A group of former Rare employees has banded together to establish a new studio which is now working on a spiritual successor to the Banjo-Kazooie series.
Speaking to EDGE magazine, the core members of Playtonic - Gavin Price, Chris Sutherland and Steve Mayles - have explained how they recently parted company with Rare and want to recreate the kind of games produced during their former employer's N64-based golden era.
Price - who, along with Sutherland, was let go from Rare last year - explains the aim of the team:
Imagine there's an alternative timeline where Rare became independent instead of being bought by Microsoft. What would that company be like? What would it have gone on to become? That's our ambition.
Playtonic is made up of so much famous Rare talent that it makes you genuinely wonder how much of the "old" Rare is still left at the company's Twycross HQ. Price was a designer on Viva Piñata, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Banjo Tooie and Jet Force Gemini, while Sutherland was lead programmer on Donkey Kong County and the Banjo-Kazooie games. Steve Mayles created Banjo and his friends, and is the brother of Gregg Mayles, one of the longest-serving Rare employees. These three core members are joined by the likes of Steve Hurst (Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 007), Mark Stevenson (Kameo art lead) and Jens Restemeier (Perfect Dark Zero software engineer). To cap it all off, former Rare musician Grant Kirkhope has stated that he will be helping the studio out with audio, presumably on a freelance basis.
The current plan is to expand the team to around 15 people in order to create a title which should appeal to fans of Rare's '90s output. Price explains:
Without giving the game away, I think it's pretty obvious what kind of game we're making from the history of the team. We consider it a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie. We want to make a game where you control a fun character, learn new skills, add some new twists to the genre, and also listen to Grant's tunes!
For Mayles, Playtonic is about recreating not only the feel of classic Rare, but also the way in which the studio operated when it was owned by the Stamper brothers:
For me, the appeal is that I'll be able to create characters for a game myself again, creating a whole chain of animation, whereas at Rare now, you're just a small cog... you have to filter through three or four different people before something is approved.
Price has revealed that Playtonic has enough funding to complete its first game - currently known as Project Ukulele or Game 01 - and is aiming to release on PC and "certain" consoles. However, he is open to the idea of a publishing deal to truly secure the project's future and perhaps even expand its scope. Given Rare's history with Nintendo - and taking into account that the studio's best titles were arguably those on Nintendo's consoles - it should come as no great shock to learn that Price is open to the idea of working with the Japanese giant again:
There's a history of working with Nintendo, so we'd naturally love to see our game on a Nintendo platform. If people tell us to make Wii U our target console platform, then we've got the flexibility to do that.
Since Rare was purchased by Microsoft in 2002 many staff have left to set-up their own studios. Crash Lab was founded by Steve Ellis, Martin Wakeley and Lee Musgrave, while Gory Detail is where Conker creator Chris Seavor and former Rare staffer Shawn Pile now call home. Last year, there was the news that Tim Stamper was involved in establishing FortuneFish, a company which aims to create smartphone games. Playtonic is another name to add to the growing list of ex-staffers aiming to capture that elusive Rare magic.
Would you like to see Playtonic's title come to a Nintendo format? Do you think Nintendo should become more hands-on with the game, and possibly even secure it as an exclusive? Is there scope for a "second coming", with Nintendo potentially snapping up Playtonic in the same way it did with Rare? Whatever you think of this news and Playtonic in general, make sure you leave a comment below.
[source edge-online.com]
Comments 114
Woah! I hope this turns out amazing.
I wish them all the best, I have been having a really hard time to try to keep up where all of RARE's talented folks are up to and where are they now a days. Would be cool to have their games on Nintendo too, my Wii U is starving, a sadly recurring famine for the past years during this part of the year.
Wild prediction: Nintendo sees that their game is progressing well, offers to publish it and help finish it if they switch the main characters for the Duck Hunt Duo (which may need proper names to be honest...how about Gunpei and Zappy for the dog and duck respectively?).
Plus! A second player would be able to help by shooting enemies and destructable objects with a Wii remote, complete with zapper sound effects. Player one can do this alone if they opt to use the Wii remote and nunchuck combo. Also, the Duck Hunt amiibo would unlock something, perhaps a shooting gallery minigame, or a virtual Super Scope for the aforementioned Wii remote pointer functionality.
