X02 Rare purchased for $375M & 5 games in 2 years

[Cool8man]

Press Release Source: Microsoft Corp.


Microsoft Acquires Video Game Powerhouse Rare Ltd.
Developers of Such Worldwide Hits as 'Donkey Kong 64,' 'Banjo-Kazooie,' 'GoldenEye 007' and 'Perfect Dark' Bring Their Talents to Xbox
Tuesday September 24, 4:00 pm ET


REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) today announced it has purchased U.K.-based Rare Ltd., one of the world's leading video game developers, further demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to providing the most innovative interactive experiences available on its Xbox(TM) 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 company's annual X02 event, Chris Stamper, chairman and technical director of Rare, said, "Our mission at Rare has always been to make the industry's best games for the widest possible audience. Teaming with Microsoft gives us the best opportunity to accomplish this goal. Microsoft's dedication and commitment to game creators, research and development, and to gaming innovation made them the obvious partner to take Rare into the future."

"We've 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 Rare's next title was announced. You didn't know what genre it would be, but it didn't 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 today's 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(TM)," named Game of the Year by Electronic Gaming Monthly. Rare's 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.

[Cool8man]

Relevant info....

1. The Stamper Bros. did not leave to start a new company
2. MS paid less than all the estimates
3. Kameo and PD are already running on Xbox and will be shown
4. Rare will release at least 5 games in the next 2 years, Kameo by Spring
5. Holy sh*t!


Video Streams of the Rare announcement...

Hi
Lo

[DeathKnightMaF]

In what has to be the biggest announcement today, Microsoft finally officially announced the purchase of U.K-based developer Rare. While ending the long-running rumors of the past, Microsoft revealed the acquisition was for $375 USD and, as of today, Rare will being developing games for Xbox. Moreover, Microsoft now has the rights to such titles as: Kameo, Conker, Perfect Dark, Killer Instinct, Banjo Kazooie, Jet Force Gemini, Blast Corps, Saber Corps, and many other Rare titles.

Speaking on the announcement made today at the X02 event in Seville, Spain, was Chris Stamper, chairman and technical director of Rare: "Our mission at Rare has always been to make the industry's best games for the widest possible audience. Teaming with Microsoft gives us the best opportunity to accomplish this goal. Microsoft's dedication and commitment to game creators, research and development, and to gaming innovation made them the obvious partner to take Rare into the future."

Link

Hopefully they're right about the other titles besides the obvious 4.

[SlightlySycho]

Sweet. I didn't think they'd get Banjo-Kazooie.

Besides, Kameo and PD (the givens), Banjo would probably be the next likely candidate (strong franchise). Conker got a good reaction, so it should probably get in there two. The fifth game is much harder to guess at. People have been talking about Killer Instinct alot, but it could be Blast Corps just as easilly. And, of course, it could be a completely original title as well.

[Cool8man]

It was confirmed MS now owns Killer Instinct and all of those other Rare games.

[DZNUTZ]

its all about PD and CBFD!

an over the top CBFD for xbox would be the ish

[clutch]

This is great news. I hope some of these games come out soon.

[SlightlySycho]

Two years isn't that long. Come to think of it, it's actually fairly short. I hope Rare doesn't get rushed. I was really hoping the next Conker would be an epic; much longer than the last game.

By the way, what's Kameo? It sounds familiar, but if it sounded like a title exclusive to another console I probably wouldn't have even looked at it.