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Rumor: Kameo 2 sh*tcanned by Microsoft photo

Project Natal has claimed its first victim, with the followup to Rare's 2005 adventure game Kameo thrown on the scrapheap to make way for projects involving Microsoft's magical waggle monster. According to rumors, Kameo 2 was just one of several "traditional" projects quietly murdered in the name of Natal.

As a premier Microsoft studio, it's clear that Rare will be in the vanguard of Project Natal's march. The company is hard at work on motion-sensing nonsense and doesn't have time for old-fashioned games. It's also been reported that the poor sales of the original Kameo helped make the decision far easier. Let's be honest, Kameo was never going to be a major franchise and this could almost be seen as a mercy killing.

Kameo 2 isn't exactly a big loss, but it makes one wonder what else has been thrown away in favor of this new gimmick. I hate hearing that games have been scrapped because some new piece of kit is hitting the market, and I hope that this doesn't become a running theme.


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48 comments | showing # 1 to 48

Trebz's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:24
Trebz
I kind of liked Kameo. Though that could have just been the next-gen hype. I'm sure some new IPs had to die for Natal as well.
beanman101283's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:26
beanman101283
I kind of liked Kameo too. I would have liked to see a sequel improve on the controls and combat. The game still looks good today, but playing it is a chore.
Oncomouse's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:26
Oncomouse
I don't care about losing Kameo 2, but it bothers me on principle to shit can a game to divert resources to a shiny new... whatever the hell natal is supposed to be.
UglyDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:27
UglyDuck
I know a lot of people didn't like Kameo, or possibly just a small but very vocal collection of retards, but I thought it was a great game.
MkShiranui's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:29
MkShiranui
I don't suppose there's any chance Kameo 2 could be developed for Natal?
ZombiePlatypus's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:31
ZombiePlatypus
On the one hand, I had no idea they were even making a new Kameo, and I don't see there being a need for another. On the other hand, more games like Kameo are welcome, and this kinda seems like another in a series of blows to Rare over the years.
bulleteddy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:34
bulleteddy
I thought Kameo was great. And it was like the only good game on Xbox that wasn't an FPS or where you were a soldier of some sort. Don't get me wrong, I like all types of games, but Microsoft sucks at variety. And since Nintendo is all about mini games now, I only have Ratchet and Clank to fill in my platformer fix (granted, Ratchet and Clank are awesome). Sorry to hear that this may be canned. Especially for the crap that is Natal. If someone can tell me how you'll shoot a gun using Natal, I may change my opinion. Not that I just want FPSs...my point is just that having no inputs at all in addition of your body will be more limiting than the Wii. May you have to say "Pew Pew" into the microphone? haha.
covah's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:43
covah
I really really hope Microsoft doesn't go all Nintendo and ditching legitimate games in favor for the gimmick. They'll just shoot themselves in the foot, exactly the way Iwata just recently said about Nintendo and the Wii.
The Amazing Shenazin's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:44
The Amazing Shenazin
well I never played Kameo 1
Hcapt's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:46
Hcapt
It seems odd that Natal refuses to have a release window if so many resources are being diverted away from other projects to work on Natal ones.

So, it's too bad that this project was cancelled. What Natal exclusive game is Rare working on right now? And is there any information on when it will be released? I ask because I am skeptical of the rumored Fall 2009 window, what with no software announcements.
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:57
Jon B
@covah

I think MICROSOFT will try to do that, but I don't think the 360 developers will. For starters, it's a more powerful console, so people have certain standards for graphics quality, since it's a HD console with some fantastic looking games already out. Plus the achievements system being regulated etc, MS won't want to make it easy for shovelware to allow casual gamers to quickly catch up to "hardcore" gamers easily, because that will piss of a large portion of the userbase who care about Gamerscore.

On the other hand. Microsoft loves money. The Wii is a money printing machine. MS want some of that pie. But they're greedy and want the whole damn thing, so they're likely to jump in with both feet and change marketing stances completely to entice Wii owners.

And we all know what happened last time MS jumped in with both feet for something. It led to a lot of bright red lights.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:58
DaedHead8
I played and enjoyed Kameo but I see no need for a sequel.
deadline's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:00
deadline
Once the novelty wears off, people will realize that NATAL is nothing more than a gimmick. I realize the novelty will wear off quickly. I especially thought it was hilarious that they want you to navigate the XBox OS with the thing -- why would I trade the simplicity and accuracy of directional pads on a controller with the imprecise motion tracking of a camera? And what if my kids are sitting on the couch next to me (and they never hold still) -- whose flailing arms will it pay attention to? It is just so ridiculous.
Shadowiii's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:01
Shadowiii
I want Viva Pinata 3.
Yes I said it.
Then my wife will love the Xbox again. Currently she wants to throw it out the window because of Borderland.
Also, Kameo was alright but nothing spectacular. The controls took me forever to get used to.
Operative20's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:10
Operative20
...I swear if I find out Microsoft canned a potential Banjo and Kazooie game I will lose my friggen mind. Even though it's unlikely since Nuts and Bolts was released just 12 months ago and the less than spectacular sales probably wouldn't entice Rare to work on another quite just yet.
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:12
bassbeast
Oh Jim, you silly man. Rare hasn't been a premier studio in years!
neveranything's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:13
neveranything
I guess I'm part of the "retarded vocal minority" that didn't like Kameo. I found the game to be more work than fun or entertaining, especially because of the crappy controls and horrible aiming system, so, meh...

I'd love to have a new IP that concentrated more on having fun then being an ultra-realistic future war simulator, but I think the first Kameo was enough for that IP.

