| What now? The apocalypse has finally come. Microsoft has acquired Rareware. With Nintendo and Rare's ties cut the possibilities are endless. There is no real way to introduce this editorial. Microsoft has bought Rareware... When Rare starts developing Xbox titles there are several things that could happen. Will Rare use a new title or a currently existing character for their first Xbox title? This will depend on the license agreement that Nintendo and Rare strike. If Nintendo somehow lets Perfect Dark slip through their fingers it would be hell for GameCube owners but a giant plus for Xbox owners. The smartest thing for Rare to do would be build a Xbox fan base by using their popular franchises on Microsoft's console. If Rareware's debut were Perfect Dark Zero and Conker's Other Bad Fur Day Rare would gain an immediate following. The problem is however, Microsoft themselves. Microsoft is no Nintendo. Nintendo and Rareware were like bread and butter. Rare was the one developer that Nintendo didn't breath on. Nintendo put up with Rareware's constant delays and even aided Rareware in development. Microsoft is a money hungry super power. Microsoft will not put up with five year development cycles. Therefore Rareware will be forced to put out unpolished titles on the Xbox and will not be able to fully do what they have done in the past. Then we get back to the games again. What will Rareware be using if Nintendo manages to keep licenses such as Perfect Dark, Conker and Banjo-Kazooie? That means that Rare will have to go back to the drawing board and start from the beginning. When Rare moves onto the Xbox it will be like starting all over. They will have to become familiar with the Xbox hardware, design and copyright new characters, and then move onto to Rare's ridiculous development cycles. If Microsoft doesn't rush Rare to put out a title it will be a long time before we see a Rare title released on the system. What if Rare does get away with the licenses? Surely there has to be some light in this planet of darkness. Rare will get to to work with slightly better graphical power with the Xbox hardware. Online gaming is also being supported more by Microsoft than it was by Nintendo. Our dreams of Perfect Dark Online may come true. Then again though, that adds development time to Rare's already slow cycles which may be rushed. Banjo-Threeie may come to life but won't be fully appreciated because of the Xbox's distribution demographic. So what happens overall if Rareware gets some licenses out of Nintendo? Microsoft will rush Rare and basically ruin the already existing series and Rareware's reputation. Rareware will become a figment of the past and Microsoft gets their immediate money out of the deal but overall hurts Rare and doesn't use Rare to the fullest. Now if Rare doesn't get the licenses from Nintendo that may not be what Rare wants but it will be best for all 3 developers in the deal. Microsoft will get Rare and "strengthen" their line up. Rare gets to start all over and gets some slack from Microsoft to become familiar with the hardware and such. Rare makes some original titles that are good but of course not as good as they could have been thanks to Microsoft. Nintendo internally develops the sequels in the Perfect Dark series and other Rare franchises and does them right. Those who bought a Nintendo GameCube for Rare's franchises are happy. Therefore everyone would walk away happy. Right? The departure of Rareware is a slap in the face to Nintendo fans. You shouldn't really worry too much because Nintendo is Nintendo. They surely have a plan, or else the sale of Rare wouldn't happen. Should you go out and buy an Xbox for Rare's titles? Not yet. Wait and see what Rare does on the platform and then make your decision. What will happen to Rare? They will not be the power they were on Nintendo's side, however, their presence will surely be felt. |
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| - Editorial - Ryan Reynolds- 21/09/02 |
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