the money from a larger demographic base or the money from Sony or Microsoft paid to stay exclusive.

Developers don't want to cripple their games. And especially with a game like Halo....it HAS to be on Xbox because that's the only thing technically capable of handling it.

Now if PS2 could handle it...I'd play it on Xbox in a skinny minute.
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post #13 of 25
9/12/02 at 4:27pm
Its actually pretty easy to be against a console if its made by Microsoft and you've experienced the joy of Windows for the last decade.
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post #14 of 25
9/12/02 at 6:37pm
You put it well Mikah !! It's all about the games...it always has been. There's always gonna be console specific favorites...but in this case it will probably benefit Perfect Dark to jump to X-Box (if it happens)...it will most likely benefit greatly from X-Box Live in it's multiplayer aspects...as well as graphics.
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post #15 of 25
9/13/02 at 1:15pm
Quote:
mikah912:
What does it matter what platform it's on?

If Perfect Dark is such a great game, play games from that series on whatever platform they appear on.

How can you not like a console? It just sits there and boots games up? If I don't "like"
Gamecube, that means I don't like the Gamecube library at present. That doesn't mean I don't want my favorite games to appear on the platform.

That doesn't seem to make any sense.
The reason i will be upset is the fact that I already have a PS2 and a Gamecube. One of the reasons for buying the GC was for Perfect Dark 2(or Zero). So, if it comes out on the XBOX, then I will be (understandably) upset.

Outside of Halo, there are not any games on the XBOX that would warrant a purchase, so I feel the XBOX is a waste of $$$.
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post #16 of 25
9/13/02 at 2:44pm
Waiter in Restaurant: 'Hello Bill Gates! How would you like your steaks today?'

Bill Gates: 'I like my stakes in Rare, thanks'

(I AM SO SORRY)
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post #17 of 25
9/13/02 at 2:51pm
&lt;SLAP!&gt;
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post #18 of 25
9/13/02 at 9:58pm
Quote:
Adam_72:
Waiter in Restaurant: 'Hello Bill Gates! How would you like your steaks today?'

Bill Gates: 'I like my stakes in Rare, thanks'

(I AM SO SORRY)
Must have been a long night for you trying to think of that one. I'm guessing about 5 cups of coffee. Anyway I think this is great news because now that the game is on X-box, I can play it knowing that it is the best it can possibley be.
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post #19 of 25
9/13/02 at 11:00pm
Actually it took me all of two seconds. It's the way I tell 'em.

X-box eats crusty arsehole pie.
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post #20 of 25
9/16/02 at 11:25pm
New info added today....

<a href="http://xengamers.com/sections/news/8612/" target="_blank">http://xengamers.com/sections/news/8612/</a>

A Rare Deal
Reported By Dennis Day

Following weeks of speculation, Nintendo representatives in Kyoto have reportedly confirmed plans to sell off the company's interest in British game developer Rare to Microsoft. The company, which has produced some of Nintendo's most popular titles of the last six years including Killer Instinct, GoldenEye and Banjo Kazooie, is expected to focus exclusively on software for Microsoft's Xbox as a result of the sale. The proposed sale of Nintendo's 49 percent interest in the company is expected to cost Microsoft between 20-30 billion yen ($150-250 million), according to published reports in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Speaking about a possible sale last week, a Nintendo spokesperson confirmed that the company was interested in a possible sale, and that severing ties with Rare would have no impact on Nintendo's business.
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post #21 of 25
9/16/02 at 11:42pm
Quote:
Zanarkand, G4TV:
I can play it knowing that it is the best it can possibley be.
Unless it's like The Thing and it gets the same exact score as the PS2 version on Gamespot....
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post #22 of 25
9/17/02 at 12:14am
Thread Starter 
<img src="http://web.ecomplanet.com/BOWM4613/ServerContent/MyCustomImages/BOWM4613CustomImage0165140.jpg" alt="" />
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post #23 of 25
9/22/02 at 8:16pm
<a href="http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2880983,00.html" target="_blank">http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2880983,00.html</a>

It is now official.

Nintendo cuts ties with Rare




Nintendo sells its 49 percent stake in the UK developer.

