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Rare: No one knows who we are

10:00 AM on 06.30.2009   |   Jim Sterling

Rare: No one knows who we are photo

Rare used to be the darling of the videogame world, with its contributions to Nintendo systems being hailed as some of the greatest and most memorable adventures of all. It's so sad to hear somebody from Rare now suggest that nobody knows about the studio anymore. Still, the UK studio has hope now that Peter Molyneux is in charge of Microsoft creative shenanigans.

"It's great that he's been promoted into this new creative position and encompassing Lionhead and Rare as well," states head of animation Louise Ridgeway. "He's been up quite a bit over the last few months. He comes up regularly and it's great to see someone like Pete here. It gives us a little bit of a face because no-one knows who we are!"

Art director Steve McFarlane adds: "Once we were bought up by Microsoft obviously things have changed within the top ranks and stuff. and I think over the last few years maybe the awareness of Rare has dropped. And the idea of Pete coming in and being this new face of Rare it's a great thing for us. It's really just to get us out there a bit more."

I really do hope that Molyneux (who McFarlane and Ridgeway called a "legend") gives Rare a shot in the arm. It's very disappointing that the studio has fallen so far from the public eye. They can't survive off the monthly GoldenEye 007 rumors forever.








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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27 comments | showing # 1 to 27
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Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:09
Chronic Logic
Where has the spark of creativity and success went?
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:12
eternalplayer2345
I still want blast corps 2
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:18
Monodi
I hope Molyneux supports them to pump out a bunch of private IPs
Unknownsage's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:23
Unknownsage
I think the main issue is is that their ideas aren't original anymore.

And plus their on a console now that is dominated by realistic games. If they were with Nintendo still, they'd be more likely to get top sales.
Nic128's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:28
Nic128
@Unknownsage
Agreed
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:37
Volomon
The problem is they are so old school, that I don't know if they can make it in this generation.

I mean they made the baddest as squirrel game ever, but come on they better step it up.

Not that I should care seeing as they are owned by MS, to bad Nintendo didn't buy them that's their roots right there.
Char Aznable's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:48
Char Aznable
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts has definitely put Rare back on my radar. I'm fucking loving that game and its self-referential humor, and this is my first time playing a Banjo game.
Tony Ponce's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 10:59
Tony Ponce
Bring back Battletoads, you wankers.
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 11:07
Kryptinite
Oh it's thosse fucks who need to bring me another Killer Instanct.
Wghj55's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 11:15
Wghj55
I would kill for a true sequel to Conker's Bad Fur Day.
Danl Haas's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 11:56
Danl Haas
Needs moar David Doak. What ever happened to that guy? Did he survive the Free Radical crash?
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 12:00
Cowboy TTop
I'm so with you Eternal.

Rare, you suffer from doing games that are alright but not outstanding. You should be working to what appeals to gamers, but over the years you've gone the other way.

BlastCorps was without a doubt one of the greatest Rare N64 games, yet you seem fit to have bailed on the concept, which frankly is fucking lame.

Get to work on Blastcorps 2 on 360 (destroy building and stuff in HD = win, just look at Red Faction Guerilla), and I'll certainly buy it, because it appeals to me, and it was the last Rare game I purchased.

And if Rare seek identity, you have the fabulous Wil Overton working for you. Redesign your logo and have Wil put his artistic magic into a character or something (keep it 2d), to go with it. You have no excuses.

On top of that, don't take so long working on your games, and being media shy in a digital age doesn't help you either. You need to sell you product. Get on podcasts, Game Trailers etc as that costs nothing to do.

So yeah, all you need to do is Blast Corps 2. Doubt I'll buy a Rare game til you listen.
GrumpyTurtle's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 12:20
GrumpyTurtle
They need to start making the quality of games they use to, on the 64 there were really only 2 companies you could rely on for great games, Nintendo and Rare.

They've lost a spark they use to have. I'm not sure what it is they lost, but they need it back, and I hope they can find it again.
wastedyears's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 12:24
wastedyears
Maybe a studio that makes games with candy crocs should not be obscure, but a studio with a well-earned reputation for making mediocre games, and one where their best games were made for the N64 should be.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 12:43
GoldenGamerXero
They're pretty screwed in that department. They either stay with a company that tries to serve the shooty shooty bang die demographic in slight obcurity or they try going back to creepy stalker in fame. Violent husband or possessive boyfriend? All I know is Rare needs to file for domestic abuse!
bruceleethree's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 12:44
bruceleethree
rare is the michael Jackson of our generation
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 13:21
Darren Nakamura
Sad. They still make some pretty decent games, so it's a shame they aren't as well known in the general gaming public. Oh well.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 13:25
Holyetheline
Rare is an amazing team. Peter better help bring out their true colors!
LogicallyDashing's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 13:27
LogicallyDashing
Battletoads. Killer Instinct. Conker.

DO IT!
wanderingpixel's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 13:40
wanderingpixel
We still love you Rare. We just hate what you've become.
DJ Incompetent's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 13:47
DJ Incompetent
rare (râr)
adj.
1. Infrequently occurring; uncommon:

Yep. No idea why Rare is an unknown company.
Brolsen's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 14:18
Brolsen
Donkey kong country, blast corps, killer instinct, banjo kazooie, God those where the good old days :)
Brolsen's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 14:32
Brolsen
How could I forget golden eye??? Best multiplayer experience EVER
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 15:27
Los255
Killer Instinct? Donkey Kong Country?
masterninja's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 17:19
masterninja
Three words explain all Free Radical Design...I mean thats where the talent appeared to go...

Now be quiet Rare you still have some credibility from Kameo....ofcourse that was 2005 maybe time for killer instinct...
L0cky's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/01/2009 03:07
L0cky
i yust used wiki and it seems most of the good old rare members are working for crytek (crisis) atm.
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