Their name sounds like a preschool toy brand...
@ToneDeath It would be awesome if it happened.
Nintendo needs to net this guys and quick, I'm sure MS and sony will want them to.
Nintendo needs to grab them and and let them do what they do best
@ToneDeath I totally predicted that as well when I first saw the Duck Hunt Duo in Smash! Imagining them two with their own banjo style platformer. It would definitely work especially seeing the dog with the duck on his back.
Also the eyes in that pic for this article looks like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon xD
Their website is horrendous! Needs a bit of a clean up.
Looking forward to what they come up with though!
It would be better to join Nintendo again rather than funding games for multiple platforms. Rare had all their critical acclaim thanks to how well they worked together. I'm surprised Microsoft still owns Rare's IPs despite losing keys members of the company,
As long as "ex-Rare" Kirk (who hates Nintendo) isn't on Playtonic, I can sleep soundly that these guys could willingly make a good videogame on Nintendo platforms with love/passion.
I like this. I hope they make a Wii U exclusive. I have my fingers crossed hoping that this "spiritual successor to Banjo Kazooie" doesn't end up going the same way as the "spiritual successor to Eternal Darkness".
I don't want Duck Hunt to be the characters, I believe old Rare members are better designers than Nintendo staff. I want them to create something similar to the amazing Banjo-Kazooie roster of characters. The golden Rare used to create games on their own, and Nintendo didn't want to publish Conker's Bad Fur Day because of its cheeky content.
Playtonic only needs a publisher, they don't need anybody to tell them how to make games.
THIS is VERY good news. Chris sutherland is one of the main driving forces behind Rareware's success in the 90's. This small team is Rare that Microsoft have been sat on and given them NOTHING to do. They could use beanland for music who wrote the killer instinct soundtrack, but if he's still at MS then David Wise is freelance and a genuinely amazing ex-rare staffer.
This could be better than the nintebdo buying back rare. Using that talent for new IP's as opposed to how to resurrect long forgotten and sullied ones is far more promising. playtronic would sign a deal with Nintendo over MS or PS even for less money, those boys are dying to get back working with nintendo
@VanillaLake rare created games but were very much steered by nintendo in the most positive and progressive way. It took both companies to create what came out of rare. all have rare have been quoted as saying as much. If they came back, good things will happen
I would love it if someone snapped them up so they don't have to worry about each game making a profit. I've also been wanting Nintendo to create a 3D platformer with new characters for ages, so seems like a perfect match.
So much of Rare was already gone way before the MS deal though. Free Radical was a big chunk of talent already out the door.
Sounds good to me! I'll support them on this endeavor so long as they bring the goods; and I'm confident they will - strong pedigree here.
A spiritual sequel to BK made by people who actually made BK? Yeah. Count me in.
With the talent that's there Nintendo would be wise to snap them up.Even if it's just for a 2 or 3 game exclusive deal and see where it goes from there.A spiritual sequel to Banjo exclusive on Wii U?Diddy Kong Racing 2 and Blast Corps 2? Yes please!
Nintendo should just buy either Conker, or Banjo and Kazooie IP.
This is exciting news! Rare made some of the best games ever in the 90's in my opinion. Please come to the Wii U!
I advise everyone to subscribe to their newsletter. They even ask how excited you are for this.
@DESS-M-8 Golden Rare were hermit-like in the 90s. Nintendo only visited them from time to time. Nintendo was very jealous of their work, e.g, Banjo-Kazooie. Nintendo didn't appreciate the company as much as to buy more than what they already owned (49%). The Stamper brothers were the founders and had the 51% of its ownership. They sold that share to Microsoft (who thought that they had also bought Donkey Kong!). After this purchase, most employees left the company and started working as small teams or on their own.
Rare didn't need Nintendo to create games, but I wish Nintendo had bought the company back then so now Rare would still exist and Nintendo would be its publisher. Microsoft's Rare is a different group of people with the same name, so I don't want that team to work for Nintendo. Playtonic is more Rare than Rare, if that makes sense.
@Peach64 Hey yeah... NINTENDO SHOULD BUY THEM OUTRIGHT!