Last week, Nintendo announced that Rare would no longer develop titles exclusively for Nintendo hardware. Nintendo has now announced that it has gone one step further, selling its 49 percent stake in the studio.

As a part of the deal, Nintendo will retain the rights to "all original properties and franchises featured in games developed by Rare." Specifically, Donkey Kong Country, Diddy Kong, and Star Fox are franchises that are sure to remain in Nintendo's control. Star Fox Adventures, produced by Rare and Nintendo, is set to ship next week.

According to CNN/Money, Rare will keep the rights to franchises the studio created: Perfect Dark, Conker, and Banjo-Kazooie.

"Nintendo had the ability to continue its exclusive relationship with Rare, but in looking at the company's recent track record, it became clear that its value to the future of Nintendo would be limited," said Peter MacDougall, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Nintendo of America. "In other words, we passed on this opportunity for very good business reasons."

MacDougall explained that by selling its stake in Rare, Nintendo is now in a better position to expand its internal and external development efforts. "This announcement does not diminish our respect for their work or the past contributions they have made to Nintendo," MacDougall added.

It's been widely reported that Microsoft and Rare have been in negotiations for a new deal. Microsoft is rumored to have plans to make an announcement related to Rare at the upcoming Microsoft X02 event, which will take place early next week in Seville, Spain.

By Sam Parker, GameSpot VG [POSTED: 09/20/02 - 12:28 pm p
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post #24 of 25
9/24/02 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 
<a href="http://www.xboxemea.com/cmsresources/rare_seq.avi" target="_blank">Look What They Did To Joanna Dark!</a>
<a href="http://www.xbox.com/cms/asx/news/rareannouncement-0001-Hi.asx" target="_blank">Version 2</a>

Uh oh - does that mean Perfect Dark Adventures?
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post #25 of 25
11/20/02 at 9:22pm
More news on this sucker from IGN... maybe Nintendo ain't so crazy...

Quote:
Jury Out on Rare Deal
Japanese paper speculates who got the better deal: MS or Nintendo?

November 20, 2002 - Today Japanese trade publication Nikkei Business Daily filed a speculative report that discussed who got the better deal with the recent acquisition of Rare: Nintendo or Microsoft? Nintendo earned itself over $154 million, while Microsoft invested over $383 million ($33 million of that returned to Nintendo for its previously held 49% stake in Rare). A Nintendo executive commented, "We were amazed at the amount."

According to early estimates, says Nikkei, Nintendo finished the first half of fiscal 2002 with a net profit of roughly $146 million, which is on target with its earlier forecast for the April-September period. Nintendo issued a report regarding the progress and stated that the sale of Rare helped offset its foreign exchange losses (relates to selling products overseas from Japan), which totaled $236 million.

Nintendo says it began to reconsider the relationship with Rare as early as 2000 when GBA and GameCube were introduced. Coupled with the fact that Rare only accounted for 1.5% of Nintendo's sales in 2001, Nintendo felt the company was too big of a risk. Furthermore, a Nintendo official commented that he no longer sensed any enthusiasm from principal members of Rare's development team.

"They take too much time with product development to generate meaningful results for us," said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.

Trying to understand Microsoft's bold investment, Nikkei net recalled that Steve Ballmer, MS's chief executive officer, noted that one reason the company took a stake in Rare is because you can find fans of its games throughout the entire world. Rare is scheduled to deliver five Xbox titles over the next two years, several of which had been in development for Nintendo's GameCube console for quite some time.

Despite that optimism, however, Nikkei deems Nintendo the short-term winner from the deal. The huge cash return and reduction of administrative work tied to dealing with Rare were two key reasons for the decision.

However, with the next-generation battle for dominance far from over, Nikkei indicates it is looking towards next spring when Rare is scheduled to release the first software for Xbox.

More as it breaks.
To be honest, while Rare is a great company, they haven't been so hot lately, in terms of money and quality. While my love for Conker's Bad Fur Day is never-ending and Perfect Dark was a great game with enormous potential, Rare has a nasty habit of pumping out the same lame-o platformers again and again. I enjoyed Banjo Kazooie... but then Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo Tootie came out and they were practically the same games as Kazooie. And Star Fox Adventures is fun, but not up to even Rare's standards.

I retract the previous statement I made in this thread. Nintendo was smart with this idea.
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