Definitely want another Viva Pinata though.
vecha's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:23
vecha
@bulleteddy

What? Are you saying there are only FPS games in the 360/PS3 library? Or do you just enjoy FPS?

I have more NON-FPS games in my own 360/PS3 collection and I have over 30 games.

You obviously don't know what the hell you are talking about.
Nitex's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:33
Nitex
That sucks. Can you really say Natal is waggle? I mean are you actually waggling your limbs to create feedback?
ScottyG's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:39
ScottyG
Aw, I'm actually playing through Kameo now and am rather enjoying it.
Hiltz's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:41
Hiltz
Waggling your fingers around and shaking your body won't replicate force feedback in Natal as far as we know. There's still a disconnection between the player and the game.
Cadtalfryn's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 10:45
Cadtalfryn
It's nice to know that they're wasting Rare's time with Natal BS.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 11:22
Monodi
Rareware needs to do more original stuff for the sake of the XBOX360's audience expansion. They NEED Rareware to make original IPs for a young audience, and we all know that family game bullshit is not going to work out. If kids are lucky they can pick up Batman stuff but that is as far it looks.

Lionhead should be leading this project more directly as they seem more concerned in my opinion, especially as it is Molyneaux's lair.
dwolfwood's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 11:40
dwolfwood
DKC turned Rare into one of my favorite companies. I never played Conker's Bad Fur day, which was supposed to be good, but every game after that pretty much went downhill.

They've diminished imo, but the company has seen many changes I suppose. Hopefully they can make another great change.
LoopholeJumper's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 11:44
LoopholeJumper
RARE is dead to me. They make the lamest choices possible with the games they make. KAMEO was a wonderful game. A sequel would be a brilliant idea.

Fuck Natal.
Conan-san's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 11:49
Conan-san
If Rare's been put on the Natal NXE Slavetrain, I'll bet you any plans for KI3 have gone south too.
ToxinBlackheart's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:01
ToxinBlackheart
I've never played the first Kameo, but it's a shame to see anything by Rare get canned. The company's new status as Microsoft's bitch reigns strong. :[
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:04
Monodi
Also, fuck you it will be ALWAYS Rareware for me, not RARE.
Freefall's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:08
Freefall
Aww, I enjoyed Kameo.
Killrig's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:20
Killrig
Not too surprising, but still, I enjoyed Kameo.
Rigby's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:24
Rigby
Kameo was ruined by a main character who talked like a retarded stripper. Whoever they hired for the voice acting should've been canned immediately and replaced. Also, her dialogue is pretty terrible too.
MCChampaignMillionaire's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:24
MCChampaignMillionaire
Hated Kameo... -.-
Gestault's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:30
Gestault
I really liked Kameo, and my wishful thinking makes me believe that a second game could have fixed some of the rubbish design decisions from the first game. I'm not thrilled to hear this, but I have a feeling the game wasn't super far along in development. Not even far enough to make an announcement of it as an upcoming title.

I'm keeping an open mind with Natal projects, especially ones headed by companies and staff who've made projects I've really liked in the past.
Netrat33's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:35
Netrat33
I loved Kameo. Shame
chilimac's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 12:55
chilimac
Don't worry much. I predict Rare will be back with Nintendo within the next 5 years. MS has nowhere to go but down from here. They can't continue to bleed money out the ass only to finish 3rd place. And that's where going, and where they'll stay, because they've just burned too many bridges with their shoddy hardware.
sprldr's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 13:01
sprldr
Judging by Rare's more recent output, does anybody actually care whether we get another game from them?
Kereth's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 13:23
Kereth
@sprldr
after Banjo-Kazooie 3? No. I don't care anymore.
majorbromly's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 14:01
majorbromly
Sigh...there goes a possible blink of creativity in the sea of gray that is the gaming industry. Kameo, I hardly knew thee.
SneakerElph's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 14:09
SneakerElph
@Kereth

Nuts and Bolts was not BK3. It was a spinoff with a few similar elements and characters. It was an excellent game, by the way, especially at the $40 price point it was released at. I'd love a sequel to that game.

I'd also love a TRUE BK sequel too.
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 14:10
Xzyliac
Kameo had potential. A sequel may or may not have been neccesary. Now I suppose we'll never know.
Daniel Hall's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:46
Daniel Hall
Microsoft killed the new Killer Instinct game, confirmed.
DR EGG's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 17:20
DR EGG
If Kameo II was really worth making, it would have been on the market by now. I was not a fan.
Inuboy1000's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 17:33
Inuboy1000
Ok if they were making a Conker sequel I would fine. But now they arent making either of them. They better be working on Banjo.
lewness's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 18:01
lewness
Hate to see an IP fade away, especially this kind. Tsktsk.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 18:25
Los255
The first one fucking suuuuuuuuuuucked.

It was a launch title, but damn.
TheTruth's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 21:13
TheTruth
If I wanted Natal, I'd buy a Wii.
I liked Kameo. I would have loved a sequel. Oh, well. No money for you from me, Rare.
shinigamiDude's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 21:47
shinigamiDude
I think Kameo have the best console game graphics in 05.
Maybe we will have Viva Pinata Natal instead.
kamenryuki's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 09:34
kamenryuki
Kameo was awesome!! So were Nuts and Bolts and VP:Trouble in Paradise. Now Rare is making avatars and casual games for Natal. terrible. This, in my humble opinion, is why MS will never be the publisher Sony and Nintendo are. They are absolutely fantastic in the business side of things, which is why they are in the black, but as a gamer I like that Sony and Nintendo will take chances on games that may not sell HUGE but makes their software library diverse.
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