I would love for this to happen. The old Rare was responsible for some of my favorite gaming memories.
I absolutely loved mid-to-late 90's Rare (and Viva Pinata ) This could have real potential given the talent involved and how 3D platformers are pretty much non-existent these days outside of Mario. A Wii U release would be nice to pad out the library.
Playtonic's logo is one of the potion bottles that Klungo used to throw at Banjo and Kazooie.
This belongs on Wii U. I've been hearing bits and bats about this project over the past few years and it seems like now they have the means to actually get things started. I'd even love this on New 3DS, but it belongs with Nintendo.
I wish them the best of luck. How amazing would it be to see a Rare Renaissance that didn't actually come from the current Rare.
I want to play Perfect Dark again. And I don't feel like dusting off the N64 to do it either!
The Wii U could use a decent original shooter like that, though a 3D platformer with lots of secrets like BanjoKazooie was would be welcome.
Whether exclusive or not, this belongs on Nintendo platform(s). I'd definitely support a Wii U version if they put it as a KS goal. But yeah, Nintendo might find it wise to buy the studio.
Nintendo need this, badly. The people working there made some of the best games in the SNES and N64 era. Aquiring them and letting them develop their ideas, instead of stifling them like MS, would be nothing but beneficial to Nintendo.
This has me really excited since 90's RARE titles were pretty much all I played back then and if a studio with former members is trying to reproduce that magic then you can be sure I will be keeping an eye on them, especially since they want to create a spiritual successor to Banjo Kazooie which is one of my all time favorite games! I wish them luck!
Awesome! I miss the epic 3D platformers of N64/GCN era, its about time they made a well deserved comeback!
Bring it on guys!!
Duck Hunt Two-ie confirmed.
Getting a good vibe from this. Ninty, get'em!
Sounds like a great team. I'd love for Nintendo to secure an exclusive from them.
now this image is starting to look more real as one of the games has a 3d remake coming out in a few days. Just waiting for the second game to come out.
http://image-cdn.gamnesia.com/9377/13856_418942771534558_310946525_n__large.jpg
THESE guys helped make THOSE games, you say? Playtonic, TAKE MY MONEY!
Their website has the same kind of humour I remember Rare had.
This is the next best thing to having Banjo back. YES PLEASE!!!
Wow, this definitely sounds promising.
I'd love to see more quirky 3D platformers like Banjo Kazooie. (That aren't Mario)
HYPE EXPLOSION
This is great news. They have my full support.
Ex-Rare employees looking to rekindle the golden days of their work on the N64? Give them love Nintendo!
Would be nice if nintendo picked them up, or sony. Microsoft seems to give up on them too easily (no knews of any conker, banjo, viva piñata or any other series). It would be nice to have a new Jet Force Gemini, Banjo Kazooi, Conker's bad Fur Day 2 or even a Viva Piñata game for just the Wii U. That would give all of those people that put down the system something to cry about, and the Wii U needs some new good companies!!!!
Praise on the mysterious force that let this happen!
Rare is dead. Get over it folks!
This will be like a reunion of an aged rock band. You get a warm fuzzy feeling that the old gang is back together, but what they put out now is nowhere near as good as the music they created when they were younger.
Can these guys make a decent game? Maybe. Will it be on par with Banjo or any of the stuff they produced 15+ years ago? Highly unlikely.
@MasterBlaster Why? it is not like when these people left Rare, they stopped making games.
My nostalgia bone is tingling. Weird that they can fund instead of kickstarting like most other new devs. Anyway, they have my attention and they may have my money if they can live up to their reputation.
@icedude545 Have you played any games by Rare on SNES or N64? They are anything but easy.
@MasterBlaster Rare died because MS squashed their creativity and the people who didnt agree and left are now in Playtonic. Under Nintendo they were allowed almost free reign to develop and produce great games, like they did with Platinum Games with Bayonetta 2 and like how they trusted Retro Studios with Metroid and Donkey Kong.
Nintendo: go to your war chest and grab a big bag of money and just go buy this company filled with these talented people.
Good luck. im going to support this so much, and nintendo have to get these on theys side
I feel we all know this will be a platformer, but I hope so badly that it will be a 3-D platformer, and not 2-D, since it is the spiritual successor to Banjo and not DKC. I'll keep my excitement in check until we hear more, but think of the potential!?
