Microsoft confirms Rare buy, Xbox Live date
Published: 25 Sep 2002 08:52 BST
Microsoft executives on Tuesday confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in the game industry: the company's purchase of British game developer Rare.
Ed Fries, vice president of Xbox game content for Microsoft, confirmed the purchase at a promotional event in Spain for the game console. Microsoft said in a statement that it had paid $375m in cash for the developer, best known for creating titles such as "GoldenEye" and "Donkey Kong 64" for Japanese game giant Nintendo. Rare will now produce console games exclusively for the Xbox, although it will continue to make games for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance handheld player.
As previously reported, Nintendo had sold its 49 percent ownership interest in Rare and confirmed that the deal was part of Microsoft's acquisition of the studio.
Analysts have said Microsoft needs to dramatically enhance the quality of the roster of games available for the Xbox, particularly games aimed at younger and casual players, if it is to compete with industry giants Sony and Nintendo.
"Rare has a tremendous track record...and they will be bringing their content exclusively to Xbox," Robbie Bach, Microsoft's chief Xbox officer, said during a press conference following the announcement. "They have been for the last 20 years perhaps the leading game developer in the world...They will certainly help broaden and deepen our portfolio."
Nintendo will retain rights to some Rare-affiliated franchises, such as Donkey Kong and Star Fox, while Microsoft will have rights to produce sequels to more recent Rare games such as "Banjo-Kazooie," "Conker's Bad Fur Day" and "Perfect Dark."
Microsoft said the first Xbox game from Rare, an original adventure named "Kameo," would be ready next spring. An Xbox sequel to "Perfect Dark" is also in the works for next year.
Microsoft also released some details on its plans for Xbox Live in Europe. Xbox Live's European retail launch will take place on 14 March, 2003 -- exactly a year after the console launched in the UK and Europe.
On 30 October, Microsoft will kick off a closed beta test in the UK, France, and Germany with 3,000 testers selected from the public. An "open test" will run from 30 November to the retail launch. European Xbox owners will need a starter kit that will cost £39.99 and will include the software and peripherals needed to run Xbox Live and two bundled games.
Last week at the Tokyo Game Show, Microsoft announced that Xbox Live would launch in Japan on 16 January. The US launch is scheduled for 15 November.
Microsoft is partnering with various European communications providers to help consumers hook up to the broadband-only Xbox Live service, including deals with BTopenworld and France's Wanadoo communications conglomerate.
"I stand here more convinced than ever we made the right decision (to restrict Xbox Live to broadband connections)," said J. Allard, Microsoft's general manager for Xbox. "We decided that narrowband gaming was like sucking pizza through a straw."
GameSpot.com's Sam Parker contributed to this story.
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