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Editorials   What's up with RARE?
- By Michael Loewer

I almost feel a bit lazy writing up this editorial so late, but all of a sudden feel it might be fun simply because we have a sort of rivalry here on staff.

Just before E3, everyone was bombarded with rumors concerning Rare's status as a second-party. These rumors were relatively varied, ranging from Rare simply thinking about becoming a still somewhat loyal third-party, to developing multi-platform, to pulling a Square and becoming exclusive for another platform entirely. E3 then, gave a nice opportunity for we in the pseudo-gaming media to ask Nintendo directly about Rare's plans.

I haven't seen much in the way of transcripts from Nintendo's press junket, which means they're either non-existent or behind locked doors at sites such as IGN and Gamespot. I personally have the whole damn meeting on tape, but said tapes are currently with a fellow staffer, so I'm somewhat screwed now and forced to relay this information from memory.

A staff member from someplace I don't remember asked Nintendo during the Q&A session about Rare's status as a second-party and how Nintendo would react and such. Jedi Peter McDougall quickly responded with, basically: "Nintendo has a lot of great games coming out, some of which coming from Rare, and we're continuing to look forward to those releases."

Dude, please. Answer the question.

Luckily, Shawn O'Neill from our close friends at GCAdvanced.com was able to ask the question again. He wasn't taking any prisoners, and directly said: "I'm questioning again Rare's status as a second-party. Will they remain a second-party to Nintendo or are they now a third-party?" The room became tense as it seemed Nintendo's elite would have to give some sort of relevant response. McDougall again dodged the question entirely, and basically stated that it was business as usual for the time being between Nintendo and Rare, and that they're both producing great games, and blah blah this isn't the droid you're looking for blah blah.

Damn. Stupid public relations.

This of course resulted in a high level of mixed feelings among the gaming crowd. The conspiracy theorists began to come out of the woodwork as they analyzed the statements. "Oh, business as usual means just that, no changes. But wait, he said business as usual right now or for the time being, that implies change later on." Egads, whatever shall we do?

Our own staff was completely divided as well. I, for one, don't really care either way as I'm still slightly pissed at Rare for giving up the Bond license and therefore ruining the series for all eternity. You people have played TWINE, right? Christ and a half, not even close.

Anyway, we've got two strong factions brewing, led by two of the editor-in-chiefs here on the site. Dan Doll of NPuzzles is thoroughly convinced that these rumors have no basis in reality and that even if Rare does go third-party it'll only be so that they can dabble around on other systems. The strong loyalty to Nintendo will remain. Travis Coats of NSports is far more pessimistic about the whole situation, and is completely convinced that Rare is planning on selling out entirely and going second-party to some other console. Whether it's XBox or PS2 doesn't matter, because Travis hates both of those with a passion with far more fervor than most people could even begin to comprehend.

What are their arguments? Let's find out.

Dan Doll:

Nintendo's E3 answer on Rare was bull, and we were all there to see that.

First off, whoever asked the question phrased it terribly. Nintendo would have avoided it anyway, only here it was a little less obvious. The question was like, "There've been a lot of rumors about Rare going multiplatform, is there any truth to them?"

And Nintendo basically replied, "Right now it's business as usual, as you can see with Star Fox: Adventures on the show floor."

Woah, what a sidestep. "Business as usual." You know what that means? Nothing. As long as Rare is making a game for Nintendo, Nintendo will call it "business as usual." They could still be making a PS2 game (Perfect Dark or whatever the rumor might be at the time).

I think in hindsight the question should have been much more direct. "Is Rare developing for PS2 or Xbox?" An answer then of "Star Fox rocks!" would have been a more blatant cover up. The rumors aren't looking good, and it certainly wouldn't shock me to see something for multiple consoles confirmed down the line.

Personally, I'd like to see Rare stay exclusive to help out Nintendo, and I believe that if they release a game on PS2, especially Perfect Dark, it would also be released on Gamecube. If not, I just remembered I have a new PS2, so some of the heat is off.

Travis Coats:

First off, I am completely convinced that Rare is going multiplatform. While I don't think they are going to go the way of Square and completely sever ties with Nintendo, I do think that the X-Box and PS2 are going to see exclusive titles. I'd say Conker 2 for X-Box and the next Perfect Dark for PS2, if I were to venture a guess.

Let me just say, this whole thing !@#$ing sucks. I personally love Rare's games. I think they are an extremely talented company that creates wonderful experiences. It chaps my ass that I will not be able to play either sequels to my favorite games, or new franchises that could be of interest. Why can't I? Because, I don't care what game it is, or who makes it... I'm not going to buy an X-Box or a PS2. Even if Nintendo went third party (Which isn't going to happen, never doubt that for a second.) and made games for other systems, odds are I STILL wouldn't buy them. I'm a fanboy in the purest sense of the word, and Rare leaving (at least in my eyes) can only be seen as a betrayal of the highest form. Hell, I'm going to have a hard time playing Starfox now for pete's sake. Now, I understand they want more money, and who doesn't? But still, it doesn't make it right in my eyes, and they can rot in hell for leaving. End of story.

On a brighter note, ED is almost here! Oh, and sports games rule...or something.


Editor-in-Chief Michael Loewer, out.