@ikki5
In the subsequent years after their N64 success did they produce any games that came close to the same levels of creative success as then? No. So why do you believe they are going to recapture that same quality and magic now?
They are all old men now, people change.
I'm interested in what they are going to do, but I won't allow myself to get diamond hard about it because it will most likely be a let down
I'm Calling it "Ukelele-Flutie"
Please nintendo. Just buy them and maybe they can reassemble rare! We should make it a trend!
I always wanted a spiritual successor to Banjo that featured a dinosaur and a pteranadon instead of a bear and a bird.
This had my heart fluttering like no other. I'm really excited to see what they have in store to consider calling this project Banjo-Kazooie's successor.
Oh me oh my this is awesome news... I really hope something for 3DS comes out of this... I was just thinking about a Donkey Kong 64 remaster/remake until I realized that Rare is more so for Microsoft now... But NOW... We may have something appealing in line!
I'd much rather get a spiritual successor to Jet Force Gemini, but it's cool these guys are back together.
Pity those few studios can't merge and basically become rare again with a new name. Im intersted to see where this goes
@MasterBlaster
"In the subsequent years after their N64 success did they produce any games that came close to the same levels of creative success as then?"
Banjo Tooie came out two years before MS bought them and starting around 2000, when the game was launched, Both Microsoft and Activision were showing interest and visiting them. They did have a game already in development for the gamecube at the time but they never got to finish it because they went first party by 2002. This is why you don't see anything great from them after the N64 Era because Microsoft owned Rare then and controlled them.
Also, what does being old have to do with anything? Look at Miyamoto, Aonuma, Koizumi, They are all old they they still create the magic that they once did 20 years ago plus many more. Being old means nothing.
@ikki5
"Look at Miyamoto, Aonuma, Koizumi, They are all old they they still create the magic that they once did 20 years ago plus many more. "
20 years ago those guys had their hands in everything. Nowadays their roles are basically looking over another game developers shoulder and saying 'ya that looks good, but maybe add some of this...'. If you think any of those guys are pulling all nighters and putting in 80hr work weeks getting games made like they did in the past, you are very naive. They are largely figureheads today. Other guys are doing all the programming and the 'heavy lifting' now. There's a whole new generation of talent at Nintendo who are making the games we play now, and will be in the future.
"This is why you don't see anything great from them after the N64 Era because Microsoft owned Rare then and controlled them."
They had plenty of chances to make good games, like Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, Perfect Dark and others, and they were all largely forgettable and nowhere near the quality of their past titles. Microsoft also owned Bungie, and they managed to somehow make quality games like the Halo series, so saying that the only reason they couldn't make good games was because of Microsoft isn't true at all.
Nintendo had a chance to buy Rare first, but didn't, as they saw the writing on the wall that the magic was gone. This has been discussed a million times elsewhere.
And I hate to break it to you, but many people are their most creative in their twenties and thirties. I'm not sure if a bunch of 40-50+ year old guys trying to rekindle the Rare spirit are going to have much left anymore.
They sound as though they could do interesting things. I hate to say it, but would they want to be tied exclusively to Nintendo at this point? As an independent company, they have to be looking at market share and what is going to get out there and sell. Methinks that makes mobile, PC, and Sony all priorities.
@MasterBlaster
Whats the difference? It is still their creativity, their direction, they say what happens and what goes on in the development of their games. Why is that any difference. Also, 20s and 30s? What a bunch of Hog Wash. Creativity is any time of your life, Some of the worlds most famous paintings are from people when they were in their 40s and 50s... but also from people in their 20s and even 60s-80s. Putting an age for when people are most creative is a bunch of BS. The same applies for Poetry, Writing, and so forth so that age bull crap is a bunch of bull crap. Do us a favour, do some research before you start spewing out bogus statistics.
Also, for plenty of time? like I said, they were under the hand of Microsoft, they didn't give nearly as much freedom as Nintendo did, then again, Nintendo didn't fully own them. We also do not know what kind of creativity they were going to give for the games they had in development that got cancelled. That's what ends up happening. You get these gaps because of a company being bought, so games are cancelled and you end up waiting to see the next one.
Also, Nuts and Bolts... it wasn't a bad game, it was just bad for the name they put on it. If they left it as something else, it would have been a fine game and probably well received. As for Bungie with Halo.... hate to say it but shooters require a lot less creativity than a 3D platformer/ adventure game.
As for Nintendo not buying them, A lot of the people that made those games had already left, some of those people that would be included in the group that this article is about. Then when MS bought them, the rest left.
@ikki5
Haha yes, I am wrong. I am the only person on earth who believes that people are generally their most creative then they are younger and hungrier, not when they are older and less inclined to take risks. No one else has ever held this belief before, and there have never been any examples ever that show this to be the case.
I'm also very interested in this. It's been too long since we had a 3D platformer besides mario. I hope nintendo does snap them up. They really do need more development teams. Nintendo even said a year ago that they were looking into game studio acquisitions. These guys are a good start.
Yeeees!! Pleeeease!!
By the way, @ToneDeath, I don't know about the Duck, but the Dog's name's Mr. Peepers
@Yorumi
So.. I guess anything that comes after the first is not magical.... with the exception of the Mario series with 64 and Galaxy. And it is not really worship status. I am more excited to see what these guys are going to bring to the table because what they created was amazing. It was heart breaking when they had left because it was like the magic they created was never to be revived but now with this, there is a chance. So I am excited to see what they have to offer instead of this morbid attitude you bring here which is probably just a reply bait that I stupidly took.
Also, Splatoon is being developed by Nintendo EAD Group No. 2 which those people I named... all play a major role in that group... meaning that the game development is still over seen and probably heavily influenced by them.
On last thing, why does a game have to be different for it to have "magic"? Seriously, I am curious to see the answer because there is nothing wrong with using the same or similar formula when creating a game or a game series. That is generally how a series is created. What makes them great is the formula that is used and then how you use it in the creation of new games. Just because one game doesn't get as high as a score as another doesn't mean that it is a nothing game. We also cannot compare giant robot or project guard because they are very early (or were when they were shown) development and we really don't have much to base them on. They could move to something even more that can really wow us when they next show it. Same goes with Star Fox. We literally have nothing on that game so comparing these and deciding their outcomes in their alpha stages is really unfair.
I would love for them to make it a "2nd party" Nintendo title, using DuckHunt Dog in place of Banjo/kazooie. I mean, the character is practically a palette swap in smash!
Have you listened the last two Alice in Chains' albums, @MasterBlaster? They are beyond awesomeness!! The last Soundgarden album as well!! Oh, and lets not forget about The Gracious Few, made of the Live members and Candlebox singer. That is one of my favorite bands ever just right there! So, don't come with this "logic" of yours. You're just making me sad because talent is talent, no matter the field. You should know better than that.
@Sherman
HAHAHAHA!
I am a huge AIC fan, and love Soundgarden as well.
Their newest albums don't come close to being as good as their older records from the early to mid-90's. Not even in the same realm.
Horrible example.
Are the Rolling Stones as good today as they were in 1966? How about Aerosmith? Van Halen? Mötley Crüe? Do Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Bob Dillon, and Neil Young write songs today that can hold a candle to their classic works? No. Even more contemporary bands like Guns N Roses and Stone Temple Pilots cant even recreate the success of their recent past.
If you think the new AIC albums featuring a replacement signer are as good as their old ones with the original lineup....I don't really know what to say.
Pretending that Miyamoto still has the same influence and is the creative force he once was in the 80's-90's is laughable.
Yes. Yes. YES. YES!!!!!!!
This is quite likely the best gaming-related news I'v heard this year so far. Long live Playtonic, can't wait to find out more about Project Ukulele (presumably tomorrow, when Edge is officially released).
My best wishes, I really hope they'll succeed. I won't get too excited, yet, but my fingers are crossed either way.
Hope this is what it says on the tin... a classic old school adventure wuth collectables and character... please please please
@Yorumi Cod is bashed because it is the same especially in the later games. Everything looks the game, everything plays the game, the HUD, the guns, the mechanics, everything is the same except with a new skin. There is nothing new. Mario, yeah it is basically the same story but it is not played for the story, it is based on the levels, the creativity in the levels over all. That's a plat former for you.Going by your logic, we can no longer call any plat-former magical because they are all basically the game and mostly follow the same formula as they always have. That goes with any other genre. It all depends on how you use that formula and what you do with it. It is not the same as taking the story of Cinderella, changing the names and calling it new.
First of all, Guns 'n' Roses? Van Halen? Those are not even the same bands, @MasterBlaster. Terrible examples, man XD.
And for the others bands, yes, maybe they are not as good as they used to be, but they are not bad (except for Metallica... they can disappear from the planet for all I care XD). The new albums from a lot of those aren't bad, that's what I'm saying. Are they worth listening? Of course. Buying? Definitely. So, will this guys make a game a good as back in the day? Maybe. Will they make a game that is at least enjoyable? Im gonna go with "Yes". I'm gonna say they have what it takes... let's just hope they awake it in time.
P.S.: ... it had to be done XDDD
@Sherman
Good catch
**Fingers Crossed** Donkey Kong 64 remake as a possible project.
@Yorumi Hmm. it is interesting though. You are saying no one ever says Nintendo is bad when... well, this is wrong.
Sounds like these folks have the right idea. And yes, I think Nintendo should make a phone call here and be in on the ground floor. Whatever these guys want to make, Nintendo should want it to be exclusive to their console.
Buy them up Nintendo, I miss me some banjo kazooie
Oh my god... OH MY GOD YES! Rare is my favorite game developer ever. Yes, I mean my absolute FAVORITE. And Grant is back! YES!
Need I say more?
This could be another Inafune's Mighty No. 9. Best news I've read in a while. Can't stop coming back to read it again and again XD
Nintendo doesn't necessarily need this since the Wii U:s catalogue is already vastly superior and good games just keep coming... but of course i would be delighted if they decided to release it.
Master Blaster may be a bit obnoxious and have a Joker laugh, but he has a point. Adjust your expectations and don't let this game disappoint you. It might be fun as hell, but it doesn't have the 90s Rare logo.
That said I am definitely keeping tabs on this game.
@larry_koopa
Nintendo buying an indie studio that has thus far produced nothing that features 6 employees who worked (in varying capacities) on a couple good games that came out in 1997-1999?
L. O. L.
@MagicEmperor
Thanks for the love
It's wonderful to hear the band is getting back together. Thing is, that was a different time, and a very magical place back when they cranked those beloved games out. Whether the core Rare dream team can still produce that magic, and, produce the kinds of experiences that appeal to today's audiences remains to be seen. But they have my best wishes. Good luck Playtonic
So when Microsoft bought rare, they pretty much shelled out for an empty shell? Or a carcass?
Reading @Yorumi @MasterBlaster attempts to quash any enthusiasm from @ikki5 is a depressing ordeal. I don't recommend it to anyone, really.
There's plenty of counter-points to the cynicism about people losing their strengths in old age. Particularly in the creative arts.
Hayao Miyazaki comes to mind and is abundently creative in his later years. For instance, I personally prefer Ponyo over My Neighbor Totoro (though that wasn't my first impression). Not to mention the creativity in Howl's moving castle. And besides his basic creativity, his knack for detail in human behavior has only strengthened.
Which brings me to the unmentioned benefits of age: experience, wisdom, temperance often give a more mature take on things. I could see that as a great benefit in this particular scenario with ex-rare employees.
One of the most visible places where older creative-types seem to fail is movie directors: George Lucas, for instance. Ridley Scott is another. Peter Jackson. One could strongly argue that age is less of a factor than success and motivation, however.
As far as "magic" in Nintendo games, probably we'll just have to agree to disagree. There's no accounting for taste. Personally, I've been pretty happy with Nintendo's efforts lately. I find Project STEAM refreshing and fun, Splatoon looks great and is not so easily dismissed. The new Zelda looks like it is going to be not only a change from previous Zelda games but also quite unlike other open world games. Even Hyrule Warriors could have been a disaster but Nintendo made it into something that is more than the sum of its parts.
Nintendo Land for me and my family was a complete delight and full of "magic". I know that's not the case for everyone and that's really my point.
@Yorumi hasn't had those experiences I'm guessing.
Rareware fans, we've won at last, join our group and join it fast!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/438525516204751/
@James_mussell98 omg I wonder if that is real that would be a dream come true to re experience banjo with updated graphics
"Please make Wii U your target console platform", said everyone.
Really though this made me giddy like my 8yr old self again.
@dekutree92 it was a fake image for a couple of years but now looking at it, it kinda seems legit, ya' know?
If it comes to Wii U count me in.
@Yorumi Making the same games for 30 years? That's a big fat lie
"Imagine there's an alternative timeline where Rare became independent instead of being bought by Microsoft. What would that company be like? What would it have gone on to become? That's our ambition."
Wow I am excited about this I hope that the studio deliver the goods because Rare were one of my top 3 back in the good old days
Given Nintendo's poor business choices we've seen the last years, I'm always afraid that we won't see a brilliant concept like this studio working with them. I'll just be positive here then, would love to see some new IP's by Playtonic and maybe even a collaboration to develop an old-fresh Nintendo one.
I'm not going to get my hopes up, especially while I'm telling everyone of this.
@abe_hikura Microsoft won't get them: they left Rare for a reason...
@VanillaLake no, that's your opinion not fact. Fact is, rare were very subtlety steered both creatively and techniquely by key nintendo staff in a very mutually rewarding partnership, they weren't Rare's publisher, rare was one of their development teams and they were very closely watched as with all their teams. All ex rare staff have all expressed explicitly that this was how the partnership worked and stated regret over them instigating the breakdown of that relationship.
@DESS-M-8 That's not true what you are saying, I've read everything about Rare in the 90s, The relationship with Nintendo was good but Rare was hermit-like and developed everything on their own, of course reporting to Nintendo. It's late in Europe so going to bed now so goodbye.
I don't even care what genre it is, this is a day one buy for me when it gets released, and yes I'll say that this early.
Reading this comment section was... interesting. The biggest takeaway I get is that some of you all seem to think I should shoot myself in the head the minute I turn forty. After all, I'm a writer, and only young people are creative.
Fortunately, both for me and for our friends making the game, that's not really true.
@VanillaLake you've clearly not read everything about rare in the 90's or you would be aware of the reality that surrounded the split. Rare prompted the sale believing they didn't need nintendo. Retrospectively all ex staff have expressed genuine regret over the move as time showed them how much nintendo actually steered them. Their studio rapidly fell to pieces after the sale.
Rare WERE a creative force but we're very cleverly steered by miyamoto and nintendo. Rare ex staffers such as Tim hollis, Chris stamper, Chris seaver and Phil tossell have all said this. Rare were good, but they got insanely good whilst working with nintendo. Then without nintendo they literally died and got sodomised by Microsoft.
Is any of that chronology wrong? No.
You're further missing the point. Playtronic coming to nintendo is a HUGE deal in a very positive way. If playtonic merged with nyamyam and worked with with nintendo you are almost looking at a rebirth of Rareware and rare permanently dead and buried, but with a new studio capable of building top quality IP's to better banjo, conker, perfect dark and killer instinct
@Sherman
Just wanted to give you another shout out for that 'Bob Dillon' typo and your photo, hahaha, I don't know why the hell I wrote his name that way!
Hahaha, I know, @MasterBlaster. I laughed so hard too XD
Glad you took it as the silly joke it is and not as an attack
It's just... the thought of that photomontage... It was too much to let it slide, haha.
@SupremeAllah The HD port of Perfect Dark on Xbox360 is worth playing. 4J Studios did an awesome job on the conversion, pretty much built a completely new graphics engine, but kept damn near everything else untouched. Also added Live support, which is capable of actually hosting players and Sims without killing the framerate (though there's a cheat to make it act like an N64 and make the game nigh-unplayable).
@Cia most ridiculous and utterly blind eyed view of anything I have ever read in my life.
At what point has the wii u software library been so brim burstingly amazing that it could afford to say no to potential exclusivity on some AAA titles?
My hopes are so unbelievably high for a "second coming" of Rareware games. I was actually playing BanjoeKazooie earlier this evening while waiting for video to render, and it's still just as wonderful as ever.
@Sherman
Joke or attack, I don't mind haha, It was good!
Even better, @MasterBlaster, haha.
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